8 officials killed as Kohistan district falls to Taliban

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Eight security personnel were killed as the Taliban once again captured the Kohistan district of northwestern Faryab province, an official said on Tuesday.

Mohammad Tahir Rahmani, the provincial council chief, said Kohistan fell into the hands of Taliban after they launched a coordinated attack on district centre at 2am.

He said eight security personnel were killed, including the district administrative chief and 13 others wounded. At least two security officials have been missing.

The public representative revealed about 200 security personnel had been besieged in Qala-i-Daktar Sadat area. If immediate assistance action was not taken, they would be killed, he warned.

Mohammad Hashim Awrtaq, a member of the Wolesi Jirga, criticised the governor and asked for dispatching reinforcements to help the besieged forces.

Ahmad Javed Baidar, the governor’s spokesman, confirmed the seizure of the district centre by the Taliban, but did not provide details.

sa/mud