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Taliban repulsed

KABUL: Forces of the Afghanistan Government repulsed Taliban militants and regained control of a district in Farah province on Monday, Defence Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said. ``Anti-Government militants took control of Khak-e-Safid district on Sunday but our troops retook it at 5 a.m. this morning,'' Mr. Azimi said. There were no casualties on either side. Blaming the lack of a police force for the fall of the district to militants, Mr. Azimi said only five policemen were on duty when the rebels overran Khak-e-Safid. The takeover occurred during Eid al-Adha holidays. Eid al-Adha, the biggest annual religious festival, began on Saturday and Government employees enjoy three days of holidays. The Taliban had taken control of two districts in Farah and Uruzgan provinces a few months ago but had lost to the Government. Officials predict more insurgency in 2007. — Xinhua

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