Taliban fighters have regained control of the Qaramqol district of northern Faryab province, source said on Saturday.
Civil activists and provincial council sources said the militants captured Qaramqol and parts of Andkhoi and Qarghan districts. But security officials refused to comment.
Agha Mohammand Noori, deputy head of the provincial council, told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban staged attacks from several directions and wrested the district’s control on Friday afternoon.
He said nine villages, which had been cleared of militants as a result of operations by the security forces 10 days back, were also overrun by the Taliban.
Zalmai Azizi, a civil society activist, also confirmed the development and characterized recent security operations a symbolic move.
Sultan Mohammad Sanger, administrative chief for Andkhoi district, said clashes were underway in the area. But urgent steps were being taken to push back the rebels, he added.
In a statement, the 209th Shaheen Military Corps said clashes erupted between the security forces and Taliban in several areas of Andkhoi and Qarma Qul districts on Friday.
He said three Taliban were killed, with four insurgents and a security official wounded in the clashes so far.
Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, Taliban’s spokesman, also claimed capturing Qarma Qul district. He said the district center, police headquarters and security check-posts were under their control and security forces had suffered huge casualties.
