KABUL, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of armed militants have been killed as government forces have mounted pressure on the Taliban outfit in Afghanistan's southern Helmand, northern Jawzjan and Balkh provinces over the past week, officials said Sunday.
The government forces, according to police, have killed up to 200 Taliban fighters after the security forces backed by aircraft targeted Taliban positions in Nawa district of the southern Helmand province over the past one week.
"Security forces backed by helicopter gunships have been targeting Taliban positions in Nawa district over the past one week and so far up to 200 armed insurgents including group commanders have been killed," district police chief Nafas Khan told Xinhua.
He also noted that the government forces would do their best to restore lasting peace and stability in the troubled district and adjoining areas.
Khan, however, contended that no security personnel have been harmed in the fighting for the control of the isolated Nawa district.
Disputing the claim, Zabihullah Majahid who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit, in contact with media asserted that the armed group after killing nine security personnel has forced the government forces to retreat Nawa district.
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