Taliban suffer heavy losses in Panjshir Valley.
Image Credit: Twitter account khminawi
Today, Taliban forces attempted to enter Panjshir Valley through Anjuman Pass from Badakhshan, only to be met with fierce resistance resulting in heavy losses for the Taliban forcing them to retreat. The valley has never been captured by attacking forces for more than a century.
The Panjshir Valley located 80km north of Kabul, is the last stronghold in Afghanistan which is not under Taliban rule. The narrow valley located deep in the Hindu Kush mountains has limited entry points and due to its geography it has a natural military advantage. It is being defended by anti-Taliban militia fighters and former Afghan security forces. The National Resistance Front (NRF) are uniting the Panjshir resistance, led by Ahmad Massoud, son of the famous guerilla Ahmad Shah Massoud.
Ahmad Shah Massoud was a popular person in Afghanistan over his role in fighting and defeating every invader. He was known as the ‘Lion of Panjshir’ and there are murals of him all over the country. Back in the 1980s he led Mujahideen fighters against the Soviet military. The Soviets attempted to capture his territory with thousands of troops, helicopters and tanks but were unsuccessful. Mr. Massoud also managed to defend the valley again in the 1990s when Taliban controlled much of Afghanistan. The Taliban suffered heavy losses when they attempted to capture the valley. Unfortunately, Mr. Massaud was killed by Al Qaeda assassins two days before the 9/11 terror attack.
On Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced that they are in talks with the National Resistance Front (NRF) in an attempt to resolve the conflict ‘peacefully’. This comes days after the Taliban threatened them that they will destroy them.
More details to follow.
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