Taliban close down Balkh – Jawzjan highway

SHEBERGHAN (SW) – The Taliban insurgents blocked the main Balkh – Jawzjan highway for hours after clashes with the security forces.

A well-placed security source that wished not to be named in the report said the Taliban damaged this main highway in the Khanqa district.

According to the provincial police chief, Abdul Wahed Wajdan, the insurgents also want to target vehicles supplying goods and vehicles. The local civil society has warned that these threats would amplify if the government remained silenced in the wake of the highway closure. They said the insurgents planted roadside bombs here days before closing down the highway.

This move by the insurgents to target public places has been condemned by the religious scholars.

The Taliban have previously rejected allegations of damaging public places here.

ENDS