KABUL, Jun 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Fighting intensified in the northern Faryab and the western Herat and neighbouring Farah provinces of Afghanistan, as more than 100 Taliban fighters have been killed over the past three days, officials said yesterday.
Taliban militants, since the withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces on May 1, have stepped up activities and captured over a dozen districts, attempting to overrun the northern Faryab province, army spokesman in the northern region, Mohammad Hanif Rezai, said.
According to Rezai, the Taliban’s repeated attempts have been foiled and the security forces, backed by fighting planes have killed 45 militants and injured over 60 others in Shirin Tagab and Dawlatabad districts of Faryab province, over the past three days.
Dawlatabad district has been changed hand to hand, and currently is in government control, Rezai said, adding that, operations are underway to evict the militants from Qaisar district. The official avoided commenting on casualties of troops.
Rezai, however, said, Taliban fighters launched frequent attacks on Shirin Tagab district, over the past three days but gained no ground.
According to a local observer, Mohammad Jan, if the Taliban were able to capture Faryab province, the group could tighten the noose around Mazar-I-Sharif, the largest city in Afghanistan’s northern region, which borders Uzbekistan.
Similarly, the Taliban fighters have intensified operations in the western Herat and the neighbouring Farah provinces, bordering Iran.
Taliban attacks on Jwain and Anar Dara districts of Farah province have been repulsed and the militants fled, leaving 36 bodies behind.
Taliban militants surrounded the Obe district of Herat province over the past few days, calling on security personnel to surrender. However, fighting planes struck their positions yesterday, killing 11 insurgents and injuring eight others.
In the meantime, hundreds of people staged a peaceful demonstration in front of Herat’s governor’s office yesterday, to help rescue their sons from the Taliban siege.
Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, rejected the claims made by officials, claiming that, they have captured 41 districts and would continue to defend their positions.– NNN-AGENCIES
