TALUQAN (SW) – Armed men associated with two illegally armed gangs on the main Takhar – Badakhshan highway have thrashed the stranded passengers.
A number of stranded passengers told Salam Watandar fight between armed men associated with two illegal armed commanders, Qomandan Barzo and Saifuddin, has resulted in closure of the main highway in the Kalafgan area of Takhar and physical abuse of passengers.
Two such stranded passengers, Shafiq and Mujeeb, told SW the men associated with Qomandan Barzo severely beat passengers who wished to travel by foot due to closure of the highway for traffic.
According to the local officials the highway was closed in protest against Saifuddin – associated with the Hezb-e-Islami – who allegedly opened fire on men associated with Qomandan Barzo. Five men got injured and one woman got killed in this incident.
The district governor has said Qomandan Barzo has a gang of some 100 armed men.
Khalil Aseer, spokesman for the police headquarters, has confirmed three residents of Badakhshan have been beaten by the protesters.
ENDS
