KABUL (SW) – Analysts believe the recent trip to Kabul by Pakistan’s ISI chief played pivotal role in changing the dynamics of fighting in Panjshir.
Last evening, Fahim Dashti, a spokesman for the National Resistance Front, and Abdul Wadud Zareh, an aide to Ahmad Massoud, were killed in Panjshir. There are reports that drones bombers by Pakistan were used in targeting the NRF forces in the valley.
Massoud, in an audio call has urged Afghans to wage a national uprising against the Taliban.
Political analysts believe that Gen. Faiz Hamid, the head of the Pakistani intelligence agency (ISI), was involved in the fighting between the NRF and the Taliban in the province, and that the presence of Pakistani forces on the ground has changed the state of war in Panjshir.
According to observers, the Taliban did not have access to advanced military aircrafts and had not achieved much on the front in the past week or so since the beginning of the fighting.
Sayed Baqir Mohseni, a political analyst, told Salam Watandar that the Taliban have no functional air force. “But, last night, the situation changed in favor of the Taliban as they marched and occupied Panjshir with the help of Pakistani forces.”
Another political analyst, Akram Arefi, said the widespread presence of Pakistani intelligence officers among the Taliban is undeniable.
The Taliban denied the Pakistani drone strike on Panjshir and claim that the visit of the Pakistani intelligence chief to Kabul was just for talks between the two sides on continuing cooperation.
Panjshir was the last province that has continued to resist the Taliban since the group took control of Afghanistan’s capital and provinces.
Although, the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed full control of Panjshir province, the National Resistance Front has denied it, saying its forces are present at all strategic positions.
ENDS
