Taliban Denies Reports of Nuristan Districts Falling to Pakistani Forces
Officials from the 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps of the Taliban administration in eastern Afghanistan have dismissed reports claiming the fall of parts of Nuristan province and control by Pakistani forces over these areas. According to them, security forces remain stationed in their positions in Kamdish and Bargamatal districts, and the situation is under control.
Wahidullah Muhammadi, spokesperson for the corps, stated that a delegation of officials recently visited Kamdish and Bargamatal districts to assess the situation firsthand. He said that allegations suggesting these districts have fallen under the control of the “Pakistani military regime” are false and asserted that forces are defending “every inch of the country’s soil.”
However, local residents offer a different account of the situation. They report that due to shelling and attacks by Pakistani forces along the Durand Line, travel on the Konar-Nuristan East highway has become difficult, and the economic and social activities of the people have been disrupted.
Meanwhile, local officials in Konar province reported that two days ago, shelling by Pakistani forces near the Durand Line resulted in at least two deaths and several injuries.
The continuation of this situation and the closure of transport routes have raised serious concerns about the protection of civilians. According to established international principles, targeting civilians and blocking critical routes constitute clear violations of the laws of war. Nevertheless, residents of border areas say that effective responses and practical measures to ensure security and prevent civilian casualties remain insufficient.
