ZABUL(SW):Authorities in southern Zabul province has said fighting between the Taliban and pro-Daesh rebels have entered fourth day and has claimed some 94 lives so far.
According to Ghulam Jilani Farahi, provincial director of security, 30 militants died on Saturday alone.
He said fighting was underway in Khak-e-Afghan, Dai Chopan and Arghandab districts.
He added that 50 pro-Daesh militants and 14 Taliban died on Sunday. The militant groups have not said anything over the fighting.
Members of the provincial council confirmed reports about the fighting.
Fauzia Kakar, a provincial council member expressed concerns over security in the province. She said local officials have been approached to address these concerns. Abdul Aziz Ikrami, spokesman for the Independent Human Rights Commission in southern zone, said in this regard that often such fighting leave devastating impacts on civilians.
He called upon both sides to ensure civilian’s safety. Zabul’s Khak-e-Afghan district and parts of Arghandab and Dai Chopan districts have been under the Taliban’s influence for the past eight years now. This is the first time the militants have waged war against each other.
On Saturday, spokesman for the provincial governor claimed that actually two groups of Taliban, one belonging to Mullah Dadullah Mansoor and the other to Mullah Akhtar Mansoor were engaged in the fighting.
Daesh rebels beheads passengers
Ghulam Jilani Farahi, provincial director security has claimed that the pro-Daesh rebels have beheaded seven passengers including three women and four men who were kidnapped from Gilan district in Ghazni a while ago.
He said the dead bodies have been shifted to a local hospital in Arghandab district. Khaliqdad Akbari, head of provincial council in Ghazni and Zafar Sharif, Jagori district chief too have confirmed the incident. Khaliqdad said some 17 passengers have been kidnapped by the pro-Daesh rebels this year.
He added that fate of 10 abducted passengers was still unknown. He noted that an abducted woman has managed to escape pro-Daesh rebels and was now under Taliban’s custody.
ENDS
