LOC14:14
11:14 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Aug 4 (KUNA) -- At least 29 Taliban rebels were killed and several others wounded during a clearance operation by security forces in Afghanistan's southeastern Paktia province, said officials on Thursday.
Provincial Police Chief, Brig. Gen. Qader Gull Zadran said in a statement that Afghan security forces and Taliban militants clashed in Chamkanai and Janikhel districts of Paktia during mop-up operations.
He said that 21 Taliban rebels were killed in Janikhel district and eight others were "eliminated" in Chamkanai district and several others wounded.
Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel had jointly conducted the offensive, he added.
The fight between security forces and Taliban was underway since two days where both sides used light and heavy weapons.
Spokesman for Taliban rebels Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the fighting, claiming that several Afghan security personnel were killed including two of their commanders and some others wounded in the clash. He said during the fighting Taliban took control of two security check posts in the area.
The clashes came at a time when the international leaders agreed to support the war-torn Afghanistan with about 12,000 NATO troops and funding pledge of USD five billion a year for Afghan National Defense and Security Forces through 2020. (end)
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