TALUQAAN (SW) – The Taliban insurgents have intensified their attacks in Takhar province’s Dasht-e-Qala district following announcement of their spring offensives.
A number of soldiers under the siege of the Taliban in the Ai Khanum dry port told Salam Watandar that at least 200 insurgents with small and heavy arms are busy in clashes with the security forces for the past five days. Some 38 such forces are under the siege of the insurgents.
Ewaz Mohammad, a commander of these border forces, said they are faced with shortage of arms and resources in the face of a robust insurgency. He said the officials promised to send additional troops, but no practical steps have been taken in this regard.
According to the locals, the main market in the district remains under the control of the Taliban, and the additional troops sent to the district have locked them inside the police headquarters instead of fighting with the insurgents. They claim the clean-up operation conducted here was not successful.
When contacted, the interim police chief, Hashmat Muslim, declined to comment on the situation. However, spokesman for the provincial governor, Jawad Hijri, said there is nothing to worry about, and the Taliban’s repeated attacks on the security forces have been repulsed.
The fighting in Dasht-e-Qala has forced some 2000 families to flee for their lives.
ENDS
