70 militants killed, Afghan forces capture Taliban bastion

Kabul, March 1: At least 70 militants were killed as Afghan forces, after three days of fierce fighting, captured Taliban bastion in the northern Faryab province on Tuesday, a senior official said.

“Finally the security forces were able to overrun Taliban bastion in Khawja Namusi early Tuesday,” Xinhua quoted army spokesman Captain Sakhi Dad as saying. Three government forces men were killed and 11 injured during the clash over the past three days, Dad said.

Over the past one year, Khawja Namusi had served as main Taliban stronghold in the northern Faryab province with Maimana as its capital 425 km northwest of Kabul.

Taliban militants who have been fighting the government forces in several provinces including Faryab, have yet to make comment. (IANS)