Afghan forces reopens key road in southern province after 2-year blockage

A key road connecting one of the most visited Khakriz district to Afghanistan southern Kandahar provincial capital the Kandahar city, was reopened to traffic after two years of blockage, an army commander in the restive province Hajji Woror Achakzai said Monday (June 17).

An Afghan policeman stands guard after a lawmaker was killed in Kandahar city, capital of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 23, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)
An Afghan policeman stands guard after a lawmaker was killed in Kandahar city, capital of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 23, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

Afghan forces, in well-coordinated operations launched couple of weeks ago in Khakriz district, were able to reopen the key road linking Khakriz to Kandahar city to traffic, Achakzai said.

"Reopening the district road that facilitates thousands of people to travel between Khakriz and Kandahar city is a big achievement for the security forces," Achakzai told Xinhua.

Scores of the militants have been killed, injured and captured during the operations, the official said, adding cleanup operations would continue in the area to ensure lasting peace in the district.

No security forces or civilians have been hurt during the operations, the official said.

Taliban militants fighting government forces in the area have not commented on the report.

Xinhua