GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Local residents and officials on Thursday accused Taliban militants of destroying a five-kilometer portion of the Ghazni-Paktika highway.
Sayedullah, a driver on the Ghazni-Paktika highway, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Taliban insurgents had destroyed the route in Arzo area of Ghazni province .
“In the past, we could reach our destination in 40 minutes but now we cannot reach even in two hours due to the road’s bad condition, we now have to travel on unpaved ways inside villages,” he said.
Naimullah, a resident of Andar district of Ghazni, also said traveling on the route had turned into a difficult job.
“The highway is already damaged at many parts and the Taliban destroyed it more. In the past, vehicles would travel on concrete part of the road from Shakhog area, but now Taliban control that area and people have to use unpaved subways,” he said.
Ismatullah Jamradwal, a provincial council member, said that Taliban had intentionally destroyed the highway.
“Taliban tried a lot to capture Andar district but failed, so they instead destroyed this highway to terrify people and show people they are in control,” he said.
Ghazni public health director, Mohammad Asif Zahin, also said that Taliban had destroyed a five-kilometer portion of the Ghazni-Paktika highway.
He said a large number of culverts and bridges on the highway had also been destroyed.
Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Farid Ahmad Mashal, said that an operation had been launched to ensure security on the highway.
He said more than 20 insurgents suffered casualties on the first day of the operation (on Wednesday).
Taliban’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid refused to comment on the issue.
However, Mujahid had earlier said that the Taliban had shut the Ghazni-Paktika highway for traffic. He had said Afghan forces tried several times to reopen the highway, but failed.
About four months back, Taliban launched a coordinated attack on the center of Andar district and then closed the Ghazni-Paktika highway. The route is still closed for traffic.
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