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Afghan Security Forces Conduct Clearing Operation in Jani Khail district
“The clearing operation will wrap up in Jani Khail district as soon as possible. The clearing operation has started and we have cleared Lwara area,” said Muhammad Radmanish, deputy spokesman of defense ministry said.
Jani Khel district in eastern Afghanistan fell to the Taliban Friday night, with high casualties inflicted on Afghan security forces.
After several days of siege by Taliban forces and no resupply to besieged Afghan troops, the strategic district located in Paktia province collapsed.
A number of military analysts say the poor management in security institutions top ranks cause the collapse of districts.
“Lack of management autonomy and accountability are the reasons for these problems,” said Zulmay Wardak, military analyst.
The fall of Jani Khel, home to about 120,000 people, is reminiscent of the situation in the north and the south of the country in recent months: a chaotic defense mustered by troops scrambling until the last minute, then forced to retreat after their requests for reinforcements are delayed or denied because government forces are stretched thin on several fronts.
When Jani Khel first was on the verge of collapse three weeks ago, Mr. Zurmati, the district governor, said extraordinary measures were needed to prevent a Taliban victory. A government militia of more than 100 men, part of the district’s defense, laid down its arms, complaining that it was getting no support from Kabul
The destabilization and fall of Jani Khel is the first possible stage in Haqqani establishing a secure foothold in eastern Afghanistan — the prospect of which could make Kabul a far bloodier scene.
The Taliban currently control or contest more than 80 of Afghanistan’s 400 plus districts, according to a study by The Long War Journal. That number may be higher as reports from some districts known to be Taliban strongholds are unavailable.