Helmand’s key district not collapsed to Taliban

The strategic district of Helmand province, Sangin district has not fallen into Taliban’s hands and fierce fighting is continuing between Afghan security forces and the armed Taliban group.

Security institutions emphasized that the Special Forces and air forces have arrived in Sangin district and will begin extensive operations.

“All parts of Sangin districts have not been collapsed to Taliban. Afghan security forces have presence in some parts and the special forces have arrived in the district to begin their operations,” said Sidiq Sidiqi, spokesman of interior ministry.

Afghan security forces stress that they kill dozens of militants every day and will never lose their spirits against the enemies.

“We will gain victory and Taliban cannot defeat us,” said an Afghan solider.

Meanwhile, The governor of southern Helmand province on Monday rejected the Taliban had captured Sangin district and said clashes between security forces and militants were ongoing in the troubled town.

“We only have the police HQ under our control and have a battalion of the national army with us. The district office and the intelligence directorate are under enemy control,” said Helmand’s governor.
Earlier, the deputy governor of Helmand complained of a lack of government support in an open letter on Facebook to President Ashraf Ghani.

The town of Sangin and its surrounding hills in the opium-growing heartlands of Helmand province was the scene of some of Afghan heaviest losses in the past.

Helmand is an important Taliban base as it produces most of the world’s opium, a crop that helps fund the insurgency.