TALUQAN (SW) – The Taliban killed at least three protesters in Takhar's Khaja Ghar district agitating against an alleged rape committed by the insurgents, officials said on Monday.
The district police chief, Mohammad Ishaq told Salam Watandar that the incident took place when residents of the villages of Dobandi, Chicheke and Mingchqour protested against the non-prosecution of the Taliban insurgents involved in alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in the district.
According to him, the protesters called on the Taliban to execute the perpetrators of the rape in public, but the group opened fire on the protesters, killing three and wounding three others.
About two weeks ago, public sources and local officials in Takhar reported that Taliban members had raped a girl in the Khwaja Ghar district of the province.
They said four members of the Taliban entered the home of a man named "Khudai Noor Malang" at night and raped his daughter.
The district police chief added that the Taliban had prevented people from participating in the protests by moving their people through the streets of these villages.
But, a credible local government source in Khwaja Ghar district, who did not want to be named, said the reason for the protest was that four Taliban members accused of rape had not been arrested.
According to the source, the Taliban transferred the four men from Khawaja Ghar to another location.
The Taliban have not yet commented.
ENDS
