TALUQAN (SW): Wakeel Khan Agha, a commander of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) in Takhar, has blamed the local Hezb-e-Islami commander for collaborating with the Taliban in overrunning Dasht-e-Qala district.
Last week, the Taliban overrun the district without any resistance from the security forces or the ALP. In conversation with Salam Watandar, Wakeel Khan Agha said the HI commander, Mamoor Hassan, who is also head of the High Peace Council in the province, is involved in the Taliban’s armed assault on the district.
“Commander Mamoor Hassan was personally present there, he fired the initial shots at the ALP, and afterwards the Taliban managed to enter the district center and police headquarters”.
Another well-placed security source has also confirmed that the HI commander collaborated with the Taliban in capturing the district.
Meanwhile, Fazlulah Mujadadi, provincial governor, has said local feuds led to the Taliban overrun Dasht-e-Qala. He said the fall of the district is directly linked to the killing of another ALP commander, Momin Chareek, who got killed in clashes with the police a day before the fall of the district. The governor said the HI commander, Mamoor Hassan, sought justice for Momin Chareek who according to him got killed by police in unlawfully.
However, the HI leader in the province has discarded the allegations. He denied having any role in the fall of the district to the Taliban.
Though, the security forces managed to swiftly reclaim the district, but the heavy presence of the Taliban in the surroundings of the district continue to pose threats.
ENDS
