2 killed as commandos take over Qaisari’s residence

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Two gunmen loyal to detained militia leader Nizamuddin Qaisari were killed and three other wounded during a clash with commando forces in this capital city of northern Faryab province last night.

Junbish Milli Islami party official in Faryab told Pajhwok the clash broke out after the commando forces arrived to capture the house of Qaisari, who is close to Vice-President Abdul Rashid Dostum.

The Afghan National Army’s Shaheen Military Corps said nothing in this regard, but police sources confirmed the commandos had captured the house of Qaisari in Maimana. Qaisari’s house is located near the airport and the military’s first battalion.

Qaisari was arrested by commando forces and shifted him to Kabul four days ago after he threatened high ranking security officials during a security meeting.

His arrest sparked protests that gripped the provincial capital as the protestors set fire to vehicles and parts of the governor’s house. One protestor was killed and six other wounded in firing by security forces.

The protests have spread to neighboring Jawzjan, Sar-i-Pul, Balkh and Takhar provinces. In order to ease the tension, a high level delegation from Kabul yesterday arrived in Maimana and met with tribal elders, religious scholars and civil society activists.

The meeting decided to call off the protests until security threats in the province were addressed and those violating the decision would be dealt with legally.

A day earlier, Ministry of Defense acting spokesman Mohammad Radmensh said Qaisari was among three militia leaders whose dossiers had been sent to the Attorney General’s Office.

Deputy presidential spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi said Qaisari was arrested following people’s complaints and his behavior with government departments.

But the Junbish party said Qaisari’s detention was a government’s plot.

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