Overnight clashes between Taliban militants and Afghan police in the restive southern Afghan province of Helmand have left seven police and 11 militants dead, an official said on Thursday.
Dawud Ahmadi, the provincial spokesman, told Xinhua that Taliban rebels ambushed police forces Wednesday night in Lashkar Gah district, capital of Helmand province, killing seven police and wounding two others.
"After the clash, we found one police was missing who is suspected of having connection with Taliban," Ahmadi said, "the incident is now under investigation."
Meanwhile, Afghan police and international troops launched joint operation targeting Taliban insurgents in Helmand's Marja district eliminating 11 insurgents, according to the spokesman.
The joint forces, after receiving credible intelligence reports, searched the house suspected of harboring militants late Wednesday night, Ahmadi said.
"The joint forces engaged with militants and called in air support killing 11 militants," he added.
However, Taliban militants have yet to make any comment.
Afghanistan has witnessed the surge of Taliban attacks on international and Afghan troops during the past weeks when the anti-government militants continue to demonstrate their strength through suicide and roadside bombings.
Escalating insurgency and violent incidents have left more than2,500 people dead, including over 700 civilians since January this year in the war-torn country.
Source: Xinhua
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