 Two suspected militants have been killed and 12 others captured in a clash with Afghan and US-led coalition forces in southern Afghanistan.
"Hmmm... Turbans... Automatic weapons... Explosives... Riding motorcycles... Legume, I suspect these may be militants!"
"Inspector! How do you do it?" |
A US military statement said the clash occurred north of the southern city of Kandahar. Separately, police say 18 commanders linked to an anti-government warlord, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, have surrendered.
| Hek's boys packing it in, huh? |
There has been an increase in militant activity in the south and east of the country after a lull during the Brutal Afghan winter. The incident happened when the Afghan and coalition forces spotted a group of 15 rebels moving in a narrow valley and blocked their way, a US military statement said. Two militants were killed and another wounded in the gun battle.
"Rosebud!"
"Rosebud!"
"Owwww!" |
The soldiers detained 12 rebels from the group after a "complete search of the area," the statement said. About 150 rebels have been killed in violence this year, according to the US and Afghan government figures quoted by the Reuters news agency. The commanders linked to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar were said to have surrendered as part of a reconciliation drive aimed at former militants. The fighters are said to have given themselves up in the south-eastern town of Gardez on Sunday. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's group, Hezb-e-Islami, is suspected of carrying out a string of attacks against US and Afghan troops.
| I believe he's issued a press release or two saying the same thing |
Last month, the Afghan government extended its amnesty scheme to include top figures in the former ruling Taleban, and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. |