SECURITY — April 1, 2026
Taliban Authorities Reopen Alternative Road to Nuristan's Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal Districts
Taliban authorities are reopening an alternative road to Nuristan's Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal districts after Pakistani forces fired on vehicles, closing main routes. Governor Zain-ul-Abidin Abid denied rumors of Pakistani territorial seizures and confirmed Taliban presence in the areas.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
Taliban authorities have begun reopening an alternative road connecting Parun to Kamdesh district in Nuristan province after main routes to Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal districts were closed when Pakistani forces fired on vehicles.
Nuristan Governor Zain-ul-Abidin Abid, in an interview published by the Taliban Ministry of Interior on X on the 11th of Hamal, denied rumors that Pakistani forces had seized Afghan territory in the two districts, calling the claims propaganda. He confirmed that Taliban officials and forces remain stationed in both Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal.
The alternative route via the Peprok Kandu pass was constructed last year and is now being cleared by Taliban teams, Abid said.
On the 7th of Hamal, the Taliban's 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps transported journalists to Barg-i-Matal by helicopter, according to the governor.
Abid also addressed complaints from locals about food shortages and difficulties accessing medical care due to the road closures.
Separately, tribal elders and residents from Nuristan met with Khalid Hanafi of the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue in Kabul, urging the urgent reopening of roads to address shortages and enable patient transport for treatment.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source with direct on-record attribution from named Nuristan governor Zain-ul-Abidin Abid via official Taliban Ministry of Interior publication on X, plus concrete details including specific roads (Peprok Kandu pass), dates (7th/11th Hamal), locations, helicopter transport by named corps, and meeting with named official Khalid Hanafi.
The source language reads straight.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
Taliban officials are reportedly working on an alternative route via <strong>Paprok Kotal</strong> yet progress remains slow amid ongoing security concerns. Political activists have publicly urged the de facto Afghan authorities to intervene immediately and ...
- Afghanistan’s Nuristan Residents Demand Reopening of Roads Blocked by Pakistan - Khaama Presskhaama.com
According to a statement from the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, participants in the meeting asked for immediate attention to their problems, especially the reopening of transport routes linking the isolated districts to the rest of the province. The meeting was attended by Taliban minister Khalid Hanafi and the Taliban governor of Nuristan.
- Residents Urge Government to Stop Pakistani Militia Attacks in Nuristan - شمشاد نیوزshamshadnews.com
We call on the government and leaders to pay attention and reopen the roads as soon as possible.” · With the reopening of the <strong>Paprook route</strong>, residents of these districts will temporarily be able to connect to Parun, the provincial center ...
- Taliban Denies Reports of Nuristan Districts Falling to Pakistani Forces – AtlasPress News Agencyatlaspress.news
Officials from the 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps of the Taliban administration in eastern Afghanistan have dismissed reports claiming the fall of parts of Nuristan province and control by Pakistani forces over these areas. According to them, security forces remain stationed in their positions in Kamdish and Bargamatal districts, and the situation is under control.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Afghanistan International
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Security — Taliban, Nuristan, Kamdesh, Barg-i-Matal, Pakistan
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