‘Pakistan militias fight alongside Taliban in Nangarhar’

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Military officials say Pakistani militias and Taliban insurgents jointly attacked security check-posts in eastern Nangarhar province.

Reports say some public uprising forces lost their check posts militants, prompting a joint security operation to drive away the insurgents.

According to the officials, fresh security forces have reached Pakha Tangi, Ali Tabang Kando, Gordara Khola and the Zhrando Sar areas of the Achin district.

Officials say Taliban militants attacked public uprising forces check-posts in Spin Ghar and Mamand Dara districts.

However, they say addition forces had reached the areas and had brought the situation under control.

On Friday, operations led by commander of 3^rd brigade of 201^st Selab Military Corps, Gen. Nasir Safi, were launched in the Achin district and the operations are still underway.

Gen. Safi told Pajhwok Afghan News about 50 militants have been killed and several villages cleared during the operation.

He claimed Pakistani militia fought directly alongside the Taliban against the Afghan side, but they were defeated.

Haji Qalam, a local uprising forces commander, said many families were displaced by the fighting and that the ongoing operation was still making locals homeless in war-torn areas.

A local public uprising member, Mahboob Shinwari, said the operation had so far cleared Ali Tabang Kundo, Godre Khola and Jirando Sar areas of insurgents and the operation was still ongoing.

He said the uprising forces had been stationed to all other posts and there was only one post left which would be reactivated soon.

Ashiqullah Sadat, Achin district chief, said the operation would allow displaced families to return to their homes and that he had requested the provincial government to provide relief goods to the displaced families.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, denied that Pakistani militias were cooperating with Taliban in the fight against government forces in Spin Ghar and Achin.

"When the Kabul administration is defeated somewhere, they make such baseless allegations. They have no documents," he concluded.

He claimed the fighters destroyed 11 security check-posts and bases in Achin and Spin Ghar districts.

Sa/ma