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FACTBOX: Security developments in Afghanistan, Oct 22

Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:17am EDT

(Reuters) - Following are security developments in Afghanistan reported at 7 a.m. EDT on Wednesday:

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KHOST - Nine Afghan soldiers were killed when a U.S.-led coalition aircraft pounded their post in the Dowa Manda district of Khost province, some 150 (95) miles southeast of Kabul, on Tuesday, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman, Zaher Azimi said.

The U.S. military confirmed Afghan soldiers may have been killed or wounded in a case of mistaken identity in overnight airstrike but said it did not have any casualty figures.

URUZGAN - Thirty-five Taliban insurgents and three Afghan soldiers were killed in a battle with Afghan and foreign troops in Deh Rawood district, some 400 km (250) miles southwest of Kabul, on Tuesday, provincial police chief Juma Gul Hemat said.

Hemat said a group of 100 militants attacked the district center and the battle lasted several hours.

HELMAND - Afghan and international forces killed or wounded tens of Taliban fighters in air strikes in the Nawa district of Helmand province, some 590 km (365) miles southwest of Kabul on Tuesday, the Afghan Defense Ministry said in a statement.

HERAT - Taliban fighters captured five Afghan policemen in an attack on their post in the Salma district of Herat province, some 645 km (400) miles west of Kabul on Tuesday, district chief Sayed Gul Chishti said.

KHOST - U.S.-led coalition troops killed six insurgents in ground and air strikes targeting Taliban allies in the Shamal district of Khost province, some 150 (95) miles southeast of Kabul on Wednesday, a U.S. military statement said.

FARAH - U.S.-led coalition troops detained 12 people in the Bala Boluk district of Farah province, some 635 km (395) miles west of Kabul, on Tuesday's night, deputy provincial governor, Mohammad Younus Rasooli said.

There was no way to independently verify any of the casualty figures.

(Compiled by Hamid Shalizi; Editing Alex Richardson)



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