In Nangarhar, Daesh strengthens its chokehold on Achin

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Internally displaced persons (IDS) from the Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province say Daesh– also known by its Arabic acronym of Islamic State— fighters from their homes. The militants have allegedly occupied their houses.

Local officials acknowledged Daeshfighters from the Tirah valley of Pakistan’s Khyber region have crossed the Durand Line, expelling locals from their houses in Mamond, Abdul Khel and Pekhi areas of Achin.

Hundreds of displaced families from the district asked the government to assist with the people. More than 600 families have been displaced from the remote areas of the district, the Achin district chief, Haji Ghalib Mujahid, said.

IDPs

Five displaced families have been living in a ruined house in the vicinity of the district headquarters.Zarojana, 65, is one of the IDPs whose son has been beheaded by Daesh, which has also released a video clip of the grisly incident.

“We have been suffering from the cruelty of brutal people; we have shifted to the district centre, but my son was ruthlessly murdered,” Zarjana told Pajhwok Afghan News.

A border police employee, her son had come home in Mamond area on leave, where Daesh captured him. A few days ago, he was put to death by the captors, she said, adding although relatives did not show her the video. But finally, she watched it.

She remained unconscious for one hour during the interview. Her family members were not ready to talk to media due to Daesh fear.Mamond, Abdulkhel, Pekha, Bandar, Sapari, Pekhe Khwar and dozens of other villages have been under Daesh’s control over the past six months.

“The IDPs need assistance, so we ask the central government to send them assistance,” the Achin district chief said.

A displaced man, Fateh Gul, 62, whose son was beheaded in front of his family by Daesh, was overwhelmed by emotions while talking to this scribe. His woebegone tale brought dozens, including local officials, to tears.

Fear

There border police checkpoints in Abdulkhel and Pekhi Khwar areas but doors to nearby houses stay closed. An eerie silence has fallen on the neighbourhood. Many families have left their houses while the rest have to pay money to Daesh.

A soldier at the checkpoint points to another hill, saying the posts there are manned by Daesh fighters. But he refused to give an interview due to fear from the insurgents.

“Our soldiers are equipped with sophisticate weapons and have the capability of maintaining security in the area,” claims the district chief, Mujahid.

Education

The security situation and frequent clashes have affected education in the Shinwari zone districts.Six schools have been closed in Mamond and Abdulkhel areas of Achin.

Education officer Taj Mohammad Shinwari says they have been shifting students to schools in peaceful areas. Resident of Shadal area, Samandar Khan, says seven school have been closed only in Pekhi and Abdulkhel areas. Children of nearby areas have also stopped going to school.

Healthcare

In addition to schools, some health facilities have also been closed in the district.A doctor on duty at the Achin health centre, Abdul Samad, says four facilities have been shut in different areas.

“Doctors at the clinics are working in hospitals because the number of patients has drastically increased,” he adds.

Governance

A former district chief for Batikot and Dara-i-Noor districts, he was recently appointed as administrative head for Achin. People’s access to government officials has increased, civil society activist Shan Bacha Shinwari, who asked the provincial administration to pay attention to the Achin, assist the displaced people and conduct search operation in the district.

Other people of the area also asked for extensive operations in militancy-plagued areas to facilitate good governance in the district.

The district chief acknowledges Daesh run three prisons in the district and controlled some areas too. The question whether Daesh targets civilians or ordinary people are being killed by their rivals Taliban remains unanswered.

myn/mud