KUNDUZ - The provincial council on Sunday warned Taliban militants would recapture the capital of northern Kunduz province if clearing operations were not launched against them.
“The government must conduct winter operations against Taliban because they are ill-prepared for a showdown”, the PC head, Amruddin Wali, told Pajhwok Afghan News.
Militants became weak and inactive in winter and the government must exploit this opportunity and drive Taliban from Kunduz, he suggested.
The public representative accused the government of being reluctant to launch winter operations and feared a repeat of the fall of Kunduz City.
Provincial council secretary Zargul Alami told Pajhwok the government intentionally did not want peace and security in Kunduz city.
“High government authorities have made several promises about launching operations in this province, but they yet to honour their pledges”, Alami added.
The residents of Kunduz have also been asking the government to launch winter operations against Taliban militants.
One of them Rahmat said the government last year promised conducting winter operations which didn’t occur for unknown reason and resulted in the collapse of Kunduz City.
Gen. Sher Aziz Kamawal, the 808 Spinzar zone police commander, said security forces would launch “Operation Shafaq 2” in near future in Kunduz.
“The second round of Shafaq operation will be launched as soon as possible and we assure the people that Taliban will be entirely eliminated in this city”, Kamawal added. However, he didn’t provide a specific date for launching the offensive. (Pajhwok)