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Afghan forces kill 20 militants in Helmand

Xinhua, August 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Afghan forces in crackdown against Taliban outfit have killed 20 insurgents in the restive Helmand province since Wednesday, commander of highway police in the southern region Abdul Sattar Norzai said Thursday.

The security forces, according to the official, launched major offensive on Wednesday to reopen an essential road leading to the provincial capital Lashkar Gah and militants resisted leaving 20 rebels dead and several others injured.

Taliban militants who have control on the road and have tightened the noose around Lashkar Gah city are yet to make comment on the situation.

However, the official added that operations are underway to reopen the road.

Taliban militants have intensified activities in Helmand province over the past couple of months during which hundreds of people including militants, security forces and civilians have been killed and hundreds of families forced to leave their houses for safer places. Endit