Afghan officials say at least 30 suspected Taleban militants were killed in joint military operations in southern Helmand and eastern Ghazni provinces in the past few days.
The Defense Ministry said Saturday at least 20 militants and two Afghan soldiers were killed in several gun battles between the insurgents and Afghan and NATO-led forces in Helmand province.
In the same province Saturday, a boat carrying 60 people, including Taleban militants, sank in the Helmand River. Local authorities estimate there were no survivors. The Afghan army is trying to determine how many insurgents and how many civilians were on board.
In eastern Ghazni province, suspected Taleban militants attacked a police commander's home overnight, killing five members of his family. Authorities said 10 militants were killed in an ensuing battle with police.
That attack occurred just one day after a similar incident in eastern Paktia province.
Afghan authorities on Friday said militants attempted, but failed, to abduct a policeman and his family from their home on Thursday evening. Local officials said at least six suspected Taleban insurgents were killed and others were wounded in that attack.
A spokesman for the nation's interior ministry, Zemarai Bashary says Afghan police need more equipment to battle insurgents.
The Defense Ministry said Saturday at least 20 militants and two Afghan soldiers were killed in several gun battles between the insurgents and Afghan and NATO-led forces in Helmand province.
In the same province Saturday, a boat carrying 60 people, including Taleban militants, sank in the Helmand River. Local authorities estimate there were no survivors. The Afghan army is trying to determine how many insurgents and how many civilians were on board.
In eastern Ghazni province, suspected Taleban militants attacked a police commander's home overnight, killing five members of his family. Authorities said 10 militants were killed in an ensuing battle with police.
That attack occurred just one day after a similar incident in eastern Paktia province.
Afghan authorities on Friday said militants attempted, but failed, to abduct a policeman and his family from their home on Thursday evening. Local officials said at least six suspected Taleban insurgents were killed and others were wounded in that attack.
A spokesman for the nation's interior ministry, Zemarai Bashary says Afghan police need more equipment to battle insurgents.