US forces, AIHRC probing Khost drone strike

KABUL/KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Senior presidential advisor Ziaul Haq Amarkhel and ex-president Hamid Karzai have slammed the latest drone strike in southeastern Khost province.

On the other hand, US forces say they are probing allegations that five members of a family were killed as a result of the raid in Alisher district on Friday night.

Amarkhel tweeted that such attacks amounted to cruelty and violation of international humanitarian norms.

Meanwhile, Karzai slammed the drone strike as an inhuman act, a crime against humanity and oppression of the Afghan nation.

He once again called for an immediate end to military operations against the Afghan people.

Karzai called on the warring parties to hold intra-Afghan talks to establish durable peace and stability in the country.

Kabul-based US forces’ media office also confirmed the airstrike. However, it denied civilian casualties and said three Taliban fighters had been killed.

It said they were aware of the claims and investigating the incident together with local officials.

But Haidar Jan Naeemzai, a Kuchi representative in Wolesi Jirga, insisted five members of a family were killed in the drone strike.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News the victims hailed from the Kuchi tribe and he knew them. Naeemzai also shared the victims’ names with Pajhwok.

The victims were identified as Malalai, daughter of Noorajan, Malano, daughter of Gulchi, Noor Bibi, daughter of Khatol, Noor Jan, son of Mangoee, and driver Mullah Nabi, son of Eid Gul.

Shukrullah Mashkoor, spokesman for Afghanistan Independent Human Right Commission (AIHRC), told Pajhwok the panel had launched an investigation into the incident.

He added a team of the commission had reached the spot.

Jan Mir Zazai, a member of the provincial council, verified four members of a family were killed in the tragic incident.

He added the dead included three women and a man, as well as the driver, with possible links to the Taliban.

The family came under attack on its way back from the Al-Madina private clinic.

Aminullah, in charge of the clinic, told Pajhwok it was 9:45pm when a pregnant woman was brought in by her father-in-law. The woman’s mother-in-law, a nine-year-old girl and a driver also accompanied her.

He added the family was discharged from hospital at around 11:30pm. He added they came to know in the morning that they had come under drone strike.

Gul Marjan, Kochi council head, told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident took place in Alisher district.

He said the civilians came under drone attack while heading home from a local hospital after the birth of a baby. He claimed three women, two men and the baby were killed.

Deputy police chief Najibullah Ainee confirmed the attack but did not go into details.

Talib Mangal, the governor’s spokesman, said an investigation was underway into the strike and details would be shared with the media later on.

sa/mud

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