Laja Mangal clash: security personnel among 27 killed

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Twenty-three Taliban militants and four security forces have been killed during a clash in the Laja Mangal district of southeastern Paktia province, on Sunday, officials said.

Provincial Council Member Taj Mohammad Mangal told Pajhwok Afghan News the fighting erupted since Saturday night. He indicated the location of fighting close to the district centre.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Brig. Gen. Raz Mohammad Mandozai said 23 Taliban militants had been killed and eight others wounded in the overnight firefight.

He said two policemen and as many Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were also killed in the nighttime assault.

Fresh security forces had been reached to the district and retook a security check-post from Taliban insurgents, he concluded.

On the other hand, a security official, who wished to go unnamed, told Pajhwok the district intelligence director along with two others security personnel were also killed in the clash but the spay-network had rejected the claim.

The district police headquarters officials said that Taliban militants have also destroyed the Salaam telecom tower in the nighttime firefight.

The Taliban have not spoken about the incident.

Pk