GARDEZ (SW) – Thousands of families have been displaced by the raging violence in Zurmat district of Paktia province.
A number of residents of Zurmat district of Paktia province held at a protest rally in Gardez, the provincial capital, and expressed concerns about the growing insecurity in the district and the threat posed by Taliban insurgents.
They added that Taliban have warned people to leave the area, because they have planted landmines along the main and secondary roads in the district.
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Saberi Zurmati, a tribal elder and Saifullah, a resident of the district, told Salam Watandar that the Taliban fighters had blocked the main and secondary roads and that families had been forced to move to Gardez and other areas. They call on the government to help reopen the highways and take steps to ensure security. “All the people of Zurmat district are deprived of everything, they cannot go to the hospital, they are facing a shortage of food, they are scared and they cannot leave their homes”, said Saberi.
“The roads are in terrible state, and are littered with landmines. All the people have fled the district and their homes are left for the rebels who are looting people’s property. Zurmat is in poor condition, with clinics, schools and shops closed. People have abandoned their property and have escaped to save their lives”, Saifullah said.
Meanwhile, Paktia officials say security forces have launched a joint operation and the area will soon be cleared of the Taliban.
Paktia Governor Mohammad Halim Fadai said preparations for an operation against the Taliban had begun in Zurmat and other districts, and dozens of Taliban, including foreign fighters, have been killed.
However, officials from the Paktia Department of Refugees and Returnees say thousands of families have been displaced from Zurmat district.
ENDS
