27 Taliban militants killed in three days

: At least 27 Taliban militants were killed in operations by the security forces in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province in the last three days, officials said on Sunday.

They said the operations were ongoing to eliminate the Taliban from Wardoj and Yamgan districts of the province, which has been under the group’s control for a year, TOLOnews reported.

Badakhshan governor Ahmad Faisal Bigzad said in a statement that security forces had made good progress so far.

“Our security forces are advancing step by step and clearing the villages in order to prevent civilian casualties and are creating check posts in the operations,” he said.

Around five villages have been cleared in Badakhshan province.

“In the past two days seven key members of the enemies including a Tajikistani citizen were killed and 17 others were wounded,” said Mohammad Naeem Majidi, an army commander in Badakhshan.

Several provincial council members said a number of civilians have also suffered during the clashes.

“We welcome the start of the operation and it is necessary that Wardoj and Yamgan district must also be cleared of insurgents.

“There is no doubt there are civilian casualties in the operation but it is not clear whether the casualties are caused by the security forces or the Taliban, but you can see wounded civilians in the hospital and I hope that the security forces obey all war rules and regulations in order to decrease civilian casualties,” said Abdullah Naji Nazari, a provincial council member. AGENCIES

KABUL