Afghan forces kill 69 Taliban rebels
Saturday, March 24, 2007
AT LEAST 69 Taliban rebels were killed in fighting with Afghan forces in the south of the country, a defence spokesman said yesterday, a day after troops launched an offensive against the guerrillas.
A provincial police official had said on Thursday that Nato-led forces killed 38 Taliban guerrillas in attacks in two areas in Girishk district of Helmand province.
But Defence Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said Nato troops were not involved in the fighting and added the guerrilla death toll had risen to 69.
Seven policemen were also killed and 19 Afghan soldiers wounded, he told a news conference, adding that troops had begun a "cleaning up operation" after the attacks. Fighting has intensified across Afghanistan after winter.
Analysts say this year is a make-or-break year for the Taliban and their opponents.
Nato and Afghan armed forces have launched their largest offensive ever in Helmand, targeting the Taliban and drug lords who are reaping record crops for the second year running.
In Kabul, Nato troops shot and killed a 12-year-old Afghan boy who was in a car with his family in Kabul, the government said, the latest in a series of civilian deaths involving foreign forces.
Nato and US-led coalition soldiers, nervous of suicide car bombings and other attacks, have shot dozens of civilians who have been travelling too close to their convoys.Agencies
A provincial police official had said on Thursday that Nato-led forces killed 38 Taliban guerrillas in attacks in two areas in Girishk district of Helmand province.
But Defence Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said Nato troops were not involved in the fighting and added the guerrilla death toll had risen to 69.
Seven policemen were also killed and 19 Afghan soldiers wounded, he told a news conference, adding that troops had begun a "cleaning up operation" after the attacks. Fighting has intensified across Afghanistan after winter.
Analysts say this year is a make-or-break year for the Taliban and their opponents.
Nato and Afghan armed forces have launched their largest offensive ever in Helmand, targeting the Taliban and drug lords who are reaping record crops for the second year running.
In Kabul, Nato troops shot and killed a 12-year-old Afghan boy who was in a car with his family in Kabul, the government said, the latest in a series of civilian deaths involving foreign forces.
Nato and US-led coalition soldiers, nervous of suicide car bombings and other attacks, have shot dozens of civilians who have been travelling too close to their convoys.Agencies
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