Taliban attacks on Guzara district repulsed

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok):  A Taliban offensive has been defeated in Guzara district of western Herat province, local officials said on Thursday.

Governor AbdulSaboorQane told Pajhwok Afghan News that last night and this morning, the Taliban attacked villages of Pul-i-Malan, Sioshan and Boland Ab in Guzara district, but faced stiff resistance from security forces and uprising members.

The governor added that with air support, 40 Taliban insurgents had been killed and 42 others wounded in the ensuing clashes.

The governor said last night Taliban also attacked Karkh district of Herat and seven Taliban insurgents including three group commanders were killed in counter fight.

He, however, did not comment on casualties of security forces; but a security source, who wished anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News that two security personnel were killed and seven others wounded as a result of Taliban attack on Pul-i-Malan security post of Guzara district.

The governor of Herat stressed that sufficient forces, with weapons and ammunition, had been deployed in the security belts of Herat city.

He assured the people that the district recapture plan was underway and that the security situation in Herat would improve in the near future.

Meanwhile, Herat residents say that the Taliban have reached the gates of the city and the government should clear districts close to the city of Taliban as soon as possible.

According to these citizens, an attack on these two districts means an attack on the Herat city.

Local resident, WaliShah, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the attack on the Guzara district meant attacking the city and public and industrial facilities, the government must push the Taliban back from the district as soon as possible, and if the district falls, the city will fall to the Taliban in an hour.

The Taliban have launched attacks on Guzara district, while 15 districts in Herat have been under Taliban control for the past three weeks, including two major commercial ports.

Hr/ma