Presence of Foreign Terrorist Groups in Sar-e-Pol Province

Local officials in Sar-e-Pol province expressed concern over presence of foreign terrorist groups in the province. They asserted that leader of the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan led by the son of Tahir Yuldashev have started recruitings in border areas of Jowzjan and Sar-e-Pol.  Mohammad Zaher Wahdat, governor of Sar-e-Pol, told media today that security forces are fighting armed anti-government militants in districts of the province. He further stated that foreign terrorists have also presence in parts of the province and armed anti-government oppositions are actively operating throughout the province. The governor added that some factions of Taleban have owed allegiance to Daesh militants. Earlier security official in Sar-e-Pol had complained of insecurity in the province and accused the central government of lack of support to the local government.