PUL-I-KHUMRI (SW) – The Baghlan – Balkh highway has been neglected by the officials as a number of security check posts remain vacant on this key road.
A number of credible security sources informed Salam Watandar the security forces have managed to reclaim a number of fallen check posts on this highway, but they remain vacant.
In the meantime, Mohammad Safdar Mohsini, chairman of the provincial council, said the Taliban have erected their self-styled check posts on the highway. He blamed the transfer of the previous security officials from here as the reason behind the surge in insecurity.
The locals are frustrated with the ragging insecurity on this highway, saying the Taliban persecute commuters on their check posts here. They lament the government has transferred important officials from here, and the security officials are also lying to people.
However, Zabihullah Shuja, spokesman for the police, has acknowledged the presence of the rebels on the Baghlan – Balkh highway, but stressed the security forces are busy in clean-up operation. He said the security forces went on a tactical retreat from here for the security of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) elections.
This comes as the rebels torched two oil tankers on this highway today. A security source told SW the Taliban torched the oil tankers in the Qala-e-Nau area, and closed the highway. The Taliban also took away the drivers with them, the source informed.
ENDS
