Badghis man who lost 4 sons to war calls for peace

QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): A resident of northwestern Badghis province, who has lost four children to the conflict, says people are tired of war. He wants the warring parties, especially the Taliban, to make peace.

Lately, people have been pleading for peace as they continue losing children and other family members to the ongoing war.

Mohammad, a 67-year-old resident of Qadis district, is one of the thousands of Afghans calling for peace. He is one of those who have lost their children working for security institutions.

In two years, the old man lost four children working for the police force in Qadis district. They were killed in a Taliban attack.

Grieving over the deaths of his children, he told Pajhwok Afghan News three of his sons were aged 18, 20 and 25. All three of them were killed in a Taliban attack on their security post last year.

His eldest son, 30, was killed in a Taliban ambush on his way to Qala-i-Naw where wanted to spend vacation.

Mohammad said three of his sons were married, each leaving behind two children and a wife. The old man broke into tears and said he was the only breadwinner for the six orphans and three widows.

Mohammad added he did not want parents to see their children die as a result of the war. He strongly urged parties to the conflict to make peace.

“The Afghans can no more tolerate the loss of their loved ones and the Taliban should make peace,” he insisted.

Abdul Aziz Baik, the provincial council chairman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the people could no longer tolerate this situation and that they were ready to make any sacrifice for peace.

He recalled the last Loya Jirga had recommended the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners involved in killing Afghans, because the nation was tired of war and would do anything for bringing peace to the country.

Baik said not only Badghis residents but all Afghans were looking forward to the Turkey summit for the establishment of peace in Afghanistan.

The local administration claimed the government had met many Taliban demands, including the release of prisoners, for the sake of peace in the country.

hr/mud