General Qadam Shah Shahim, Chief of Staff of the National Resistance Front (NRF), has confirmed that the group’s military forces are present in various regions across Afghanistan.

Speaking to Afghanistan International, Shahim referred to recently circulated images of Khalid Amiri and Hasib Panjshiri, two prominent NRF commanders, in a mountainous area dressed in military uniforms and carrying combat gear.

“This is an instance of our forces’ presence inside Afghanistan,” Shahim said, emphasising the continued resistance against Taliban control.

In a video shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Hasib Panjshiri declared, “Our country is under the occupation of the terrorist Taliban.” He added, “We will continue our struggle to reclaim our land from the grip of this criminal group. We firmly believe in achieving victory.”

The statement coincided with a recent announcement from the NRF claiming responsibility for a targeted operation in Dara district of Panjshir province. According to the group, 13 Taliban fighters were killed and four others wounded during an attack around 9:00 p.m. on Friday, 17 May. The operation also resulted in the destruction of Taliban weapons and equipment.

Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion that night, with one source telling Afghanistan International that the Taliban had converted a tribal elder’s home into a military base, which was the site of the blast.

The Taliban has not commented on the reported incident.

The NRF, led by Ahmad Massoud, remains the most prominent organised armed opposition to Taliban rule, regularly claiming attacks in Panjshir and other northern provinces.