50 Taliban claimed killed in Helmand raids

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Saturday claimed security forces killed 50 Taliban militants and injured eight others during operations in Lashkargah, the capital city of southern Helmand, and some districts.

The MoD in a statement said the security forces targeted Taliban’s hideouts in the operations in Lashkargah, Garamsir and Nawa districts.

The statement said 50 militants were killed, including a commander who led a group of 100 militants. Eight others were wounded during the round-the-clock operations.

Nawab Shah Zadran, in-charge of the Afghan army’s 215th Military Corps media office, told Pajhwok Afghan News that security forces on Friday night launched ground and air raids on Taliban in Nawa, Garamsir, Nad Ali districts and Bushran area of Lashkargah, the capital.

He said Taliban militants had assembled in these areas to plan attacks on security forces.

He added Mualvi Abdul Salam, a commander of 100 militants, was killed among the 50 others killed and three landmine-planters were among the wounded.

The Taliban have not yet commented in this regard.

Helmand is among the most insecure provinces of Afghanistan, where the insurgents control six districts and some other areas.