Qala-e-Zal residents, in Kunduz province, on Wednesday claimed the prolonged war in the district has affected civilians both psychologically and financially and that they want government to end the conflict. 

The district was retaken by security forces on Tuesday but officials said the clearance operation is ongoing in the region. 

However this was the second time in two years that the district fell to the insurgents. 

TOLOnews’ Karim Amini said the local market was however calm on Wednesday but it was quite deserted. 

“We borrowed money from the people and spent it for our daily needs. We have nothing to eat and our life is not good,” said Rozi, a resident of Qala-e-Zal. 

“The market is good today as the security forces have retaken the district,” Mohammad Isa, a shopkeeper in Qala-e-Zal said. 

According to Qala-e-Zal district governor, Taliban set fire to the new governor's building which was under construction. 

“You see here that the Taliban act contrary to their sayings; as they say that they will not touch or harm public properties,” the district governor Mahbubullah Saeedi said pointing to the badly damaged building. 

“Seventeen Taliban fighters were killed since yesterday. Meanwhile, seven of them were wounded and a vehicle belonging to them was destroyed,” said Adam Khan Mateen, an army commander in the district. 

Local officials said the reason behind the fall of the district to the Taliban was that threats against government buildings still lingered despite security forces have regained control of the district a few months ago.