Taliban Authorities Reopen Alternative Road to Nuristan's Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal Districts

Taliban authorities have begun reopening an alternative road connecting Parun to Kamdesh district in Nuristan province after main routes to Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal districts were closed when Pakistani forces fired on vehicles.

Nuristan Governor Zain-ul-Abidin Abid, in an interview published by the Taliban Ministry of Interior on X on the 11th of Hamal, denied rumors that Pakistani forces had seized Afghan territory in the two districts, calling the claims propaganda. He confirmed that Taliban officials and forces remain stationed in both Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal.

The alternative route via the Peprok Kandu pass was constructed last year and is now being cleared by Taliban teams, Abid said.

On the 7th of Hamal, the Taliban's 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps transported journalists to Barg-i-Matal by helicopter, according to the governor.

Abid also addressed complaints from locals about food shortages and difficulties accessing medical care due to the road closures.

Separately, tribal elders and residents from Nuristan met with Khalid Hanafi of the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue in Kabul, urging the urgent reopening of roads to address shortages and enable patient transport for treatment.