By Xinhua,
Kabul : Twenty people were killed or injured in clashes and roadside bombings in Afghanistan’s southern and eastern regions on Monday, according to a press release issued by the country’s defense ministry on Tuesday.
Fifteen militants were killed or injured in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar and Helmand provinces on Monday, said the press release, adding “Afghan troops backed by the international troops came in contact with militants in Pashmol district of Kandahar province Monday during which 10 rebels were killed or wounded.”
It also said that the international troops carried out air strikes forcing militants to flee the area.
There were no casualties on Afghan and international troops, the press release noted.
Moreover, five more insurgents were killed or wounded in Marja district of Helmand province in firefight with government forces, it said.
The press release added that a mine planted by insurgents on a road leading to Helmand’s provincial capital Lashkargah went off and killing two soldiers with Afghan national army.
A similar incident in Afghanistan’s eastern Laghman province on the same day claimed the lives of three persons including a police officer, according to a local official.
“A mine planted by militants in Qarghai district exploded Monday afternoon killing a police officer Gharibullah and two civilians,” Asil Ahmad the district chief of Qarghai told Xinhua.
Attacks on international troops are on the rise during past weeks when the Taliban militants continue to demonstrate their strength through suicide and roadside bombings.
Escalating insurgency and violent incidents have left around 2,500 people dead with over 700 civilians since January this year in Afghanistan.