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| Afghan Army Soldiers (File Photo) |
Trin Kot, the capital of central Uruzgan province, is on the verge of collapse as security forces are locked in a battle with insurgents, local officials confirmed early Thursday.
By mid-day however air strikes and ground operations had been launched to drive back the Taliban, officials confirmed. Commandos had also arrived in the city.
Dost Mohammad Nayab, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said that heavy clashes were ongoing only one kilometer from the provincial governor's compound. He appealed for air support and reinforcements earlier in the day.
Nayab said that the battle started on Tuesday after insurgents attacked security forces' outposts.
He said security forces had retreated from 20 check posts and were inside the city and had "built up a security defense belt". He said all shops and businesses in the city are closed.
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