1st LD: Hundreds of civilians take up arms against Taliban in northern Afghan province

Hundreds of Afghan civilians took up arms to defend the government against Taliban militants in the northern Jauzjan province on Monday, spokesman for the provincial government Reza Ghafori said.

"Hundreds of people from across the province gathered in Aqcha district this morning and voiced their support to the government and government forces in the war against armed oppositions including Taliban rebels," Ghafori told Xinhua.

Without giving an exact number, the official said "hundreds of people probably some 900 or so have bought arms and ammunitions with their own money" and vowed to defend government forces against Taliban and other insurgent groups.

"Jauzjan's Provincial Governor Lutfullah Azizi has welcomed the villagers for expressing support to government in the war against armed militants and vowed to provide any possible means to them in their mission," Ghafori added.

The move comes when Afghan First Vice President General Abdul Rashid Dostum has been leading the war against Taliban in the neighboring Faryab province over the past couple of days.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of the northern Jauzjan province are yet to make comment. Enditem