Taliban using mosques, civilians’ homes as trenches in Helmand: Officials

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Local security officials on Saturday said the Taliban militants used civilians’ houses and mosques as their trenches in Nawa district of southern Helmand province.

Two days back, Helmand security officials said they had launched operation to retake control of Nawa district from Taliban.

Brig. Gen. Abdul Hadi Tarin, deputy commander of 215^th Maiwand Military Corpse in Helmand, while speaking to a press conference, told Pajhwok Afghan News that large number of militants suffered casualties during the ongoing operation in Nawa.

He did not provide exact figures, but said the Afghan forces took control of Ainak area of the district form the militants.

“The Taliban placed hundreds of bombs on roads, houses and mosques of areas we have captured from them, we would not advance until we demine these areas,” he said.

Acting commander for 505^th Bost Police Zone in Helmand, Brig. Gen. Abdur Rahim Chakhansori said the Afghan forces were careful during the operation in order to prevent civilian casualties.

The Taliban turned people’s houses and mosques as their strongholds in Nawa but the Afghan forces try to ease the operation and let the people start their normal life, he said.

Hussain, an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier in Ainak area of Nawa district, said the Afghan forces had significant advancements in their operation in the past three days.

“We can reach to the district center if the operation is going successful like now,” he said.

Abdur Rashid, another ANA soldier, said that they did not face any serious problems during the operation.

Taliban did not comment about the offensives. Nawa, once the most stable districts of Helmand, was fallen to Taliban militants about a year ago.

mds