GARDEZ (SW) – The Taliban have closed the main highway connecting Dand Patan district in Paktia with the provincial capital Gardez.
Residents told Salam Watandar they are faced with many problems due to the poor security situation and the closure of this road. According to them, the security situation on the highway has been deteriorating, and the Taliban have been present at several spots for the past two weeks.
Taj Mohammad Mangal, a member of the provincial council, said the Taliban have exploited the defensive posture of the security forces.
Local officials in Paktia admit that the Taliban have closed roads in some six districts of the province. Paktia governor Mohammad Halim Fidaey said in this regard that the security forces are advised not to launch offensives against the Taliban to demonstrate good-will in connection with the intra-Afghan talks. He added the Taliban must abide by their obligations under the peace agreement with the U.S.
Since the start of the intra-Afghan dialogue in Qatar, insecurity has increased in a number of provinces, resulting in casualties among security forces and the Taliban.
ENDS
