LASHKARGAH CITY (SW): Officials at Helmand Human Rights Commission have said that nearly 500 civilians have been killed and 234 more have been injured due to the fighting between security forces and Taliban over the past 7 months in Helmand.
Mohammad Belal Seddiqi, an official at the commission, speaking at a press conference on Thursday, said that the number of civilians’ casualties has increased by 3 percent over the past 11 months.
He said that Taliban have been the major reason behind these casualties.
He said children were also among those killed in the fighting.
He further said 1500 families have been displaced from the capital city of the province due to recent insecurity and fighting.
Helmand has constantly witnessed fighting between security forces and Taliban but the clashes have been flaring up in Babaji, Mosa Qala, Sangin and Marja districts for 3 months now.
Earlier, General John Francis Campbell, Commander of the Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces in Afghanistan, said security in southern Helmand province would improve significantly.
He was part of a high-ranking security delegation visiting Helmand and promised that there would be continued mop-up operation in the restive districts so that the province would be fully cleared of the militants.
ENDS
