Security forces clear militants in S. Afghan beleaguered city: police

The Afghan security forces have cleared several villages in surrounding areas of Tirin Kot city, capital of southern Uruzgan province, police said on Tuesday.

In early September, the Taliban militants launched a coordinated attack and tired to capture control of Tirin Kot, posing an imminent threat to the city. Since then, sporadic clashes between security forces and Taliban have been continuing in the city, 370 km south of Kabul.

"Military and cleanup operations to fight back militants in outer sides of Tirin Kot have been continuing. The security forces made advancement in Talani and Paynawa, the last unclear pockets in outskirts of the city, clearing most of areas from militants on Monday, now, the security threats on Tirin Kot have been zeroed," provincial police chief Wali Jan Sarhadi told Xinhua.

The clearing operations will continue until the city and surrounding villages are cleared of the militants, he said.

During the ongoing operations, huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosive were seized, he noted.

The Taliban militants have been on the rampage since April when they launched a so-called annual rebel offensive in different places in Afghanistan, including the capital of Kabul, killing and injuring hundreds. Endit