Clashes underway as Taliban close in on Farah City

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): The Taliban have captured Nawbahar and Berang Toot areas on the outskirts of Farah City, the capital of western Farah province, amid clashes around the provincial capital, officials and residents said on Sunday.

Nawbahar is situated 12 kilometres northwest of Farah City and Bagh Pul is two kilometres west of provincial capital, which is increasingly under threat from the militants.

Mohammad Daud Aram, head of the youth affairs department and resident of Bagh Pul, said the Taliban had overrun the Nawbahar and Berang Toot Saturday night. Fierce clashes between the rebels and security forces erupted this morning in Bagh Pul.

Most shops in Farah City are closed as people are streaming out of the city, according to Aram, who warned the situation could soon spin out of control.

Nasir Mehri, the governor’s spokesman, said security forces had made a tactical retreat from Nawbahar and Berang Toot. He confirmed fighting was ongoing underway in Bagh Pul.

He said a dozen Taliban were killed in Berang Saturday night when Afghan fighter jets pounded their positions. He assured the people that militants could not overrun the provincial capital.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the fresh clashes, but the group said security forces had deserted a post in Nawbahar, after which the fighters captured a large area.

nh/mud

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