KABUL (AFP) — International forces battled Taliban rebels in trouble-torn Musa Qala, killing four, in the first fighting there since the militants were forced out a week ago, the defence ministry said.
Afghan soldiers backed by the mainly British NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) entered the town in Helmand province after the Taliban retreated on Monday.
But the ministry said in a statement that the "Afghan national army engaged with the enemy" on Sunday, adding that a significant amount of weapons, ammunition, a fuel cache and police uniforms were seized following the clash.
British military forces also said on Saturday that two rockets were fired into Musa Qala but caused no casualties.
Military operations were meanwhile continuing to chase out remnants of the Taliban from the rest of Musa Qala district, ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi told AFP.
"It's an ongoing operation and will continue until the district is totally cleaned of the enemy forces," he said.
Separately, the US-led coalition in Afghanistan said two Taliban leaders were killed in airstrikes in Musa Qala just days before its recapture by Afghan and NATO troops.
After taking over from the Taliban, ministers have announced a significant reconstruction drive for Musa Qala to show locals they would have a better life under the current government than with the Taliban.
As part of such efforts aimed at winning hearts of minds of the locals, Afghan soldiers distributed aid packages to nearly 250 people on Sunday, the defence ministry said in a separate statement.
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