118 militants killed in southern Afghan province in 3 days: official

More than 100 armed militants have been killed in Taliban stronghold the southern Helmand province and scores of others injured over the past three days as fierce fighting has been continuing in parts of the restive province, provincial governor Hayatullah Hayat said on Tuesday.

"A total of 118 Taliban rebels have been killed, 73 injured and 11 others made captive over the past three days," Hayat told reporters in a press conference here.

Fierce fighting has been going on in Nahr-e-Saraj, Nad Ali and Gereshk districts, the official admitted.

The clash has been intensified amid concerns among locals that some areas may fall to the Taliban militants if the government overlooks the sensitivity of the situation there.

Governor Hayat, however, didn't mention the number of casualties suffered by the security forces.

However, the governor said that reinforcements would soon be deployed in sensitive areas to dislodge militants.

Meantime, an official on the condition of anonymity said that nearly 90 security personnel had been killed and injured elsewhere in Helmand province since Sunday.

Taliban outfit has confirmed the clash in Helmand province and in online statement claimed inflciting casualties on government forces in parts of the restive province.

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