KABUL – Both Taliban and government forces claimed they were in control ofthe eastern Afghan city of Ghazni Saturday, after insurgents stormed theprovincial capital, triggering fierce fighting.
Afghan officials said they were in control of Ghazni late Friday withauthorities in Kabul saying security forces were conducting a clearanceoperation targeting Taliban fighters who had taken up positions inresidential homes.
But information about who controlled the city was difficult to confirm withpower and mobile services cut to the area after the Taliban destroyed atelecommunications tower, according to Ghazni MP Shah Gul Rezaye.
“The central government in Kabul said the situation in Ghazni was undertheir control, but we managed to contact officials in Ghazni who said thatfighting was underway in areas surrounding Ghazni,” said theparliamentarian.
Rezaye said additional reinforcements had been rushed to Ghazni lateFriday, after US forces deployed attack helicopters and launched at leastone drone strike to push back the Taliban fighters.
The Taliban, however, claimed victory saying their fighters were now incontrol of Ghazni after routing Afghan forces.
“Last night, our mujahideen have completely conquered a battalion inGhazni, seizing weapons and ammunition and four pickup trucks,” saidTaliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a message to journalists Saturday.
“Our mujahideen are protecting the city of Ghazni.”
The insurgents frequently exaggerate their battlefield gains and downplaylosses incurred during clashes.
Ghazni — less than two hours by road from Kabul — has been underincreasing danger from massing Taliban fighters for months with reportssuggesting insurgents had already infiltrated the city.
The attack, which began late Thursday, was the latest attempt by theTaliban to seize an urban centre and comes as pressure mounts on theinsurgents to enter peace talks with the government to end the nearly17-year-old war. – APP/AFP