Afghan forces killed 150 suspected Taliban fighters in northwest Afghanistan in an operation in late March and captured the ousted hardline militia's former governor of Badghis province, an official has revealed. The extremists had planned to takeover Badghis as part of a coordinated spring offensive across the country, Hajji Abdul Wahid Tawakoli, deputy intelligence director of neighbouring Herat province, the official said. "Ten days ago a big group of well-organised Taliban had planned to take over control of Badghis province and then spread their territory towards Herat and other provinces," Tawakoli said by telephone from Herat city. "In this attempt they attacked some military posts in Badghis province and the Badghis mujahedin (militia) asked for some help from Herat. Lots of mujahedin went from Herat to help them. This clean-up operation lasted two days in Bala Murghab district as a result of which around 150 Taliban got killed."
Golly. The cockles of my heart are all warm and toasty. |