MAIMANA (SW): Confirming reports about the fall of Ghormach district to the Taliban, the local officials in northern Faryab province have said reluctance on part of the government has led to this situation.
Syed Abdul Baqi Hashmi, Head of the Provincial Council told Salam Watandar the security forces in this part of the province have not been paid their salaries for the past four months now. He said all public offices, main bazaar and the villages in Ghormach are under the control of the rebels.
The rebels overrun Ghormach in a brief battle last night. According to the Provincial Council Chief, the militants had surrounded the district for the past four days and government’s apathy ultimately led to its fall.
He blamed the government kept ignoring calls for reinforcement and additional supply.
Syed Asif, Commander of 500 men in Ghormach expressed similar views. He however, asserted that the government forces have adopted a strategic retreat and have control over check posts surrounding the district.
Reports suggest fighting was still underway in parts of the district. Shirin Shah Kohbandi, a commander in the 209-Shaheen Corps in Faryab told Salam Watandar that all men in uniform have evacuated the district and have occupied positions on higher ground. He asserted that the required strength was there to recapture the fallen district.
The fall of Ghormach has multiplied fears about the fall of neighboring districts like Qaisar. Two weeks earlier, the militants also briefly overrun by the Taliban. Faryab remains volatile despite a clean-up military operation in the presence of Vice President Abdul Rasheed Dostum.
ENDS