GARDEZ (SW): Security officials in Paktia report intense clashes between security forces and the Taliban in Jani Khel district’s center on Tuesday morning.
According to these security officials, several military outposts have fallen to the Taliban.
Toryalai Abdiyani, the provincial police chief, told Salam Watandar that the fighting is still ongoing between the security forces and the Taliban insurgents. He assured that the security forces are fighting to take back the outposts from the Taliban.
But, several members of provincial council and residents of the province say that the district has fallen to the Taliban.
Taj Mohammad Mangal, a member of the provincial council, says that the Taliban have captured Jani Khel district in the early hours of Tuesday morning. According to Mangal, the security forces' falling back is a military tactic and at least 12 Taliban insurgents are killed while 1 soldier is dead and 7 others are injured in this clash.
Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, in a message to Salam Watandar has claimed that Jani Khel district has fallen to the Taliban and several security forces are killed and injured.
ENDS
