By Xinhua
Kabul : Eight Taliban militants have been killed in a battle with local policemen in Dihrawud district in the southern province of Uruzgan, a local official said Monday.
According to Juma Gul Himat, the provincial police chief, an operation was launched in Dihrawud district two days ago and over 400 Afghan policemen took part in the fighting for clearing Taliban insurgents.
“Clashes on Sunday evening in mountain area of Dihrawud district lasted for one hour,” said Himat, adding that “eight Taliban militants were killed and the rest fled into the mountain.”
“Three policemen were wounded in the fighting,” he said.
Meanwhile, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a purported Taliban spokesman, told media over phone from an unknown place that they ambushed Afghan police in Dihrawud district and withdrew without any casualties after killing eight policemen.
Over 6,000 people lost their lives in conflicts and Taliban-related violence last year.