AT-Kabul: President Ashraf Ghani on Friday visited to northern Kunduz city, where he paid tributes to security forces, and appreciated their sacrifices to restore security in Kunduz.
He visited after the security officials announced on Tuesday that they had fully cleared the city from Taliban. Taliban captured the northern Kunduz city three weeks ago but security forces recaptured it.
Appreciating the security forces, Ghani said, “We have the ability not to surrender to anyone”.
“The dark situation of Kunduz has now changed to one of hope and I am proud of the security forces,” Ghani said, after the forces eliminated the insurgents from the city.
He mentioned that security forces are the main factor of peace and stability in the country which are moving forward as a professional force. The president also awarded posthumous medals to soldiers who lost their lives in Kunduz.
He also promised his full support to the families of the killed soldiers.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of army staff, Gen Murad Ali Murad who also praised soldiers’ sacrifices in Kunduz and other parts of the country. He furthered that armed forces showed that they can defend our country.
This offensive by Taliban last month was one of the major offensives of Taliban militants since 2001 when they were ousted from power as a result of US-led invasion.
For the first time Taliban had taken the strategic city including occupying a hospital and a prison where they reportedly released hundreds of prisoners besides incurring heavy casualties to the civilians.