District chief killed in Helmand

The district chief of Musa Kala in the southern province of Helmand and his bodyguard were killed in a clash with Taleban insurgents on the night of February 4, officials said. Provincial officials said the Taleban insurgents attacked the district office at around 11 in the evening, and the clash lasted for about four hours. The officials added that some Taleban fighters were also killed in the fighting. A self-styled Taleban spokesman said 30 police, including the district chief were killed during the same attack. An Afghan interior ministry spokesman said additional police have been sent to the area to track down the militants.