Taliban claim capturing Charkh district of Logar

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Taliban have claimed capturing the Charkh district of central Logar province, a development confirmed by a local official.

A Charkh-based security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants had stormed the district office complex from several directions.

He said the security personnel retreated after a few hours of fighting, after which the insurgents seized control of the district centre.

He added the security forces suffered no casualties but the Taliban set alight the main office complex.

Abdul Bari, a resident of the area, said the militants overran the district centre and then set the office complex on fire.

But local officials denied the fall of the district into Taliban’s hands.

Deedar Lawarng, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok a clash took place in Charkh, but the district had not fallen to the Taliban.

“The district office complex was situated in the education department. Residents have asked several times for the office shifting and the district office did so,” he added.

Lawang said the district office was shifted back to its initial location (Dabar area).

He added the militants suffered casualties but exact numbers were not immediately available.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the militant movement, said their fighters captured the district building on Sunday night.

He claimed the security forces opened fire at civilians after the fall of the district, killing two people and injuring six others.

sa/mud

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