Taliban proclaims victory in Panjshir, RF says it is false
Kabul, Sep 6 (UNI) The Taliban on Monday proclaimed that it had “completely conquered” Panjshir, the last province of Afghanistan where it faced stiff opposition from the Resistance Forces led by Ahmad Massoud. The Resistance Forces, however, contested the claim.
“Panjshir province, the last stronghold of the mercenary enemy, was completely conquered,” said Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet.
The Taliban flag was also purportedly hoisted in Panjshir, according to photos on social media.The Taliban also released pictures, saying its fighters were at Bazarak, the provincial capital of Panjshir province.
Claims of Taliban takeover of Panjshir came after days of intense fighting between the invading Taliban and the forces loyal to Massoud, who put up stiff resistance.
According to several reports, the Taliban militia were being guided by Pakistani military, especially its spy agency ISI whose chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed has been in Afghanistan since last three days.
According to reports, Hameed was in Kabul to oversee the fighting in Panjshir. He was here on the invite of the Taliban leadership.
There were also reports about air attacks targeting leaders of the Resistance Forces in Panjshir.The air attacks were carried out by helicopters and drones, allegedly operated by the Pakistani military, according to some reports.
With this, the Taliban have control over all the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, and are now expected to declare formation of their government.
The resistance fighting in Panjshir, which also picked up steam in other neighbouring provinces, was holding back the Taliban from declaring formation of their government, according to reports.
However, the National Resistance Front in a tweet claimed that the Taliban’s claim of occupying Panjshir is “false”.
It said the NRF forces “are present in all strategic positions across the valley to continue the fight. We assure the people of Afghanistan that the struggle against the Taliban and their partners will continue until justice and freedom prevails.”
The resistance forces have said that their positions were bombed continually by Pakistani drones and helicopters, and thousands of Pakistani special forces, along with Al Qaeda and other foreign troops, all equipped with superior weaponry, were fighting against the Resistance forces in Panjshir.
There was no news of Ahmad Massoud’s whereabouts, though according to reports he was in Tajikistan, which has declared it will not recognise a Taliban government and has demanded equal voice for the ethnic minorities. Tajiks form a sizeable majority in Afghanistan, and Massoud is said to be a Tajik.
There was also no news of Amrullah Saleh, who has declared himself the caretaker president of Afghanistan. His house was reportedly bombed several times by Pakistani helicopters during the night, and he was taken to a safe place.
Taliban spokesperson Mujahid, in a message declaring victory, said that in Panjshir, “a number of insurgent gang members were beaten, the rest fled, and the oppressed and honorable people of Panjshir escaped”.“They were rescued.”
He gave an assurance to the people of Panjshir that “they will not be discriminated against, they are all our brothers and we will serve a country and a common goal.”
“With this recent victory and efforts, our country has completely come out of the vortex of war, and our people will have a peaceful and happy life in the atmosphere of freedom, independence and prosperity. God willing.”
On Sunday night, the National Resistance Front in a message said it was ready for talks with the Taliban in keeping with the wishes of the clerics who had called for a stop to the fighting.
However, the peace offering was apparently rejected as the Taliban launched a massive offensive against the resistance forces.
According to an Afghan journalist, the relatives of Panjshir fighters living in Kabul were being hunted down by “Pakistani invaders” and a number of hostages were taken from Tahemaskan and Baharistan localities of Kabul city.
An Afghan pilot Col Rahman Rahmani termed the Taliban’s offensive in Panjshir a genocide and urged the US to intervene.
“Let me make it more CLEAR: there is a genocide and MASSACRE going on in Panjshir. Thousands of people are in danger of being wiped out. The Taliban terrorists believe they must clear Panjshir from inhabitants so in the future no other people dare to rise! Taliban and Pakistani terrorists, are actually committing genocide. An intense air and ground campaign is ongoing in Panjshir for hours now and the WORLD is watching!,” he tweeted.
A tweet from a handle purporting to be of Ahmad Massoud said the Taliban have cut the electricity lines and closed roads and blocked supply of food and essentials into the valley.
Afghans were tweeting in support of the fighting in Panjshir with the hashtags #SanctionPakistan, #PrayforPanjshir, #PanjshirResistance.
UNI