PARUN (SW): The major highway connecting eastern Laghman province with Nuristan has become more and more dangerous with the Taliban reportedly running private prisons in the area.
A number of Nuristan residents have complained about growing insecurity at Laghman-Nuristan highway. They said that the Taliban have established prisons at various points here to keep abducted passengers.
It is vital to note that the people in Nuristan heavily rely on this route for their needs of everyday life.
Enayat-ul-Rahman, a former member of the provincial council, told Salam Watandar that few days ago, the Taliban abducted at least 5 passengers over charges of collaborating with the government. He claimed that the Taliban have established private prisons on roads connecting the two provinces.
In the meantime, Sarhadi Zawak, the spokesperson for the Laghman governor, has also confirmed that security situation at these routes has worsened. He however, assured the citizens that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) would do their best to restore peace and order here. He hinted that soon a clean-up operation would be launched here.
Muhammad Hashim Faizi, the deputy governor in Nuristan province, told Salam Watandar that efforts to restore security are underway. The militants are hiding in some trenches on this route, he added.
The Taliban have not commented in this regard so far.
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