LASHKARGAH (SW): As militants’ intensify their anti-government campaign, officials in the southern Helmand province have expressed fear of a district’s fall to the Taliban.
Helmand’s Musa Qala district has been witnessing intense fighting since last four days. On Monday, Ibadullah Alizai, deputy speaker of the provincial council expressed fears if the officials and security personnel under siege in Musa Qala are not rescued in time; the district would fall to the Taliban.
He said the militants were roaming around freely in the markets and had blocked the road leading to the district. “The government forces and officials who are under siege in Musa Qala urgently needed rescue and relief”, he said.
Mohammad Sharif Khan, the Musa Qala district chief, acknowledging the dreadful state of affairs, said the government forces have gone out of ammunition. Mohammad Ismail Hotak, deputy head of the 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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