The leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF) said in a statement issued on Monday that they will avenge the death of two commanders and their men who lost their lives in battles against the Taliban in Andarab, Baghlan.
Khair Mohammad Khairkhah and Ghazi Muradi, two top NRF commanders, were killed along with their men after running out of ammunition during a feirce 30-hour gun battle against Taliban forces in Andarab region.
NRF spokesman, Sibghatullah Ahmadi, earlier confirmed the death of Khair Mohammad Andarabi by posting on his Facebook page. However, this front has not provided details on how many of its forces were killed in the Andarab battle.
Local media outlets, citing their sources, reported that around 20 NRF members, including four commanders, were killed after 30 hours of gunfighting against Taliban forces. But sources close to the NRF confirmed to the media that 15 NRF forces were killed.
Local sources also detailed that around 30 Taliban fighters were killed and 28 others were wounded in these heavy clashes.
Khair Mohammad Khairkhah (Andarabi) was the most prominent NRF commander in three districts of Andarab, Baghlan province. Mr. Andarabi was serving in the ranks of former ANDSF forces in various capacities. In 2011, Mr. Khairkhah was promoted to the lieutenant colonel rank by the former Interior Ministry.
In 2020, Khair Mohammad Khairkhah was appointed as the head of security chief for Maidan Wardak province. In 2021, he was appointed as the security chief of Balkh Police Command. He, along with several people under his command, were killed on Sunday night after reportedly 30 hours of fierce fighting against Taliban fighters in Taghanak vicinity of Pul-e-Hesar district of wider Andarab region.
“Let the vile enemy learn that we are not tired of being killed and we will never withdraw from the path we have chosen,” NRF leader’s statement reads.
NRF forces under the aegis of Khair Mohammad Andarabi managed to keep the Taliban at bay along the rugged fronts of Andarab, successfully preventing the Taliban from advancing.
