QALA-I-NAU (SW) – The Taliban insurgents have entered Qala-i-Nau, the provincial capital of Badghes province, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Hassamuddin Shams, the governor of Badghis, told Salam Watandar that all the districts of the province had already fallen to the Taliban, and the militants infiltrated the city of Qala-i-Nau, the capital of Badghis on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz Bek, chairman of the Badghis provincial council, has said that after the fall of all the districts in the province, the Taliban now brought their fighters to the gates of Qala-i-Nau, the capital of the province.
He said last night Khwaja Murad Murad, head of the Badghis police command, as well as a number of other security officials surrendered to the Taliban along with some 100 security forces. The head of the Badghis provincial council said that all security forces have rushed to the army’s headquarters in Qala-i-Nau out of fear.
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He added that according to reports, at least 19 security forces were killed last night during a retreat on the Qala-i-Nau – Muqar in Badghis. He further said the ICRC has been requested to transport the bodies of the fallen soldiers to their families.
With the siege of Qala-i-Nau, prisoners have escaped from the central prison in the city.
According to the provincial council chairman, after the fall of all the districts of Badghis, the city of Qala-i-Nau was in a state of disarray and the security forces and the people were shocked and did not know what to do. He said that taking advantage of the situation, more than 200 inmates of the central prison broke down the prison gate and escaped.
He also criticized the lack of air support for Badghis.
The Taliban have confirmed reports of the police chief surrendering to them in Qala-i-Nau.
ENDS
