At least 4 soldiers among 11 killed in Helmand attack

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Four Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and seven Taliban insurgents have been killed in a clash in the Greshk district of southern Helmand province, an official said on Saturday.

A reliable source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants attacked army check-posts in the district late on Friday. Four personnel and seven Taliban were killed in the ensuing firefight.

Nine soldiers and several insurgents wounded in the gunbattle, said the source. Provincial security official have not yet commented on the incident.

Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, Taliban’s spokesman, tweeted five soldiers had been killed and two others wounded in an attack in the Torabi Hotal area of Greshk.

A day earlier, the Ministry of Defence said at least 76 militants were killed in military operations in eight provinces in the past 24 hours. Three key Taliban commanders -- Ehsanullah, Haidar and Qahraman -- were among those killed.

Sa/mud