LASHKARGAH (SW) – More than 300 Taliban insurgents have been killed and over 7000 families displaced during ongoing clashes in Helmand, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The Taliban launched an offensive near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province eight days ago and seized a number of areas and security posts. Local officials say the fighting has slowed down in recent days and security forces have advanced on Nad Ali, Nawa, Marjah and the Helmand – Kandahar highway retaking five checkpoints.
Helmand Governor Mohammad Yasin said ground and air operations were still underway to retake the lost areas, adding that 300 Taliban militants had been killed and dozens more wounded in the airstrikes and clashes. He said that in addition to the Taliban, a number of foreign fighters were also fighting against Afghan forces in the ongoing war.
According to the Helmand governor, Afghan forces are ready to reopen the Helmand – Kandahar highway, which was closed due to the fighting.
Although, officials did not specify the total number of security forces killed in the fighting, they said two Afghan soldiers had been killed and seven others wounded in the past day and night.
Fighting in many parts of Helmand has so far displaced at least seven thousand families who are currently facing many problems and are calling for emergency assistance.
Helmand’s director of refugee affairs, Mohammad Ramin, said 252 families had received assistance so far.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Emergency Situations Ghulam Bahauddin Jilani, during a visit to Helmand, announced 3 million afghanis in aid to families displaced by the fighting.
Reports suggest that the Helmand Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development is building temporary shelters for displaced families.
Earlier, Helmand officials said that 7 civilians had been killed and 20 others got wounded in the ongoing fighting.
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