Twenty-nine Taliban insurgents were killed after they launched a coordinated attack to capture the Ghaziabad district of eastern Kunar province, the governor said on Saturday.
Wahidullah Kalemzai told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants attacked police check-posts, but were repulsed back and sustained heavy losses in clashes with the security forces.
One policeman was killed in the attack. The insurgents had reached near the district building and were just 20 metres away when police pushed them back after a clash that lasted hours. The district centre had been secured now.
The governor said the vicinity of the district center had been cleared but gunfire continued to be heard in a nearby mountainous area.
But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the fighters killed 11 security officials and captured two check-posts. Mujahid, however, acknowledged Taliban causalities in the clash.
