Panjshir not under Taliban control, claims renowned French analyst -

Paris/ Bazarak: French intellectual Bernard-Henry Levy claimed that the Taliban took control of the Panjshir valley. But the Northern Alliance control the hills of Panjshir. This anti-Taliban front is getting stronger and stronger and their morale is at the highest level. Moreover, Ahmed Shah Massoud ‘s son Ahmad Massoud is standing in some part of Panjshir, carrying the torch of independent Afghanistan. Levy claimed to have spoken to Ahmed Masood. The Northern Alliance has also warned that the Taliban will suffer the consequences, saying it controls 60% of Panjshir.

On Monday, the Taliban claimed to have captured Panjshir and made Afghanistan independent. The Taliban had announced that Panjshir leader Ahmed Massoud and former Vice President Amarullah Saleh had fled to Tajikistan after the Taliban attack. But both Masood and Saleh are still in Panjshir, according to the Northern Alliance. Levy, a French analyst, who visited Masood a year ago, dismissed the Taliban’s claim.

Meanwhile, the tomb of Ahmed Shah Massoud, who challenged the Taliban regime 20 years ago, has been reportedly destroyed by the Taliban. Masood was assassinated by the Taliban two decades ago. The Taliban are alleged to have provoked the Northern Alliance by disrespecting his grave.