Scores dead as Taliban wages offensive in southern Afghanistan

http://www.latimes.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan/la-fg-afghanistan-taliban-offensive-20140625-story.html



Afghan police officers search commuters at a checkpoint in Helmand province on June 25. A Taliban offensive in its fourth day in the southeastern region has killed scores of civilians and fighters.

Scores dead as Taliban wages offensive in southern Afghanistan
Carol J. Williams
6.25.2014

Taliban fighters have attacked Afghan government troops and civilians across five southeastern districts in a days-long offensive heralding the start of the summer fighting season in the mountainous areas along the border with Pakistan.

Afghan government officials said Wednesday that at least 35 civilians, 40 government troops and more than 100 Taliban attackers had been killed since the offensive began Sunday in Helmand province's Sangin district. Fighting has since spread to four other districts along the restive border, driving more than 2,000 families from their homes, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi reported.

Fighting traditionally flares in late spring when snow clears from the rugged mountains along the restive border.

The surge in attacks on Afghan government troops this week, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility in a statement Wednesday, has spurred concerns as Helmand had been seen as a success story of Afghan national troops keeping the Taliban at bay as the U.S.-led foreign security contingent draws down its mission.