Categories: World

700 Taliban fighters killed, 600 captured in fierce Panjshir battle, claims Massoud

<p>
<strong>Afghanistan’s Northern Resistance Front chief Ahmad Massoud claimed in a Tweet on Sunday that the resistance forces had killed over 700 Taliban fighters and captured 600 while the others were on the run from the Panjshir battlefront. </strong></p>
<p>
“More than 700 of them (Taliban) were killed, 600 captured and prisoned, the rest are trying to escape, we are in Frontline, everything was planned. We control the whole province,” Massoud tweeted.</p>
<p>
The resistance forces' spokesperson Fahim Dashti also tweeted about the heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy. He said that the Taliban had problems with getting supplies from other Afghan provinces.</p>
<p>
Meanwhile, the Taliban admitted that their offensive against Panjshir resistance forces has slowed down.</p>
<p>
A Taliban source said fighting is continuing in Panjshir but the advance had been slowed by landmines on the road to the capital Bazarak and the provincial governor's compound, reported Al Jazeera.</p>
<p>
Panjshir is the stronghold of the National Resistance Front, led by Ahmad Massoud, the son of late ex-Afghan guerrilla commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, and ex-Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who had declared himself caretaker President.</p>
<p>
While the Taliban had said on Friday that they had made major gains in Panjshir. Massoud had dismissed the claims as “a lie and part of a disinformation campaign.”</p>
<p>
An Indian journalist based in Kabul, posted on Twitter quoting sources that “Taliban did infiltrate Khwak pass but were cut off from the larger group. They’re now stuck in the pass surrounded by the resistance forces.</p>
<p>
Even as Taliban leaders in Kabul are working to form a government, fierce fighting is still raging in the Panjshir Valley north-east of the capital as fighters loyal to local leader Ahmad Massoud are holding out in the country’s smallest province.</p>
<p>
Panjshir is the last province resisting the Taliban who swept to power in a lightning advance with the Afghan army melting away without putting up a fight.</p>
<p>
The Taliban say they have sent hundreds of fighters, but Panjshir is ready. According to news agency AFP, Taliban fighters who make it to the edges of the valley will be greeted by machine gun nests, mortars and surveillance posts fortified with sandbags.</p>
<p>
The Taliban are also reportedly trying to cut supply lines into the valley, potentially hoping to force the resistance to give up, according to a BBC report.</p>
<p>
Several thousand fighters from local militias and remnants of the government's armed forces have massed in Panjshir under the leadership of Massoud, son of a former Mujahideen commander.</p>
<p>
Massoud, a 32-year-old King's College London and Sandhurst Military Academy graduate, has organised his defences well and is determined to keep the Taliban out.</p>
<p>
In an interview with CNN, Massoud warned the Taliban had not changed and said he and his fighters believed "that democracy, the rights, and freedom of all citizens regardless of race and gender should be preserved."</p>
<p>
While the Taliban has been saying that peace talks are on, its fighters have been launching attacks to capture territory.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/taliban-wants-to-kill-ahmad-massoud-in-battle-says-former-afghan-ambassador-111905.html">Taliban wants to kill Ahmad Massoud in battle, says former Afghan Ambassador</a></strong></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

India maintains nuclear edge over Pakistan with more warheads, next-gen ‘canisterised’ MIRV-capable missiles: SIPRI

India continues to maintain an edge over Pakistan in nuclear capabilities, with the Stockholm International…

3 hours ago

India’s NSE and Cyprus Stock Exchange sign MoU to boost cross-border investments

In a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between India and Cyprus, the NSE International…

4 hours ago

“Direction looks positive”: India’s Acting High Commissioner in Canada ahead of talks between PM Modi, Carney

India's Acting High Commissioner to Canada, Chinmoy Naik, has expressed optimism over discussions set to…

4 hours ago

“Haven’t slept in three nights,” Indian students in Iran urge evacuation amid escalating strikes

By Vishu Adhana “I woke up at 2:30 am on Friday to loud explosions and…

4 hours ago

“Sectors like innovation, energy, technology offer immense potential”: PM Modi on meeting CEOs in Cyprus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (local time) interacted with leading CEOs from both countries,…

5 hours ago

India distances itself from SCO statement on Iran-Israel conflict; urges dialogue, diplomacy for de-escalation

India said on Saturday that it did not participate in the discussions on the Shanghai…

2 days ago