Taliban delay govt formation; fight with resistance forces for Panjshir continues | Key points

The Taliban are finalising the new Afghan government, now slated to be announced next week. But first, they are determined to quell the resistance forces in Panjshir and stake their claim on the valley. Here are top five points related to the Afghanistan crisis.

Top Taliban leaders in Kabul were finalising the formation of the new Afghan government, even as skirmishing renewed against resistance forces in the northern province of Panjshir on Saturday. Unconfirmed reports claimed that the insurgents had entered provincial capital Bazarak and stormed the governor’s office there. Celebratory firing by Taliban fighters, who believed propaganda that the insurgents had finally captured Panjshir valley, caused heavy casualties in Kabul, with at least 17 people killed in the gunfire.