AT-KABUL: Kohistan district of northern Faryab province has collapsed after Taliban staged massive assaults on the district on Monday night, said officials. Kohistan slipped from government and fell to Taliban in a critical time when government security forces began on Monday a cease-fire.
Taliban fighters trounced security forces after clashes and overrun Kohistan after they stormed the district from residential houses on Monday night, said Faryab governor’s spokesperson Jawid Baidar.
Militants used people’s houses as strongholds; as a result, Afghan security forces in a tactical move retreated from the district in order to avoid civilian casualties, said Baidar. Local police forces have presence around the district and other Afghan forces are stationed in Sadat village near Kohistan all geared up for a counterattack and retaking the district, he added.
Although the district chief has been killed in the clashes, Afghan forces inflicted heavy casualty on militants. However, he refused to elaborate. He confirmed Afghan security personnel suffered casualties too.