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32 dead as US, Afghan forces battle Hizb Islami
Azizullah Khan for Daily Times (Pakistan) Thirty two people have been killed in battles between US-led coalition forces and suspected activists of Taliban, Al Qaeda and Hizb-e-Islami of Gulbadin Hekmatyar near Afghanistanâs south-eastern border with Pakistan. People coming from Spin Boldak told Daily Times in Chaman that at least 19 Taliban, 11 Afghan soldiers and two US soldiers were killed and 20 injured in the fighting. Sources in Spin Boldak said eight Afghan and two US soldiers were killed in Shin Narey area where four Taliban were injured and two vehicles destroyed. Eight Taliban and three Afghan soldiers were reportedly killed in Adi Ghar mountains while 11 Taliban were killed in Maruf area. US and Norwegian warplanes have been bombarding the barren Adi Ghar mountains north of the border town of Spin Boldak since Monday, witnesses told the Daily Times. Col. Roger King said between 250 and 300 US troops, accompanied by a small contingent of Afghan soldiers were Tuesday continuing to fight intermittently with the group. He claimed there were no coalition injuries. Khalid Pashtun, spokesman for the governor of Kandahar, told Daily Times Hekmatyarâs men were fighting alongside Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters, âthough most of those captured appear to be Talibanâ. Other officials said a former Taliban police chief of Kandahar Hafiz Abdul Majeed was believed to be leading the rebels, along with another Taliban commander Hafiz Abdur Raheem. There was a report back in April that Hafiz Abdul Majid had been iced by person or persons unknown in a drive-by. Pak border cops confirmed the hit â guess they either changed their minds or it's an imposter... Kandahar provincial security chief General Akram said 60 âTaliban or Al Qaedaâ fighters were involved. Speaking by telephone from Kandahar, Akram said the brother of a senior Taliban commander, Abdur Rahim, had been captured. Asked how long the operation might last, King said: âI would be very, very hesitant to put a deadline. There is a lot of ground to cover. Itâs a relatively large area...It is rough terrain, it could take a considerable period of time.â Afghan government officials said at least one Afghan soldier had been killed in the clashes. King said there were no coalition casualties. Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-01-30 |
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