Protesting Khost youth ask govt to arrest Wadan’s killers

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Tens of youth and civil society activists on Tuesday closed the Governor Office gate against its employees in southeastern Khost province to protest continued targeted killings and magnetic bomb blasts.

Referring to the killing of Zia Wadan, spokesperson for the National Public Protection Enterprises Force (NPPEF), the protestors said influential individuals of the country were being targeted in these incidents.

Wadan was recently killed along with his two colleagues when a sticky bomb attached to his vehicle exploded in the Kart-e-Naw locality of capital Kabul.

Separately, 18 civilians were killed in an airstrike in Nimroz province two days earlier.

FaridullahQurban, one of the protesters, said they often called on the government to arrest perpetrators behind targeted attacks and punish them.

“The government does not hear the voices of people and youth. Our qualified and talented youth are being killed and the government only condemns these incidents,” he said.

Noorullah Shad, a lecturer at Sheikh Zayed University, called on the youth to stand against the ongoing violence and ask the warring parties to stop fighting.

“Our struggle will yield result when people raise their voice from Kandahar to Attock and stand against the ongoing massacre. Had the youth stood against the murder of Wadan in Kabul and other places, this would have shown our unity,” he believed.

During a meeting with protesters, Governor MohmandKatawazai pledged to convey the voice of Khost youth to the top leadership of the country and ensure serious investigation into Wadan’s killing.

“We lose youth like Wadan daily, this war is not ours and is waged for the interest of outsiders. I pledge to convey your message to the president to ensure justice for Wadan,” said Katawazai.

Nh/ma

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