Afghanistan Times
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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: Scores of policemen are under siege by the Taliban in Khashrod district of southeastern Nimroz province, official sources confirmed on Friday.
The provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Ghulam Jilani Abu Bakar, said that additional force had not reached the area to rescue the policemen surrounded by the militants.
He told Pajhwok Afghan News that around 1,000 militants stormed a police check-point in Arzi Balochi area of the district, adding that a policeman and two Taliban fighters were killed in the last night clash. The police chief also confirmed that several people were injured in the fierce gunfight. However, he assured of reinforcements to rescue the besieged policemen.
An official, who wished anonymity, said that reinforcement was nowhere in sight. He said that several policemen at the check-point were surrounded by the militants and if additional forces were not dispatched to the area on war footing, the check-post would fall to the militants.
Security situation has deteriorated across the country. Kidnapping and killing of passengers and attacks over police check-posts have become order of the day.
On early Tuesday, the Taliban militants stopped busses and kidnapped over 200 people on Kabul-Kunduz Highway. The militants killed 12 people and released others, leaving eight in captivity.
Security situation in Helmand province is also fragile as the Taliban try to take control of Lashkargah.
According to a member of the provincial council in Helmand, the Taliban tighten grip over Nad Ali, Nahr Saraj, Greshk and Marja districts and planning to attack Lashkargah, provincial capital.
A few days ago, Attaullah Afghan told Afghanistan Times that the Taliban are 10 kilometers away from the major governmental buildings in Lashkargah and the security forces suffered heavy casualties. However, the defense ministry has rejected the reports claiming that security forces have retaken some areas from militants that were under control of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and inflicted casualties on the anti-state elements.
“Security situation in Nad Ali, Greshk, Marja, and Nahr Saraj districts has become worst from bad. Fierce clashes are underway in Greshk district. Around 60 policemen were killed in the line of duty and 48 others were injured in last three days. Eight check-posts were seized by the Taliban in Greshk district. Similarly, three to four check-posts were seized in Nahr-e Saraj, along the main highway which connects Kandahar to Lashkargah. Shawal area in Nad Ali [17km from Lashkargah] is under total control of the Taliban,” he said.
