LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Over 40 Taliban insurgents and four soldiers were killed in intense clashes in Gereshk district of southern Afghan province of Helmand, authorities said Friday.
The clashes started late Thursday after Taliban attacked security posts in separate locations by car bombs and motorcycle bombs, but security forces fought back the attackers, killing over 40 attackers as of Friday afternoon, the provincial government said in a statement.
On early Friday, four gunmen seized a five-story building in the district's bazaar, triggering gun battle while sporadic clashes continued till late Friday afternoon.
"Afghan commandos killed two armed men in money exchange market building at midday and efforts are underway to kill or capture remaining militants," the statement reads.
The shops in the targeted building were closed when the attack occurred as Friday is weekly off day in the country.
Read the full story at Xinhua