Afghans rise up against Taliban rule as resistance fighters continue to hold Panjshir Valley

Protesters have taken to the streets of Kabul, many of them women, to demonstrate against the Taliban's control in Afghanistan.

The face of the resistance movement in the country, Ahmad Massoud, called on Afghans to "rise up" and "resist" the insurgents in any way they can.

Massoud is leading anti-Taliban forces in the Panjshir Valley - the last holdout against the Taliban.

His National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) has said it will stand with the nation "until reaching freedom" in the country.

Protesters also chanted against Pakistan and the alleged close ties of the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency with the Taliban.

Many critics said the Pakistani military was directly involved with the ongoing military operation against the resistance front in Panjshir Valley.Video captured by a Kabul resident, who preferred to stay anonymous for security reasons, showed protesters fleeing amid the sound of heavy gunfire.According to media reports and eyewitnesses, Taliban forces had fired warning shots to disperse the crowd.

Footage posted by Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary purports to show the Taliban beating women with sticks.

Meanwhile on Monday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement saying Panjshir was under the full control of the Taliban.Resistance forces denied the claim and said fighting in the valley was still going on.The Panjshir Valley, a natural fortress surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountains north of Kabul, has for decades been a bastion of resistance against Soviets and the Taliban.

Western forces left Afghanistan on August 31 following a mass evacuation mission to get vulnerable Afghans and their own troops to safety.

Many people desperate to flee still remain the country.