Afghanistan's cop-militia clash sees 40 killed
AFP, Kabul
Some 40 people were killed when Afghan police and a former military commander and his fighters fought a fierce battle in southwestern Helmand province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported yesterday. The clash erupted Friday afternoon in Gereshek district when police stopped a convoy of vehicles belonging to ex-military commander Haji Idrees for a routine check and the commander resisted. Bakhtar said Idrees and his deputy were among those killed in the fighting, as well as three women and 12 other civilians caught in the crossfire. Earlier the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press said the fighting involved two pro-government militia groups and put the death toll at 25. Bakhtar said several shops were damaged and the many civilians were also injured. Greshek is 480km southwest of the capital Kabul.
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