During a fleeting visit to Helmand this week, CEO Abdullah Abdullah assured residents that the provincial capital, Lashkargah, will not fall to militants and that other parts of the province will be cleared of insurgents.

“There is no possibility of the fall of this city [Lashkargah]. Meanwhile, the safe zones of the people will be widened,” Abdullah said when visiting security forces on the frontlines in the province.

During his visit, Abdullah not only met with security forces but also visited wounded civilians currently being treated at a local hospital.

Meanwhile, Abdullah said Sangin district – which according to residents often comes under attack by the Taliban – will be cleared of militants in the near future.

“The scope of conflict in Sangin is different; however, this year, there are wider plans for defending the district,” he stated.

He added: “The war will continue unfortunately, but militants will not reach their goals this year - as they failed in the previous year.”

Meanwhile, a number of Helmand residents said the Taliban attacks and activities have risen in Sangin and they fear the district will fall to the insurgent group.

“The Taliban has increased their attacks in Sangin. The army is fighting them, but government is reluctant. At least it should send in the Air Force to suppress the militants,” said Haji Ghulam Mohammad, a Sangin resident.

Another resident, Haji Gul Mohammad, said: “There were many [check] posts previously but now some of them have vanished and there is a need to re-establish the posts and restore security and stability in the district.”

According to reports, Taliban has controlled six districts in Helmand for the past year and has control of Babaji area, which is part of PD4 in Lashkargah city.

In addition, reports indicate that PD2 and PD3 of Lashkargah are under serious threat by the Taliban.