LASHKARGAH - More than 60 Taliban insurgents, including their two commanders, have been killed in clashes with security forces in Musa Qala district in southern Helmand province, officials said on Tuesday.

Local officials in Musa Qala warned that Taliban insurgents were preparing for a massive attack on the district, adding that "the government should send in reinforcements."

"Currently, Nawzad district in Helmand is completely controlled by militants, and Musa Qala is also under big threat," a member of Provincial Council of Helmand, Bashir Shaker told TOLOnews.

Another member of Helmand provincial council said: "If the illegal ways which are connected to all districts are not closed, the war will continue and will change into a long-term conflict."

Meanwhile, Dawlat Waziri, Deputy Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that Pakistani, Arab and Chechen Taliban insurgents are fighting against the government forces but added that security forces were ready to respond to any attacks by insurgents.

"Abdul Khaliq Khan, the first deputy of MoD went to Helmand, and our forces are ready for a military operation. Our airstrikes continue to tackle the enemy," he said.

Most of the Taliban insurgents killed, died due to airstrikes by foreign troops, said officials.

"Our forces have imposed high casualties on militants and the enemy is retreating," Deputy Governor of Helmand, Mohammad Jan Rasoulyar said.

Musa Qala was once a key stronghold for the Taliban – an area used for training camps and drug smuggling operations. (Tolonews)