Massoud resistance denies Taliban’s Panjshir entry claim

KABUL/NEW DELHI: The Taliban said their forces entered Panjshir province from various directions on Saturday without facing any resistance. But Ahmad Massoud's supporters denied the claim.

"No fighting occurred, but the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan advanced from various directions without facing any resistance. The Islamic Emirate forces have entered Panjshir from different directions," said Anaamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban's Cultural Commission, Tolo News reported.

Samangani, however, said the door is still open for negotiations and on Saturday, a delegation of Ahmad Massoud met a Taliban delegation in Kabul. Massoud's supporters, however, rejected the claims of a Taliban advance toward Panjshir and say no one has entered the province.

"There is no fight in Panjshir and no one has entered the province," said Mohammad Almas Zahid, head of the Resistance Front delegation, the report said.

The first round of talks between the Taliban and Massoud delegations was held on August 25, during which the two sides agreed to not attack each other until the second round of talks.

Zahid said that the second round of talks will be held in two days but warned of consequences if the talks fail.

"The failure of negotiations will have heavy consequences for both sides because war will pave the way for foreign intervention, and intervention will prolong the war," Zahid said.

Meanwhile, two American senators have said that Panjshir should be recognized as a secure zone and some of the leaders of the Resistance Front should be recognised by the US and others.