ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan's National Resistance Front (NRF) on Wednesday released new footage on social media showing what it said were attacks on Taliban forces, as the armed opposition group sought to demonstrate an expanding insurgency beyond its traditional stronghold in Panjshir province.

The videos form part of the NRF's broader effort to publicize its operations as the Taliban regime continues to tighten control over Afghanistan, restrict independent media and dismiss the existence of organized armed resistance.

Formed by Ahmad Massoud in the weeks following the Taliban's capture of Kabul in August 2021, the NRF was initially portrayed by Taliban authorities as a defeated force confined to remote valleys in Panjshir.

Nearly four years later, however, the NRF and another anti-Taliban group, the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), claim to be carrying out operations across more than a dozen provinces. According to statements issued by the groups, the attacks include ambushes on Taliban patrols and targeted strikes against commanders and intelligence personnel.

The latest footage follows a series of claims by the NRF that it conducted six attacks during June in Kabul, Herat, Badakhshan and Baghlan provinces.

According to the group's statements, those operations killed or wounded 18 Taliban members. The claims could not be independently verified.

In a statement posted on X, the NRF said:

"The forces of the National Resistance Front carry out their targeted attacks in various parts of the country to liberate the people and the country from the illegitimate rule of the terrorist group Taliban."

Beyond its military campaign, the NRF has increasingly commented on political and social developments, positioning itself as an alternative to Taliban rule.

The latest resistance activity comes as Afghanistan faces growing international criticism over the Taliban's human rights record.

Last month, Taliban authorities moved to prevent planned protests in Herat, deploying heavily armed security forces after an earlier demonstration against tightening restrictions on women was violently dispersed, according to AFP.

The deployment followed a morality police crackdown during which dozens of women were arrested for allegedly violating the Taliban's dress requirements.

United Nations experts later said at least two people were killed and more than 20 injured when security forces confronted protesters. Taliban authorities denied using weapons during the demonstration.

Despite repeated claims of attacks by resistance groups, Taliban officials continue to deny the existence of any organized armed opposition and rarely comment on specific incidents claimed by the NRF or other anti-Taliban factions.

The latest videos underscore the NRF's continuing effort to challenge that narrative, using both armed operations and public messaging to project its presence across Afghanistan while the Taliban seeks to maintain its grip on power through an increasingly restrictive security apparatus.

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Taliban face growing armed resistance as NRF expands attacks across Afghanistan

Taliban face growing armed resistance as NRF expands attacks across Afghanistan