Afghan forces thwart Taliban attack in Laghman: Ministry
Iran Press TV
Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:28AM
Security forces in Afghanistan have foiled an assault by Taliban militants to capture a district in the country's eastern province of Laghman, the Defense Ministry says.
In a statement published on Saturday, the ministry said the militants carried out a large-scale coordinated attack on the Dawlat Shah district on Friday, but the incursion was thwarted by security forces, Afghan News Agency Khaama Press reported.
Additional forces, backed by air support, arrived at the scene soon after the attack, and pushed back the armed Taliban elements, the statement added.
It said the airstrikes and clashes on the ground left nine militants dead and 13 others injured.
Afghan forces have been engaged in military operations across the country to end the Taliban-led militancy and violence gripping the Asian country.
Washington and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but after more than 14 years, insecurity remains high in the country.
Last week, US President Obama announced that the US will keep its current force of 9,800 troops in Afghanistan in 2016 and will draw down the number to only 5,500 in 2017.
The announcement marked a sharp slowdown in the previous US plans for the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan.
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