The closure of Helmand-Kandahar Highway for the past four days - due to the presence of Taliban and its damaged bridges – has raised concerns among residents of the two provinces.

Helmand residents said the Taliban has destroyed majority of bridges along the road.

A number of passengers meanwhile said they travel through alternative routes where Taliban has built check posts and are stopping people on the way to Helmand.

Abdul Samad, a resident of Helmand, said they urge government to reopen the road and launch a large-scale military operation to clear it of militants.

“Passengers are using alternative ways and different cars to reach their destination,” he said. 

Meanwhile, local security officials said they have started a military operation to clear the road in the near future.

“Afghanistan’s and the Afghan people’s enemies are trying to destroy bridges and close the road for Helmand residents. We managed to clear major parts of the road in order to pave the ground for reconstruction of the bridges and the damaged parts of the road,” said Abdul Ghani Abrar, Executive Officer of 215 Maiwand Corps in Helmand.