Heratis worried about growing insecurity in 10 districts

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Public representatives and residents of western Herat province on Saturday said they were deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in 10 districts of the province.

They claimed a number of Taliban militants and security forces had recently suffered causalities in clashes in Gulran, Kushki Kohna, Farsi, Adraskan, Chasht-i-Sharif, Pashton Zarghon, Obe, Shindad, Rabat Sangi and Zawal districts.

Wakil Ahmad Karkhi, a member of the Provincial Council, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Rabat Sangi district was under threat of being captured by Taliban militants after overrunning some security check-posts. He said some security personnel were martyred in attacks on their check-points.

He urged the authorities concerned to take urgent measures to clear the district of militants.

Ghulam Habib Hashimi, another PC member, told Pajhwok, “You know our country is in crisis and the ongoing insecurity in Herat has political reasons like the peace process, creating interim government and elections.”

He said militants were taking advantage of the government’s inside gaps and thus had advanced in Herat districts.

Jawad Amid, a civil society activist, expressed his deep concern over the ongoing security situation in the province and linked it to shortage of security forces.

He said insecurity in neighboring provinces had reached to Herat city, the provincial capital.

A number of other residents held similar views and urged the government to pay strong attention to the province security.

Meanwhile, Jilani Farhad, the governor’s spokesman, confirmed the complaints but said the government was in strong control of the mentioned districts.

pk/ma