As Qaisar falls, Taliban capture dozens of security personnel

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Hundreds of security forces have been killed, wounded and captured by Taliban insurgents after the collapse of the Qaisar district of northwestern Faryab province, sources said on Monday.

However, security official have neither accepted nor denied the claim so far. Local sources said the fighters staged fresh attacks and captured Kohi Khana village.

Earlier, the militants overran the Qaisar district centre, police headquarters and the main market.

The insurgents captured the district and police headquarters, municipality and the main market after two days of assaults.

Provincial council Member Mohammad Nader Syedi said the security personnel had retreated to Kohi village.

He added Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers, police, National Directorate of Security (NDS) agents and public uprising members were waiting for reinforcements.

But the Taliban, after taking control of the district, killed, wounded and took hostage security force members. Reinforcements are yet to arrive.

Meanwhile, a government source told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban had moved 60 to 70 barefoot security personnel to Arzalik village.

The source added the Taliban took 18 wounded security personnel with them through streets and fields.

The rebels also seized seven tanks, dozens of weapons, with clashes still ongoing at an ANA base four kilometre west of the district.

Pajhwok tried to get the view of Faryab security officials on the issue but failed to establish contact with them.

The movement’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said on Sunday the fighters captured the district police headquarters after detonating a car bomb.

Later, the insurgents seized the KohiKhana village of the district as a result of a fierce clash, Mujahid said.

He claimed 30 security personnel surrendered to the Taliban with their ammunition after their HQ fell.

hr/mud

Views: 550