Afghan Forces Retake Key District in Kandahar: Officials

Local officials in Kandahar said that the Arghandab district in Kandahar has been retaken from the Taliban following an operation by security forces.

Some parts of the district were under Taliban influence over the last few months, according to officials.

Mines have been planted along roads connected to the district, which will delay the return of displaced people to their homes.

The Arghandab district is close to the city of Kandahar.

“The Taliban have left here. Their bodies and vehicles have been left here,” said Nazar Ali, an army commander.

“Arghandab is a populous district. We used high precision to avoid harm to the people,” said Sarbuland, a commander of the special forces battalion in Kandahar.

Civilians have also been harmed and some of them have been displaced following clashes between security forces and the Taliban, officials said.

“Mines have been planted in many places… We have cleared many areas,” said Sharifullah, a solider.

Arghandab residents said they are waiting to return to their homes.

“The clashes have been underway in the last four months,” said Shafi Ahmad, a resident of Arghandab district.

“We left our houses. My house has been damaged (in the clashes),” said Bakht Bibi, a resident of Arghandab.