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Roundup: Clash continues in Afghan Helmand province, district fall to Taliban denied

Xinhua, December 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Afghan officials on Monday confirmed the clash between security forces and Taliban militants in parts of the southern Helmand province, but dismissed the reported fall of Sangin district to the militants as baseless.

"The enemies offensive on Sangin district has been foiled," spokesman for Helmand's provincial government, Omar Zawak told reporters.

However, Zawak confirmed that heavy fighting has been continuing in parts of Sangin district.

Earlier in the day, a parliamentarian from Helmand province, Hashim Alkozai, reported the fall of Sangin district to the Taliban outfit.

Some local officials have also confirmed the fall of Sangin district earlier in the day.

"After heavy clashes with the security forces over the past couple of days in Sangin, the Taliban captured all government office buildings in the district center overnight," a provincial security source told Xinhua, but declined to be identified.

"The security forces retreated to an army's base on the outskirts of district headquarters, where heavy clashes are going on," the source asserted.

The security forces were at urgent need of ammunition and air support as they are engaging with the militants, the official added.

The district, which is located in northeastern of the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, 555 km south of Afghan capital, has been regarded as a strategic area in the province.

Deputy to Helmand's provincial governor Mohammad Jan Rasoulyar warned Sunday that Sangin would collapse if the central government overlooked the critical situation there.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference here on Monday, Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri confirmed the clash in Helmand province, saying the militants have mounted pressure on Sangin, Khanshin, Nad Ali and Gereshk districts and clashes are continuing.

He also confirmed that 15 security personnel have lost their lives over the past 48 hours.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi also confirmed the clash in parts of Helmand province, but didn't provide details. Enditem