3 civilians killed, 5 injured in Baghlan mortar strike

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): At least three civilians including a woman and a child were killed and five others wounded when a mortar shell hit a house in Dand Ghori area on the outskirts of Pul-i-Khumri, capital of northern Baghlan province on Thursday, residents said.

Akhtar Gul, a resident of Dand Ghori area a funeral ceremomy was underway in a civilian house when a mortar shell hit it in Joi Noor village of the region today morning.

A young woman and an eight years old boy who belonged to the family where the funeral was underway, were turned to pieces by the mortar explosion, he said.

He said that five other civilians including women were wounded in the incident and evacuated to Baghlan Civil Hospital.

Baghlan public health spokesman, Abdullah Malang said that four people including two women and two children brought from Dand Ghori to the hospital for treatment.

An eight years old girl who sustained serious injuries succumbed in the hospital, another child is also in critical health condition, he said.

Provincial police spokesman, Ahmad Javid Basharat said that they were unaware about the incident.

Clashes between the Taliban and Afghan forces have intensified in Nahrain, Baghlan-i-Markazi and Dahna Ghori districts of Baghlan province since the last on week.

Local people say that there were no any clashes underway in the area when the mortar shell hit the house.

It is unclear whether the mortar was fired by Afghan forces or the Taliban.

Taliban did not comment on the incident so far.

mds