LASHKARGAH (SW): The restive Musa Qala district in southern Helmand province has finally fallen to the Taliban, district’s chief confirmed on Wednesday.
Musa Qala district has been witnessing intense fighting since last six days. Mohammad Sharif Khan, the district chief told SW that the rebels have occupied a number of state offices in the district and roam around freely in the market.
The offices occupied by the Taliban include the District Police Headquarters, Public Hospital and the Provincial Administrations building.
Stressing the need for the deployment of Afghan National Army (ANA)’s Special Units, the district chief said there was still an opportunity to swiftly reclaim the state property and district as a whole.
Locals said Pacha Gul Bakhtyar, the director for province's security has been taken away by the rebels.
Taliban’s Spokesman Qari Yousauf Ahmadi has said in a statement that they have killed 15 policemen in the fight for district. The militants have also claimed to have confiscated a number of weapons from the government forces.
On Monday, Mohammad Ismail Hotak, deputy head for coordination at Helmand’s Provincial Police Department said in this regard that efforts were underway to resolve the crisis.
Hotak revealed there has been no contact with the forces in Musa Qila for days now. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has been informed and we hope for a swift solution to the situation”, he said.
Two days ago, the Taliban launched a brazen attack on an Afghan National Army (ANA) check post that killed around 30 ANA men.
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