KANDAHAR CITY (SW): Hundreds of Zabul residents have blocked the Kabul-Kandahar highway while protesting against night raids by the security forces.
The protestors gathered in the Shahr-e-Safa district, and blocked the key road link between the capital Kabul and southern parts of the country. Mohammad Hashim, a member of the provincial council, said on the occasion the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are taking away civilians with them in the night raids. He claimed a number of elders, young men and boys were taken away by the ANSF from the province for investigations, and were tortured.
The protestors have claimed to keep the highway blocked until the authorities listen to their demands.
Meanwhile, Gul Islam, spokesman for the provincial governor, has vowed the matter would be resolved peacefully. He told Salam Watandar the night raids are conducted by the ANSF in consultation with the local elders.
In Kandahar, the security officials have discarded the allegations of torture. Zia Durrani, spokesman for the provincial police department, has acknowledged night raids against the militants, but rejected allegations about persecuting the civilians. Zia added five key militant commanders were arrested from a house in Zabul a while ago.
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