Center of Ghor’s Shahrak District Falls to Taliban

The center of Shahrak district in the central province of Ghor fell to the Taliban on Sunday evening, local officials confirmed on Monday.

Ghor governor Abdul Zahir Faiz Zada said security forces have evacuated all government offices in the center of the district to prevent civilian casualties in the clashes between security forces and the Taliban.

“Soon an operation will be launched by the security forces to retake (the center of the district),” he said.

Footage released on social media shows the Taliban has captured weapons and ammunition from security forces.

After taking Shahrak, the Taliban intensified attacks in Tolak, Dolina and on the outskirts of Ferozkoh, the provincial capital, according to local officials.

On Saturday night the Taliban detonated a Humvee full of explosives at a security outpost in Sharak district, killing at least 10 security force members.

“The Taliban has taken four other security force members captive,” sources from the province said.

Meanwhile, officials in western Badghis province said that the Taliban have launched attacks in Aab Kamari, Qadis, Moqur and Jawand districts of the province.

“The Taliban has failed in their attempts in Jawand district,” said Hassamuddin Shams, the provincial governor. “equipment has been provided to the security forces in the past two weeks and there are enough security forces. Also, the residents support the security forces in fighting the Taliban.”

In Herat, Pashton Zarghon, Zenda Jan and Kohsan districts also witnessed attacks by the Taliban in the past two days, according to local officials.

“We have warned the government that the outcome of this would be bad and the insecurity in the district is threatening the security of Herat city,” said Wakil Ahmad Karokhi, a member of the provincial council.

Civilians have been harmed in the fighting in the western parts of the country.

During recent attacks in Badghis, at least 11 civilians–including women and children–were killed in a roadside mine blast.

No group including the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the blast.