KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of senators on Tuesday said the security situation of southern Helmand province was “terrible” and asked the government to take steps in this regard before it was too late.
But Lt. Gen. Murad Ali Murad, the deputy chief of armed forces, said the security situation in Helmand was under control and there was no issue to be worried about.
Meshrano Jirga member from Helmand Sher Mohammad Akhunzada said the security situation had deteriorated in most parts of the province.
He said Taliban-controlled areas should be recaptured this winter because it would be difficult for security forces to retake them in spring.
He claimed Afghan forces had been engaged fighting insurgents over the past 18 months in Helmand and most of the security personnel had not visited their families so far.
Rahmatullah Azakzai, another lawmaker, said: “Clashes are underway in throughout Helmand while security forces say the situation in under control.”
Lt. Gen. Murad Ali said told reporters they were concerned about the situation in Helmand, adding that security forces had been fighting insurgents and their foreign backers since years.
He said security forces were in the centre of Sangin and the situation there had been somehow brought under control, but was nothing worrisome.
Currently, Musa Qala, Nawzad, Khanshin, Baghran and Dushi districts are under Taliban control amid heavy fighting for the control of Sangin district.
Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqui told reporters that fighting between rebels and security forces was underway in six districts of Helmand. He said at least 12 insurgents and two policemen had been killed during the past 24 hours.
He said four more militants, including two Pakistanis, were killed during clearing operations in Nangarhar, Uruzgan and Kunar provinces.
Nh/ma
