Taliban regain control of Mirzawlang valley

SAR-I-PUL CITY (Pajhwok): Taliban militants once again captured the Mirzawlang area of Sayyad district in northern Sar-i-Pul province, a public representative said on Wednesday, when locals buried dozens of bodies found in mass graves.

Asadullah Khurram, a member of the Provincial Council (PC), told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban recaptured strategic locations of Katla Taw and Sheram in the eastern and western part of the valley.

Earlier in the day, major parts of Mirzawlang fell to insurgents after security forces retreated to the western part of the area, he said.

Pajhwok tried to contact local officials for comment, but failed.

Mirzawlang was overrun by militants on August 4 when 50 civilians were reportedly killed. However, the area was recaptured by Afghan forces on Aug 14.

Security forces and local residents on Tuesday recovered 39 bodies from two mass graves in the area. The individuals were killed by the militants during clashes on August 4.

nh/ma