The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are in fierce battle to take back the control of Kunduz from Taliban who had gained control of the city a couple of days earlier. They, in a shocking attack, made the security forces flee the city and took the control of major buildings and facilities. They are still believed to have the control and may give Afghan security forces a tough before they are able to take the city back.

ANSF was supported by the US-led coalition forces that carried out air strikes which are believed to have killed scores of Taliban fighters. U.S defense department in a statement announced air strikes are helping to eliminate Taliban members controlling Kunduz, adding that the strikes also targeted a Taliban gathering inside government facilities and those looting properties.

However, the Taliban carried out more assaults on Wednesday targeting ANSF forces deployed around Kunduz airport in an attempt to gain more strategic locations. But the Taliban was thwarted after US-led coalition troops bombed their positions.

It is expected that ANSF will be able to gain the control of the city within a couple of days, but the main question still remains unanswered and that is, “How could Taliban carry out such a threatening attack and take control of entire city within just one day?” This question further raises doubts about the capabilities of Afghan security forces and the government to tackle Taliban insurgents properly. There are fears that more cities may fall to Taliban if the capability and readiness of the government and the forces remain the same.

Afghan legislators in parliament on Wednesday also warned of the collapse of more cities unless so-called spies – or fifth pillar elements within government – are rooted out immediately. They also accused the National Unity Government (NUG) of being “incompetent” and failing to protect and preserve national interests. They suggested the establishment of a defense council and the transfer authority currently held by the National Security Council to such a body. They also suggested that some government leaders have to be brought to book in the wake of deteriorating security in a number of provinces in recent months.

This is really important that NUG takes notice of deteriorating situation before it is too late. People are really worried about their lives and their future; they have every right to be provided a secure and peaceful life and the government is totally responsible for providing them this right. They are rightly frightful of the security situation as they are mostly the ones who have been influenced largely by instability and terrorism prevailing in the country. It is, no doubt, tragic to see the civilians losing their lives when they are not a participant in it. In like Afghanistan that has been hit by war and economic instability, people have not only suffered the hardships of destitution and miseries but also the horrors of war. They have been killed cruelly as though their lives do not have any worth or values and it is imperative to note that the Taliban are mostly behind the killings of the poor civilians and they still remain powerful enough to carry out their merciless efforts to target the civilians.

Different assaults, horrifying bombings, indiscriminate shootings and suicide bombings of the vicious guardians of the so-called holy war have, on different occasions, targeted the children, women and non-military people. Given that such facts prevail, it is strange to find Taliban calling themselves friendly to Afghan people. They have been striving hard to create an image of caring and affectionate group that is trying to emancipate the people of Afghanistan from the Western forces but the fact is just on the contrary. They just want power and control and for that they will never hesitate to sacrifice the poor Afghan people. If they come to power, it is clear that Afghan people will never enjoy tranquility, contentment and above all their due rights.

With the current rise in terrorism, it should not be forgotten that Taliban have been able to grow largely in the recent few years. The transition period, instead of assisting us in moving towards progress and improvement, seems to be taking us the other way. In fact, the overall process of transition does not seem to be going well. This period does not have to be only a transfer of security responsibility from international forces to Afghan forces, rather it should include within its folds the overall political and economic stability, wellbeing and better life opportunities for all the Afghan people. It is really vital that the post transition period in Afghanistan is a period that can give poverty and war stricken Afghan people their basic rights, provide them better representation and participation in political and social lives and make them capable of governing themselves appropriately.