4 labs razed, 11 tonnes of drugs torched

JALALABAD (PAN): Four drug-producing laboratories were destroyed and 11 tonnes of narcotics torched during an operation that saw an Afghan forces’ helicopter crashing in eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Tuesday.

An operation by Afghan Special Forces was launched in Bilalkhel and Khadarkhel villages late on Monday, the governor’s spokesman, Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Four drug-making factories were destroyed and 11 tonnes of drugs set alight by the forces, he said, adding about 650 kilograms of explosives and roadside bombs were also seized.

There was a clash between the Special Forces and insurgents, according to Abdulzai, who claimed the two-hour gunbattle left many rebels dead and wounded.

A helicopter of the forces went down after its rotor blades hit a mountain top, he said. The helicopter unable to fly anymore was torched in compliance with the Ministry of Interior’s directives.

But a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed the helicopter was shot down by fighters. All security personnel on board were killed, he said.

mds/ma

Visits: 0