Roundup: Afghan forces make advance in northern region, capture Taliban bastion

Afghan security forces under the command of first vice president General Abdul Rashid Dostum have made advances in the northern region and cleaned up vast areas from Taliban insurgents in the northern Faryab and Jauzjan provinces over the past three days.

The security forces in their latest achievement against Taliban outfit have killed 70 militants and captured Taliban bastion in Faryab province on Tuesday.

"Finally the security forces were able to overrun Taliban bastion in Khawja Namusi area of Pashtun Kot district on Tuesday and Taliban group after losing 70 fighters reiterated from the area," an army spokesman in the province, captain Sakhi Dad told Xinhua.

"Khawja Namusi, the bastion of Taliban in Pashtun Kot district, is in full control of government forces today," the official asserted.

Three government security men have been killed and 11 others injured for the control of Khawja Namusi over the past three days, Dad confirmed.

Khawja Namusi had served as main Taliban base in the northern Faryab province with Maimana as its capital, 425 km northwest of Kabul over the past one year.

Dostum, who is leading the military operations in Faryab province, has said that the major parts of Khawaja Sabz Posh and Pashtun Kot districts had been cleansed of Taliban militants over the past couple of days.

In another blow to Taliban outfit amid Taliban desperate attempt to overrun Maimana city, the capital of northern Faryab province 425 km northwest of the national capital of Kabul city, 130 Taliban fighters renounced violence and gave up fighting in the province on Sunday.

Welcoming the former militants, Faryab governor Sayyed Anwar Saadat called upon other Taliban fighters to follow the step and give up fighting in Faryab and adjoining provinces.

Qoshtipa district in the neighboring Jauzjan province was cleaned up of militants few days ago.

Taliban militants who are fighting the government forces in several provinces have vowed to defend their positions in Faryab province. Enditem