Paktia’s ‘Jani Khel’ Fell Or Has Been Given?

MEP: After seizures of Khanabad district of Kunduz, Nad Ali in Helmand, Dahan-e-Ghori of Baghlan Province and a number of other areas, Jani Khel district of Paktia province was also captured this morning by the armed Taliban.

Jani Khel district has come under Taliban’s control after ten days of siege, and its headquarters were out of government control.

However, there are different words that the district has fallen by armed Taliban or the security forces after the central attention of the authorities to protect them, had to withdraw from their positions in the district.

Mangal, one of the local elders in the district told the Middle East Press the district has completely fallen into the hands of armed Taliban.

He said the Taliban’s attack was widespread and security forces were unable to deal with them and failed to protect the district.

Mangal added that the central government during the siege did not pay any attention and the Taliban have managed to rule the district.

“Security forces during the siege had faced a lot of problems and their equipment, food and basic amenities were finished” he further added.

If the equipment was in the hands of the security forces, they could protect the district, Mangal noted.

Meanwhile, Naqeeb Atal, spokesman for the governor of Paktia in an interview with the Middle East Press stated that security forces have retreated from several checkpoints but the district did not collapse.

He said efforts have been started to retake the district and request for reinforcements have also been started.

On the other hand, Atal says five members of the security forces were killed, five others wounded and two vehicles were also destroyed during the clashes.

The armed Taliban also suffered casualties but he did not specify its number.

Mangal also confirmed the security forces casualties, saying their bodies were transferred to Chakmani area.

According to the source, when the equipment to security forces did not arrive and they had to have losses, it can be said that Jani Khel district has been given purposely.

This comes as government officials, the people and provincial council comments have always been different in the collapse of the country’s areas, one thing that is not clear is why it has been taken by the authorities and are hiding the facts?