SHARANA (SW) – The Taliban rebels have staged deadly assaults on five districts in Paktika sending shock-waves across the province.
According to Shah Mohammad Aryan, spokesman for the Afghan National Police (ANP), the Taliban attacked check posts in Geyani, Oomani, Argon and Waza Khwa district. He claimed 9 rebels are killed and 12 more wounded in these clashes. There are unconfirmed reports about the killings of 12 security personnel, however, Aryan said only four security forces got killed and six more got wounded in these attacks.
He said the clashes are still underway.
Bakhtyar Gul Hemat, chairman of the provincial council, informed Salam Watandar the security situation is fast deteriorating, and if the officials failed to take effective steps to ensure peace, many districts might fall to the Taliban. He informed the clashes are underway since the past two days. “We dispatched many official letters to the National Security Council and the Independent Directorate of Local Government (IDLG) about the deteriorating security situation, and shortage of staff for this big province”.
Paktika has some 22 districts, and considering the big size and strategic location of this province, many faraway districts are under threat form the rebels.
ENDS
