1 woman, 13 militants killed in Jawzjan clashes

(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) SHABARGHAN (Pajhwok): A woman and 13 Taliban militants have been killed and two others wounded during clashes in Darzab district of northwestern Jawzjan province, officials said on Monday.

Jawzjan Police Chief, Brig. Gen. Rahmatullah Turkistani told Pajhwok Afghan News that security forces were able to push back the militants during a clash in Moghol village of Darzab on Sunday night.

An Uzbekistani militant fighting alongside the Taliban was among the dead, he said, adding a notorious commander of Daesh or so-called Islamic State (IS), Mullah Ghanzanfar was injured in the battle.

Two days back, Taliban and Daesh militants jointly attacked Alkhani and Moghol villages of Darzab district and the firefight is still ongoing, he added. No any Afghan security personnel were hurt in the fight so far.

Provincial Council Member Ema Halima Sadaf told Pajhwok that nearly 80 percent of villages were fallen to Taliban in Darzab district.

The people killed in Taliban clash yesterday were still laid on the ground as no one goes close to them due to the conflict, she said.

Sadaf criticized security officials and said no any action had been taken yet for reinforcement of security forces in battle with the militants.

€œIf this situation continues, a human disaster is expected to happen soon,€ she said.

Taliban did not comment about the clashes in Darzab so far.

Separately, a Taliban commander Faiz Mohammad was killed and one of his fighters wounded when they stormed a security post in Qush Tapa district of Jawzjan.

The governor€™s spokesman, Mohammad Reza Ghafori, said a woman was also killed when a militant rocket struck a home on the outskirts of the district.

Sa/mds

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