Thousands fight to resist Taliban to enter Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan

The fate of Afghanistan’s Panjshir valley is still on hold as the heavy fighting is continuing. Taliban sources said that they seized the area for fighters who are battling them but denied this. The battle in Panjshir valley has caused death to hundreds.

In Kabul and other cities, the fight has killed several people, and there are injuries due to celebratory gunfire. Panjshir valley, the north of Kabul, is a small province in Afghanistan. It is the only province that has not yet fallen to the Taliban.

This place is the home to 150000-200000 people. The team of resistance includes former Afghan security force members and local militias. However, Ahmed Massoud is leading them. His father fought the Soviets who invaded the country in the 1980s.

In a video message, former vice-president Mr. Saleh said that there were casualties on both sides. There is no doubt that they are in a much more difficult situation. The Taliban has invaded them. But he further added that they are not ready to surrender as they are standing with Afghanistan.

He shared videos to assure people that he has not left the country. Ali Nazari, a spokesperson from NRF fighters, said rebels had pushed the Taliban to the back foot.

“There are well over a few hundred Taliban who are trapped. And they are running out of munitions, and they are negotiating terms of surrender right now,” he said.

But Taliban officials have claimed victory over the area. One commander said,

“By the grace of Allah Almighty, we are in control of entire Afghanistan. The troublemakers have been defeated, and Panjshir is now under our command.”

Taliban is now in control of Afghanistan. They will announce their new government in the coming days. The European Union and the UK joined the US to say that they will deal with the Islamist groups. But they will not recognize them as the government of Afghanistan.

The EU also said that it is planning to establish its diplomatic presence in Kabul to perform evacuation to ensure that the new government is fulfilling its commitment. But the chief of foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, said that any such engagement would be subject to strict conditions to support the Afghan people.

If the West denies dealing with them, there are powers like Russia, China, and Pakistan to make deals. Taliban have issued strict orders on aerial firing as it has caused several deaths due to celebratory gunfire.

Credits: BBC