KANDAHAR (Pajhwok): Security forces have begun combing operations along the Kabul-Kandahar highway and some districts of southern Zabul province in order to maintain security.
Official say the joint raids of Commando and Air Force have been ongoing for the past ten days and many areas have been cleared of the Taliban’s presence.
Commuters and drivers welcomed this mission of the government but said the highway was in a dilapidated condition which often results in traffic accidents, urging the government to reconstruct the highway.
Commander of the 2nd brigade of Afghan National Army (ANA) battalion in southern Zabul province, Col. SayedBabaMansoori, told Pajhwok Afghan News that ground forces and Air Force have launched joint operations in limits of the southern province and on Kandahar-Kabul highway.
He added Kabul has also sent commando forces for these operations.
The commander said many areas have been cleared from the Taliban’s presence and new security posts have been established for better security, adding Taliban suffered heavy casualties during these operations.
Mansoori stressed that the operations would continue until the province is cleansed of Taliban’s presence.
A security source said that many Taliban had come to Qalat, the provincial capital of Zabul, from Helmand, Uruzgan and Kandahar provinces and attacked the highway and districts of Zabul province, adding both government forces and Taliban have suffered casualties.
A security source, wishing anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News that 16 security personnel have been killed in these attacks.
But Zabul police chief, Gen. Mohammad WaisSamimi said hundreds of Taliban fighters attacked various parts of Zabul province and planned to capture all security posts on Kandahar-Kabul highway and the provincial capital, Qalat.
He added joint ground forces and Air Force inflicted around 50 casualties on the Taliban.
But the Taliban have not yet commented regarding the attacks or casualties.
Zabul head of provincial council, Haji AtaJanHaqbayaan says security situation in Zabul has deteriorated and the public was concerned.
HaqBayaan told Pajhwok Afghan News a number of districts like Shamoolzai, Arghandab, Mizan and Kandahar-Kabul highway faced with security threats.
He said face to face clashes and sticky-bomb blasts had spiked in Qalat and such incidents targeting government employees and security forces must be prevented.
Kandahar-Kabul highway drivers insist on highway reconstruction and removing security threats.
Oil truck driver, AbdulMalik said the highway is insecure and debilitated which results in problems, adding that two cargo vehicles overturned on Friday night.
AbdulMalik said bad highway condition caused losses to the public and traders and the government must reconstruct the highway.
NoorAhmad, another driver told Pajhwok Afghan News the bumpy highway often resulted in bloody accidents and closure of the highway for hours.
Zabul is one of the insecure provinces of Afghanistan and Kandahar-Kabul highway crosses through the province.
Local residents in the province suffer due to insecurity, blasts and debilitated condition of the highway.
Hr/ma
