Police: 160 Taliban killed in Helmand’s Nawa operation

The police chief on Tuesday claimed that 160 Taliban militants were killed and 52 others wounded in a recent operation in southern Helmand province.

Police chief Wali Jan Sarhadi told Pajhwok Afghan News the operation had recently been launched in Nawa district.

He said the Nawa-Lashkargah highway was reopened during the operation that resulted in the killing of at least 160 militants.

Another 52 rebels were wounded and a number of weapons and ammunition destroyed, he added.

“We should not discuss what kind of situation had been before, but our troops showed courage and defended the province and recaptured many areas.”

Niazi, a resident of Nawa district, said security forces had not been made to make any progress during the operation in the district.

“The road mentioned by the commander remained open for a while before it was recaptured and closed by the Taleban,” he said.

Noorullah, another resident, insisted that government forces should remain in areas captured from the Taliban and not leave them.

The Taliban have not yet commented in this regard.