7 killed as militants storm Qaisar bazaar

MAIMANA (PAN provinces once against attacked the Shakh bazaar in the Qaisar district of Faryab province on Tuesday.

Abdul Jamil Siddiqui, the district chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News the bazaar fell to the Taliban after an attack by a group of Pakistani militants and their local associates.

He said three Taliban, a local policeman and three Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers had been killed. One local policeman, five Taliban and five civilians have been injured in the ongoing clash.

According to the district chief, hundreds of families had fled Sar Asiab, Mughal, Qabchaq, Timuri, Shurabak and Turkmen villages. They have sought shelter in mountainous areas.

Sayed Abdul Baqi Hashmi, the provincial council secretary, verified displacement of 500 families due to ongoing fighting in the district. He accused law-enforcement agencies of inability to curb militants.

Ahmad Fawad, the Qaisar council head, warned the Shakh bazaar would permanently fall to Taliban if the government did not improve security in adjoining areas. He said the bazaar had economic and strategic importance for the fighters

Security forces wrested back the bazaar’s control from the guerrillas after a brief firefight late on Sunday.

Faryab Governor Mohammadullah Batash said Pakistan Taliban provided the locals fighters with weapon and other necessary equipment. The situation threatens infrastructure development projects in the province.

mud

Visits: 4