Taliban seize Takhar’s Darqad district; police retreat

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): The Taliban captured the Darqad district of northern Takhar province after a two-hour battle with security forces on Wednesday, an official said. 

Atiq Haideri, the deputy police chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News the insurgents launched a predawn group attack on the district centre at 2.ooam.

After two hours of fighting the militants gained control of the district, he said, adding: “We have retreated tactically. We can retake the town whenever we want.”

He confirmed the withdrawal of all policemen and uprising forces from Darqad. However, he would not say anything about casualties.

Resident Tahir Khan confirmed the overnight battle and the district’s fall without any resistance from security forces, saying: “Many parts of Darqad were already under Taliban’s control.”

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the fighters had killed a dozen policemen in the battle for the district. Two rebels were also killed, he acknowledged.

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