PUL-I-ALAM (SW): Authorities in eastern Logar province claimed to have broken the 15-day siege by the Taliban of its restive Kharwar district on Wednesday.
Talking to journalists in the district administration compound in Kharwar, Mohammad Haleem Fidayee, the governor, said some 65 militants were killed in the offensives to end the siege. He added that some 600 rebels attacked the district from four directions.
“Stay composed, the enemy is faced with the eminent defeat”, the governor said while addressing the security forces.
Gen. Mohammad Dawood Ahmadi, the provincial security chief said on the occasion that clean-up operation was underway in the area. He said the government forces saw 6 policemen falling in the fighting with the Taliban.
Kharwar residents say they have borne the brunt on the fighting. Haseebullah Stanikzai, Chairman of the Provincial Council told Salam Watandar that this part of the country has been neglected by the government for years now.
He urged the warring sides to spare the civilians while fighting.
Zabehullah Mujahid, the Taliban Spokesman however, has claimed Kharwar was still under their siege. He claimed only 7 of his allies have died in the clashes.
ENDS
