179 attacks repelled in Ghazni in a month: police

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): At least 179 Taliban’s coordinated attacks have been repulsed during the past one month in southe Ghazni province, police said on Thursday, but the rebels rejected the claim.

Ghazni police chief Brig. Gen. Aminullah Amarkhel told a press conference here that the 179 coordinated attacks taking place during the past one month were frustrated and pushed back in Ghazni city, the provincial capital, and several districts.

Sixty-three insurgents and eight security persoel were killed and another 27 insurgents and 12 soldiers were wounded during the month, he said, adding many insurgents were also detained during the period.

Amarkhel said the Taliban had been plaing to take control of the province, but they suffered heavy casualties and were unable to reach their goal as all their attacks were thwarted.

He also said police had arrested a 22-member group involved in killing security officials, tribal elders and civilians in the province.

Terming public support as crucial to ensuring security, he said security forces would not let insurgents carry out any destructive activities in the province at any cost.

He said three men who were collecting Ushr and Zakat for Taliban had also been arrested by security forces.

Meanwhile, a resident of Ghani City, Abdullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News that recently insurgent attacks had reduced.

“Despite reducing attacks, Taliban time to time and occasionally carry out attacks and civilians bear the brunt of the situation.”

Abdullah asked provincial security officials to punish detained militants in order security could be ensured.

However, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied Amarkhel’s account and said the rebels had no plan to capture Ghazni and there was no let-up in their attacks.

Mujahid claimed the fighters had inflicted many casualties on security persoel during the past one month and only five insurgents were killed during the period.

sns/ma