Taliban militants are pushing to take control of Dangam district in Kunar in order to reach  the provincial capital Asadabad and are doing so with the help of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, Kunar Police Chief Juma Gul Himmat told TOLOnews.
 
“The ISI [Inter-Services Intelligence], and totally Pakistan, plotted a strong plan to over-run Dangam district and repeat the Helmand experience here, but they failed to reach their goal, the same as last year,” Himmat said.
 
He said Dangam’s security is key to the security of the entire province.
 
This claim comes in the wake of a surge in group attacks again Dangam in recent months. 
 
TOLOnews journalist Sharif Amiri visited Kunar, which shares a border with Pakistan, and spoke to residents affected by insecurity and war in the province.
 
During his visit, Amiri found that insurgents are positioned only two kilometers from the district governor’s office.
 
He said local officials have confirmed that almost 60 percent of Dangam is under serious threat by insurgents.
 
“A number of movements have been carried out by the enemy in these areas. The enemy has created military teams in parts of the area. They have equipped their fighters near border areas where you can see tanks as well,” the Kunar governor, Wahidullah Kalimzai, said.
 
Meanwhile, a number of affected residents in Dangam said they have lost relatives in the recent conflict while many have been forced to flee their homes.
 
“My two cousins were martyred. Four other relatives of mine were also martyred. My son was martyred too. He was killed by the Taliban,” Shah Jahan, a resident of Dangam, said.
 
“Six members of our family were martyred. People were pushed to leave their houses in our village and its surrounding villages,” Dida Khan, another resident said.
 
Residents and officials said the mountainous areas in the district are used as safe havens for militants who are fighting against the incumbent government.