Soldiers, Abdullah bakers beat IEC staff

SHARAN/FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers beat up election staff and took away ballot boxes from a polling site in southeastern Paktika province on Friday, an official claimed.

Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief for Paktia Zabihullah Wagarai told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident took place in Barmal district. IEC staff was transferring election materials to polling stations when they were attacked by ANA commander Ayub.

In the same province, supporters of Dr. Abdullah Abdullah — with the connivance of ANA soldiers — attacked a religious school and the Melma Radio station in Orgun district.

Mohammadullah Himmat, director of the radio station, alleged around 50 supporters of Abdullah — backed by ANA soldiers — ransacked his office, thrashed workers and damaged equipment and furniture.

Zalmai, a senior police official in the district, confirmed the incident and said that ANA soldiers had been expelled from the area. Police were investigating the matter, he added.

Separately, two people including a police official were killed and six policemen injured in a landmine blast in western Farah province on Friday.

Abdul Rahim Haidari, the Pushtrod district chief, said that the victims were transferring election materials when the vehicle they were travelling in struck the roadside bomb.

rm/mud