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1st LD Writethru: Military operations kill 9 civilians in S. Afghanistan

Xinhua, April 2, 2017 Adjust font size:

Military operations have killed nine civilians in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan Sunday, a local security official said.

"During operations which launched at 02:00 a.m. local time today in Malgir area of Gereshk district, nine civilians including three women, four children and two men were killed," the official told Xinhua.

However, he refused to give his name, saying authorized officials would talk to media after investigation.

The official also added that Afghan and NATO-led Resolute Support forces discovered a weapon cache of Taliban in a house in Malgir area and detonated it which damaged some houses and one house collapsed due to the blast killing nine members of a family.

Two Taliban militants present in the house were also killed due to the blast at nearby, the official asserted.

Meanwhile, spokesman for provincial government Omar Zawak when approached by Xinhua confirmed the incident but without giving information said, "Investigation is underway".

Taliban outfit has also confirmed that two militants were killed in clash with security forces in Malgir area of Gereshk district early morning.

The poppy growing and militancy-plagued Helmand province has been regarded as Taliban hotbed in the southern region of Afghanistan. Enditem