Hundreds of troops deployed in Afghan city

AFP, LASHKAR GAH: Afghanistan has deployed hundreds of commandos backed by NATO air strikes in Lashkar Gah to flush out Taliban insurgents from the strategic city after the militants killed 14 people in a coordinated attack, officials said Tuesday.The assault Monday marked the militants’ latest attempt to seize the provincial capital of Helmand, underscoring unravelling security as the insurgents expand their foothold across the opium-rich province 15 years after the US invasion.“More than 300 commandos... have been deployed to the city to prevent Taliban advancement,” said Abdul Jabar Qahraman, government special envoy for security in Helmand.Provincial spokesman Omar Zwak told AFP the commandos were sent from Kabul and neighbouring provinces to launch a “clearance operation” in Lashkar Gah after the attack, which killed 10 policemen and four others.

 

Hundreds of troops deployed in Afghan city

AFP, LASHKAR GAH: Afghanistan has deployed hundreds of commandos backed by NATO air strikes in Lashkar Gah to flush out Taliban insurgents from the strategic city after the militants killed 14 people in a coordinated attack, officials said Tuesday.The assault Monday marked the militants latest attempt to seize the provincial capital of Helmand, underscoring unravelling security as the insurgents expand their foothold across the opium-rich province 15 years after the US invasion.More than 300 commandos... have been deployed to the city to prevent Taliban advancement, said Abdul Jabar Qahraman, government special envoy for security in Helmand.Provincial spokesman Omar Zwak told AFP the commandos were sent from Kabul and neighbouring provinces to launch a clearance operation in Lashkar Gah after the attack, which killed 10 policemen and four others.