82 militants killed in Uruzgan airstrikes

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): More than 80 Taliban insurgents have been killed and 30 others wounded in airstrikes by Afghan forces in central Uruzgan province, officials claimed on Wednesday.

Col. Rahmat Shah Qemtai, Afghan National Army (ANA) fourth brigade commander in Uruzgan, told reporters that the Afghan Air Force carried out the airstrikes in Tirinkot, the provincial capital, and Harawod and Khas Uruzgan districts on Tuesday night.

He said 82 militants were killed and 30 others wounded in the strikes and two ANA soldiers were also killed during a ground operation in Khas Uruzgan district.

Another security official, who declined to be named, also confirmed Taliban’s casualties and said their bodies remained at the scene.

Governor Mohammad Nazir Kharotai also said dozens of militants had suffered casualties during the offensive. He urged militants to join the peace process instead of pursuing the war.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi tweeted that their fighters stormed security check-posts in Harawod district.

 He claimed 16 security personnel were killed and 11 others wounded and two security posts were captured by Taliban. He said nothing about the airstrikes.

sa/ma

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