KANDAHAR // At least 12 people said to be private guards were killed in a Taliban attack in southern Afghanistan, officials and witnesses said today.
Heavy gunbattles broke out between insurgents and guards working for a road construction company in Helmand province yesterday, said a provincial spokesman, Daud Ahmadi.
A dozen bodies were evacuated today from Sangin district, where the fighting took place, and taken to a hospital in the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, he said.
"We know that they were killed during yesterday's fighting with the Taliban. We don't know whether they are guards or workers," he said.
The Taliban claimed involvement in yesterday's attack. Zabihullah Mujahed, a rebel spokesman, said by telephone: "We launched an attack on the road construction company along the Sangin and Gereshk road," referring to the region where authorities said the fighting took place.
"We took more than 30 checkposts along the road and killed more than 50 guards," Mujahed said, speaking from an undisclosed location.
His claims could not be independently verified, and the Taliban are known to exaggerate the impact of their operations.
Abdul Mohammad, an employee of the road construction company, said he accompanied the bodies to the hospital.
He described the fighting as "fierce" and said at least another 20 bodies had been either left behind or removed from the battle scene.
"Yesterday the Taliban attacked us. We requested help from Afghan and foreign forces but no one helped. Lots of people were killed, I think more than 20 other bodies were left in the area or have been taken elsewhere," he said.
He said the 12 bodies he evacuated with the help of colleagues were "security guards".
His account was not confirmed by Mr Ahmadi, who said the incident was being investigated.
President Hamid Karzai issued a decree on Tuesday ordering the 52 private security contractors in Afghanistan to cease operations by the end of the year.
The tight deadline and lack of government forces able to step into the breach has led to fears of a potential security crisis, with international organisations vulnerable and reconstruction projects and aid deliveries delayed.
There are 141,000 Western, mostly US personnel based in the country fighting the insurgency.
* AFP
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
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“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
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“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm
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Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm
Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
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Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm
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France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm
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India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.
Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Azhar Ali (capt), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports