Kabul (BNA) The Afghan National Army’s commando forces broke the siege in Dahana-e-Ghori district in the northern province of Baghlan as fighting continues there in the last three days.
Safiqullah Amiri, commander of commando forces regiment in the north who leads the operations in Baghlan, said that reinforcements have arrived in the district and that three outposts that had fallen to the Taliban were retaken. He said that at least 10 security force members were rescued during the operation.
Amiri said that he was accompanied by the deputy commander of the Afghan Army’s 209 Shaheen Corps and stationed more forces there. He added that ways connecting the district with Pul-e-Khumri city, the center of Baghlan, have been reopened. He said that Taliban suffered “heavy casualties” in the clashes, but he did not provide exact details.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense said that the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have dealt major blows to the Taliban during the recent spate of violence in various parts of the country.
“Heavy casualties were inflicted to the enemy particularly in Helmand, Baghlan, Ghazni, Maidan Wardak and Kandahar provinces. The security forces are crushing terrorists with more strength than ever before,” said Rohullah Ahmadzai, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.
Ahmadzai said that the ANDSF stormed a gathering of high-profile Taliban members in Bolan area outside Lashkargah city and killed a key Taliban commander and wounded their shadow governors.
“At least six security force members were martyred following their resistance against the Taliban in Arezo village of Ghazni, three more soldiers were wounded. Likewise, 12 others (soldiers) were taken hostage by the Taliban. In the second outpost, no resistance occurred, and eight soldiers surrendered to the Taliban,” said Hassan Reza Yousufi, member of Ghazni provincial council.
Meanwhile, Taliban attacked Nahrin district in Baghlan province on Friday night, according to local sources, who said that the attacks were pushed back by Afghan forces. Taliban has not commented on the attacks.
On Friday, the Ministry of Defense said that 17 Taliban were killed in Afghan commandos’ operations in Baghlan province.
