Afghan Forces Reclaim Control in Herat

KABUL, Afghanistan – Forces loyal to Herat’s governor claimed to have retaken control in the western city Monday after fierce factional fighting that killed Afghanistan’s aviation minister and left as many as 100 people dead.

Militia commander Zaher Naib Zada, who had said his forces were responsible for Sunday’s shooting of Aviation Minister Mirwais Sadiq, escaped capture when fighters loyal to Gov. Ismail Khan retook his militia division’s barracks, police chief Zia Mauddin Mahmud said by telephone.

Twenty-five of Zada’s fighters were in custody, Mahmud said.

Mahmud said 50 to 60 people died in what were hours of fighting with guns, rockets and tanks.

Zada, speaking to The Associated Press by telephone, on Sunday had suggested a higher death toll, of as many as 100. By daybreak Monday, no one was answering at Zada’s number.

“The city of Herat is quiet,” Mahmud said.