TALOQAN (Pajhwok): Taliban militants captured Darqad district in northeastern Takhar province after overrunning Yanqi Qala district, with security forces retreating to Khwaja Bahauddin town to avoid civilian casualties, officials said on Tuesday.
The Taliban fighters seized the Yangi Qala district last night following two days of fierce clashes with security forces, Takhar police spokesman Khalil Aseer told Pajhwok.
He said the insurgents today (Tuesday) also captured Darqad district of the province at about 10am because security forces had retreated to Khawaja Bahauddin district after the fall of Yanqi Qala district.
The police spokesman did not provide further details about the situation.
The Taliban confirmed capturing Darqad district today. Their spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the fighters captured Darqad district with all government facilities.
He said initial information showed a large number of government forces had suffered casualties and their weapons and equipment confiscated by the militants.
Earlier, Takhar governor’s spokesman Jawad Hijri told Pajhwok that the Taliban captured Yangi Qala district last night following two days of clashes with security forces. He said the security forces had tactically retreated to avoid civilian casualties.
He said during the two days of fighting, at least 30 Taliban militants were killed and wounded. He said the dead included Mullah Imamuddin, Taliban’s Red Unit commander.
Jawad said the security and defense forces had full coordination and they were fully prepared to recapture Yanqi Qala district.
Mohammad Azam Afzali, the provincial council’s deputy head, said the Taliban captured Yangi Qala district at about 8pm last night. He said the insurgents put the district chief office and the police compound on fire.
He said security forces had retreated to Ishkashim district.
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