"LIONS of Panjshir" resistance fighters have "seized three provinces from the Taliban" fuelling hopes of a crushing fightback.

       A news outlet released fresh footage of the resistance fighters conducting military drills and walking through mountain ranges ahead of their bloody battle with the Taliban.

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       'Lions of Panjshir' resistance fighters have reportedly seized three provinces from the Taliban 5

       The Panjshir Valley is regarded as an impenetrable natural fortress

       Aamaj News reports that Dara, Abshar and Paryan districts have fallen back into the hands of the National Resistance Front (NRF) but that the situation for civilians is "catastrophic".

       It comes as a journalist covering the conflict in Afghanistan said the resistance had "taken up positions in the mountains and gorges".

       Radio Free Europe's Frud Bezhan tweeted on Friday: "Fighting is ongoing in Panjshir, last pocket of resistance to Taliban rule in #Afghanistan.

       "Taliban control main town and main road in the valley.

       "Resistance has taken up positions in the mountains and gorges, and are attacking static Taliban positions."

       The brave freedom fighters face dwindling supplies as the Taliban encircle the valley and cut off all communication links, leaving the resistance to rely on fickle air-supplies, the journalist said.

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       He continued: "Thousands of residents in Panjshir evicted from their homes in villages and towns.

       "Taliban using homes as shelter, cover, and points from which to fire at resistance fighters.

       "Growing reports of Taliban rounding up men — elderly and underage boys — and killing civilians."

       The Taliban raised their flag over the final resistance stronghold as they declared a "crushing" victory last week.

       Thousands of militants took part in a fierce assault in Panjshir province, the highly symbolic last region holding out against their ruthless Taliban regime.

       Jihadis previously seized four of the area's seven districts, including provincial capital Bazarak, from anti-Taliban forces known as the Lions of Panjshir following days of bloody battle.

       The region, 80 miles north of Kabul, was the final territorial obstacle standing in the way of the Taliban announcing a government.

       On September 6, a spokesman for the group, Zabihullah Mujahid, issued a statement saying the area had been "completely conquered" and a "number of people" were killed while the "rest fled".

       At a press conference in Kabul, he said: "We tried our best to solve the problem through negotiations, and they rejected talks and then we had to send our forces to fight."

       However, claims of the region's fall have been denied by opposition alliance the NRF.

       It said: "The Taliban's claim of occupying Panjshir is false.

       "The NRF forces are present in all strategic positions across the valley to continue the fight.

       "We assure the people of Afghanistan that the struggle against the Taliban and their partners will continue until justice and freedom prevails."

       Panjshir province - which also resisted Soviet occupation 40 years ago - had been regarded as an impenetrable natural fortress.

       The Taliban hadn't previously breached the 60-mile valley over the course of the past 26 years.

       The "Lions of Panjshir" are in part led by Ahmad Massoud, the son of a legendary freedom fighter known as "The Lion" who defended the valley in the 80s and 90s.

       And along with them is Amrullah Saleh, the former vice president of Afghanistan, who declared himself the country's rightful leader as decreed by the constitution.

       "There is no doubt we are in a difficult situation. We are under invasion by the Taliban," he said in a video message to the BBC.

       He added: "We will not surrender, we are standing for Afghanistan."

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       Freedom fighters have taken up positions in the mountains 5

       The freedom fighters still enjoy a level of support from Afghans Credit: Getty 5

       Taliban fighters celebrate as they declared a 'crushing' victory in Panjshir last week

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