LASHKARGAH (SW): The raging violence in southern Helmand province has cut-off road links to neighboring Kandahar and western Herat provinces.
Fighting between the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the Taliban militants have been underway for the past many days in Naad-e-Ali, Marja and Garmsir districts. It has now also engulfed neighboring Nawa district.
A number of militants stormed two security check posts in Khusr Abad area in Nawa district in the wee hours on Sunday. A number of policemen and civilian feared to be killed or wounded in these attacks.
The Kabul-Helmand-Herat highway has been closed for traffic for the past two days due to fighting in Nahr-e-Siraj area. The Taliban stormed the Afghan National Police (ANP) check posts on this route on Friday.
The transporters have been warned against using the highways. Mohammad Hakeem, a transporter told Salam Watandar that the Taliban have distributed letters warning them not to use the route for a week. Sulaiman Salam, another transporter said that the provincial governor has claimed that the highway is open for traffic but that is not the case in reality.
Meanwhile, Hayatullah Hayat, the provincial governor asserted that the highway was only closed for three hours during the fighting.
He told Salam Watandar that the Taliban have destroyed a number of connecting bridges on this route that would take time to repair. “The Taliban stormed five districts at a time but were faced with strong response from the ANSF, the government forces have targeted the enemy in ground offensives”, the governor said.
According to reports, the ANSF backed by the allied forces’ air power has killed as many as 300 Taliban militants in these offensives so far. Up to 40 government forces have also been confirmed dead.
Fighting is still underway in Marja, Garmsir, Naad-e-Ali and Khanshin districts.
ENDS
