A senior security official from Balkh said that the three-week the military operation conducted by Afghan forces in vulnerable parts of Balkh and Dawlat Abad districts of the northern province has been successful as it helped the forces to clear the areas of Taliban militants.

The police chief of Balkh, Gen. Mohammad Ajmal Faiz, said other vulnerable areas in terms of security are the Chamtal, Chaharbolak, Sholgera and Chaharkent districts in Balkh.

“There were rumors that some schools have been closed for girls in Balkh district. We went there and talked with teachers and found out that there is no problem in this regard,” said Faiz.

Balkh residents meanwhile said that insecurity has increased in six districts of the province during the recent months.

They said that even the outskirts of the capital of the province, Mazar-e-Sharif, is faced with some threats by militants.

 “Mazar is facing some types of threats since March,” said Shah Mahmood, a Balkh resident.

 “Conflicts are ongoing in the villages located on the outskirts of the city of Mazar-e-Sharif,” said Faridoon, a Balkh resident.

Mohammad Afzal Hadid, head of Balkh Provincial Council, said concerns remain high on a possible increase in threats inside the city, despite that it is relatively secure.

“There are concerns among the people about a possible collapse of the city,” Hadid said.

However, the provincial police chief said that the threats from Afghania township on the outskirts of Mazar have been removed after an operation by the government forces.

“It is all rumors. No one can capture our province,” said the police chief.