Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
AT-KABUL: Taliban insurgents have launched a series of armed attacks in insecure parts of Kunduz province aimed at capturing Qala-e-Zal and Dasht-e-Archi districts, security official confirmed on Thursday.
Security forces and the militants suffered heavy casualties in the clashes that erupted this week in Qala-e-Zal and expanded to Dasht-e-Archi on Thursday. However, exact details regarding the casualties are unavailable as the security forces are still fighting the Taliban to establish writ of the government in the two districts.
According to sources in the province, last night the insurgents overran the headquarters and check-points in Qala-e-Zal after three days of fierce fighting. Afghan security forces retook control of the check-posts and government buildings after reinforcement.
Spokesman for the 808th Spinzar Police Zone, Mahfozullah Akbari, told Afghanistan Times that the security forces retreated from the district center in order to avoid civilian casualties. “Taliban insurgents broke into civilian houses and opened fire at government forces. Security forces have successfully retaken control of the center in the morning. Taliban fighters were pushed back and suffered heavy casualties,” he said.
The insurgents launched attacks in Dasht-e-Archi on Thursday morning, Akbari said, adding that fighting between security forces and the Taliban was continued. The spokesman said that a few check-posts and Qurluq area in the district was fallen to the Taliban.
