LASHKARGAH (SW) – Security sources in Helmand said on Sunday the Taliban militants are closing in on Lashkargah, the provincial capital.
According to the sources, the insurgents have seized several security checkpoints on the main Helmand – Kandahar highway.
Omar Zwak, spokesman for the governor of Helmand, said security forces had withdrawn ‘tactically’ from their checkpoints, but that operations were continuing to retake them.
On the other hand, sources reported heavy clashes between security forces and the Taliban in the Baba Ji area of Lashkar Gah, the fourth district of the city, and said that this area has also been occupied by Taliban insurgents.
The spokesman for the Helmand governor denied that the area has fallen to the Taliban, saying 26 Taliban fighters had been killed in the area by the security forces.
In a statement sent to the media, the Taliban claimed they had seized several security checkpoints on the Kandahar – Helmand highway and inflicted ‘heavy casualties’ on security forces.
ENDS
