The Taliban Ministry of Defense said that Mullah Yaqub, the Acting Minister of Defense, has visited Panjshir province to assess the security situation.
Mullah Yaqub met security officials and tribal elders in the province, today May 21st, according to Inayatullah Khawarazmi, the spokesman for the Taliban Ministry of Defense.
Khawarazmi added that the Acting Minister of the Taliban’s Defense Ministry had told the residents of Panjshir province that they should not be galvanized by enemy propaganda and should continue living their “normal” lives.
The residents of the province were also advised to cooperate with the Taliban to restore “order” in the province. The Acting Minister of Defense also emphasized that the Taliban in the province will not allow anyone, particularly “disruptors” to disrupt security.
In recent days, battle between Afghan National Resistance Front forces led by Ahmad Massoud and Taliban forces in Panjshir province has escalated.
Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud founded the Resistance Front after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in Panjshir. Saleh and Massoud, as well as the Front’s leadership council, are based outside of Afghanistan.
In the most recent case, battle started two days ago in the Khanj district of Panjshir province between Taliban and Resistance Front fighters, and it is said to be still unfolding.
The Taliban Air Force Commander, who visited Panjshir earlier this week, told the people of the province “not to kill themselves for the sake of those in Tajikistan and France.”
“Do not kill yourself for the benefit of those who live in Tajikistan and France and raise money from your blood there,” said Amanuddin Mansoor, commander of the Taliban Ministry of Defense Air Force, in a message to the people of Panjshir released on May 14, through the ministry.
The Taliban official called on the people of Panjshir to stop resisting and join the Taliban. According to him, if the people of Panjshir unite with the Taliban, their “lives, property, honor and reputation” will be protected and no one will “invade” Panjshir.
