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KUNDUZ CITY (SW): Residents in northern Kunduz province are weary about the presence of the Taliban militants around the provincial capital that are seen as threat to peace and stability.
According to the locals, they have been threatened against leaving Kunduz City while cases of abduction and extortion are on the rise.
Abdul Qadeem Qaderi, a local in the Kunduz City told Salam Watandar that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are only in control of the two-kilometer radius and the rest of the areas are under the influence of the rebels. He added that militants wearing the ANSF uniform are roaming around the outskirts of the city and are afraid of no body. Gul Mohammad, another local added that the militants abduct passengers without facing any resistance from the security forces.
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Commenting on the prevailing situation, Amruddin Wali, member of Kunduz Provincial Council noted that the Kunduz City residents are under the siege of the rebels since months now. Pronouncing the city as a ‘prison’, Wali said he could not dare to visit his village located at few kilometers’ distance from the capital city.
The authorities admit the presence of the Taliban militants on the outskirts of the city but assert that efforts are underway to flush them out. Sayed Mahmood Danish, spokesman for the provincial governor told Salam Watandar that a number of clean-up operations against the illegal armed men are underway to ensure safety on highways, in villages and towns.
It is vital to note that the Kunduz City briefly fell to the Taliban last year that sparked concerns among the citizens.
ENDS
