Taliban turn on Kandahar, capture Panjwai district

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): The Taliban on Sunday captured strategically crucial Panjwai district in southern Kandahar province after a heavy firefight.

Officials did not openly acknowledge the fall of Panjwai but a well-placed security source told Pajhwok Afghan News the district had been under siege from the past one week and finally security forces left the district early on Sunday.

On Saturday night, around 200 fresh troops reached Panjwai district to rescue already trapped personnel. They were evacuated to Kandahar City on the same night.

According to the source, the firefight lasting a week left around 30 security personnel dead and as many injured.

Maj. SadiqEsakhel, spokesperson for the Atal Military Corps, said security forces had made a tactical retreat with all equipment and personnel had been evacuated from the district.

He said 21 Taliban have been killed and 11 others injured during military operations in the district.

Kandahar Provincial Council Head Haji Syed Jan Khakrezwal acknowledged the fall of Panjwai district and alleged that the army forces intentionally withdrew from the district.

In addition, heavy fighting between the Taliban and security forces is underway in the TakhtaPul, Mianshen and Zherai districts.

Elsewhere, local officials in Badakhshan province said that Bahark district also fell to the Taliban.

Badakhshan officials did not acknowledge or refuse the fall of Baharak district.

So far, the Taliban have captured 16 districts in Badakhshan and over 100 districts across the country.

Nh/ma