Afghanistan Times
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KABUL: Taliban militants took control of a lapis lazuli mine in the northeastern province of Badakhshan, a local official confirmed.
The mines is located in the Keran wa Monjan district, an
unsafe area frequently falling to insurgents and being retaken by government
forces.
The source said Tuesday on condition of
anonymity that the mine fell to insurgents late Monday night.
“A person named Qari Qadir who is leading an irresponsible armed group, handed
the mine over to Taliban,” the source said.
He added that government forces had surrounded the areas, but were yet to
launch an operation to take it back.
Officials in the province neither confirm nor reject the report of mine falling.
“Last night, there were clashes between security forces and Taliban in the Kran
wa Monjan district,” said provincial spokesman, Nek Mohammad Nazari, without
providing details.
