Taliban claims to have captured Panjshir Valley

As reports emerge that the Taliban has  “completely captured” Panjshir Valley, Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement said, “With this victory, our country is completely taken out of the quagmire of war,”.

It has also emerged that the Panjshir province was bombed by Pakistani Air Force drones, reports India Today and Pakistani military officers are providing all sorts of tactical support.

The claim was made by former Samangan MP Zia Arianjad, who was quoted as saying by Aamaj News that Pakistani drones have bombed Panjshir using smart bombs.

Meanwhile, Fahim Dashty, the spokesperson of the Resistance Force was killed during fighting with the Taliban in Panjshir earlier on Sunday.

The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan also put out a statement on Facebook saying, ” With deep touch and regret, we lost two dear brothers and colleagues and fighters today. Fahim Dashty, the head of the office of Amir Saheb Ahmad Masoud, and General Sahib Abdul Wadood Zhor, the nephew of the national hero of Afghanistan in the battle against the fascist group. Congratulations on your martyrdom!”

However, all is not well because the Taliban’s co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is said to have been injured when his supporters clashed with the Haqqani Network, reports Times of India.

The clash is said to have taken place on Friday (3 September), which prompted Pakistani ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to rush to Kabul to contain the situation.

The shooting started over a power struggle between Baradar and Anas Haqqani. Both sides want the important portfolio of defense.

But upon his arrival in Kabul, Hameed had said, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” When asked if he will be meeting with the Taliban leadership, Hameed looked at Pakistan’s envoy to Kabul Mansour Ahmad Khan, before responding, “I have just landed. We are working for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

Hameed is the first senior Pakistan official to visit Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in the war-torn nation following a gap of two decades.

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