Local officials in Helmand say Taliban has taken the control of Lashkargah city’s PD4 district and have infiltrated parts of the PD3 of the city as well.

Reports from Helmand indicate that security forces and the Taliban are confronting each other from a distance of 200 meters in PD3 of Lashkargah city.

“No one can walk on the streets and roads in mornings. The roads are closed in the evenings and everyone has to hide in their houses,” said Nematullah, a resident of Lashkargah.

TOLOnews reporter Samim Faramarz who has traveled to Helmand said a few students are seen on roads and go to school in fear.

“Taliban is near our school. Sometimes gunfights start, but we come here to school because we have to,” Abdul Samad a student said.

“Many bullets cross near our house. Life is difficult here,” said Sultana, a resident of Lashkargah. He added that a child sustained injuries due in fighting near their home.

Meanwhile, Jabar Qahraman, the provincial head of operations, said corruption and reluctance by security officials are main reasons behind the long war in Helmand.

“Negligence and inattention of officials as well as corruption has kept the Helmand war going,” he added.

TOLOnews reporter says a number of security forces are stationed at a house in Lashkargah PD3 and were trying to back the Taliban back.

“Here we are in this house and Taliban are in the other house. A few days ago, a suicide bomber came close to this house but we killed him before he tried to trigger his explosives,” Raz Mohammad, a border police force member said.

“The attacks on our check posts start after 12 at night but we defend them,” another police force member Ahmad Wali said.