The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Friday that the Afghan forces are advancing in Janikhail district in Paktia province and that the district will be retaken from the Taliban in the near future.

The district was captured by the Taliban on Tuesday.

MoD deputy spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said security forces have cleared many roads leading to Janikhail during their military operation.

“About Janikhail, I can tell you that we have good achievements and we will clear the area of the enemy in the near future,” Radmanesh said.

An Afghan Commando spokesman Abdul Qayum Nuristani, said at least 59 Taliban fighters including four commanders of the group were killed and 45 others have been wounded in military operations in Ghor’s Taywara district in the country’s west.

The center of Taywara district has been retaken by security forces, he said, adding that they will continue their mission to oust the militants from outskirts of Taywara’s center. 

“There are no facilities in Janikhail and our soldiers are living under tents, even in winters. Facilities should be established there and soldiers must be provided with heavy weapons,” said Ayub Khan Gharwal Zazai, member of Paktia Provincial Council.

“If the insurgents are not pushed back from the entire district after the reinforcements leave Taywara, it will become insecure and insurgents will attack the district once again,” said Nader Shah Bahar, an MP from Ghor.

Afghan security forces are fighting against insurgents in 11 provinces, the Defense Ministry said.