MAIMANA - At least 77 Taliban insurgents have been killed in 21 days of clashes in Nawzad district of southern Helmand province, local officials said on Sunday.
In addition, more than 100 others were injured.
Gen. Abdul Raziq, Kandahar Police Chief, who is leading the war in Nawzad district has said that "soon the district will be cleared of insurgents." He added that the security forces have managed to re-take most parts of the district.
His comments come as the security forces are currently embroiled in heavy clashes with local and foreigner insurgents in the district.
Gen. Raziq once again said that Pakistan military's interference is the reason for the ongoing battle in Nawzad.
"Pakistan is trying to take control of the northern districts of Helmand with the cooperation of local and foreigners fighters." He said and added that they will not let the insurgents and Pakistan reach their goal.
Abdullah Hamim, TOLOnews reporter who visited the battle filed in Nawzad, said that most of the local residents have been displaced due to insecurity and the ongoing battle in the district.
Hamim reports that he only saw a few residents in Nawzad and that the Taliban have closed all schools and the hospitals in the district.
"Most of the residents of this district have fled due to the war and have gone to other parts. In the past three weeks all schools and hospitals have been closed by the Taliban. We are facing massive problems," one of the residents of Nawzad said.
Nabi Jan Mullakhil, Helmand Police Chief has said that "the security forces have been caught up in clashes with the insurgents for 21 days in this district but after reinforcements arrived from Kandahar province, the security forces were able to re-take control of most of parts of the district."
Army officials said that their troops had played a key role in the operation.
"Our security forces which are police, military and National Directorate of Security (NDS) have worked together and ousted insurgents from Nawzad," Gen. Dadan Lawang, commander of the 215th Maiwand Corps said.
However, the officials did not providing details about the casualties of the security forces. (Tolonews)