Taliban launch operation in northeast Afghanistan
Iran Press TV
Sat Jun 6, 2015 10:4AM
The Taliban militants have conducted a major assault to capture a district in Afghanistan's northeastern Badakhshan province, police and local media report.
Police say an intense battle have been raging on between Afghan security forces and the Taliban militants in the Yamgan district since Saturday morning, with the militants advancing towards the local police headquarters.
Police say they're in need of air support to bring in reinforcements because there are no roads leading to the area. The militants launched the attack in the Yamgan district, which is a remote area in Badakhshan province.
Meanwhile, the local Tolo television channel reported that "following heavy clashes, the Yamgan district was captured by Taliban militants this morning."
Moreover, Badakhshan's deputy provincial governor Gul Mohammad Bedar told Xinhua News Agency that heavy clashes were still going on between security forces and Taliban militants, and the government was sending reinforcement to prevent advancing militants in Yamgan district.
On the other hand, an official on the condition of anonymity said that hundreds of Taliban militants began attacking checkpoints around Yamgan district headquarters since late Friday.
A self-proclaimed spokesman for the Taliban group, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the Taliban militants captured Yamgan district at 10:00 local time (0530 GMT) and the government forces retreated from the area.
There's no word on possible casualties, yet.
The developments come as the Taliban militants in a so-called spring offensive, escalated their attacks against Afghan security forces and the US-led foreign troops across the war-torn country.
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The offensive toppled Taliban militants from power, but insecurity still remains across the country.
MRA/NN/HRB
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