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| Afghanistan |
| Taliban Pushed Back in Chardara |
| 2016-04-19 |
| Security officials in Kunduz said Monday they have pushed back a major onslaught by the Taliban in Chardara district, which is only eight kilometers south-west of Kunduz city. According to officials, at least 1,000 Taliban fighters launched a coordinated attack on various security check posts in the district but they faced strong retaliation on the part of Afghan security forces. The officials also said that 20 Taliban militants were killed in this battle. A local police commander in the district, Mohammad Amin, said the Taliban has used farm land and civilian houses as strongholds to fight security forces. He said: "Security in Chardara is related to security in Kunduz. They [Taliban] wanted to take control of Chardara." TOLOnews reporter, Tariq Majidi, who is reporting from Kunduz, said the security forces confirmed they destroyed a military tank used by the Taliban on Sunday night. Chardara is the closest district to Kunduz city, which has raised concerns that the battle will reach the city in the near future – if the resurgent Taliban is not pushed back. "There has been no change in defense lines of the security forces over the past four days that the militants are fighting against them," said district chief for Chardara, Mohammad Zalmai. According to officials, there are at least 10 check posts in Chardara – of varying sizes. Security officials also said some of the Taliban fighters came to the district from other provinces and other parts of Kunduz to fight security forces. "There are Pakistani fighters among the Taliban [that fight against Afghan security forces in Chardara]. Some of the fighters have come from Kandahar and Helmand provinces to fight the security forces and take control of the district," said Abdul Azim Andarabi, an army officer. "It is four days and four nights that we are fighting and they [militants] are attacking from every side," said Farid, a police officer. Last Updated on Monday, 18 April 2016 21:23 |
| Posted by:badanov |