20 Baghlan Villages Cleared of Taliban In Ongoing Operation

AVA_Local officials in northern Baghlan province said on Wednesday that over 20 villages were cleared of Taliban insurgents by Tuesday night in ongoing operations in Baghlan-e-Markazi district of the province.

The operation was launched eight days ago to clear the area of insurgents. Officials said in this time nearly 50 Taliban insurgents were killed and security forces managed to clear over 20 villages by Tuesday night.

In addition, nearly 70 other insurgents were wounded.

“The Taliban are on the run from the district after suffering heavy casualties," Gen. Shoaor Gul, deputy minister of defense said during a visit to Baghlan.

This comes after the Taliban attacked the district eight days ago and got close to the center of the district.

Local officials said that civilian houses were also destroyed in the clashes as the Taliban  "used them as shields."

The Afghan Air Force is also supporting ground forces in the ongoing operation. Taliban suffered most of the casualties in the air operations, officials said.

Over 1,000 residents have been displaced from the district after the Taliban attack but TOLOnews reporter, Hamid Shirzai, who is currently in Baghlan-e-Markazi, said the families are returning to their homes as security forces clear their villages.