Ministry of Defense (MoD) officials said on Sunday the Tora Bora area of Pacheragam district in eastern Nangarhar province has been “completely cleared of insurgents”.

Tariqshah Bahrami, acting minister of the MoD, who visited Tora Bora, said: “The security forces will try to prevent Daesh from re-taking control of the area.”

“Daesh suffered heavy casualties in the operation by security forces,” he said.

Tora Bora, which is a strategic area in the eastern province, fell to Daesh after they clashed with the Taliban just over two weeks ago.

Security forces were however able to re-take Tora Bora a few days after launching a military operation. However, it took a while to clear the area completely of insurgents.

“The security forces were able to completely re-take the Tora Bora area and clear it of all insurgents. We decided to create a strong base in here so that Daesh insurgents cannot take it back,” Bahrami said.

In the meantime, Mohammad Zaman Waziri, commander of 201 Selab Military Corps said Daesh insurgents are being supported from across the border.

“Daesh suffered heavy casualties in Kot, Achin and Pachiragam districts. Daesh are coming over the mountains from Chenar Para area of Pakistan. They are mobilizing over there (Pakistan),” Waziri said.

Despite assurances by security forces, Pacheragam residents have expressed their concerns over the return of Daesh to the district.

“We still have concerns over Daesh coming back here,” Malik Ayaz, a tribal elder said.

“We are asking the security forces to create a check post here to stop Daesh returning,” Daad Mohammad, another tribal elder said.

Tora Bora gained notoriety after the area was used as a hideout by Osama bin Laden, the former leader of al-Qaeda, after the ousting of the Taliban in 2001. Bin Laden was killed in a U.S operation in Pakistan in 2011.