LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Baran, a resident of Lashkargah, the capital of southern Helmand province, lost his five young brothers in the previous conflict and currently he is the breadwinner of a 22-member family.
The family lives in an old house in the Mukhtar area.
While telling his story to this scribe, Baran paused several times due to bitter memories.
Baran, 38, said: “My five brothers had gone to Kandahar province for work; on return, they were hit by US forces airstrike in Greshk district. Four of them were killed on the spot and the fifth is still missing.”
He said his brothers left behind four widows and orphans. He added his economic situation was very difficult and asked the government and donor agencies for assistance.
Baran was sitting with his elderly mother, widow sisters-in-law and orphaned nephews.
His mother when reminded of the death of her sons she broke into tears.
She said: “When my five sons were returning home and we were happy after talking to them on the phone but later we saw something different.”
The mother of six sons is currently living in extreme poverty with her only surviving son.
“Baran and some elders of the village had gone to Greshk district. I did not know when they brought the bodies of my four sons.”
Maulvi Mohammad Qasim Riza, director of information and culture, told Pajhwok: “The Islamic Emirate identifies the needy families for assistance.
He said the government would strive to find the missing brother of Baran.
sa/ma
