Afghan soldiers repel Taliban attack, killing 37 militants: official

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) — About 37 Taliban militants were killed as clashes broke out in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand, an official said on Saturday.

“The Taliban militants attacked joint Afghan army and police security checkpoints in Adam Khan and Rahim Kala localities of Nahri Sarraj district Friday morning. The NATO-led coalition’s air power supported the Afghan forces to push back the day-long attacks. As a result 37 militants were killed and 14 others wounded,” Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Rassoul Zazai, spokesman of army Corp 215 Maiwand, told Xinhua.

No member of security force was killed during the clashes while three insurgents’ vehicles were destroyed by the security forces, Zazai added.

Helmand province, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

The Taliban has intensified attacks across the country since the start of this year, which coincides with the potential resumption of government-Taliban peace talks and the launch of second round of four-nation meeting of Afghanistan, China, U.S. and Pakistan on Afghan peace process to be held in Kabul early next week.

The Taliban has yet to make comments.