Hekmatyar to followers: Be ready for another war, campaign

ATALANTA (Pajhwok): Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has asked his followers to be ready for another war and campaign, in apparent reference to Daesh or Islamic State.

In his Friday’s sermon, Hekmayar said since signing a peace agreement with the previous government, he had been performing only dawat (invitation), cultural and political works.

“We have always called for intra-Afghan talks and have presented peace plans, but received no response to our demands, there was attack on us. We have to decide on our own and protect the masses from mercenaries and evil people.”

The veteran jihadi commander said his followers fought against two invading forces and fulfilled their responsibilities towards the country’s freedom. He said they were the first to initiate jihad against the two invaders and in this regard they enjoyed the status of the backbone.

“God may help us in this new fight.  Hezb-i-Islami followers should be ready for another campaign and war. The heavy burden of this jihad is also on your shoulders, you can free the nation from this criminal group; God is with you, you will be successful in this fight too.”

He believed the Hezb-i-Islami mujahideen would defeat this enemy as others failed to defeat them.

Referring to Dec 2 attack, Hekmatyar said the HIA Central Council would announce a new decision once the investigations were completed and till then Daesh’s position would also be known because their black flag was found with the attackers and the group had to deny or confirm its involvement.

On Dec 2 (Friday), the HIA headquarters on Darul Aman road in Kabul came under attack when two attackers tried to assassinate Hekmatyar, but they were killed by his guards.

First an explosives-laden car was detonated and then one attacker tried to enter the mosque where Hekmatyar was delivering sermon, but he was killed after a brief clash with the guards.

At the time, officials had said that one of Hekmatyar’s bodyguards was killed and another was injured and both the attackers were also killed.

Hekmatyar in his yesterday’s sermon said the attackers were from Tajikistan. He said after the attack, thousands of people came to condemn the incident and thousands of other people promised to defend the mosque.

The HIA leader also complained that they supported the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, but the Emirate destroyed the HIA university, which was older than the Taliban movement.

Hekmatyar said the caretaker government had cut off electricity to the HIA office and the mosque for the past eight months, but they would not protest or complain.

The caretaker government has not yet reacted to Hekmatyar’s comments.

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