KABUL – *Residents of Khak-e-Jabar district in Kabul province said onSunday that Taliban members have occupied dozens of villages in thedistrict following government’s unilateral ceasefire that was announcedearly in June*, TOLO News has reported.

The residents said when government announced the ceasefire the Talibanmembers arrived in the district, but when the ceasefire ended, they did notleave the area.

Residents and local officials said following the ceasefire the Talibanpositioned themselves in the mountains in the district and now they areactive in about 40 villages in the district.

“In every village around 30 to 40 or 50 Taliban come and force people togive them bread and water,” Rohullah, a resident of the district said.

Residents said the Taliban members also threaten government employees andtell them to either leave their jobs or their homes.

“Government staff members are facing problems, because Taliban tell them toleave the area,” Abdullah, a resident of the district said.

“They tell people to tell their sons and brothers to leave security forcesand government departments. Otherwise, they should leave the area,”Mohammad Yunus, another resident said.

Residents and local officials have raised concerns over the Taliban’spresence and activities and said if government does not take serious actionin getting rid of the Taliban, Khak-e-Jabar district may collapse to thegroup.

According to local officials, Taliban are very active in most villages inthe district and at night they travel around the district on motorcyclesand horses. Local officials said security forces fought the Taliban for twohours at Chakari village in the district on Sunday.

Khak-e-Jabar is about 40 km from Kabul city.

“If a major plan is not taken (for pushing back the Taliban), it ispossible that Taliban’s physical presence will increase in the area,”Mohammad Idres Yadgari, police chief of the district said.

The residents also said Taliban shut down telecom services in the districtfrom 6pm to 6am in the morning and during this time they travel around thearea.

“For the last week mobile phones do not work at night,” Gul Dast, aresident of the district said.

Khak-e-Jabar district has around 50 villages and only a few are locatednear the police headquarters and district buildings, which are free ofTaliban.

Taliban however has rejected the claims about pressurizing people inKhak-e-Jabar district.