KABUL - As Taliban operatives continue efforts to isolate the provincial capitals of Baghlan and Takhar provinces from the main highways, a number of lawmakers in parliament on Saturday raised alarm over what they called growing Taliban operations on the highways.
They said that the Taliban have a free hand in whatever they intend to do and there is not enough security for passengers travelling on the routes.
The statement comes few days after several episodes of hostage taking dramas were seen on some northern highways, an issue that has sparked major concerns among residents and travelers.
"Majority of areas are controlled by the Taliban including the illegal armed groups that operate over there, only a few areas are under the control of the government," MP Azim Mohseni said.
"No one can trust security on these routes, passengers feel fear that the Taliban may take them," MP Qurdratullah Zaki said.
"The Afghan armed services are determined in their mission to secure all regions of Afghanistan including Kunduz, Kabul-Kunduz highway or Baghlan-Kunduz highway," defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said.
Passengers are still feeling fear while travelling in northern highways.
"There is no security alongside Kabul-Takhar highway. Security is very fragile in Baghlan, Kunduz, Khan Abad and Takhar, Taliban take the passengers," a driver on Takhar highway Najibullah said.
This comes a few days after the Taliban kidnapped people on passengers buses on Kunduz highway, killing at least eleven passengers. There are still some passengers being held hostage by the group's fighters. (Tolonews)