Taliban hold 'high-risk' Zabul

2003-11-10 10:25

Islamabad - The Taliban control at least four districts in southeast Afghanistan's Zabul province, Zabul's deputy governor told the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) on Monday.

The former hardline rulers are now trying take control of the Zabul capital Qalat, where a powerful bomb went off at the headquarters of Hafizullah Hashim, the province's governor, on Saturday, Mawlawi Mohammed Omar told the Pakistan-based agency.

Zabul, which neighbours Pakistan, is on the frontline of increasing attacks by Taliban fighters regrouping in southern Afghanistan and in Pakistani border regions. They were ousted from power under a United States-led military assault two years ago.

"There is no government control over Atghar, Naw Bahar, Shenky and Shamasi districts and there is no government official on administrative duty in these districts," Omar said. "There are either Taliban or their supporters at these places."

The presence of Taliban fighters was "creating problems for Qalat," Omar said. Omar said he and Zabul governor Hafizullah Hashim on Sunday discussed ways of restoring government control over the four districts.

Nobody was hurt in the explosion at Hashim's official residence or in a blast at an arms depot.

The province is deemed "high risk" by the United Nations, which has banned its personnel from working there.

The UN's Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guehenno, told the Security Council on October 24 that the Taliban had established de facto control in "several border districts" neighbouring Pakistan, including Barmal and Gayan in Paktika province and Maruf in Kandahar.

- AFP