Reports about killing of ex-military officers false: Samangani

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan government on Sunday rejected reports about the killing and disappearing of dozens of former security forces personnel by Taliban members as propaganda and said it was ready for any investigation in this regard.

A number of countries yesterday expressed concern over the alleged killing and disappearance of 47 former security officials since August as reported by the Human Rights Watch.

Twenty-two countries, including the United States, said in a joint statement that they were concerned about a report by Human Rights Watch on the killing and disappearance of former members of the Afghan security forces.

Human Rights Watch last week reported that it had documented 47 murder cases of former Afghan army forces.

These assassinations which allegedly took place between mid-August and late October, are in violation of human rights and contradicted he general amnesty announced by the current Afghan government, the HRW statement said.

The watchdog called for an investigation into the incidents and called on the Afghan government to implement the announced amnesty effectively.

EnamullahSamangani, deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, strongly denied the allegation, saying that there was no evidence available to prove the claims and the reports were propaganda.

In major international sessions, one should speak responsibly and with documents, not based on rumors and propaganda, he said.

"The Islamic Emirate is ready to cooperate with any investigation that is carried out in this regard," he concluded.

mds/ma