SHARANA (SW): The Governor of south eastern Paktika province has affirmed the cross border movement of suspected militants in armored vehicles from Pakistan.
Abdul Karim Matin told the Salam Watandar in an exclusive interview that even the women companions of the militants were seen carrying arms. He said the militants have passed through various Paktika districts on their way to the other parts of the country.
The governor added that these suspected men have setup temporary camps equipped with power generators. He further noted the men have paid local shopkeepers in dollars in return for the goods of their need. The groups have been described better equipped and organized compared to the Taliban.
“We informed the National Security Council about it months ago but there is no action so far, our provincial security forces have no way to engage them”, he said.
Meanwhile, Afsar Khan, Speaker for the Provincial Council, believed the groups were associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) also known as Daesh.
The NSC however, argued that only members of the displaced families from the neighboring North Waziristan have entered Afghanistan. Hundreds of families left their homes following the ongoing military offensive by the Pakistan Army in this restive tribal belt.
ENDS
