Kabul: Afghan Defense Ministry on Sunday said that two Taliban commanders were captured in Musa Qila, Helmand as the ANA-led joint forces were closely operating in their major offensive operation to retake the district which was seized by the militants in February this year.
‘12 militants and two children have been killed in the operation and the forces are advancing to the center of the district’ Defense Ministry press release added.
Eyewitnesses told media men in Kabul that heavy bombing of Taliban positions and fierce fighting was continued all Sunday night and morning in different parts of this key town. Defense Ministry claims that the forces have surrounded the town from all sides and warned the militants to surrender or face strict action.
According to eyewitness, most of the residents have left the district and the remaining are on their way to safer places to avoid bombing and fighting. They were informed about the operation through pamphlets by the government. One day before launching the operation, NATO and Afghan officials asked elders of the town for cooperation and support to which they, according to provincial governor Assadullah Wafa, responded positively.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces, who are backing Afghan National Army in this operation, has said in a press release that the town is important for them and the operation will be continued until the insurgents are ousted from it. ISAF also has confirmed the killing of one British soldier during the fighting.
Meanwhile, Provincial Police Chief Mohammad Hussain Andeewal claimed that a big number of foreign fighters, Arabs, Tajiks, Pakistanis, etc, were fighting against the joint forces.
British Foreign Minister Des Brown is also in Afghanistan to discuss security situation and strategies with Afghan officials. He met Afghan Foreign Minister Abdul Rahim Wardag and discussed things with him.
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