Militants of the radical Afghan Taliban began a massive offensive on Saturday against the administrative center of the out-of-control Panjsher province, the city of Bazarak
This was reported by AfghanUrdu, an Urdu-language Twitter page that announces itself as “True News, Analysis and Information from Afghanistan.”
“Now the Taliban are advancing on the capital (Panjsher) Bazarak from three directions. The Taliban are present in Panjsher and are moving toward the capital”, – the report said.
Earlier, the Taliban said they already control four of the province’s seven districts: Henj, Pariyan, Shotul and Annaba.
Reuters reported on Friday, citing a Taliban* source, that the radicals claimed they had managed to take full control of the insurgent province. Meanwhile, a TASS source in the region reported that the national resistance forces denied this information.
The Taliban started a large-scale operation for establishing control over Afghanistan after the announcement by the United States in spring of its intention to withdraw its military forces from there. On August 15, President Ashraf Ghani resigned and left the country and Taliban fighters entered Kabul without a fight.
Those who did not agree with the radicals’ rule organized a resistance in Panjsher led by Ahmad Masoud, son of field commander Ahmad Shah Masoud (1953-2001). Former Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who declared himself acting head of state, called on him to support him.