KABUL, Apr 26 (NNN-XINHUA) – Increasing militancy and conflicts, faded the hopes of Afghans for peace, as more than 80 fighters, mostly Taliban militants have been killed in the country, over the past 24 hours.
Taliban militants stepped up activities everywhere in the conflict-battered country, and in the latest waves of violence, they attacked security checkpoints in Sharh-e-Bazarg district of northern Badakhshan province yesterday, but retreated after leaving five bodies behind, spokesman for the provincial government, Sanahullah Rohani, confirmed.
In the clash, which lasted for a couple of hours, eight more militants and two security personnel were injured, according to the official.
Taliban militants have also focused their guns on western Badghis province, to gain ground, a member of Badghis provincial council, Mohammad Nasir Nazari, said.
Confirming the clash, an army officer in the restive Badghis province, Hafizullah Masoud Akhundzada, said, fighting planes struck Taliban militants in Ab Kamari district of Badghis, on Saturday evening, killing eight insurgents and wounding three others.
According to security officials, at least 70 more militants have been killed in eastern Laghman, Wardak and Paktia provinces over the past 24 hours.
Fighting has increased amid the Afghan peace efforts and the United States’ announcement to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by Sept 11.
The U.S.-led military coalition, according to media reports, would start to pull out from Afghanistan on May 1, and the process would be completed by Sept 11, the 20th anniversary of the deadly terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
Denouncing Taliban-led insurgency, an Afghan teacher, Mohammad Daud, said, “Since the foreign forces are leaving the country, there is no legitimate reason for the Taliban to fight against the government. Taliban should clarify why they are fighting, when the foreign forces are leaving.
“Taliban should stop fighting against Afghans,” another Kabul resident, Mohammad Akram said. There is no logic for the Taliban to continue fighting against the government, while foreign forces are withdrawing.
Afghan Defence Ministry spokesman, Rohullah Ahmadzai, said, the Taliban intensified violence in Ramadan, the Muslims fasting month, and fight against Afghan security forces.
Backing the notion, Hamid Roshan, spokesman for the Interior Ministry claimed that, Taliban violent incidents claimed the lives of 50 civilians and 100 security personnel, since the start of Ramadan, 13 days ago.
Intra-Afghan talks in Doha, which started on Sept 12 last year, made no tangible headway, and the UN-sponsored peace conference in Turkey, scheduled for April 24, has been postponed, due to the Taliban’s unwillingness to attend it.– NNN-XINHUA
