Taliban insurgents have claimed capturing the Khoshamand district of southeastern Paktika province but security officials say they have tactically retreated.
Police chief Brig. Gen. Amal Nizai told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants staged a coordinated attack on Khoshamand district on Friday evening.
He said the security forces tactically retreated in order to prevent casualties but they recaptured the district center on Saturday morning.
Aziz Aziz, a member of the provincial council, said the district was overrun by rebels after a string of attacks and due to lack of coordination between security forces.
Aziz claimed the Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers did not support the police personnel and the district subsequently collapsed.
But Brig. Gen. Rahm Dil Haidarzai, commander of the 2nd battalion of 203rd Thunder Military Corps, said the district had been retaken by the security forces.
He said: “Right now, the governor and security forces are present in the district center.”
Zahibullah Mujahid, Taliban’s spokesman, said rebels overran the district after a brief clash. He claimed the security forces had suffered heavy casualties.
