The Taliban claimed victory on Monday over opposition forces in the Panjshir valley northeast of Kabul, declaring that it completed the Islamist group's takeover of Afghanistan and promising to announce a new government soon.

Pictures on social media showed Taliban members standing in front of the gate of the Panjshir provincial governor’s compound after fighting over the weekend with the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA), led by Panjshiri leader Ahmad Massoud.

"Panjshir, which was the last hideout of the escapee enemy, is captured," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a news conference.

Earlier, he had said, “With this victory and latest efforts our country has come out of the whirlpool of the war and our people will have a happy life in peace, liberty and freedom”.

The Taliban assured the people of Panjshir, who are ethnically distinct from the Pashtun-dominated Taliban and fought against the Islamists during their rule from 1996 to 2001, that there would be no “discriminatory act against them”.

“They are our brothers and would work together for a joint purpose and welfare of the country,” Mujahid said.

Earlier, according to Sputnik News, the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan spokesperson Fahim Dashti tweeted that about 600 Taliban have been killed in Panjshir and more than 1,000 have been captured or surrendered themselves. The Taliban, on their part, have said they are advancing.

Meanwhile, CNN-News18 reported that Pakistani forces are aiding the Taliban in their fight against the last remaining foothold of opposition Panjshir Valley.

Pakistan is providing air support to Taliban fighters in Panjshir, the sources said, adding that some Special Forces have been airdropped to fight the Resistance.

The sources said all major supplies and roads have been blocked by the militant group. Both sides – Taliban and Panjshir resistance – have sustained major casualties in the ongoing operations, they added. Yesterday, ISI Chief Hameed Faiz had extended his support to the Taliban, in a visit to Kabul.

On Sunday Panjshir province, the last bastion of resistance forces in Afghanistan, was bombed by Pakistani Air Force drones, reports said. Former Samangan MP Zia Arianjad was quoted as saying by Aamaj News that Pakistani drones have bombed Panjshir using smart bombs.

Earlier on Sunday night, Fahim Dashty, the spokesperson of Ahmad Massoud, who is leading a resistance movement to the Taliban, was killed during fighting with the Taliban in Panjshir. General Sahib Abdul Wadood Zhor, nephew of Ahmad Shah Massoud and a former prominent Mujahideen commander, was also killed in the battle, Asvaka News Agency reported.  

The Facebook page of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan also put out a statement saying, “With deep touch and regret, we lost two dear brothers and colleagues and fighters today. Fahim Dashty, the head of the office of Amir Saheb Ahmad Masoud, and General Sahib Abdul Wadood Zhor, the nephew of the national hero of Afghanistan in the battle against the fascist group. Congratulations on your martyrdom!”

Amrullah Saleh, who has declared himself Afghanistan’s caretaker president and is leading resistance forces against the Taliban in Panjshir, has called on the United Nations and other international agencies to “rapidly and generously respond” to the “overwhelming humanitarian crisis” in the area.

“We call on the United Nations and the international community to do its utmost to prevent the Taliban's onslaught into Panjshir province and encourage negotiate a political solution to ensure thousands of displaced and hosting civilians are saved,” Amrullah Saleh said in a letter to the UN.

Saleh, who recently denied reported he had left Panjshir, said that the Taliban and other foreign groups have unleashed a vicious attack against the valley and other free areas of northern Afghanistan.

“Around 250,000 two hundred and fifty thousand people including local women, children, elderly and ten thousand of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who arrived in Panjshir after the fall Kabul and other large cities are also stuck inside these valleys and suffering from the consequences this inhuman blockade,” Amrullah Saleh wrote in the letter posted on Twitter by the handle @NorthernAliance.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he will convene a high-level humanitarian conference for Afghanistan on September 13.

“Now more than ever, Afghan children, women & men need support & solidarity from the international community. I will convene a high-level humanitarian conference for Afghanistan on 13 September to advocate for a swift scale-up in funding & full, unimpeded access to those in need,” Guterres tweeted.

Image source: NDTV