Kajran district may fall to Taliban, residents warn

NEILI (Pajhwok):  The residents of Kajran district in central Daikundi province on Wednesday expressed concern about the rise in insecurity, saying the town might fall to Taliban.

Daikundi is a relatively safe province, but Kajran borders troubled provinces of Helmand and Uruzgan, from where insurgents often sneak into the town.

Mukhtar Ansari, a resident, said in the last 10 days attacks on security outposts had intensified. As a result, he added, two policemen and a civilian were killed and five others injured.

Ibrahim Rahmani, provincial council member, said Taliban had already taken seven villages including Gharma, Menara and Chobzar. He said security forces have been dispatched to the area but it was not enough.

“If extra troops do not arrive, there is a possibility that Kajran may fall,” Rahmani warned, adding insurgents were only two kilometres away from the centre of the district.

Ramin Poya, Kajran administrative head, said Taliban were only planting roadside explosives and attacking from distance. They did not have the capability to fight face-to-face.

A security official on condition of anonymity told Pajhwok that Kajran was under government’s control and its security was not being threatened.

Last week, Syed Habib Husseini, the Kajran police chief, was injured in a mine attack along with another policeman.

Ansari claimed the Taliban had stopped 18 food trucks that were on their way from Kandahar to Kajran and had taken their drivers to an unknown location.

The Kajran district head acknowledged the incident but said only five drivers were unaccounted for.

hg/mud