ALP commander among 10 killed in Jawzjan clash

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): A police commander and his wife were among 10 others killed during a clash between governmental forces and the Taliban in Darzab district of northwestern Jawzjan province, officials said Saturday.

Brig Gen. Rahmatullah Turkistani, the provincial police chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News insurgents staged a coordinated attack on a mosque, where a number of Afghan Local Police (ALP) were busy offering Friday prayers, in Sardara village of the district.

A clash erupted between the ALP personnel and rebels after Shah Mohammad Karata, an ALP commander, was along with his four associates killed during the assault, he said, adding four Taliban fighters were also killed and six others wounded in the retaliatory firing.

According to him, four members of the ALP had been so far killed since yesterday till now and both the sides were at their positions. “Insurgents also killed the Shah Mohammad’s wife and have handed over her body to local people.”

He said insurgents from Jawzjan, Faryab and Sar-i-Pul provinces had come together to carry out the attack. Fresh troops were set to be deployed through choppers to the site for ensuring security, he added.

However, Faiz Mohammad, a local resident, said ALP abandoned the village paving the way for Taliban to take control. About 12 ALP service members had been so far killed since yesterday, he said. “In addition to Commander Shah Mohammad, Commander Naeem and Commander Zaman have also been killed.”

He said people were worried about the situation and the government had so far taken no step to resolve the problem.

Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesman, during a statement claimed Commander Naeem and Commander Shah Mohammad were killed by their fighters. He said the group was currently in control of Sardara village.

He alleged the fighters had seized dozens of weapons from ALP personnel. He said nothing about insurgents’ casualties.

Sardara village is situated eight kilometers south of Darzab district where ALP forces have established check points.

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