SUR-I-PUL - A part of the Kohistanat district in northern Sur-i-Pul province fell to Taliban after Afghan Local Police (ALP) commander joined militants along with his colleagues, a public representative said on Monday.

Mohammad Noor Rahmani, provincial council head, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Hassan Arbab, the ALP commander in Qila Shahar area, had defected to Taliban.

Assadullah Khuram, a PC member, also confirmed the incident and said the area fell to Taliban on Sunday afternoon.

Maj. Gen. Mohammad Asif Jabbarkhail, police chief, confirmed the commander and his companions had joined Taliban fighters. A fierce gun battle erupted soon after the attack, he said, adding security forces had controlled high terrain areas.

Meanwhile, Sar-i-Pul police spokesman Amanuddin Aman said that only four of 84 villages of the Kohistanat district were currently under security forces control while the rest of villages were captured by militants.

He said that Hasan Arbab along with his seven members joined the Taliban militants. Heavy fight were underway in the 20 kilometers of the district center with the militants, Aman added. (Pajhwok)