PUL-E-KHUMRI - A number of Baghlan provincial council members said Monday that a military operation to clear some parts of Pul-e-Khumri city of the Taliban has been delayed due to unknown reasons.
The provincial council members also said that the Taliban will establish their bases in the province if the operation is not launched soon.
"The Taliban representatives came to the provincial council and asked the members to prevent government from launching the military operation in the province. Now, there are a number of individuals inside government that help them [the Taliban]. These figures should be recognized," said Baghlan provincial council member Zarif Zarif.
But government has another view on the issue.
"The president along with the National Security Council (NSC) will take a decision on where to conduct military operations," said President Ashraf Ghani's deputy spokesman, Sayed Zafar Hashemi.
Meanwhile, some local residents said the Taliban is preparing for conflict in different parts of the province.
"They [the Taliban] have dug trenches in parts of Dand-e-Ghori and are ready to move forward," said Ajmal, a local police force member.
However, the Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri spoke out about launching a large-scale military offensive against the Taliban in Baghlan province.
"Our forces are all ready and we will not allow any group to have strongholds in Afghanistan," he said.
According to local officials in Baghlan, Dand-e-Ghori and Dand-e-Shahab areas in Pul-e-Khumri city are under control of the Taliban. (Tolonews)