21 insurgents, 4 policemen killed in Afghanistan clashes

Kabul July 23 (IANS) Twenty-one insurgents and four police personnel were killed and 20 insurgents injured in two clashes in the Afghan province of Kandahar a police official said on Sunday.

In one clash 15 militants and four policemen were killed and 20 militants injured after armed Taliban attacked security checkpoints in Nesh district late on Saturday night police spokesman Zia Durrani told Xinhua news agency.

Durrani said the police personnel fought back the attackers and six policemen were also injured during exchange of fire in the remote district.

In the neighbouring Maywand district Afghan Special Forces targeted a Taliban s hideout killing six militants including a Taliban shadow district governor named Maiwand Khan the police spokesman added.

A militants local commander was arrested after the raid and three vehicles two motorcycles weapons and ammunition were seized by security forces.

Taliban are yet to make any comment.

Security situation has been improving in Kandahar the former stronghold of Taliban over the past months as security forces have conducted search and cordon operations across the province 450 km away from Kabul.

--IANS
pgh/vt