Civilian casualties worry rights group

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): The Independent Human Rights Commission voiced concern over the swelling civilian casualties, saying security incidents over the past month had increased in the northern zone.

A statement from the human rights’ office in Mazar-i-Sharif said most victims of recent attacks in northern zone were civilians — with more than 70 civilians killed or wounded in dozens of mine explosions and gun attacks in the last one month.

The statement said four civilians were killed and 34 others injured during attacks in northern Jawzjan province.

On July 9th, 25 people, including 22 civilians, died or wounded in an explosion in Andkhoi port.

Another six people were killed and several others injured in blasts in front of health clinics in Charbolak district of northern Balkh and Sar-i-Pul provinces.

The commission denounced the recent suicide attack at a wedding ceremony in northern Samangan province, leaving about 20 people dead, including a prominent lawmaker and injuring 60 others.

The statement urged authorities to improve security in northern zone and take stern measures to prevent insurgency.  

A spokesman for the 303rd Pamir police zone, Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai, said they have accelerated efforts to stem insurgency in the northern zone.

Describing the suicide attack in Aibak city shocking, he said they have launched operations in northern Samangan province, where Taliban Amir Gul and four other rebels were killed.

The Taliban military centre, where remote-controlled bombs and suicide-vests were produced, was also destroyed and 12 rebels detained in the security operation in Dara-i-Souf district, said Ahmadzai.

Mm/vp