An Afghan security walks as smoke billows from a building after a Taliban attack in Gereshk district of Helmand province, Afghanistan March 9, 2016. REUTERS/Abdul Malik
VICE News: The Taliban Is Running Amok and Killing Policemen in Afghanistan's Opium Heartland
Taliban fighters overran two checkpoints in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Tuesday, killing at least 15 Afghan policemen. The fighting in the opium-rich province comes as the lucrative poppy harvest winds down, and the insurgents, who largely control the drug trade, are now flush with cash and new recruits.
Afghan officials warned after the attack that the Taliban is within striking distance of the provincial capital Lashkar Gah.
"The situation is very critical near Lashkar Gah," a senior provincial security official told Reuters on Tuesday, confirming that, after a protracted gun battle, 15 policeman had been killed. "If the government does not act soon, there will be a disaster," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
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Update: Afghan Taliban tighten squeeze on Helmand capital -- Reuters
WNU Editor: It looks like the Afghan government has been defeated in this province .... holding onto a few FOBs and the provincial capital Lashkar Gah. But in a lucky break .... what is probably stopping the Taliban from conquering the entire province has been their own infighting .... Infighting among Taliban leaves 18 dead in Helmand province (Khaama Press).
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