Monitoring Desk
KUNDUZ: Afghan National Army (ANA) on Saturday claimed deputy chief of East Turkestan Islamic Movement, an organization of Uyghur separatists, among six militants were killed during operation in northeastern Badakhshan province.
“Six gunmen including deputy chief of Chinese fighters, Mustafa, were killed and 13 others wounded during operation in the Farghamiro area of Juram district last night, Maj. Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, press officer of Afghan National Army (ANA) 20th Division in northeastern Afghanistan, told AIP. He said the security forces had been conducting operation in the Juram district for the last three days.
ANA’s 209th Shaheen Corps, meanwhile, said Commander Mustafa among two Chinese and five Taliban were killed and 13 more wounded during the operation. Local residents confirmed the operation, saying several heavy weapons shells hit civilian population, causing loss of life and property to civilians.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed fighting in the same area last night but said the security forces targeted civilian houses after suffering defeat. He rejected reports of presence of Chinese fighters in Taliban ranks, saying “Chinese presence and other claims carry no truth. We strongly reject it.”
The Uyghur separatists had bases in Afghanistan during the Taliban rule but later moved to Pakistan’s tribal areas following the US invasion of Afghanistan. Yesterday, local residents reported the death of two persons and injuries to four others in the Farghamiro area. Taliban, however, said 28 civilians were killed and wounded and 30 houses were damaged during operation.
Juram is one of the troubled areas of Badakhshan province and it is believed that a large number of foreign fighters have safe havens in the district. The centre of the Juram district is in the control of government forces while a large number of Taliban are based in the Farghamiro and Aab Raghak areas, posing threat to other districts of the province. Currently, two districts of Badakhshan, Yamgan and Warduj, are in the control of Taliban.
