Gov’t security forces kill 8 militants in Southern Afghanistan

KABUL: JULY 14 – Eight militants were killed on the outskirts of Kandahar city, capital of Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province as fighting raged in the country, the country’s Defense Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

The ministry said in a statement that “eight Taliban terrorists were killed in a clearing operation conducted by Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) with support of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) on the outskirts of Kandahar provincial center, on Tuesday.”

One militants’ vehicle, six rounds of weapons, and some amount of their ammunition were also destroyed, the statement said.

Besides, the Afghan National Army’s commandos, part of the ANDSF, conducted a night raid operation in Pul-e-Alam city, capital of eastern Logar province on Tuesday night, arresting four Taliban militants’ fighters, according to the ministry.

The security situation in the war-torn country has deteriorated as Taliban militants continue heavy fighting against government forces and gain ground since the drawdown of U.S. troops on May 1.

The withdrawal is expected to be completed before Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that drew the United States into war in Afghanistan.

-XINHUA