Ghazni on the brink of collapse, say terrified residents

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Residents of southern Ghazni province say there is high possibility the province may be lost to the Taliban if serious security measures are not taken on time but local officials dismiss it.

Local people say the Taliban have captured many districts and the militants have reached close to the provincial capital.

Deputy provincial council head, AmanullahKamrani told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Taliban had captured Deh Yak, Aab Band and Jaghato districts of Ghazni just in the last few days.

He said that serious clashes were currently underway in Muqor, Qarabagh, Gilan, KhwajaOmari, Andar and some other districts of the province.

“Taliban have reached the corners of Ghazni city and the province would fall to the militants if no serious measures are taken for its protection,” he said.

He said that they had several times shared the insecurity issue with government officials, but no practical action was so far taken on the regard.

Mohammad Anwar, a resident of Shahbaz area on the outskirts of Ghazni city, the provincial capital, said that Taliban had ordered local people in the area to leave their homes.

“Many people have left their homes on the Taliban order. The Taliban have told people that they would launch an attack on Ghazni city…,” he said.

Shamsullah, a civil society activist in Ghazni city, also said that the security situation had turned worse in the province.

“Officials should tell the truth to people, the security situation is very bad but they say that there is no problem, Ghazni city will fall if serious measures are not taken,” he said.

A number of other residents of Ghazni also shared similar concerns and asked for improvement of the security situation in the province.

Provincial security officials refused to comment about these concerns.

However, Ghazni governor’s spokesman, WahidullahJummazada said that serious efforts were on for improving the security of the province and the Taliban would never be able to take control of the provincial capital.

He said that fresh forces had arrived to Muqor, Jaghato and Aab Band districts and new security posts would be established in some areas to improve security there.

“We left some security posts in order to prevent civilian casualties, but all of the posts would be recaptured based on a plan,” he added.

Jummazada said that commando and air force would also take part in security of the provincial capital if there was need.

This comes as Taliban militants captured over 30 districts during the last one month.

Mds/ma