Panjshir under control, claim Taliban; Massoud's NRF says 'struggle' will continue

A day after anti-Taliban leader Ahmad Massoud said he was ready fortalks with the Taliban, the militant group in a statement said Panjshir province has come under the "complete control of the Islamic Emirate".

"Some of the insurgents in the province were defeated and the rest fled, freeing the oppressed and honourable people of Panjshir," the Taliban said.

However, theNational Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) said it will continue fighting even after the Taliban's announcement.

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The NRF said it was present in "strategic positions" across the Panjshir while adding, "the struggle against the Taliban and their partners will continue".

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The Taliban said it will not "discriminate" against the people of Panjshir in any way, calling them "brothers", while adding, "we will serve together for one country and one goal".

"With this victory and last effort, the rest of the country will be completely out of the war and our country will have a peaceful and prosperous life in an atmosphere of freedom, independence and prosperity," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

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Heavy fighting was reported between Ahmad Massoud'sNRFA and the Taliban in the last few days as reports claimed the militant group had surrounded the valley.

The resistance group had claimed it had killed over 600 Taliban fighters amid the raging conflict, however, the Taliban fighters continued to reportedly engage the resistance amid the casualties.

(With inputs from Agencies)