Roundup: Afghan clashes claim 29 lives in 24 hours

Afghan insurgency and counter-insurgency has claimed 29 lives including 21 Taliban militants and eight police across the conflict-ridden country over the past 24 hours, officials said Monday.

In the latest crackdown against the Taliban outfit, 13 armed militants had been killed as aircraft pounded their hideouts in Dasht-e-Archi district of the northern Kunduz province on Monday, police said.

"Aircraft conducted several sorties against Taliban hideouts at 06:00 a.m. local time in Dasht-e-Archi district today leaving 13 armed militants dead," provincial police spokesman Hajratullah told Xinhua.

The air raids took place amid ongoing cleanup operations in Dasht-e-Archi district and adjoining areas.

In a related development, eight Taliban militants have been killed and seven others injured as a clash erupted in Andar district of the eastern Ghazni province Sunday night, an army spokesman in the province, Hanif Rezae said Monday.

The clash, according to the official, flared up when the security forces launched operations in parts of Andar district to wipe out insurgents.

Two more armed insurgents have been captured, the official said.

The operations would continue until peace and stability return to Andar and its adjoining areas, the official added.

Meanwhile, Taliban militants stormed a police checkpoint in Gereshk district of the southern Helmand province late Sunday night, killing eight local police personnel, a security official confirmed on condition of anonymity.

According to the official, the clash broke out in Abashak area of Gereshk district at 11:00 p.m. local time Sunday and lasted until 03:00 a.m. Monday during which two more police sustained injuries.

Mohammad Ismael, police chief of the Gereshk district, in talks with Xinhua confirmed the clash without providing details, saying investigation has been initiated into the case. Endit