Threats posed to Hairatan port eliminated: Governor

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The governor of northern Balkh province on Tuesday said all security threats to the Hairatan port had been removed after a recent clearing operation in the area.

Concerns about the security of the port rose after Taliban militants took control of its neighbouring ShorTepa district two days ago.

A number of traders had shared their concerns with Pajhwok Afghan News about the security of the port this week and they said that some traders may withdraw their investments if the situation did not improve.

However, Balkh governor FarhadAzimi told a press conference in Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of the province, today that threats to Hairatan port had been eliminated.

He said that ShorTepa district was under the Taliban’s siege and Afghan forces and officers had retreated from the area for prevention of casualties.

The local administration had decided to relocate the district organization to HazarToqi area which is 35 kilometres from Hairatan port, he added.

“We have deployed a large number of security personnel in ShorTepa and Kaldar districts in order to secure the Hairatan port, they would prevent a possible Taliban attack on the port,” he added.

Azimi said that defence lines had been activated in 50 kilometres of the port that would be able to defend against any activities of insurgents.

He said that Kaldar district of the province was also mostly cleared of militants during an operation in the last two days and the operation was still ongoing in the area.

Operations have also been launched for recapturing districts in close location to Mazar-i-Sharif, he said, adding that thousands of uprising people had joined Afghan forces to defend against militant attacks.

Mds/ma