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100 killed in latest Taliban offensive in Afghanistan
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A MAJOR Taliban offensive in eastern Afghanistan over the past week has left up to 100 civilians and security personnel dead, 12 of them beheaded, officials said yesterday, as violence worsened with the withdrawal of United States-led troops.
This summer’s fighting season has seen Taliban militants advance in several provinces, exploiting a prolonged political deadlock in Kabul over disputed presidential election results.
The latest attacks focused on Ajristan district in the strategically important province of Ghazni, after recent offensives in Kandahar, Helmand and Logar.
“The militants beheaded 12 civilians in four villages,” said Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, deputy governor of Ghazni.
“We don’t have a precise figure, but we estimate 80 to 100 people were killed over the past week.
“The condition is critical in this district. We’ve been told by the government that they have sent reinforcements.”
The Taliban have often beheaded victims in the past, particularly Afghan soldiers and villagers accused of spying, while they also beheaded 17 civilians attending a party last year.
Ahmadi said Ajristan was at risk of falling into Taliban control, adding that 60 to 70 homes had been burnt down and that communication with security forces in the district was scarce.
Asadullah Ensafi, deputy police chief of Ghazni confirmed details of the offensive and said the fighting was ongoing.
The government has said that Afghan soldiers and police have successfully beaten back previous Taliban offensives in past months.
The 350,000-strong Afghan security forces have been trained by the US-led NATO coalition, which is now winding down its war in Afghanistan. All NATO combat operations will finish by the end of the year, with 12,000 troops staying on for follow-up training and support.
The three-month election stand-off was broken on Sunday when a “unity government” deal was agreed, with Ashraf Ghani serving as the next president and his rival Abdullah Abdullah taking up the new role of chief executive.
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