Kohistan district may fall to Taliban, warn officials

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Local officials in northwestern Faryab province warned on Monday if reinforcementswere not dispatched in time, Kohistan district might fall to Taliban.

Amir Taqwa, the town’s administrative chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News the rebels launched attacks from four sides on the district a week ago.

“During the past one week, I have been requesting the government to send reinforcements and conduct airstrikes, but I have received no positive response,” he complained.

He said only 15 policemen were stationed in the restive town, where some uprising groups were also resisting attacks from a large number of rebels.

Kohistan district might havebeen overrun by the Taliban long ago but the local uprising groups effectively repulsed their attacks, the official continued.

Dr. Saadat, a local uprising group commander, lashed out at the government for not honouring its pledges. He said they used their own resources and the government did not provided them weapons and bullets.

Mohibullah Mirzad, a former member of the provincial council and commander of an uprising group, also blamed the government for not supporting local forces. He said more than 300 of his men were fighting against the Taliban.

Meanwhile, police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Nabi Elhamconfirmed the siege of Kohistan, saying they had informed higher-ups about the situation but there was no response yet.

nh/mud

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