Taliban raids to overrun Uruzgan capital, towns repulsed

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): The police chief for central Uruzgan province on Tuesday said Taliban militants recently attempted to capture the provincial capital, Tirinkot, and some districts but failed and sustained heavy casualties.

Brig. Gen. Rahmatullah Sidiqi said the militants once again tried to overrun Chora, Charchino, and Gizab districts and Tirinkot city, taking the advantage of winter season.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants attacked these district centers according to their plots, but faced strong resist from security forces and were defeated.

The Taliban, however, captured some check-posts, but security forces recaptured them and repulsed their assaults, according to Sidiqi.

He claimed many militants, including a notorious commander Qari, had been killed during the clashes. Three ANA soldiers were also killed in Charchino district.

The insurgents used civilians as human shield and attacked security forces from their homes, a claim the Taliban denied.

On the other hand, 205^th Military Corps’ spokesman said about 31 rebels had been killed recently during an ongoing operation codenamed “Atal 37” in Charchino district and other areas.

sa/ma