Polls violence leaves 3 dead, 5 others hurt

PUL-I-ALAM/ LASHKARGAH, QALAT, MEHTARLAM (Pajhwok): Three militants were killed and five others, including two policemen wounded in bomb blasts and clashes in southern Zabul, Helmand, central Logar and eastern Laghman provinces on Saturday, officials said.

Three civilians were injured in a mine blast at a station in Mughal Khel High School in Mohammad Agha district, said Abdul Halim, the district administrative chief.

Soon after the blast, he said security forces cordoned off the area and voters had returned to cast their vote.

Separately, fierce clashes were ongoing between militants and police close to a polling station in Marjah district of Helmand province.

Wali Mohammad, a resident, told Pajhwok Afghan News militants were firing toward the polling station to bar people from voting.

According to another report, two policemen were wounded in an explosion in Shah Wali Kot district of Laghman province.

The voting continued uninterrupted as the blast took place far away from the polling station.

Officials from Zabul province said three militants were gunned down when they attacked a polling station in Shar-e-Safa district.

District chief Abdul Khaliq security forces had beefed up security and the voting process was underway.

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