Over 50 Taliban killed in Afghan clashes
Afghanistan's defence ministry said yesterday that more than 50 Taliban were killed in two days of "intense clashes" near the southern town of Musa Qala, which was taken from the militants this week.
The fighting in southern Helmand province's Sangin district which neighbours Musa Qala erupted after the Taliban were forced out of the town, the ministry said in a statement.
"The terrorists, after being defeated in Musa Qala, attempted to put pressure on Sangin district. During 48 hours of intense clashes around Sangin, over 50 terrorists have been killed," it said.
It said three of the dead were foreign nationals. al-Qaeda-linked foreign fighters are said to be helping the Taliban in their insurgency against the government and its Western allies.
Three Taliban commanders were also killed in the fighting, which was supported by the Nato-led air force, the statement said, adding that no civilians or friendly forces were killed.
Afghan troops backed by their Nato allies were meanwhile searching for remnants of the Taliban around Musa Qala yesterday and conducting a "clean-up operation", the defence ministry said in a separate statement.
"The Afghan National Army and Nato troops are trying to secure the surrounding areas of the district," it said.
The Taliban stormed Musa Qala 10 months ago, breaking a controversial deal in which British forces pulled out on the request of elders who said they would handle security after months of intense fighting.
The town then became a base for the fighters, whose insurgency is at its bloodiest this year with around 6,000 people dead. The town was recaptured on Monday.
Helmand province is Afghanistan's main opium-growing area and a stronghold for the Taliban militia, who were toppled from government in 2001 for harbouring Al-Qaeda leaders after the September 11 attacks.
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