JALALABAD (SW): The local officials in Nangarhar province have said the Daesh militants have taken control of the strategic Tora Bora Mountain following deadly clashes.
A security source who wished not to be named told Salam Watandar that the pro-Daesh rebels took control of the Tora Bora Mountains after forcing the Taliban as well as the local up-risers to flee last night. The source added both sides have sustained heavy losses in this long battle.
The pro-Daesh militants are said to be marching on the Pacher Aw Gaam district headquarters in area, and the government forces are engaged in fighting with them. Hundreds of residents have fled their homes. Sharifullah, a commander of the local up-risers, told Salam Watandar families are on the run, but the provincial and the central government have failed to provide them support against the militants.
Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor, has confirmed that situation is volatile in Pacher Aw Gaam district, but refrained from sharing more details. Situated close to the Durand Line with Pakistan, the Tora Bora Mountains have compound of caves and tunnels that were also used by Osama bin Laden, the slain chief of al-Qaeda.
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