JALALABAD (PAN): Residents of several villages in the Want Waigal district of eastern Nuristan province have picked up guns to drive Taliban insurgents from their areas, officials said on Tuesday.
Two Taliban fighters have been killed, six wounded and three captured alive as a result of the uprising that involved around 200 youth, said Dr. Shasuddin Aselzai, a member of the provincial council.
He told Pajhwok Afghan News Want Waigal residents had asked their sons to eliminate Taliban wherever they were seen and not allow them to carry out destructive activities.
Tribal leader Ghulam Nabi said the Taliban had long been intimidating locals, urging the government to assist the uprising with logistic support and weapons.
He said the Governor’s House had assured it was ready to extend all-out support to the anti-Taliban campaign.
But Taliban’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied any uprising had taken place in the district. He said there had been a clash between Taliban fighters and local police, leaving some policemen killed and wounded.
