Taliban Claim Victory in Panjshir Valley

ISLAMABAD - The Taliban announced Monday they had conquered the northern Panjshir Valley, ending the only armed resistance to their rule in Afghanistan.   

“This victory brings an end to the war across the nation and paves the way for a peaceful life and prosperity in an atmosphere of independence,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.    The Taliban media team released several videos of their takeover of Panjshir and the raising of the Taliban flag at government buildings in the province Monday. But opposition forces, known as the National Resistance Front and led by commander Ahmad Massoud, denied the Taliban claim in a Facebook post by Ali Maisam Nazary, their head of foreign relations.