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Taliban block key highway in Nuristan

Taliban block key highway in Nuristan

author avatar
19 May 2011 - 17:56
Taliban block key highway in Nuristan
author avatar
19 May 2011 - 17:56

JALALABAD (PAN fighters have blocked a key highway in the eastern province of Nuristan, preventing food and other essential supplies to residents, an official said on Thursday.

The highway connects Dawab district with three districts in west of the province and with Alingar district in neighbouring Laghman province, the district chief, Fida Mohammad Nuristani, said.

He said residents of the district were facing severe food shortages due the blockade.

Three Taliban fighters were killed on Wednesday when they attacked a police checkpoint in Sangi-i-Pul area of the district, the official said.

Nuristani said police were capable to provide security for the district headquarters, but were unable to control other parts of the district. He asked the central government to send additional police force to the district.

But provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Shas Rahman Nuristani, said the highway was reopened on Wednesday by police. He said they had prior information that the Taliban wanted to attack the district headquarters.

He said police in Norgaram district were on high alert to deal with any untoward situation.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the fighters had blocked the highway against government officials and convoys of foreign troops. He rejected reports that the fighters were creating problems for local people.

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