KUNDUZ CITY (SW): A reliable security source in Kunduz on conditions of anonymity told Salam Watandar that the Qala-e-Zaal district fell to the Taliban insurgent after two days of fighting on Saturday.
According to the reports, the Taliban insurgents entered the Aaq Tapa village at the center of Qala-e-Zaal district and attacked the government forces in the early hours of Friday morning. Assadullah Sadat, member Kunduz’s provincial council, said all government buildings in the district have fallen to the Taliban, and the group has taken 7 Afghan Local Policemen (ALP) as captives.
But, Mahboobullah Sayedi, district chief of Qala-e-Zaal, has said that the district is surrounded by jungles therefore the security forces have strategically. “The fight is still going on between the insurgents and the security forces”, he said. The chief of Qala-e-Zaal district has also said at least 22 Taliban fighters are dead while dozens got injured in this fight. But, he did not give information about the casualties sustained by the security forces.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have issued a statement claiming that the Qala-e-Zaal police headquarters and security outposts are taken by their fighters, and the security forces have sustained heavy casualties. The Taliban’s statement also notes that the military equipment and vehicles are also taken by the Taliban fighters.
This is the third time that the district has fallen to the Taliban.
Mahfoozullah Akbari, spokesman for northwest police zone, has said fighting is still going on at the Kunduz-Takhar highway. He added the highway remains closed for the traffic for the second day of the fight.
ENDS
