LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Afghan security forces have been finally able to recapture Babaji area of Lashkargah, the capital of southern Helmand province, from Taliban militants, the governor said on Tuesday.

Governor Mohammad Yasin Khan, who chaired a joint security meeting at the governor’s house, said the Afghan forces launched operations a week back to recapture a number of areas.

Backed by air support and nighttime operations, the security forces recaptured Babaji area of Lashkargah, Loy Manda area, Kofka and Nawabad areas of Nad Ali district and Spin Jumat, Malgir, Ab Pashak and other areas.

He said during the past one month, 251 Taliban militants, including commanders, were killed and scores of others wounded during security forces operations across the province.

During this time, the governor said, 75 Taliban hideouts, 27 arms depots, 18 vehicles, six bomb-rigged cars, 54 motorcycles and 280 light and heavy weapons were destroyed.

He said residential homes, roads and government offices which sustained damages in the conflict would be repaired soon.

Helmand police chief Raziq Yaqubi said security posts were being set up in areas cleared of insurgents.

He said more operations would be launched as well to recapture more areas.

Afghan army’s 215 Maiwand Military Corps border brigade commander Col Zahir Gul Muqbil told the meeting that security forces were able to reach their target 10 days ahead of the plan.

He said army and police had launched joint combing operations and construction of security posts.

The Taliban, who had been in control of the Babaji area for the past three years, have so far said nothing about the operations in Helmand.

The Babaji area is connected to Greshk and Nad Ali districts and the Taliban always used the area to launch attacks on Lashkargah.

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