GARDEZ (SW): For the very first time, deadly armed clashes between two factions of the Taliban have been reported from Paktia province.
Reports from Rabat area close to the provincial capital Gardez suggest militants loyal to Mullah Hibatullah, leader of the Taliban’s main faction, have fought with the militants loyal to the breakaway faction led by Mullah Rasoul. Zabehullah Mujahed, spokesman for the main faction of the Taliban, has claimed 6 members including a commander of the opposite faction have been killed, and four more are wounded.
Eye witnesses have told Salam Watandar up to 20 men have either died or got wounded in these clashes.
Toryalay Abdyani, police chief for the province, has also confirmed the incident. He said six militants associated with the Rasul-faction have died and two more are wounded in this clash. Fighting between these two factions of the Taliban are usually reported from some southern and western provinces, but this is the first time such clash has occurred in Paktia.
ENDS
