U.S. military officials say coalition and Afghan forces have killed
dozens of militants in clashes throughout southern and eastern
Afghanistan.
The U.S.-led coalition Saturday said more than 30
militants were killed in three days of fierce fighting in Zamto Valley,
in southern Kandahar province. The coalition said its troops along
with Afghan forces called in airstrikes during the clashes that began
Wednesday and ended Friday.
In a separate incident, the Afghan
Interior Ministry today said 23 militants were killed Friday after
clashing with police in the Nad Ali district of southern Helmand
province.
And, the U.S.-led coalition says its troops killed several militants in northeastern Kapisa province Friday.
Separately
Saturday, an explosion hit a car carrying an Afghan official on the
outskirts of the capital, Kabul, wounding the driver.
And police
say two Iranians who disappeared in western Afghanistan Thursday have
been kidnapped. Police today said they are trying to secure the
release of the Iranian citizens, who were traveling from the western
city of Herat to Islam Qala, near the Iranian border.
In other
news, the controversial governor of Kandahar province, Asadullah
Khalid, has been replaced. Afghan President Hamid Karzai today named
General Rahmatullah Raufi to the position, in what government officials
say is a routine move. While serving as governor of the restive
province, Khalid was accused of corruption and torture. He denied the
allegations.
Also Saturday, officials with the New York-based aid
group, International Rescue Committee (IRC) said there are real ethical
and operational concerns arising from the potential to confuse aid
groups with foreign troops carrying out humanitarian work.
IRC
official Ciaran Donnelly made the comments to reporters Saturday in Kabul,
just days after four IRC aid workers were shot and killed by Taliban
militants. The workers were traveling in a clearly marked convoy near
the Afghan capital Wednesday when they were ambushed.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
