1st LD Writethru: Afghan forces recapture district from Taliban

Afghan security forces retook control of northeastern Zebak district on Thursday after heavy clashes with the Taliban militants, a police official said.

"The Afghan security forces pushed from several directions into Zebak district, Badakhshan province Thursday morning and dislodged the militants from the district at around midday," Gen. Shir Aziz Kamawal, commander of 808 Spin Zaar Police Zone based in the region, told Xinhua.

The police official noted that sporadic clashes have been continuing around the district as cordon and search operations were going on in parts of the mountainous district bordering Pakistan.

"Heavy casualties had been inflicted on the side of the militants and details about the operations will be shared with media later on the day," he said.

The Badakhshan province, as well as neighboring Kunduz and Takhar provinces, has been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.

Taliban militants, who stepped up attacks since launching their so-called yearly rebel offensive late last month, have yet to make comments.

Observers believe that 2017 would prove to be a challenging year for Afghan security forces as both the Taliban and Islamic State (IS) groups would continue to increase operations in the insurgency-battered country. Endit