Taliban run customs office between Wardak, Logar

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Taliban militants have established a ‘customs check-point’ between central Maidan Wardak and Logar provinces and take money from vehicles, government officials claim, but the rebels reject the claim.

Mohammad Rahim Amin, administrative chief of Baraki Barak district, said the Taliban had established a customs office in a small valley in Syedabad district of Maidan Wardak province and they charged taxes on vehicles passing through the area.

He said around 15 heavy and several light vehicles traveled on the route on a daily basis and their drivers paid money in ‘tax’ to the insurgents.

“Taliban charge a lorry truck 10,000 and 12,000 afghanis,” he claimed.  

Saleem Saleh, the Logar governor’s spokesman, confirmed the Baraki Barak district chief’s claim, but said security forces had driven the rebels from the area.

Maidan Wardak governor’s spokesman Abdul Rahman Mangal said Taliban militants were running a customs office in Syedabad district.

“Tangai area in Syedabad is unstable but we have not received any complaint from local people about Taliban’s customs office,” he said.

He said officials in neighboring provinces were planning to conduct clearing operations in the area soon.

Pajhwok obtained a copy of Taliban’s customs farm with words on the top “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Borders Department.”

Vehicle’s type, amount of money, date and mobile number are written on the page.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the fighters had set up a customs office anywhere in Afghanistan.

nh/ma

Views: 17