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BADGHES (SW) – The Taliban have overran a number of check posts and parts of Bala Murghab district center in Badghes province, an official confirmed on Thursday.
Abdul Aziz Baik, chairman of the provincial assembly, told Salam Watandar the Taliban stormed security check posts in Bala Murghab early in the morning, and overran most parts of district center. He said only the district administrative compound, police headquarters, prison and military base remain in control of the government.
He said fighting between the insurgents and the security forces is underway, and the district was likely to fall to the Taliban.
In the meantime, Abdul Afzali, a member of the provincial council, said up to 100 security forces are missing since the fall of a number of check posts to the Taliban. He warned a human catastrophe would emerge if immediate actions are not taken in this regard.
The PC members claimed to have asked for help from Kabul, but not sufficient help has been provided to the besieged security forces in the district. They warned if immediate air support is not delivered, all soldiers under the siege of the Taliban would get killed.
However, Jamshed Shahabi, spokesman for the provincial governor, has asserted the security forces are resisting the Taliban’s bid to overrun Bala Murghab. Without sharing exact details, he said both sides have sustained heavy losses in the clashes here. He said sufficient forces, including Special Forces, are stationed in Bala Murghab, and soon Afghan Air Force would be deployed to repulse the Taliban.
According to the governor’s spokesman Taliban insurgents from neighboring areas, including Faryab province, have gathered to attack Bala Murghab.
Qari Yosuf Ahmadi, the Taliban spokesman, has said in a statement 12 security forces were killed and 20 more taken as captive in attacks on 12 check posts here.
ENDS
