200 families flee as Badakhshan conflict intensifies

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): Local officials on Thursday said at least 200 families have fled their homes after clashes intensified between militants and pro-government forces in Karan wa Manjan district of northeastern Badakhshan province.

Abdul Rahim Farhat, the administrative head of Karan wa Marjan district, told Pajhwok Afghan News that many Taliban fighters and Afghan forces were killed during a battle that took place in Anjuman area of the district around 3am today morning.

“The fight is still heavily ongoing in the area, both sides have suffered casualties, we do not have exact figures for those killed and wounded in the fight due to remoteness of the area,” he said.

He said many families displaced by the conflict were currently staying on snow-covered hillsides without shelter. Children, women and elderly men could probably lose their lives in the harsh weather condition.

“No reinforcements have so far arrived to the battle area and half of Anjuman village is currently under Taliban control, but local officials have promised that reinforcements from neighboring Panjsher province would arrive soon to the area,” he said.

Dr. Ahmad Bashir Samim, Badakhshan provincial council head, said many fighters from both sides were killed or wounded during a battle between a Taliban commander, Imaam, and an uprising group commander, Sharif.

He said the security situation in the whole area would turn worse if Anjuman village was captured by the Taliban and there was a possibility of Karan was Manjan district’s falling to insurgents.

Ahmad Javid Mujadadi, a provincial council member, said, “Around 50 to 60 uprising members and Taliban insurgents have been killed in this conflict so far.”

Anjuman village where around 700 families live is a remote area of the district and shares border with central Panjsher province.

mds/ma

Views: 2