A senior Taliban commander including at least 50 militants were killed in the battle for Sangin, reported the BBC quoting Afghan interior ministry.

‘The claims from the Afghan interior ministry and army could not be verified and came after the Taliban appeared to have seized control of most of the key town in the southern Helmand province’, reported the Evening Standard.

US military jets targeted Taliban fighters, who were said to have seized the police station. The militants were also reported to have overrun the district governor’s compound.’

“An hour later we recaptured that building and now we have it,” claimed Akhtar Muhammad, a police commander in Sangin district.

‘General Abdul Wodud, a senior army commander, said a joint Afghan and Nato operation backed by air support had driven the Taliban back from central areas and had killed 60 militants and wounded 40. But a local police officer warned against believing official statements about the clashes, saying that promised reinforcements had failed to arrive.’

‘NATO headquarters in Kabul said two air strikes had taken place in the district yesterday but gave few details. American special forces were also reported to be in the area.’

‘Afghan army reinforcements have been sent to try to stop Sangin falling to the Taliban in what would be a blow to President Ashraf Ghani’s government in Kabul. But their advance is said to have been slowed by roadside bombs and sniper fire.’

‘Hundreds, if not thousands, have fled the war-ravaged town.

A few hundred police and soldiers were reported to be holed up at a besieged army barracks about four miles from the town.’

‘More than 100 British military personnel were killed in the Sangin area before UK combat troops withdrew at the end of last year.’