The Taliban has stepped up attacks on Panjshir valley--the last remaining Afghan province still not under the group’s control-- as talks with the resistance leaders of the valley didn’t yield any result. The group has mounted a series of attacks starting this week but failed to make a breakthrough into the valley. 

Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi, the head of the Taliban’s commission for guidance and encouragement, said that their talks with the tribal elders and leaders were “inconclusive”, reported Khaama Press. He also asked people of the valley to pressure their leaders to make compromises. 

Fighting has been going on since Monday and reports indicated both sides had suffered casualties. In a message to the people of Panjshir, Mutaqi said people should not allow those who are favoring war and should be driven out of the province.

Historically, Panjshir never came under the occupation of any foreign forces--even at the height of Societ occupation--in the last 40 years. Today, it remains the only anti-Taliban stronghold. The resistance forces are being led by Ahmad Massoud, the son of famed anti-Taliban commander and erstwhile Mujahideen leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, and former vice-president Amrullah Saleh. The latter has now declared himself as acting president of Afghanistan. 

Muttaqi on Wednesday said, “This is the first time in the recent history of Afghanistan that a newly appointed government announces general amnesty and why should the people of Panjshir still be in trouble and they do not avail themselves of the freedom.”

Multiple reports, however, suggest otherwise. Despite general amnesty,  the group’s fighters have reportedly been searching for former officials and leaders and executing them--a claim also collaborated by the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet. 

On Wednesday, the Taliban claimed to have captured the Shutul district of Panjshir. Fahim Dasti, the spokesperson of the resistance forces, however, rejected the claim. 

Saleh, meanwhile, in a Facebook post, said the resistance is based in Panjshir but not limited to the province, calling for people of other places also to rise up against the Taliban. 
Barring Panjshir, the Taliban has not been facing any serious armed resistance in the country though there are unconfirmed reports of non-violent civic protests against the Taliban taking place in several cities.