We have captured Panjshir, claims Taliban; National Resistance Front of Afghanistan refutes claims

The Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid today held a press conference in Kabul and announced that they have gained complete control over Afghanistan after the last bastion ‘Panjshir’ was captured by the Taliban fighters.

However, the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, which has been giving a stiff resistance to the Taliban has denied the claims and have refused to concede defeat. The Resistance forces in a statement have claimed that NRFA forces were present across all strategic positions in Panjshir and that they would continue the fight against the Taliban until justice was done.

Taliban Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid addressing journalists in a press conference in Kabul | Courtesy: RTA Mili TV Afghanistan

Speaking to the media, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said: “The ‘nest of terrorism’ in Panjshir is under complete Taliban control. The last hideout of the enemy has been captured in Panjshir. We want to assure our countrymen that the Taliban forces are in total control of our whole country.”

The Taliban spokesman also said that the Resistance had given ‘negative answers’ during negotiations and therefore the talks failed. He also said that the future constitution of Afghanistan will be based on Islamic laws and will be all inclusive for Afghans.

Ahmad Massoud, who has been leading the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan

Earlier on Sunday, Fahim Dashty, the Chief Spokesperson of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA) was killed in a fierce gunfight in Panjshir province. In one of his last videos, recorded on September 1 in Panjshir, Dashty is seen saying: “The Taliban did not succeed in their offensive and they did not advance even a kilometer.”

Fahim Dashty, the Chief Spokesperson of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA) was killed in a gun battle in Panjshir on Sunday

While the NRFA is still holding its ground and refuting claims of a Taliban takeover of Panjshir, the Taliban spokesperson has said that a decision has already been taken on government formation and very soon the new Taliban cabinet will be announced in Afghanistan.

Speaking to reporters, Zaibullah Mujahid said that electricity and internet will be restored in Panjshir today and that the Kabul airport will be fully functional soon. Denying any civilian casualties in Panjshir, the Taliban spokesperson requested international support to rebuild Afghanistan.

As the gun battle continued in Panjshir, Pakistan came under heavy criticism after Pakistan ISI chief Lt General Faiz Hameed reached Kabul on Saturday to negotiate with the Taliban on the new Government structure. Pakistan has also drawn flak for fuelling the unrest in Panjshir after the NRFA claimed that the Taliban was being openly supported by Pakistan against the Resistance forces.