Afghanistan: Curfew imposed in Kandahar after deadly clashes

Kandahar [Afghanistan], July 17 (ANI): A curfew has been enforced in the Afghan city of Kandahar to curb the violence that escalated due to clashes between the Afghan forces and Taliban fighters.

Restrictions on movement will be in place from 9 pm until 5 am, Sputnik reported. The Kandahar military security council recommended that residents staying in other parts of Afghanistan should not return to the city until further notice. Kandahar in recent days witnessed a massive surge in Taliban-infused violence after insurgents launched multiple attacks to get hold of the provinces of Kandahar.

Afghan national army commandos are deployed to counter Taliban resurgence in respective disturbing zones. The violence surge comes amid the drawdown of foreign forces from Afghanistan. As the Taliban continues to seize new territory, US officials have been engaged in talks with countries neighbouring Afghanistan to support the Afghan Defense Forces. Other south and central Asian countries are also engaged in talks to advance peace talks.

The curfew came hours after Sediq Karzai, a Kandahar special forces commander, was killed in clashes with the Taliban over control of the town of Spin Boldak on the border with Pakistan. During the violence, Indian photo-journalist Danish Siddique was also killed. (ANI)