Taliban bastion dismantled in Afghan northern Kunduz province: Official

The government forces have dismantled Taliban bastion and hideouts in Dasht-e-Archi district of the northern Kunduz province during mounting pressure and crackdown over the past one month, Kunduz-based Division commander General Mohiuding Ghori said Monday.

"The Taliban bastion, command and control system as well as their hideouts have been destroyed during constant military crackdown over the past one month," Ghori told reporters here.

Taliban militants captured Kunduz provincial capital the Kunduz city in early October. However, the security forces after launching counter-offensive recaptured the city in mid October and continued crackdown against militants elsewhere in the province bordering Tajikistan.

Dasht-e-Archi had served as Taliban bastion in Kunduz from where the militants organized attacks against government interests in Kunduz and the neighboring Baghlan and Takhar provinces.

Following recapturing Kunduz city in mid October the security forces began attacking militants elsewhere in Kunduz province including Dasht-e-Archi, Chardara and Imam Sahib districts forcing militants to retreat to the neighboring Takhar province.

General Ghori, however, admitted that the Taliban militants have been conducting isolated attacks in Dasht-e-Archi district and other parts of the province.

More than 100 militants have been killed and some 50 others injured during the month-long operation, which is still going on.

According to the official, there were no casualties on the side of security personnel.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in contact with media claimed that the Taliban had launched counter-offensive to regain the areas captured by government forces. Endit