SHAFAQNA – Afghan security forces have killed 51 Taliban militants in a series of operations across the conflict- ridden country over the past 24 hours, while the armed Taliban outfit captured a district after heavy fighting, according to official sources on Sunday.
“Units of police have conducted several anti-terrorism joint operations with the national army and National Directorate for Security in Kunar, Nangarhar, Baghlan, Kunduz, Faryab, Badakhshan, Sar-e-Pul, Jowzjan, Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, Logar, Ghazni, Paktiya, Herat and Badghis provinces over the past 24 hours during which 51 armed insurgents have been killed, 15 wounded and one was arrested,” said a statement of the Interior Ministry released here.
The statement did not say whether there were any casualties on the side of the security personnel.
Meanwhile, Taliban fighters who have been fighting the government to regain power captured a district in the northwest Badghis province on Sunday, Bahawudin, head of the Badghis provincial council said.
“The terrorist Taliban outfit launched a massive offensive on Jawand district on Saturday night and the clash lasted several hours, forcing security personnel to retreat from the district headquarters and thus enabling the insurgents to capture the district,” Bahawudin told Xinhua.
Jawand is the most populated district in Badghis province, the official added, warning that Taliban would consolidate their grip if the government does not take rapid action to dislodge the militants.
Taliban’s advances in Jawand district took place just days after the government forces recaptured Nawa district in the eastern Ghazni province.
The armed Taliban outfit in an online statement confirmed overrunning Jawand district, saying the militants captured the district early on Sunday after three hours of fighting.
Taliban militants launched their so-called annual spring offensive on April 24, and since then they have conducted a series of attacks on government interests in different provinces, claiming hundreds of lives including militants, security personnel and civilians.