Afghan Central City on Verge of Collapse
KABUL (Tasnim) – Afghanistan’s central district of Pasaband, located in Ghor Province, seems to be on the brink of falling to the Taliban militants, who have besieged the city and the security forces inside it for some two weeks.
In recent days, the Taliban have intensified attacks in the Ghor Province, and are expected to gain control of Pasaband soon.
Local provincial officials have expressed alarm that Pasaband will definitely fall into the clutches of Taliban if the security forces defending the city are not given immediate support and military equipment.
Afghan military and security forces have been surrounded by the Taliban fighters in the city for two weeks.
Meanwhile, all the roads to Pasaband have been closed due to heavy fighting between the security forces and the militant group.
On Tuesday night, the Taliban stormed a base of the security forces near the office of Pasaband’s governor, killing 4 troops and injuring 10 others.
According to Jome Khan Bakhtari, head of the Ghor Province’s agriculture office, the prices of food products and fuel have soared in the wake of armed clashes, forcing the bulk of residents to flee to neighboring Herat Province.
Afghan government forces have launched operations against the Taliban in 18 provinces of Afghanistan as fighting has intensified since the start of the militants' spring offensive in April.
A few days ago, the Janikhel district in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Paktia also fell into the hands of the Taliban.
