A group of Faryab residents in a public uprising against the Taliban cleared five villages under the control of the insurgent group in Shirin Tagab district.

The residents said the move was made because they were tired of the Taliban's causing disturbances. They claimed that the Taliban were taking people’s food and vehicles under different pretexts.

The villages cleared are Koh-e-Sayyad, Tapa Qala, Shah Tapa and Islam Qala.

“The Taliban were taking food from the people instead of helping them during Ramadhan. They forced people to give money, and their car or motorbike,” said Zainullah Zaki, the Shirin Tagab district governor.

The residents used any tool in the fight against the Taliban. Local officials said a young man from the district was killed and four others were wounded in the clashes.

A commander of the public uprising forces, Mir Hatam, said they were helped by the Afghan Air Force as they targeted key Taliban hideouts.

Faryab governor Rahmatullah Turkistani said this is the first time the people are making such an attempt against the Taliban.

“This is a very good move against oppression and injustice,” the governor said. “I want to pass on the message to Faryab residents that they should stand against any type of oppression and injustice.”

He said that one woman was killed and seven children were wounded in a mortar attack by the Taliban in the province on Saturday.

This comes as the Taliban started their spring offensive and the government forces have also switched from "active defense" to "offense" mode against the militants.