The Taliban have claimed victory in Panjshir valley, located on north of Kabul today. “By the grace of Allah Almighty, we are in control of the entire Afghanistan. The troublemakers have been defeated and Panjshir is now under our command,” said one Taliban commander.
The announcement from Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid triggered jubilation in the capital Kabul and elsewhere, as the group’s commanders congratulated each other for a “full sweep” across the country and bringing entire Afghanistan under their control.
Western media outlets also cited Taliban sources that Panjshir Valley had fallen. “By the grace of Allah Almighty, we are in control of the entire Afghanistan. The troublemakers have been defeated and Panjshir is now under our command,” a Taliban commander told Reuters.
Mujahid said that Taliban entered Panjshir from “unconventional routes” in the four directions. “The frontline consisted of young men, who were wiped out. the group’s fighters had blocked the main entry-exit point to the Valley and were advancing towards the central parts of the province,” he added.
It was not immediately possible to confirm the reports, but deafening volleys of celebratory gunfire resounded all over Kabul and Facebook accounts were full of mentions of the fall of Panjshir.
There had been reports of heavy fighting and casualties in the valley, which is walled off by mountains except for a narrow entrance and had held out against Soviet occupation as well as the previous Taliban government that was ousted in 2001.
The Taliban seized Kabul on Aug. 15 after rapid advances across Afghanistan.
