Daily Security Brief: December 29, 2011

FARYAB: Taliban militants blew up a school in the Qaisar district of northwestern Faryab province, officials said on Thursday.

The bomb attack happened in the Chichakto village, police spokesman, Syed Masood, told Pajhwok Afghan News. The school building was destroyed by the explosion that caused no casualties.  

District chief, Mohammad Siddiqui Hamid, said the school had been built by the education ministry four years ago. The rebels had sneaked into the district from Kandahar and Badghis, he added.

Education Director Ghulam Sakhi confirmed all classrooms, a laboratory, a library, furniture and other equipment of the school were destroyed.

—Ortaq

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HELMAND: A seven-member militant group joined the peace process in the Taliban-infested Nad Ali district of southern Helmand province on Thursday, officials said.

The group had been active in the Shana village over the last few years, provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Muhammad Hakim Angar told Pajhwok Afghan News.  

It was the attitude of security forces that led the individuals to renounce violence, said the police chief, who had come to Nad Ali to attend the surrender ceremony.

The Helmand peace committee chief, Mualim Shah Wali, said they had been in contact with the militants for some time and they finally opted for laying down their arms.

He promised the militants would be provided jobs. “We don’t call Taliban our enemies, but they are in fact our annoyed brothers,” Wali remarked.

He was transferred to the district three months ago for holding peace talks with militants, said the district police chief, 1^st Lt. Omer Jan Haqmal, who expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations.

Amanullah, the rebel commander, said he had joined militancy some years ago due to the unfair approach of local and foreign forces.

Pakistan-based elements had convinced him to join Taliban ranks, said another man named Ghazi, who pledged support to the Afghan government under all circumstances.

mas/mud

PAKTIA: Five people were killed and another 17 injured during a gunbattle between two rival families over a land dispute in southeastern Paktia province on Thursday, officials said.

The incident took place in the morning in Dandi Patan district, the governor’s spokesman Roohullah Samoon told Pajhwok Afghan News. Police had cordoned off the area and both sides had been disarmed, he said.

But provincial council chief, Khaista Jan Ahadi, put the toll at eight dead and 21 injured. Tribal elders and security forces were able stop the fire exchange triggered by a dispute over 25 acres of land.

—Daud Tapan

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