Afghan forces recapture Takhar’s Gortepa area

Monitoring Desk

KUNDUZ: The Afghan forces recaptured Gortepa area in Takhar’s Khawaja Ghar district from Taliban on Sunday, officials said.

The Taliban captured most parts of Gortepa area, Takhar police spokesman Abdul Khalil Aseer told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

The Afghan forces retook the entire area from Taliban as a result of military operation early Sunday, he said. Currently, he added that search and clearance operation was in progress. Aseer said he did not have accurate information about casualties to Taliban in the offensive.

The Taliban have not said anything in this regard so far. However, they claimed capturing all the checkpoints in Gortepa area. According to Taliban, dozens of security personnel were killed and injured in the gunfight.

The Taliban announced launching spring offensive ‘Al-Khandaq’ throughout the country few days ago. They have conducted zones of attacks as part of the fresh offensive so far, causing casualties to Afghan troops.

Meanwhile, the Afghan defence ministry said the Taliban’s spring offensive Al-Khandaq has failed. Hundreds of Taliban suffered casualties over the past few days.

According to Afghan officials, the Taliban suffered most of the casualties in Charbolak district in Balkh.

According to a press release issued by Afghan National Army 209 Shaheen military corps, 35 Taliban fighters were killed and 40 more injured as a result of airstrikes in Charbolak district.

The Taliban have not said anything in this regard so far