ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Despite tall claims by security officials that insurgents have been driven from the Dangam district of eastern Kunar province, residents of the troubled town on Saturday said heavily-armed rebels were still in control.
About one and a half months ago, hundreds of armed insurgents launched coordinated attacks in various parts of the district, targeting local security forces and residents spearheading an uprising against them.
Lt. Gen. Zaman Waziri, 201st Selab Military Corps commander in the east, told a gathering last week that fighting in Dangam had ended with the killing and injuring of 408 militants.
He said security forces, who also suffered casualties, had been able to clear a large number of areas from insurgents.
Kunar police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Habib Syedkhel on Saturday told Pajhwok Afghan News that the military offensive in Dangam had come to an end.
He said government forces had overrun key areas and points from insurgents like Kanartu Sar, Ayub Banda, Zaman Banda and some other areas, where they had established security posts.
He said security forces were stationed in the town with full might after clearing the said areas from militants.
But one of the uprising leaders, Haji Muzamil, told Pajhwok Afghan News that insurgents remained in control of areas where residents spearheaded an uprising against them.
“Homes of residents in the district’s Shinkai, Sawon, Sur Kamar and Kachli areas have been torched and the families displaced. Militants still exist in these areas,” he said.
He said security forces had set up their posts in nearby areas, but problems of local residents had not been resolved.
A resident of Sawon area, Mir Habib, said their homes had been torched and they fled homes empty-handed. He urged the government to assist them in rebuilding their homes.
He claimed security forces had established their posts within few kilometers of the district centre, while insurgents were based in villages and enjoyed free movement.
He said the government should drive insurgents from areas, where residents had revolted against them.
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