Sangin incident being dealt with legally: Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani on Monday said those responsible for the mortar shelling on a wedding party in southern Helmand province would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Ghani said this to elders and relatives of the victims through a video conference, a statement from the Presidential Palace said.

Several mortar rounds blamed on Afghan military hit a house where a wedding party was being held in the Sangin district on Wednesday, killing 21 guests, including the bride, and injuring 45 others.

Six ANA troops have been detained in connection with the shelling and two of them are facing a court marshal.

Speaking to family members of the victims, Ghani ordered the delegation he had sent to Helmand for investigation to thoroughly probe the incident and utilise all available resources for treatment of the injured persons.

He said if necessary critically wounded persons be shifted to well-equipped hospitals outside Helmand province.

Ghani asked the investigation team to probe the incident in close cooperation with local security and judicial officials before a legal action was initiated against the perpetrators.

“I prefer following rules and regulations and I am awaiting the result of the investigation.”

After the incident, Sangin residents reached Lashkargah and staged a protest demonstration in front of the governor’s house, calling for a government probe into the shelling.

hs/ma