Taliban take control of Panjshir

Panjshir province, hitherto the last bastion of Afghan resistance, has fallen to the Taliban. Since the insurgents arrived in Kabul, fighting in the Panjshir valley has intensified, resulting in a high death toll, both of Taliban and National Resistance Front (NRF) fighters. Finally, the Taliban announced the complete conquest of Panjshir.

"The last nest of the enemy, Panjshir province, has been completely conquered," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Earlier, the Taliban claimed to have conquered Anaba and Rokha. They also confirmed the arrival in Bazarak, capital of Panjshir province, where they posted videos in the provincial governor's office. "With this victory, our country is completely out of the war," Mujahid added

During the recent fighting, several reports have indicated that Pakistan has also bombed Panjshir with drones and smart bombs. This information has been confirmed by the former MP from Samangan province, Zia Arianjad. In addition, Islamabad is said to have sent more than 20 helicopters and special operations units. It should also be noted that Faiz Hameed, head of the Pakistani intelligence service (ISI), has recently visited Kabul to meet with the Taliban.

The FNR had in recent hours denied the Taliban's statements. "The Taliban's claim that they occupied Panjshir is false. The FNR forces are present in all strategic positions in the valley to continue the fight," the resistance movement said in a statement. Finally, Ahmad Massoud, leader of the FNR, acknowledged that "the whole of Afghanistan had fallen into the hands of the Taliban", according to Al Arabiya media.

Massoud also reported that members of his family were killed in Taliban attacks. Important resistance figures such as General Woodoad, Munib Amiri, Fahim Dashti, commander Gul Haider Khan and spokesman Mohammad Fahim Dashty have also been killed in recent clashes.

Massoud, however, stressed that "resistance against the Taliban continues", and called for demonstrations in all regions. Massoud, son of the famous fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud, nicknamed "the Lion of Panjshir", had repeatedly stated that he would not negotiate with the Taliban. A few days after the insurgents arrived in Kabul, Massoud presented himself as the defender of "democracy, human rights and women's rights" in the face of Taliban radicalism. His father had fought against the Taliban between 1996 and 2001 at the head of the Northern Alliance, until he was killed in September 2001. Earlier, he was also instrumental in the war against the Soviets.

The son of the famous "Lion" of the valley continues the path set by his father. Amrullah Saleh, another leading figure in the resistance, has already moved to Tajikistan in the face of the Taliban offensive, according to media reports. Saleh was part of the Northern Alliance and later held political posts in the Afghan government. The resistance also includes Afghan military personnel who fought against the Taliban in recent months.

Massoud also recently stated that the resistance movement "is ready to stop fighting on the condition that the Taliban also stop their attacks and military movements".