Afghan conflict kills 7 militants
Xinhua, January 20, 2015 Adjust font size:
Seven militants were killed as a clash erupted between Taliban and security forces in Imam Sahib district of northern Afghanistan's Kunduz province on Tuesday, a local official said.
"A group of Taliban insurgents raided police checkpoints in Tashgazar area of Imam Sahib district early morning today and police returned fire killing seven rebels on the spot, forcing others to flee," district governor Amanudin Qurishi told Xinhua.
Two local police personnel sustained injuries in the fire exchange, said the official.
Security forces have launched cleanup operations to wipe out militants from the area, the district governor said.
Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, who claims to speak for Taliban, told media via telephone from unknown location confirmed the clash, saying Taliban captured four police checkpoints during the fighting, a claim rebuffed by Qurishi as baseless.
Taliban militants have speeded up activities over the past couple of months in Afghanistan. Endi