MAIMANA CITY (SW): Local officials in northern province Faryaab have said that two commanders from local uprising forces have surrendered themselves to the militants in Faryaab.
Mohammad Tahir Rahmani, head of provincial council in the province, said that the militants have intensified their offensives against local uprising forces over the past few days.
He said that two commanders from local uprising forces could not resist the Taliban’s offensives and surrendered to the militants which led to the fall of Tilan a strategic area in the province.
He warned that if the government’s officials did not take any swift measures to reclaim the area, other areas like Sarhouse and the neighboring villages would also fall to the Taliban insurgents which could pose a serious threat to Maimana City.
Hayatullah Sarkhabi, police chief in Pashtonkot district, confirmed the news and said that the security forces retreated from the area following the militants’ attacks.
He said that mop-up operation aimed at reclaiming Tilan has been underway.
He added that during the fighting between security forces and the insurgents in the area, 4 militants have been killed and 7 more have been injured so far.
Meanwhile a reliable source, who did not wish to be named, told Salam Watandar that the militants took hostage family members of the two commanders warning them that they would behead the hostages if they would not surrender to them.
The source said that the two commanders had nearly 60 men under their commands and gave up fighting and surrendered to the Taliban insurgents after their repeated calls for reinforcement troops went unanswered.
ENDS
