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| Afghanistan |
| Afghan Forces Retake Key Badakhshan District from Taliban |
| 2014-05-25 |
| [Tolo News] Afghan forces recaptured Yamgan district in the north-eastern province of Badakhshan on Friday evening, freeing the district from the Taliban control after a week, local officials said on Saturday. Hundreds of Talibs raided the district last week and inflicted casualties to the Afghan forces and took control of the central Badakhshan district. "Last night at 9pm, we launched our operation and the district is completely cleared now," Gen Fazluddin Ayyar, the provincial Police Chief told TOLOnews on Saturday morning. "The Taliban lost a significant number of fighters and their exact number of casualties is still to be determined." Gen. Ayyar said his forces were establishing several check-posts in the district to prevent another Taliban raid. Yamgan district connects the scenic provincial capital Faizabad to several other remote districts, including some insecure ones where the Taliban have established safe havens. The Police Chief asked the Afghan army to launch its operations in Yamgan's neighbouring districts, particularly in Khostak, to target the Taliban hideouts. The Taliban denied the claims. An increasing insecurity ahead of June 14 presidential runoff poll has caused concerns about the turnout. Major attacks by the Taliban have been reported from various regions in Badakhshan over the last year. About six months ago, the Taliban ambushed Afghan forces in Wardoj district, taking 15 coppers hostage. Yamgan is neighbours Wardoj and Jorm districts. MPs representing Badakhshan have said that foreign gunnies were in the ranks of the Taliban fighting in the province. |
| Posted by:Fred |