| Fighting broke out between rival Pashtun clans seeking to lay claim to Helmand province. Forces under Noorzai tribal commander Abdul Rahman Jan took control of the capital, Lashkar Gah, after heavy fighting overnight. Rahman Jan threw about 500 militiamen into the battle against Barakzai tribal commander Hafeezullah Jan, who eventually withdrew from the town leaving about seven dead from both sides and many injured. Hafeezullah Jan had occupied Lashkar Gah without a fight on Friday, after the Taliban surrendered under a pact with Hamid Karzai. |