Security forces retake Ghormach bazaar, police HQ

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Security forces have recaptured the bazaar and police headquarters of Chormach district from Taliban militants in western Faryab province during an ongoing operation, a military official said on Thursday.

The Taliban overran Ghormach district two months back and security forces retreated and took positions on the outskirts of the district.

Maj. Raza Razai, the 209^th Shaheen Military Corps 1^st brigade spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the offensive, the third phase of “Operation Shamshir 15” involved police and National Directorate of Security (NDS) personnel.

He said the Taliban sustained heavy causalities in clashes with security forces but said exact figures were unavailable. According to Razai, insurgent had planted landmines and security forces had defused three of them so far.

He said currently 42 police check-posts were in Taliban control and it had been planned to retake the district centre and capture the posts over the next 24 hours.

Mohammad Hassan, an official in the district administration, confirmed security forces had entered the main bazaar of Ghormach and had retakes some government facilities form the Taliban.

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