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KABUL (PAN): As many as 22 Taliban insurgents have been killed in sporadic fighting with Hizb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) supporters over the last few days in the central province of Maidan Wardak, an official said on Sunday.
On July 19, clashes erupted between the groups in different parts of restive Nirkh district, governor's spokesman, said Shahidullah Shahid. At least five Taliban fighters were killed in an overnight battle.
Bodies of the militants were seen at the site, he said, identifying four of the dead as Mullah Marjan, Mullah Faiz Muhammad, Mullah Mangal and Zainatullah, all from Nirkh district. The fifth victim is yet to be identified.
He said the sporadic fighting was still ongoing. The latest clash continued late into Saturday night, said a resident of the area, Himmat. Combatants from the two sides freely used heavy and light weapons, he added.
Area people were worried about the worsening situation, said the resident, who criticised Afghan and foreign soldiers for not intervening to secure a ceasefire between rival factions.
Both groups have dug up trenches and hoisted their flags on them, according to Himmat. None of the sides could be reached for comment on the overnight firefight.
Since the fighters were holed up in civilian houses, the security forces did not want to act against them, the governor's spokesman said. "To prevent civilian fatalities, we have decided against any action."
About 15 Taliban and two HIA fighters were killed and 13 others wounded in the first two days of the clashes last week. Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, denied on Monday there had been any fighting between the groups.
Pajhwok Afghan News
On July 19, clashes erupted between the groups in different parts of restive Nirkh district, governor's spokesman, said Shahidullah Shahid. At least five Taliban fighters were killed in an overnight battle.
Bodies of the militants were seen at the site, he said, identifying four of the dead as Mullah Marjan, Mullah Faiz Muhammad, Mullah Mangal and Zainatullah, all from Nirkh district. The fifth victim is yet to be identified.
He said the sporadic fighting was still ongoing. The latest clash continued late into Saturday night, said a resident of the area, Himmat. Combatants from the two sides freely used heavy and light weapons, he added.
Area people were worried about the worsening situation, said the resident, who criticised Afghan and foreign soldiers for not intervening to secure a ceasefire between rival factions.
Both groups have dug up trenches and hoisted their flags on them, according to Himmat. None of the sides could be reached for comment on the overnight firefight.
Since the fighters were holed up in civilian houses, the security forces did not want to act against them, the governor's spokesman said. "To prevent civilian fatalities, we have decided against any action."
About 15 Taliban and two HIA fighters were killed and 13 others wounded in the first two days of the clashes last week. Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, denied on Monday there had been any fighting between the groups.
Pajhwok Afghan News
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