DUSHANBE, June 22, 2015, Asia-Plus – Afghan news agency
Pajhwok Afghan News
reports that after fierce clashes with heavily-armed militants, Afghan security forces regained control of the Yamgan district of northeastern Badakhshan province on June 21. 120 insurgents were reportedly killed.
The district fell to Taliban after insurgents inflicted heavy casualties on security forces on June 6.
Provincial police chief Colonel Sakhi Dad Haidari told Pajhwok Afghan News the district was recaptured after severe fight with militants Sunday morning. However, he had no exact number of rebels’ casualties but said that a number of notorious Taliban commanders were among the dead.
The militants including foreigners had reportedly been forced to flee to Khastak valley of Juram district of Badakhshan.
Local officials said that around 250 foreign rebels were supporting Taliban insurgents in Yamgan, Warduj and Juram districts.
Haidari said that Afghan National Army (ANA) commandos, special order police and Afghan Local Police (ALP) had participated in the operation.
However, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in a statement said that 120 militants including foreigners were killed or wounded during the joint operation launched for control of Yamgan district.
Notorious Taliban commanders including Mullah Hafiz, Maulawi Sabir, Mullah Shukrullah, Rustam and Mullah Hasham were also among the dead, the statement said. The ministry did not clear the exact number of insurgents killed in the operation.
But Badakhshan governor’s spokesman Ahmad Navid Frotan said that 70 militants including 20 foreign nationals had been killed in Yamgan during the past two weeks. Taliban shadow governor Maulvi Nooruddin, Taliban commanders Maulvi Hafiz, Qari Abdul Basit, Maulvi Mabobullah and Fazlullah were also killed in the fight.
Five security personnel also died and 12 others wounded during clashes, Frotan said.
Taliban did not comment on fate of the district.
As a result of violence in Yamgan during the past two weeks, hundreds of families displaced, with residents were in serious need of food and other items.
Meanwhile Afghan news agency
Khaama Press
reported today that Taliban have captured Dasht-i-Arche District of northern Kunduz province.
Nasiruddin Saidi, governor of Dasht-i-Arche District and head of the provincial council of Kunduz province confirmed the report.
Head of the provincial council said that the District fall to Taliban insurgents Monday morning. He warned the central government that the situation in Kunduz is concerning.
This is second District falling to Taliban hands in Kunduz province. The first district that is controlled by Taliban is Chahardara.
