By Xinhua,
Kabul : Conflicts in Afghanistan have left more than two dozens anti-government militants dead in a single day on Friday, officials said Saturday.
Afghan forces backed by the U.S.-led Coalition troops eliminated more than 12 insurgents in Afghanistan’s southern Uruzgan province, a press release of the troops issued here Saturday said.
“Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces killed more than a dozen militants during a security patrol in Shaheed Hasas District, Uruzgan province Friday,” the press release said.
The militants engaged the troops with small arms and indirect fire but caused no casualties.
Another press release issued by the Coalition forces said several insurgents were killed in the western Farah province on the same day.
“Coalition forces killed several militants during an operation in Farah province Friday night,” the press release noted.
The militants’ location was pinpointed through intelligence reports to a remote area known to be a safe haven for Taliban and foreign fighters, it added.
After the militants were positively identified and US forces determined that there were no non-combatants in the area, Coalition aircraft carried out an air strike leaving several militants dead, it said.
Moreover, Asmatullah Alizai, the police chief of eastern Paktia province, told Xinhua that firefight between police and the insurgents left eight rebels dead on Friday.
Afghan Police also arrested five militants in the country’s northern Baghlan province on Friday, according to a statement of Interior Ministry released here Saturday.
Taliban militants have yet to make comments on the claims made by the Coalition and the Afghan official.
Afghanistan has witnessed the surge of Taliban attacks on international and Afghan troops during past weeks when the anti-government militants continue to demonstrate their strength through suicide and roadside bombings.
Escalating insurgency and violent incidents have left around 2,500 people dead since January this year in the war-torn country.