Taliban claims to take over Panjshir valley
Kabul: The Taliban militant group has claimed that it has taken over Panjshir valley of north Kabul, the last province of Afghanistan, which has resistance to surrender.
"By the grace of Allah Almighty, we are in control of entire Afghanistan. The troublemakers have been defeated, and Panjshir is now under our command," announced a Taliban frontline commander.
However, on the other hand, former vice president Amrullah Saleh, leader of Northern Alliances, said that his force has not given up yet. Taliban has been using localities as a human shield, he added.
Several other resistance leaders also dismissed reports of the fall of Panjshir, where thousands of fighters from regional militias and remnants of the old government's forces had massed.
Read: Taliban fighters reach Panjshir entrance
"News of Panjshir conquests is circulating on Pakistani media. This is a lie," said Ahmad Massoud, who is leading the forces.
Mr. Amrullah Saleh has dismissed the claim of the Taliban; he clarified that his forces are still fighting against the enemies, no question of giving up the fight, he said, quoting sources.
It was not possible to confirm the reports of the Taliban taking control over Panjshir; even during the first regime from 1996 to 2001, the failed to take control over Panjshir.
