TALOQAN (Pajhwok): A provincial council member was among three people killed during an armed clash with an illegal militia group in northeastern Takhar province on Wednesday, police said.
Takhar police spokesman Col. Abdul Khalil Asir told Pajhwok Afghan News the clash took place in the bazaar of Darqad district between illegal gunmen and the provincial council member, Ainuddin, at about 1pm.
The clash left Ainuddin and two illegal gunmen dead, Asir said, suspecting an old enmity behind the incident. He said a investigation team had been sent to the area.
Local residents said police and civilians had also suffered casualties as a result of the clash. A resident, Qumandan Halim, told Pajhwok Afghan News the crossfire killed three illegal gunmen, three civilians, Ainuddin and his four guards. He said Ainuddin was killed by gunmen loyal to an illegal armed group leader Zaman Garg Ali, a key commander of Mullah Pir Maqul.
Ainuddin was the only foe of Maqul, a former Wolesi Jirga member and leader of a private militia in the district. The two sides had previously clashed as well.
But security officials did not confirm the involvement of Pir Maqul in the incident, pending an investigation.
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