KANDAHAR CITY (SW): Residents of restive Nesh and Ghorak districts in Kandahar province have said latest spate of fighting has inflicted heavy losses upon them.
Fighting between the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the Taliban are underway in these districts for more than a week now. A number of war-weary families from these districts have moved to the provincial capital Kandahar City to seek shelter. In conversation with the Salam Watandar, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) said they were faced with deadly circumstances that compelled them to leave their homes.
Juma Khan, one of the IDPs urged upon the government to ensure peace and stability in Nesh and Ghorak districts so that the displaced families can go back to their homes. Khan said he has lost five members of his family to the ragging violence.
Abdul Aziz Karimi, director publications at the provincial chapter of the Independent Human Rights Commission (IHRC) said in this regard both sides in this conflict should respect the rights of the civilian population, and should ensure measures for the safety of the civilians.
When contacted, Samim Khpalwak, spokesman for the provincial governor informed that the Taliban militants’ assaults on Nesh and Ghorak districts have led to the death of 23 civilians. He asserted that up to 40 Taliban militants and 12 Afghan National Police (ANP) men have died while 8 more ANP men are wounded due to the fighting so far.
The Taliban, on the other hand claimed to have overrun up to 10 security check posts. In a message sent to the media, the Taliban denied killing civilians. Spokesman of the Kandahar governor however, underlined that the ANSF have conducted a ‘tactical retreat’ and are in full control of the situation.
ENDS
