At least 20 dead as Nuristan clash continues

JALALABAD (PAN insurgents in the Barg-i-Matal district of eastern Nuristan province entered a second day on Wednesday, leading to casualties on both sides.

So far 15 attackers have been killed during the clash that left one policeman dead, the governor’s spokesman, Zahir Bahand, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Afghan forces have encircled the area and the clash is ongoing, according to the official, who gave no further details.

But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed 25 policemen were killed and scores of others wounded in the fighting.

Bahand confirmed the death of only four policemen in Paroon, the provincial capital, on their way to the district during an insurgent attack a day earlier.

Off-duty policemen were heading their home town, when they were attacked and killed by the insurgents.

In neighbouring Kunar, three policemen and two insurgents were killed during a clash in the Marawara district, local officials said.

ma/mud

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