40 insurgents killed in Kunar operation: Officials

At least 40 Taliban insurgents have been killed during an operation in the Asmar district of eastern Kunar province, an official said on Saturday.
The security forces launched the operation to reopen the highway between Asmar and Ghaziabad in the Shal area late on Friday night.
Gen. Mirwais Safi, commander of the 201st Selab Military Corps’ fourth brigade, told Pajhwok Afghan News 40 rebels were killed and several others wounded during the offensive.
He said bodies of many militants were still lying at the site. The security forces suffered no casualties, Gen. Safi added.
Governor Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal, who visited the frontline, said the security personnel had reopened the highway and the operation would go on until the area was cleared.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the rebels had captured three security check-posts in the Shal area of the district, inflicted casualties on the security forces and seized weapons.
He said nothing about the rebels’ casualties.