54 Taliban militants killed during Afghanistan Army operations in Helmand province

Kabul: Up to 54 Taliban insurgents were killed in Afghan Army operations over the past 24 hours in southern Helmand province.

[caption id=“attachment_3709463” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AP[/caption] “Afghan special forces conducted night operations against insurgents in Nawa district on Sunday night which resulted in killings 42 rebels and injuring 27 others,” a government statement said. Four Taliban local commanders were among those killed and security forces also seized weapons and 18 motorbikes during the operations, Xinhua news agency reported. In another incident, 12 Taliban militants were killed and six injured in airstrikes carried out by the Afghan Air Force on two important bases of the terror group in Lashkargah city.Afghan officials say the Taliban have attacked a local militia, killing 13 pro-government fighters. On Saturday, Afghan officials said the Taliban have attacked a local militia, killing 13 pro-government fighters. Munir Ahmad Farhad, spokesman for the governor of the northern Balkh province, said the local forces were on their way to take part in a security operation when they were ambushed in the Chemtal district. The men were part of a local militia established under the authority of the interior ministry to defend the area from insurgents. The Taliban, who have increased their attacks since the start of their annual spring offensive in April, claimed responsibility for the ambush.