The Taliban militants have made advancements in Jalrez district of Maidan Wardak province but the Ministry of Defense (MoD) claims that Afghan security forces have conducted a cleansing operation in the district.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, on Friday, May 21, claimed that the government forces had surrendered to them.
A local source, however, said that the security forces are under siege since last three days. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that as many as 40 members of security forces, including the National Army, and People’s Uprising Force have surrendered to the Taliban.
He said Jalrez police chief along with his forces resisted until the last moment and received no reinforcement help despite repeated calls.
On Thursday night, May 20, a helicopter carrying reinforcement forces arrived in Jalriz but failed to land as the militants were present in the area.
Mahdi Rasikh, Maidan Wardak MP, said that after two days of clashes between security forces and the Taliban, 37 soldiers and three commanders surrendered to the Taliban.
The forces were besieged in two houses for two days.
Fawad Aman, a deputy spokesperson for the Ministry, said 10 militants were killed as the result of an airstrike in Jalrez district on Friday afternoon around 1:48 PM, May 21.
A surge in Taliban attacks against government forces has intensified over the last couple of months.
