ISLAMABAD – Figures reported by members of provincial councils in Helmand,Faryab and Badghis provinces indicate that at least 150 members of theAfghan forces have lost their lives in battles against militants in thepast two weeks – March 11-25.
The figures show that at least 49 members of the security forces werekilled in Helmand in the past four days and 63 others were wounded, TOLONews has reported.
Taliban has not announced their spring offensive, but many provinces havewitnessed heavy clashes between government forces and the militants amidthe change in the weather over the past two weeks.
“At least 49 security force members were martyred in different parts ofHelmand and 93 others were wounded,” said Attaullah Afghan, member ofHelmand Provincial Council.
However, Helmand governor’s spokesman Omar Zwak rejected the report andsaid the casualties are lower than reported by members of the provincialcouncil.
“The casualties of the security forces were 41,” Zwak said, but he did notelaborate more in this regard.
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Faryab has also witnessed heavy clashes in the past two weeks and reportsindicate that many parts of the province are under siege by militants.
“Not only Faryab districts, but its center (Maimana city) is also undersiege and the people are mainly suffering from this conflict,” saidMohammad Hashim Ortaq, a former MP.
“We had between 200 to 300 martyrs only in Qaisar district,” claimedMohammad Tahir Rahmani, head of Faryab Provincial Council.
