Taliban overrun 4 districts of Takhar, say sources

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): The Taliban militants have taken control of four more districts of northern Takhar province, security officials said on Sunday.

One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants had overrun Hazar Samch, Chall, Khwaja Ghar and Yangi Qala districts in the past 24 hours.

Nek Mohammad, a resident of Taloqan, said in addition to the districts, the security situation had sharply deteriorated in the provincial capital as well.

But Hamid Mobarez, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok the four districts had not fallen to the Taliban. Fierce clashes were underway there, he acknowledged.

Tariq Arian, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said the retreat or advance of the security forces did not mean the collapse of a district.

He claimed casualties among the militants were three times higher than security forces’ losses in the ongoing fighting.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the fighters had captured Namak Aab, Chall, Yangi Qala, Khwaja Ghar and Hazar Samuch districts of Takhar.

sa/mud

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