Several areas in Nuristan, Kunar retaken from Taliban

ASADABAD (PAN): Afghan forces on Friday claimed retaking several areas from insurgents during an ongoing offensive in eastern Kunar and Nuristan provinces.

Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops are conducting “Operation Storm” in Narai district of Kunar and Kamdesh town of Nuristan.

Barikot and Baghchi areas of Narai and Gordesh and Chenar Khwar localities of Kamdesh were recaptured from the militants, an Afghan National Army officer said.

Maj. Sherin Aqa told Pajhwok Afghan News the roads leading to the areas, which fell to the Taliban three months back, had been cleared of landmines.

The fighters fled the villages after a brief resistance, he said, adding there had been no casualties during the operation so far. Border policemen have returned to their posts in the areas. 

But a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said they had vacated the villages due to the onset of winter, when supplies to fighters in mountainous areas become difficult.

The Kunar-Nuristan highway, which was blockade by the Taliban on the first day of Eidul Adha, was reopened On Wednesday.

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