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Roundup: Scores killed as fighting intensified in Afghan southern Helmand province: Officials

Xinhua, March 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

More than 70 people with majority of them militants have been killed over the past two days as fighting between security forces and Taliban insurgents has been continuing in parts of the restive Helmand province, officials said Saturday.

Up to 45 militants have been killed and 35 others injured as a clash erupted in Sangin district, Helmand province, an army spokesman in the province, Mohammad Rasoul Zazai said.

"A group of Taliban militants were attempting to storm security checkpoints in Sangin district early Saturday but the security forces acting upon intelligence report laid ambush and killed 45 armed insurgents on the spot and injured 35 others," Zazai told Xinhua.

The Taliban after suffering casualties fled the area, the official contended.

Similarly, an official on the condition of anonymity reported four police were killed by armed militants in Helmand province on the same day on Saturday.

"Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint in Naqilabad area of Nad Ali district early Saturday killing four police personnel," the official told Xinhua, but declined to be identified.

However,spokesman for Helmand provincial government, Omar Zawak has confirmed the incident but refused to comment on possible casualties.

Meantime, 30 security personnel have been killed in Gawband area of Nahr-e-Saraj district, Helmand province over the past two days, a security official, Satar Khan Norzai confirmed on Saturday.

The official also noted that units of police had been sent to Gawband area to bolster government control there.

Taliban militants, however, claimed that the insurgent group attacked security checkpoints in Shana Gombad locality in the outskirt of Helmand's provincial capital Laskhkar Gah late Friday night killing over two dozen soldiers.

Taliban militants, according to local political watchers, have intensified activities ahead of the proposed peace talks with Afghan government expected to be held within weeks in Pakistan. Enditem