AYBAK, Afghanistan, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Afghan forces regained control of Dara-e-Suf Bala district in northern Samangan province, forcing the militants to flee, provincial police spokesman Munir Rahimi said Monday.
"The security forces launched counter-offensive in Dara-e-Suf Bala early Monday and recaptured the district within hours, forcing the rebels to flee," Rahimi told Xinhua.
Taliban commander Amir Shahidullah is also among those killed in the fighting, the official said but did not give an exact figure on casualties of the warring sides in fighting for the control of Dara-e-Suf Bala district.
According to the police spokesman, cleanup operation is continuing in the Dara-e-Suf Bala district and its vicinity.
A statement from the army also confirmed the recapturing of Dara-e-Suf Bala district, saying the security and defense forces, after evicting the militants from the district at 6:00 a.m. local time Monday, have been chasing the insurgents in adjoining areas.
Taliban militants have captured three districts including Dara-e-Suf Bala in Samangan province a couple of weeks ago and have been fighting to besiege the provincial capital Aybak city. Enditem
