110 soldiers arrested in Laghman for dereliction of duty

MEHTARLAM (Pajhwok): Security officials in eastern Laghman province claimed on Monday repulsing a major insurgent attack on the provincial capital and arresting 110 military personnel for dereliction of duty.

The soldiers were arrested following the collapse of Dawlat Shah district. The fighting has now spread to Alingar and Mehtarlam, the provincial capital.

The Taliban also stormed the main provincial jail in Mehtarlam but the attack was repulsed, according to local officials.

Governor Rahmatullah Yarmal said 110 soldiers had been arrested for negligence in connection with the recent wave of insecurity in the province.

He added the detainees included the deputy head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), who is currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, a high-level security delegation, led by Gen. Yasin Zia, arrived in the troubled province. He is accompanied by commandos who launched an operation on Sunday night.

bk/mud