KABUL (SW) – Hundreds of Kabul residents marched overnight to protest against the Taliban attack on Jaghori, Malistan and Khas Uruzgan districts.
Protesters, whose numbers reached hundreds, called for security in these three districts. Protesters staged a demonstration close to the Arg (presidential palace). Similar protests were staged in Balkh, Bamyan and Ghazni provinces demanding the government to save the lives of the citizens.
The protesters demanded of aerial operations against rebels in all three districts to clear the districts of the Taliban, providing aid to the victims, setting up security checkpoints along the roads, building permanent facilities in central areas, and implementing the president's previous promises.
They said that if the government does not address their demands, they will expand the protests. The protesters were joined by the Kabul University students as well.
Meanwhile, the army chief, Gen. Mohammad Sharif Yaftali, said at a news conference in Kabul today that the Taliban were defeated by the security forces in the Malistan district and forced out from the district centre. According to him, security and defence forces are present in the district to defend the people, and today, air operations would commence against the Taliban positions.
The army chief said that 40 special forces of the NDS and 35 special forces of the army have been sent to the district of Jaghori, Ghazni province.
Meanwhile, Murad Ali Murad, commander of the Garrison of Kabul, told the protesters that the president has ordered the operation to clear the Jaghori and Malistan districts of the Taliban. The security forces would stay there to ensure security, he added. He promised to resign from his post if the government failed to address the peoples’ concerns. He also promised the president will speak with protesters through the media.
Taliban attacked Khas Uruzgan district a few weeks ago, killing and injuring 63 civilians during the conflict. Taliban attacks on Jaghori district began six days ago, and the government sent a limited number of commando forces to the fronts, 10 of whom were killed along with 15 civilians in the Taliban's attack yesterday.
ENDS
