Taliban claims complete control of Panjshir province

The Taliban have taken complete control of eastern Panjshir province, the last area in Afghanistan being held by resistance forces.

The Islamist militant group’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said on Monday, “Our latest efforts to bring peace to the entire country succeeded as the Panjshir province is completely conquered and came under control of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.”

Mujahid added that Taliban members attacked and eliminated scores of resistance forces in Panjshir on Sunday night, while dozens fled after Taliban advances in the mountainous valley.

However, the opposition or the so-called National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) led by Ahmad Massoud denied the Taliban claims of seizing the valley.

“Taliban’s claim of occupying Panjshir is false. The NRF forces are present in all strategic positions across the valley to continue the fight,” NRF said.

Panjshir is the last province in Afghanistan uncontrolled by Taliban since the U.S. troops pullout from the Central Asian country in late August.

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Kamila/Al-Jazeera