Separately, the Afghan government claimed they had killed 24 Taliban fighters following a clash in a border town in the southeastern parts of Afghanistan on Tuesday. Afghan Defence Ministry's spokesman General Zahir Azimi said the Taliban were killed when they attacked ISAF troops in the border district of Bermel Tuesday evening. He said NATO aircraft also took part in the battle that continued for more than four hours. Azimi admitted the killing of only one Afghan soldier in the overnight clash.In another clash between Taliban and government forces in Helmand, a stronghold of Taliban, a rocket hit a house resulting in the killing of a dozen members of a family. It is not clear whether it was a rocket or a bomb dropped by NATO forces, that bombarded the Taliban positions in the area. Helmand police chief Nabi Jan Mulakhel said the clash erupted in Tajikai area of the Greshk district around 10pm. He said Taliban attacked a police post. The policemen called support from NATO forces, who bombarded positions of the militants. Mulakhel said 15 Taliban were killed in the overnight clash but Taliban rejected his claim as baseless. Purported spokesman for the militia Yousaf Ahmadi said only two of their men were killed. He added 16 policemen were shot dead by the fighters in the ambush.
The recent clash in Helmand took place just 24 hours after a deal, under which the Britsh forces withdrawn from Musa Qala district of the same province. The foreign military and Afghan government said the withdrawal of British troops was followed by an agreement with local elders, who will be responsible for keeping security in the district. They denied any deal with Taliban.
In the neighbouring province of Kandahar, residents say at least eight civilians were killed as NATO aircraft pounded an area in Zerai district of the province. NATO forces denied the civilian casualties and said they had targeted hideouts of Taliban. Mohammad Akhtar, a resident of the Ashgo area, which was bombarded last night, said several houses had been destroyed. He said the dead and injured also included children and women.
| And puppies. And kittens. And baby ducks. |