A senior security official in Helmand said on Friday that the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have launched military operations in parts of the province to clear areas of militants, but they said the operations are moving forward slowly as they want to protect civilians. 

The operations are ongoing in Nad Ali and Nahri Saraj districts as well as on the outskirts of Lashkargah City, the provincial capital. 

Colonel Gulai Khan, Security Officer at Helmand Police Headquarters, said insecure areas have been cleared of militants in Nad Ali and Nahri Saraj districts.

“Our operations are moving forward. The enemy does not have the ability to resist against security forces. Less areas have remained to be cleared of militants,” Khan said.

“The enemies are in dispute with the people not with us. We have prepared technical plans and we have defeated the enemy. The enemy cannot face us,” said Abdul Basir Achakzai, Nad Ali police chief.  

Afghan soldiers fighting the Taliban in parts of Lashkargah, Nad Ali and Nahri Saraj said Taliban has planted mines in many areas in the districts and that many roads have been damaged due to explosions. 

Soldiers said they also get air support by Afghan and foreign forces.

“They (Taliban) had planted mines in the people’s houses and around the houses. We defused the mines and now people are very happy with us,”said Fazl Bari, an army soldier. 

“Our operation is ongoing successfully. We have pushed back the Taliban,” said Khalil Ahmad, an army soldier in Helmand.

Helmand officials said they will establish security check posts in cleared areas.