MPs, elders from east demand strong action against Daesh

KABUL (Pajhwok): Lawmakers and tribal elders from eastern provinces on Thursday asked the government to take measures needed to improve security and prevent activities of militant groups, particularly of the Islamic State, in their provinces.

Wolesi Jirga Shahzada Shahid and Saleh Mohammad and from eastern Nuristan province Senator Abdul Latif and a number of tribal elders from these provinces attended a consultative meeting in Kabul.

Maulvi Shahzada Shahid said they were concerned about the worsening security situation in eastern provinces and that militant activities had created numerous problems for local residents.

He said in the past there were only Taliban militants involved in subversive activities, but now a new and more ruthless group called Daesh had emerged, which was involved in beheadings.

The lawmaker said the government should listen to the voices of people and make serious efforts at improving security in eastern provinces.

He said unknown and suspicious helicopters were making landing in Nangarhar and most recently in some districts of Kunar province, asking the government to investigate the issue in order people could know why the helicopters were making landing and to whom they belonged to.

Few days ago, lawmaker Haji Zahir Qadir, who controls an uprising group in Nangarhar, had told the lower house that unknown helicopters had been seen landing in the province and warned if these helicopters were seen again, his militia would target them.

The Ministry of Defence has appointed a delegation to investigate the issue. MP Hazrat Ali from Nangarhar told the gathering in Kabul that the people of the province were concerned about the landing of unknown helicopters. He said Daesh militants had unleashed harsh atrocities on people and the government should to act to protect them.

The lawmaker alleged western countries were supporting the Islamic State in Afghanistan.  “I was scared when it was announced in Brussels that Daesh has established its base in Afghanistan. At the time, I realised that budget has been approved for the outfit.”

But President Ashraf Ghani, when asked about concerns regarding Daesh during a press conference in Kabul on Thursday said his government was not silent in this regard.

The president called Daesh a national, regional and international threat and said 160 Daesh affiliates had been killed during the past three days. “Does it mean we are doing nothing?”

Tribal elders from eastern provinces, who attended the gathering in Kabul, also asked the government to take measures for improving security in their provinces.

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