Over 300 People Killed in a Fight with Militants, in Ghazni City: Afghanistan Defence Minister

Kabul: Over 300 people, including 100 government troops and 30 civilians, have been killed in the intense fighting between Taliban militants and the security forces in Afghanistan’s Ghazni city, the country’s Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami said on Monday. The militant group started its offensive in the city last Friday. “As of midday today, the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces recaptured control of nearly all parts of Ghazni city and the Taliban militants would be expelled from the city soon,” Bahrami said at a joint press briefing with Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak. He said that up to 100 government security force members, 30 civilians, and over 194 Taliban militants were killed during the four-day clashes between security forces and Taliban militants in the city, Xinhua news agency reported.

At least 147 militants were injured. The US was supporting the Afghan government forces in conducting airstrikes targeting the Taliban. Within the past 24 hours, the Defence Ministry deployed reinforcement in Ghazni city and its adjacent areas. Fresh troops will bring considerable changes in the security situation of the city in the next 24 hours, Bahrami added. (IANS)