KABUL - A number of MPs from Baghlan province on Wednesday raised the issue of the controversial deal of Dand-e-Ghori and said it will provide an opportunity for insurgents to build a strong base in the strategic city of Pul-e-Khumri and recruit people there.
They warned that more fighters will besiege the area if attention is not paid to the issue.
"Really, the Dand-e-Ghori deal is a suitable opportunity for the Taliban to build their capacity and bring other fighters from Kunduz and other parts of Afghanistan [to the area]," said Mohammad Azim Mohseni, an MP from Baghlan.
Dand-e-Ghori and Dand-e-Shahabuddin areas in Pul-e-Khumri city in Baghlan are among important areas in the northern city. Reports say that heavy and light weapons were amassed in the areas by insurgents after the fall of Kunduz city last year.
"The Taliban has rounded up their fighters from other northern and northeastern provinces," said Senator Mohammad Faisal Sami.
"The war is going on in Dand-e-Ghori and in the meantime another conflict is continuing in Baghlan-e-Markazi [district in Baghlan] – where the Taliban has moved forward somehow," the senator said.
The Defense Ministry meanwhile said the military operation in Dand-e-Ghori area is intensifying and that the area will be cleared of insurgents in the near future.
"At least 89 insurgents were killed and 85 others wounded [in Baghlan operation]. In addition scores of weapons of different types were recovered by security forces in the battle," said Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri.
The Defense Ministry earlier this week said the security forces have moved forward in the Baghlan operation. (Tolonews)