FAIZABAD (SW): Reports from Badakhshan suggest that the Taliban have full control over the Warduj and Yamgan districts besides having significant clout over a number of other districts in the northeastern province.
The Taliban reportedly roam around freely in Jurm, Raghistan, Tagab, Yaftal Bala, Shahda and Arghanj Khwa districts. Faisal Baigzad, the governor admits it. He however, asserted that the Taliban and their foreign comrades are on the defensives, and have failed to capture new territories.
According to the governor, the Taliban waged at least 12 attacks on Baharak, Tagab, Raghistan, Daraem and Arghanj Khwa districts but all were thwarted. Local officials believe as many as many as 1400 armed Taliban are active in the province. Reports suggest these militants are fighting under the leadership of thier commander named Mawlawi Fasehuddin.
Abdullah Naji, member of the provincial council told Salam Watandar that though the rebels have failed to overrun new territories but they have put the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) on the defensives. He stressed that if the government failed to change its strategy, things might get worst.
Commenting on this, Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that the clean-up operation is bound to continue until the province is totally cleared of the rebels. He stressed that the rebels would be crushed. Naveed Frotan, the spokesman for the provincial governor said that as many as 27 rebels, including a top militant commander have been killed in the offensives launched in the restive Raghistan district.
Masoud Arshad, the spokesman for the district police headquarters said in this regard that the militants escaped operation in Raghistan and stomred the neighboring Shohoda, Yaftal and Tagab districts but were pushed back. He stated that 14 rebels were killed in these offensives and 4 more were captured by the ANSF.
ENDS
