Afghan forces retake Musa Qala district after fierce fighting

Afghan security forces on Sunday recaptured the strategically important Musa Qala district in southern Helmand province after fierce fighting, Afghan defense ministry said in a statement.

"Following successful operations, the security forces inflicted huge casualties to the Taliban rebels in Musa Qala district and re- established government control there Sunday morning," the statement said.

According to the statement, some 120 militants were killed and some 80 others sustained injuries in the operations.

Dawlat Waziri, a spokesman for the defense ministry, told local media Sunday that several foreign insurgents were among those killed.

Notorious for growing poppies and militancy, Helmand, with Lashkar Gah as its capital 555 km south of the national capital Kabul, has been regarded as Taliban hotbed in the conflict-ridden country.

According to Afghan official news agency BNA (Bakhtar News Agency), the government forces cleared the militants from Musa Qala district in the wee hours of Sunday.

BNA, citing defense ministry officials, reported that Afghan chief of Army Staff General Qadam Shah Shaheem is monitoring cleanup operations to ensure lasting peace in Musa Qala and adjoining areas.

BNA said the government forces are now busy consolidating their positions and reactivating local administration in the district.

Taliban militants, who on Friday claimed overrunning Musa Qala district as "big victory," have yet to make any comments.

In another development, according to local media, a clash in Helmand's neighboring Zabul province between supporters of Taliban new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor and militants loyal to Taliban late leader Mullah Omar's family has left at least five people from either side dead.

Omar's son Mullah Yaqub, who has challenged Mansoor's leadership as illegal, warned of eruption of infighting among Taliban fighters if Mansoor continues leading the group.

Source: XINHUA