KABUL (SW): The Afghan Army Chief and the country’s Defence Minister have resigned over Friday’s deadly assault on of the army’s headquarters that has led to the death of close to 140 soldiers.
In a statement issued by the Arg (Presidential Palace), President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has announced that the resignations of the Defence Minister Gen. Abdullah Habibi and the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Qadam Shah Shahim have been accepted, and the two have stepped down with immediate effect.
Shah Hussain Murtazawi, the President’s spokesman, told Salam Watandar that Gen. Habibi and Gen. Shahim resigned after the Taliban’s deadly attack on Afghan National Army (ANA) 209-Shaheen Corps headquarters in Balkh on Friday. General Momand Katawazai, Corps Commander of the 209-Shaheen Corps in Balkh is temporarily relieved of duty. Meanwhile, Gen. Tariq Shah Bahrami and General Sharif Yaftali are introduced as acting Minister of Defense and Army Chief of Staff respectively.
The death toll is feared to rise, but so far officials have confirmed the death of 140 soldiers while up to 100 more are wounded. Up to 10 Taliban fighters dressed as soldiers assisted by at least one infiltrator inside the 209-Shaheen Corps caused this havoc during the Friday prayers.
The country observed a day of mourning over this attack on Sunday.
ENDS
