MAIDAN CITY (SW) – The Jalriz district of the Maidan Wardak province has been captured by the Taliban, a source at the provincial police command confirmed to Salam Watandar.
According to the source, who did not want to be named, the district fell to the Taliban this morning (Friday, May 21) after a fierce clash between security forces and the Taliban.
The source added that clashes between security forces and the Taliban are still ongoing in Jalrez. According to the source, 4 security forces have been killed and 6 others injured in Jalrez so far.
Meanwhile, Sharifullah Hotak, a member of Maidan Wardak provincial council, told Salam Watandar that the Taliban captured the district at around 9:00 am today after a five-day siege.
He added the district police chief surrendered to the Taliban with 35 security forces and the district completely fell to the Taliban. The member of Maidan Wardak provincial council accused the security officials of negligence in preventing the fall of Jalriz and said that the reinforcements have not been sent to the district in time.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group had seized the district building, the police headquarters and the NDS office, inflicting heavy casualties on government forces.
Maidan Wardak security and local officials have not yet commented.
ENDS
