Afghan officials: Dozens of Taliban militants killed in latest military operation
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 March 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Afghan officials: Dozens of Taliban militants killed in latest military operation, 12 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a62f13.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 12, 2017
Afghan policemen search travelers at a checkpoint in Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province (file photo)
At least 31 Taliban militants, including a local commander, have been killed and nine others injured in a military operation carried by security forces in southern Afghanistan, government officials said.
The operation took place in the province of Helmand during the past 24 hours, the provincial government's media office said in a statement on March 12.
The statement said that the ground troops backed by the Afghan air forces cleared several areas near the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Air strikes targeted militants in Nad-e-Ali and Garamser districts, it added.
Local Taliban leader Mullah Ewaz was among those killed by air strikes in Garamser's Hussainabad area, the statement said.
The operation came at the start of Afghanistan's spring fighting season, when warmer weather brings increased operations by both militants and government forces.
The Afghan Interior Ministry said on March 11 that security forces had killed 51 armed militants in operations across Afghanistan during the previous 24 hours.
Based on reporting by tolonews.com and khama.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website