Taliban shut road connecting 6 districts in Pakitia

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): From the past two weeks, the Taliban have closed the Gardez-Dand-i-Patan highway, restricting movement to six districts from Gardez and causing many problems for the people.

Haji Ghafar, a tribal elder from Mirzak district, said people were tired of the current situation and insecurity thus they called on the Taliban to avoid creating problems against them.

“There is always clash in the district and other areas. The highway is closed and it should be opened so that people can work because they are dying of hunger, what they (people) can do and where they should go?” he grumbled.

Ali Mohammad, a driver of the highway route, said people and local residents were in serious problems and always in fear of clash and explosions.

Taj Mohammad Mangal, a member of provincial council, said: “The Taliban militants are taking advantage of the government’s defensive posture, setting up check-points on highways, getting people out of cars and harassing them.”

The Taliban must also show goodwill against people’s demands and reduce the violence, Mangal remarked.

Governor Mohammad Halim Fidayee said they had reduced the security forces’ offensive operations in order to improve the peace process, but the Taliban had surged violence trying to strengthen their position at the negotiating table.

Fidayee said the people wanted peace and the government was considering the demands of its people.

The Taliban did not respond to Pajhwok’s contact for comment in this regard.

Sa