Afghan security force members check a vehicle at a security checkpoint on Kabul-Ghaznihighway in Wardak province, Afghanistan, Aug. 13, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)
by Abdul Haleem, Jawed Omid
MAIDAN SHAR, Afghanistan, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- "The situation in Ghazni city is extremely horrific, everywhere you see destruction, killing, burning, smoke and bombing," a fleeing Ghazni resident Abdul Ahmad, 26, murmured.
Escaping the war along with his family, the scared Ahmad whispered that the ongoing war in Ghazni city had devoured everything over the past four days and turned the city into a ghost one.
Featuring the living conditions in the beleaguered Ghazni city, the frustrated man lamented that the situation is getting worse from bad and the attacking Taliban fighters have turned many buildings and entities into ashes.
"I have seen many bodies including security personnel and civilians laying in Ghazni hospital," said the nervous Ahmad, whispering even "the Ghazni hospital has no more capacity to admit and provide medical treatment to injured persons."
Driving towards Kabul Ahmad muttered that "lucky people" can escape Ghazni city.
Taliban militants launched massive offensive on the strategically important Ghazni city, capital of Ghazni province, 125 km south of Kabul on Friday morning.
An Afghan security force member is seen in Ghazni city, the capital of Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Aug. 12, 2018. (Xinhua/Anwar Danish Yar)
The largest attack by Taliban since overrunning northern Kunduz city in September 2015, infiltrating into Ghazni city have taken many into surprise and Ghazni's residents into dilemma.
Government forces, in spite of hectic efforts and launching counter-offensives have yet to expel militants from the embattled city and bring back the situation into normalcy.
Taliban insurgents, according to the outfit's spokesman Zabihullah Majahid, are in full control of the war-ravaged city, urging the residents to support Islamic Emirate, the Taliban hardliner regime ousted in late 2001.
The ongoing war in Ghazni city, according to locals, officials and the videos released by Taliban militants on social media, have claimed numerous lives including civilians, besides destroying countless government and private properties over the past four days.
According to locals, fighting has been continuing in major parts of the city, forcing many to remain indoors or flee the city for safer places.
An Afghan security force member checks a passenger at the entrance gate of Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 13, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)
The ongoing fighting in Ghazni city has paralyzed daily lives, as all the markets, shops and bazaar remained closed.
Promising to defeat militants in Ghazni city, Afghan Defense Minister General Tariq Shah Bahrami said Monday that 194 insurgents had been killed and the security forces would defeat the rebels to change the situation within the next 24 hours.
"Since Taliban attack on Ghazni city on Friday all the roads leading to the city have been closed and no one can escape the beleaguered city," another escaping man Azizullah, 45, told Xinhua.
Reaching in Maidan Shar, capital of Ghazni's neighboring Wardak province, the exhausted Azizullah said he now can take the "sigh of relief" since he is out of the battle ground.
"Nothing commendable over the past four days except killing and destruction and no bold action has been seen to evict Taliban from the city," Azizullah said.