Infighting among militants in Jawzjan causes civilian casualties

SHIBERGHAN/PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): At least three civilians have been killed and five others injured during infighting between Taliban factions in northeastern Jawzjan province, an official said on Monday.

Elsewhere, one militant was killed and four others were wounded during a clash in northern Baghlan province.

Police officer Col. Abdul Hafiz Khashi told Pajhwok Afghan News the civilian casualties occurred when the militants clashed over a piece of land in the Farwak Qala area of Murdian district on Sunday evening.

The insurgents managed to escape after the security forces arrived at the scene, Khashi said, adding the injured were evacuated to a healthcare centre in the district. One of the injured is in critical condition.

Mohammad Sharif, a resident of Farwak Qala, said that Taliban frequently clashed over land ownership. However, area residents did not anticipate the dispute would turn violent.

“If the problem is not resolved, the rebels will come again and create problems for the people after the security forces leave the area,” he continued. The Taliban are yet to comment on the incident.

Meanwhile, Maj. Sayed Sadullah, the 209^th Shaheen Military Corps commander, said 10 villages had been cleared of insurgents in the Doshi district of Baghlan during an operation.

He said one rebel was killed and four others were wounded during the operation jointly conducted by Afghan National Army (ANA) and police personnel. He did not provide information about security forces’ casualties.

However, the Taliban claimed in a statement on their website three policemen were killed and as many others wounded during the Baghlan operation.

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