Taliban Attacks Jaghori Following ANSF Operation

AVA- A number of residents of Jaghori district in Ghazni province on Tuesday said Taliban attacked parts of the district on Monday, just hours after the defense ministry said the district had been completely cleared of Taliban. 
According to residents, Taliban launched heavy attacks, but the group were pushed back by the public uprising forces, police and army. 
“Yesterday afternoon Taliban launched a heavy attack, but they were faced with reaction by the public uprising forces, police and army forces and were forced to withdraw from the area,” Mohammad Salim, a Jaghori resident said. 
Ghazni governor Wahidullah Kalimzai meanwhile confirmed Monday’s clashes and said more security forces have been stationed in Jaghori to maintain security. 
“A unit from the NDS forces has been established in Jaghori. Also, a battalion of Territorial Army forces has been approved to be established in Jaghroi and Malistan districts and the recruitment process is underway,” said Kalimzai. 
Mohammad Mohaqiq, second deputy of the Chief Executive, meanwhile said Taliban have become stronger and have modern equipment. 
“They use night and laser sights and also have snipers. The local police and the forces in the district do not have such equipment,” said Mohaqiq. 
Ghazni MPs meanwhile said Jaghori’s security will not be maintained fully unless government destroys Taliban strongholds in the neighbouring districts and deploy more security forces in the area. 
“Until their strongholds are there, and they are there as a threat, there is no assurance over maintaining security and returning of displaced people,” MP Arif Rahmani said. 
This latest Taliban attack on Jaghori, has raised concerns among displaced families who fled to Kabul. The families said they will not go back to Jaghori under the current circumstances. 
“We are poor people and if we go, we cannot come back, because we do not have our own car,” Amina, a displaced woman said. 
“They (Taliban) deceive us. In Uruzgan they said they will not kill the children and they are only fighting the government. They asked elders to go and make peace, but when they were talking about making peace, they were attacked,” Firoza, another displaced woman said. 
Defense ministry spokesman Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed said two units of Territorial Army forces will be established in these two districts and they will maintain security.