Army chief in Kandahar asks Taliban not to target civilians

KANDAHAR (Pajhwok): Army Chief Gen. Mohammad Yasin Zia has asked the Taliban not to target civilians and public welfare facilities but those fighting against them.

Gen. Yasin Zia expressed these views in Arghandab district of southern Kandahar province where security forces have launched a widespread operation against the Taliban.

The army chief said he visited Arghandab district along with General Shafiqullah Rasoolzai, chief of 205 Atal Military Corps and General Tadin Khan, Kandahar Police chief, to observe areas which had been cleared of Taliban’s presence.

He said the purpose of their visit was to observe the security situation and support security forces in Kandahar province.

He urged the Taliban to avail the peace opportunity and put the current war to an end.

“Insurgent groups should stop luring children into the war, we are the real protectors, defendants and Mujahideen of Afghanistan,” he added.

Zia said why the Taliban were targeting civilians and public facilities instead of fighting directly against those fighting them.

“If Taliban do not want to make peace, then they should not target civilians and instead should declare war and we are ready to fight them,” he said.

He emphasized that if the Taliban wanted a good image in Afghanistan, they must stop killings of vulnerable civilians.

General Tadin Khan, Kandahar police chief, said Arghandab district of Kandahar was thoroughly surrounded by security forces, trapping the Taliban. He assured of clearing the district from Taliban’s presence.

Kandahar police had earlier notified residents of Arghandab district not to leave their residences and not allow Taliban to use their homes as bastions.

A day earlier, a clash between Taliban and security forces erupted once again in Arghandab district amid airstrikes.

Arghandab district lays 10km north of Kandahar city.

Clashes have been ongoing between Taliban and security forces in the district for the past four months, forcing many residents to migrate to Kandahar city.

Security officials say widespread operations have been launched in Arghandab, Zherai and Panjwayi districts and assure these areas would be cleared of the Taliban soon.

Hr/ma

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