67 militants, 4 police killed in Kandahar clashes

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): At least 67 Taliban insurgents and four policemen have been killed and several others wounded in two separate clashes in southern Kandahar province, an official said on Tuesday.

Police spokesman Zia Durrani told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants launched a coordinated attack on security check-posts in Maiwand in an effort to capture the district at 11pm on Tuesday.

He said the security personnel and the Afghan Air Force were ready before the rebels could execute their plan. At least 57 guerrillas were killed and 16 others wounded during a firefight.

Four policemen were also killed and 11 others wounded, he said, adding seven vehicles and several weapons belonging to the Taliban were destroyed during an airstrike.

Separately, 10 insurgents were killed and 23 others, including eight policemen, wounded during a clash in Khakrez district late on Tuesday night. The Taliban have not yet commented on the incidents.

sa/mud