Nuristan residents protest civilian deaths in airstrike

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The residents of Want Waigal district in eastern Nuristan province on Sunday staged protest against a last month’s airstrike that killed six civilians.

On June 28, foreign forces targeted a house in Daigal locality where some civilians and armed rebels had come together to inquire after the health of an injured militant.

Provincial authorities had acknowledged the airstrike killed 11 people including six foreign militants, but the provincial council members and residents claimed the dead included six civilians.

Some residents of the Want Waigal protested against the airstrike on Sunday, demanding investigation into the incident and punishment for the perpetrators.

Lawmaker Mualvi Ahmadullah said the residents of Want Waigal staged their protest against the killing of civilians.

But district chief Mohammad Ismael said the protest was part of lawmaker Ahmadullah’s election campaign.

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