Afghan security forces have retaken control of Ghormach district after it was overrun by the Taliban several days ago.
On Saturday, Faryab’s deputy provincial police chief, Baryalai Basharyar, said government forces raised the Afghan flag above the district headquarters following a three-day offensive, Al Jazeera reported.
The district had fallen to the Taliban on Sunday after heavy clashes broke out.
Basharyar confirmed the killings of Ghormach district police chief, Abdul Majid, and at least 12 other policemen. The circumstances of their deaths are unknown.
“Commander Majid, the brave police chief, didn’t leave his stronghold to the enemy until he was wounded and captured by the Taliban,” said Basharyar.
Dawlat Waziri, a spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, said government forces remain active in the district which is home to more than 50,000 people.
“We have defeated the Taliban and cleared the district,” said Waziri. “However, on-ground search operations are still ongoing to clear the district completely from the Taliban resistance.”
Afghan soldiers and police struggle to contain an escalating insurgency that has targeted several cities in recent weeks.
Nearly two months after Taliban appointed Mullah Akhtar Mansoor as its leader, the armed group has captured new territories in northern and eastern Afghanistan and is reportedly advancing.
