9 districts fall to Taliban in past 24 hours: Sources

KABUL (Pajhwok): Local sources claim nine districts in Takhar, Balkh, Logar, Samangan, Kuduz and Jawzjan provinces have fallen to the Taliban in the past 24 hours.

Hazar Somch, Chal, KhawajaGhar, YangiQala, Chaharboluk, Kharwar, Dara-e-SufBala, DashatArchi, Faizabad and Khanaqa are districts falling to the Taliban in the past 24 hours.

Takhar

A well-placed security source told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Taliban captured HazarSomch, Chal, KhawajaGhar and YangiQala districts in the past 24 hours.

“These districts faced huge security threat from the past few days and the Taliban last night finally captured them,” according to the source.

But Governor Spokesperson Hamid Mubarez said these districts had not fallen to the Taliban but heavy fighting was underway between security forces and the rebels.

Taliban spokesperson ZabihullahMujahid claimed the fighters had captured NamakAb, Chal, YangiQala, KhawajaGhar and HazarSmoch districts in the past 24 hours.

Balkh

Local sources in northern Balkh province confirmed that ChaharBoluk district had fallen into the hands of the Taliban after 48 hours of siege.

Haji Shah Mohammad, local elder, told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban captured district centre and police station without fighting while tens of security personnel surrendered to the Taliban.

ChaharBoluk District Chief Atta Mohammad Sharifyar confirmed that some security personnel had surrendered to the Taliban but he did not talk about the fall of district.

The Taliban claimed a large number of security personnel had surrendered, huge quantity of arms and other equipment were seized after the capturing of the district.

Logar

A well-placed source in central Logar province told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Taliban overran the Kharwar district on Saturday night.

But the Governor Spokesperson DidarLawang said due to some security issues the district centre of Kharwar had been shifted to Pul-i-Alam the provincial capital three years back.

“Only four small military bases stationed in the KhawajaAngor locality have been transferred to new locations,” he said.

But Mujahid claimed that Kharwar district was in the Taliban control.

Samangan

Some sources in northern Samangan province confirmed the fall of Dara-i-Suf Bala District to the Taliban this morning.

Deputy Head of the Samangan Provincial Council said security forces and the Taliban were engaged in heavy fighting from Saturday night and finally the rebels captured the district.

Police spokesperson MunirRahimi that security forces vacated the district centre and retreated to the Zerkai area.

The Taliban spokesperson also claimed Dara-i-Suf Bala district had been captured by the fighters.

Kunduz

In Kunduz, a well-placed security source confirmed the fall of Dasht-i-Archi district to the Taliban on Sunday afternoon.

District Chief Akhtar Mohammad said the Taliban completely captured the district.

The Taliban also claimed capturing Dasht-i-Archi district.

Faryab

Maimana, the capital of northwestern Fryab province, is facing security threat from the Taliban.

According to sources, after the fall of five Faryab districts — Almar, Qaisar, KhawajaZabz Posh, SherinTagab and Dawlatabad — Maimana was facing massive threat.

Provincial Council Member Mohammad Nader Saeedi said security forces on Saturday night vacated some vital military bases in Almar, Qaisar, Pashtonkot and Abgardan areas.

Police Spokesperson Abdul KarimYouresh assured the people of Faryab that Maimana will never fall to the Taliban.

Jawzjan

Local sources have confirmed that Faizabad and Khanaqa districts in northern Jawzan province had fallen to the Taliban after heavy fighting.

Wolesi Jirga Member HaleemaSadaf confirmed to Pajhwok the two districts had fallen to the Taliban on Sunday evening.

Nh/ma

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