LOC20:21
17:21 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Dec 9 (KUNA) -- At least 31 Taliban rebels were killed and 17 others wounded during a clearing operation by security forces in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province, said officials on Saturday.
Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Hamid Hamidi told media that the joint security forces' operation codenamed "Pamir-14," launched four days ago, resulted in clearing Rostahai Qarghez and Joyy Begom villages of Imam Sahib District.
The spokesman for 20 Pamir Zone police, Ghulam Hazrat Karimi confirmed that at least 31 insurgents, including two notorious commanders named Mualvi Musa and Mualvi Gul Badin were killed and 17 others wounded in the operation.
He further said 10 bunkers and some vehicles belonging to militants were also destroyed while weapons and ammunition captured by security forces during the still underway offensive.
According to local media, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that the security forces targeted civilian homes and only two rebels had been killed and three others wounded in the operation.
The operation came at a time when Taliban rebels have paced up their attacks across Afghanistan following the announcement of US President Donald Trump to maintain presence of US troops in the war torn country. (end)
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