Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, First Vice President, said Thursday during his visit to Jawzjan province that Aqcha, Khaniqa and Mingajik districts have been cleared of Taliban insurgents.Dostum said that large-scale operations have been conducted in different parts of the province.
He said the operation will continue until the complete elimination of insurgents from the province.
"The situation was not good here hence I came to Jawzjan, then I will go to Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces and I will go to any place where necessary but of course I will first get the permission of the president," said Dostum.
Afghan forces in the area strengthened with the arrival of the First Vice as additional forces from Kabul joined them. They are now making good progress in Khaniq district.
"There is a village called Sabz Poshan where the enemy is located. They have seized the village," said Satar Khan a commander.
"It is many nights we have not seen Taliban but a few nights ago they [Taliban] were coming and taking men and then they left," said Noor Mohammad a resident.
"Taliban have not fired a single bullet, they [Taliban] are afraid and fled the area and the forces captured the area," said Rahmatullah Kohistani Jawzjan police chief.
Video report at the link