FO denies Pakistan's involvement in Helmand fight

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan has said that Pakistan has nothing to do with the fight between Taliban and Afghan security forces in Helmand province, while leveling accusations of this fight on Pakistan is a sorrowful act of Afghan authorities – ARY News reports.

The FO Spokesperson, Tasneem Aslam denied all the claims of the Afghan Government in which it alleged Pakistan to be linked with the Helmand fight between Taliban and Afghan security forces.

She said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are jointly dealing with mutual challenges and framing charges on Pakistan in such a time is a sorrowful act of the Afghan Government.

Local officials told that at least 100 Taliban were killed, whereas 21 Afghan troops were also left dead after five days of clashes around four military checkpoints, in Sangin district of Helmand province.

It was also said that 35 civilians were also killed during the battle.

Taliban on June 20 had launched an offensive along the northern arc of the Helmand River to retake territory recently vacated by U.S. troops and handed over to the control of Afghan security forces.