JALALABAD (SW): Some two hundred homes belonging to the poor villagers in Nangarhar’s Pacheragam district have burnt down due to ragging violence.
Malik Ezat Khan, a local elder in this restive district told Salam Watandar that the civilians are caught in crossfire between the pro-Daesh rebels and the government forces. He noted that though latest figures about the casualties are not known but so far 13 civilians have been confirmed dead in the fighting. He affected areas are cut-off from rest of the province hence not much of information about the state of civilians is coming out.
The local elder has called upon the government to come for the rescue of the needy civilians. He also called for the need to liberate the abducted civilians presently under the captivity of the pro-Daesh militants.
Meanwhile, Mirbaz Khan, chief of the Pacheragam district, has asserted that the Afghan National Security and Defense (ANSDF) have managed to expel the militants from various parts of the district. He added that the pro-Daesh rebels are now mostly concentrated in the Upper Pacher areas. Mirbaz Khan mentioned that a number of locals who had left the area have now returned. About the overall casualties, the district chief said that a number of dead bodies have been found but, it some bodies are beyond recognition.
In a bid to stop the militants from returning, the government has planned to establish some 15 new check posts, and arm some 500 locals.
Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor told Salam Watandar that damage assessment is underway. He promised that the affected civilians would be compensated. Khogyani confirmed that some 17 civilians still remain under the custody of the pro-Daesh rebels while the rest have been liberated.
ENDS
