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Taliban Resume Attacks In Baghlan
Taliban militants have resumed attacks on local police check posts in Dand-e-Shahabuddin area of Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan, just weeks after a large-scale military operation was conducted in the area.Local officials said the Taliban has, over the past week, continued to storm local police check points in the area. In the latest clash between Afghan forces and Taliban, officials said five Taliban militants and two Afghan soldiers were killed. "Based on the reports that we have received, five militants have been killed and security forces have also recovered a number of weapons and two of our troops have been martyred— an army soldier and a policeman," said Abdul Satar Barez, the provincial governor. Local security officials meanwhile have called for more security forces to be stationed in Dand-e-Shahabuddin area. "Police force is fighting on its own. I don't say that we don't have the ability to defend, but if we want a definite defense, the defense that will give our people a peaceful life, then presence of army is a severe need," said Awaz Mohammad Naziri, Baghlan police chief. A member of the Baghlan provincial council alleged however that circles inside government and Afghan security forces are supporting Taliban militants. "On one hand the area is volatile, there are security threats and on the other hand the government for political reasons decreased the number of local police, which itself helps in the collapse of the area. It is a kind of support to the militants from the government. There are individuals and circles inside the government who are conducting programs to support militants," said Asadullah Shahbaz, a member of the council. Residents of Baghlan said Afghan security forces failed in their Khorshid 20 clearance operation in Dand-e-Ghor and Dand-e-Shahabuddin areas earlier this year – which is why the Taliban has once again been able to gain a foothold in residential areas after fleeing to the mountains. Meanwhile, local officials in southern Uruzgan said that heavy fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban is underway in their province. They said that main roads in four districts are blocked, cutting off Terinkot, the center of the province. Rahimullah, security chief of the provincial police headquarters, said the Taliban in the area has heavy weapons and military equipment. He urged the central government to increase the number of troops, particularly police, in the province. He said that Taliban members fighting in the province have also come in from Helmand. "The number of troops in Uruzgan should be increased and it should not be decreased and police should be provided with tanks. You can see the weapons that the government does not have, but the enemy has them," said Rahimullah. Security troops fighting on this frontline said they did not receive military equipment and weapons on time adding that the Taliban is better equipped than them. "We don't have heavy weapons. They are attacking us at night and if we raise our heads they are going to hit us on our heads," said a soldier. Posted by: badanov 2016-04-06 |
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