Fierce fighting between Taliban and resistance forces in Panjshir, several militants killed
KABUL: Eight Taliban militants were killed and as many wounded in a clash between the Taliban and Ahmad Masood-led resistance forces in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province.
According to the International News Agency, the Taliban attacked the insurgents in Panjshir and 8 Taliban were killed and 8 wounded during the two-way firing, while two fighters of the National Resistance Force were also killed.
In Panjshir, Ahmed Masood is accompanied by former President Ashraf Ghani’s cabinet ministers, including Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who are resisting the Taliban. Ashraf Ghani’s Defense Minister General Bismillah Mahmoodi has confirmed the deaths of Taliban fighters in a tweet.
The Taliban have not denied or confirmed the clashes and casualties in Panjshir.
Panjshir is the only province where the Taliban have not yet established their presence. Ahmed Masood, the son of Ahmad Shah Masood, commander of the war against the Soviet Union in the former Northern Alliance stronghold of Panjshir, refused to recognize the Taliban government.
On Ahmad Masood’s refusal, Taliban fighters stood on the Panjshir border and there were reports that the Taliban had cut off the food and arms supply line while Taliban leaders had arrived for talks which proved fruitless.
When the talks failed, the Taliban attacked Panjshir, but the National Resistance Force, led by Ahmed Masood, fought back. Panjshir has become the only province out of 39 in Afghanistan where the Taliban face resistance.
