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Afghan official: Fight with Taliban kills 15 security troops Afghan official: Fight with Taliban kills 15 security troops
(about 2 hours later)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — An Afghan official says at least 15 members of the country’s security forces have been killed in a gunbattle with the Taliban in southern Uruzgan province. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — At least 15 members of the Afghan security forces have been killed in a gunbattle with the Taliban in volatile southern Uruzgan province, an official said on Wednesday.
Mohammad Nabi Niazo, the Dihrawud district police chief, said Wednesday the fighting took place late Tuesday during an operation to reopen an important highway. The fighting took place late Tuesday night during an operation to reopen an important highway in the province, said Mohammad Nabi Niazo, the Dihrawud district police chief.
He says that for four days the Taliban blocked the highway between Dihrawud and the provincial capital, Tarin Kot. He says Afghan forces have retaken control of the road. Taliban gunmen had blocked the highway between Dihrawud and the provincial capital, Tarin Kot, for almost four days, he said.
He did not have information whether any Taliban fighters were killed. Following the deadly firefight, Afghan forces have retaken control of the road, Niazo added. Eight members of the security forces were wounded during the operation.
The Taliban have stepped up their attacks in Uruzgan and neighboring provinces in the south, including Helmand where much of the world’s illicit opium is produced. However, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi told The Associated Press that the battle for control of the highway is still going on. The insurgents often exaggerate their battlefield prowess.
The crop, along with other contraband, funds the insurgency, now in its 15th year. Niazo had no information of any insurgent casualties during the battle.
The Taliban have in recent months stepped up their attacks in Uruzgan and neighboring provinces in the south, including the Taliban heartland of Helmand where much of the world’s illicit opium is produced. The crop, along with other contraband, funds the insurgency, now in its fifteenth year.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.