LASHKARGAH: Twelve security personnel were killed in separate incidents ofinsecurity in Helmand province, officials said on Sunday (January 28).
Taliban attacked a checkpoint of Afghan National Army (ANA) in Saidan areain the limits of Grishk district last night, leaving 11 soldiers dead, GulaAgha Muslim, a member of Helmand provincial assembly, told Afghan IslamicPress (AIP). The Taliban captured the outpost, he added.
Fresh security forces reached the area early today and recaptured thecheckpoint, he said. He, however, added that Taliban took away all theweapons and gadgets of the outpost.
Spokesman for 215 Maiwand military corps in Helmand, Abdul Qadir Bahadarzaisaid only three troops were injured in the gunfight.
The Taliban also suffered casualties when the security forces returned thefire, he said. He, however, added that he did not have accurate informationin this regard.
Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and theirspokesman Qari Muhammad Yousaf Ahmadi told afghan media that 11 Afghantroops were killed in the gunfight.
A Taliban fighter sustained injuries in the gunfight, he added.
In a separate incident, a police officer Wahidullah was killed in agunfight with Taliban fighters in Haiderabad area in Sangin district lastnight.
Helmand police spokesman Abdul Salam Afghan confirmed the incident and toldAIP that the attack occurred on the Herat-Kandahar highway between Sanginand Kajaki districts.
He did not provide further information in this regard.