18 Taliban, 3 civilians killed in Logar clashes

Eighteen Taliban militants and three civilians have been killed during clashes with Afghan security forces in central Logar province, an official said on Wednesday.

Police spokesman ShapourAhmadazi said the Afghan security forces conducted air and ground operations in Khaka, Doshanbi, Qala-i-Hayat, QalaMalak localities of Baraki Barak district and in Sapandokas locality of Azra district late on Tuesday night.

In these operations, he said, 18 Taliban militants were eliminated and three others wounded and as many more arrested alive in the overnight raids.

According to his information, one vehicle, seven motorbikes and some weapons of the insurgents were also destroyed.

He said security forces and civilians suffered no causalities. But Abdul Wali Wakil, a member of the provincial council, told Pajhwok that two women and a child were killed and eight others wounded when a mortar shell landed at their house in Salaamkhel locality in Azra district.

The Taliban have so far said nothing in this regard.

According to provincial officials, at least 30 Taliban militants have been killed over the past one week in the province.