Military operation against ‘rebels’ ends in Sar-i-Pul: MoD

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said a clearing operation against armed ‘rebels’ in the Balkhab district of northern Sar-i-Pul province was wrapped up on Saturday, but raids were still underway in remote areas.

"Several days ago, the country's defense and security forces conducted a joint operation against rebels in Balkhab district of Sar-i-Pul province," the ministry said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The operation ended this morning with the capture of areas where militants had been present, the statement added.

Government security forces remained unharmed in the operation and the militants fled the area without any resistance, the source said.

The Ministry of Defense said the operation was still ongoing without any hindrance to clear the remote areas of the district.

The source did not provide further details about the operation or name anyone.

But for the past two days, there have been reports of fighting between security forces and supporters of Maulvi Mehdi, a local Hazara commander in the Balkhab district, according to a BBC report.

Sources close to the commander, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the latest fighting in the area had resulted in casualties on both sides.

The BBC also quoted some locals as saying that the government had carried out ground and even air strikes on Commander Mehdi's forces.

But no independent source has confirmed the airstrikes in Balkhab.

Mehdi was the only Hazara commander in the Islamic Emirate, but parted ways with the group some time ago.

But Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafee Takor told Shamshad TV yesterday that Maulvi Mehdi had no problem with the caretaker government.

He added: "Maulvi Mehdi is a military ally of the Islamic Emirate. Whatever rumors are spread about him, we strongly reject them. Mehdi has no problem with the Islamic Emirate."

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