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Roundup: Afghan forces kill 87 militants in southern Helmand province, continued clash claims more lives

Xinhua, December 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Endemic clash between government forces and Taliban militants have claimed the lives of 87 insurgents in Taliban former stronghold the southern Helmand province over the past two days, the Helmand-based Miwand army Davisson said in a statement released on Sunday.

The clashes, according to the statement took place in Gereshk and Washir districts which left 87 armed insurgents dead.

"A total of 29 armed rebels have been killed in Gereshk and 58 others in Washir district respectively," the statement asserted without giving more details.

Meantime, defense ministry in Kabul has confirmed that 11 soldiers have lost their lives in war on terror in parts of Helmand province since Saturday.

Notorious for growing poppy and militancy, Helmand province with Lashkar Gah as its capital 555 km south of Kabul has been regarded as Taliban hotbed in the conflict-hit Afghanistan.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Helmand province have intensified activities in the restive province over the past several months to gain more grounds and consolidate positions.

Meantime, Deputy to Helmand's provincial governor, Mohammad Jan Rasoulyar, according to local media reports, has said that some 90 soldiers have lost their lives in war against militants over the past two days.

Rasoulyar has also warned that Helmand would collapse if the central government fails to overlook the situation in the troubled province.

Helmand, which borders Pakistan's Quetta province, according to local political observers, is strategically important for both Afghan government and Taliban outfit. Observers believe that strengthening government control over Helmand would stabilize the entire southern and western regions including Taliban birthplace Kandahar and the western Farah provinces, while Taliban grip over Helmand province would give upper hand to the hardliner outfit in the south and west of Afghanistan, according to analysts. Endit