Security forces recapture strategic area of Faryab

KABUL (Pajhwok): Security forces have regained control of a strategic area known as Khwaja Namosi in northwestern Faryab province after four years, an official said on Tuesday.

Maj. Mohammad Hanif Rezaee, spokesman for the 209^th Shaheen Military Corps, told Pajhwok Afghan News the security forces were stationed in the Khwaja Namosi bazaar area and there was no information about casualties.

A credible source in the area said the Afghan and foreign forces arrived in the area during a clash and set alight three shops, a house, weapons and drugs belonging to the Taliban.

The source said the militants were hiding in the village and there was a possibility of further clashes.

A local Taliban commander confirmed they had lost control of Khwaja Namosi. He conceded three shops and a house belonging to them had been torched.

The strategic area, located in Pashtun Kot, connects three districts with Maimana, the provincial capital. The area fell into the hands of rebels four years ago.

According to another report, two shadow district chiefs of Taliban were killed along with 10 others in a foreign forces’ airstrike on the outskirts of Pashtun Kot.

A statement from the Shaheen Military Corps said seven vehicles belonging to the rebels were also destroyed during the airstrike on Monday.

Mohammad Hanif Rezaee said Maulvi Haji Ezatullah, the movement’s shadow head for Almar district, were among the dead.

Taliban have so far said nothing about the strike.

sa/mud