PUL-I-KHUMRI (SW): Mohammad Ewaz Naziri, Police Chief in Northern Baghlan province has said that as a result of a mop-up operation by the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), a number of fallen check points have been reclaimed and some 12 militants have been killed.
Naziri has said that the Taliban overrun these check posts in Surkh Kotal and Chashme Shair areas in Pul-e-Khomri earlier in the week. He added that beside the 12 dead, 15 more militants have so far been injured during the operation. The police chief announced that the Baghlan-Mazar Highway has been reopened for traffic.
Besmillah Ataash, member of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) from Baghlan, has accused the local government of indifference towards the prevailing situation.
He said that the Taliban have managed to capture more than 10 security checkpoints over the past two days. He warned that the Mazar-Baghlan Highway was still under threat. “Taliban can easily ambush convoys in Jangal area, and can launch attacks whenever they wish”, he said. He warned that if more forces were not sent to the province, Taliban would capture a large swath of the province.
Meanwhile, Abdul Satar Barez, governor for the province has said that the additional forces have arrived in the province and are currently fighting the Taliban in various parts .
A number of residents in the province ,however, blame the local government for being incapable to dismantle the militants. They urged upon the central government to send more forces to suppress the enemy in Baghlan for good. Three days ago, the Taliban conducted offensives capturing Surkh Kotal and Chashma-e-Shir areas in Pul-e-Khomri along with several security checkpoints. They also blocked Mazar-Baghlan Highway for 48 hours.
Taliban mutilates bodies of ALP men
Bismillah Attash, member of the provincial council has charged that the Taliban have mutilated dead bodies of three Afghan Local Police (ALP) men. The deceased ALP men were said to be behind the killing of Taliban commander Ehsanullah. He said the Taliban have reportedly taken revengue by commiting this unhuman and unIslamic act.
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