The Taliban have taken complete control of Panjshir Province, the last area in Afghanistan being held by resistance forces, the Islamist militant group’s spokesman,Zabihullah Mujahid, said on Monday, September 6,2021.
Pictures on social media showed Taliban members standing infront of the gate of the Panjshir provincial governor’s compound.
Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the area had been “completely conquered” and a “number of people” were killed, while the “rest fled”.
But the opposition group, National Resistance Front (NRF), said the “Taliban’s claim of occupying Panjshir is false”.
It added: “The NRF forces are present in all strategic positions across the valley to continue the fight.
“We assure the people of Afghanistan that the struggle against the Taliban and their partners will continue until justice and freedom prevails.”
The head of foreign relations for the NRF has confirmed that the group’s leader, Ahmad Massoud, is “safe and will be giving a message soon”.
Speaking at a news conference, Mr Mujahid claimed there had been no civilian casualties in the takeover of Panjshir, despite claims that NRF members had been killed.
