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Janikhel district retaken from Taliban

AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: The Afghan security forces have recaptured Janikhel, a strategic district in southeastern Paktia province following an operation that killed at least 12 Taliban insurgents, a provincial officials said on Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Asadullah Sherzad, commander of the 203rd Spin Ghar Police Zone, told Pajhwok Afghan News the security forces took control of the district building on Monday night.

He said that district was retaken from the militants after an operation that had been underway for several days. At least a dozen fighters were killed and large quantity of weapons and ammunition seized.

“Currently, security forces busy in defusing landmines planted by the insurgents around the district building,” he added.

“We request the government to help residents because they are the worst-affected and their houses torched,” Haji Noor Gul, a local tribal elder, told Pajhwok Afghan News. “Security forces reached the district center.”

However, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Janikhel district was still under their control.

Security force retook the district while provincial residents and public representatives warned that several other districts could fall to the Taliban if security forces did not retake Janikhel district.

Taliban insurgents took control of Janikhel district a week ago following days of fierce battle between security forces.

According to the provincial officials, Janikhel district had strategic importance for militants, from where they could threaten nearby districts and the region.

“It is a populated and geographically big district, it is surrounded by Dand Patan, Samkani, Laja Mangal and Ahmadkhel districts, if the government does not retake it from militants other districts would also fall,” provincial officials said on that time.

It seems that the Taliban group has changed their war tactics. They increased group attacks in the past one month in different districts.

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