Khost residents want removal of ERW

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Some people in southeastern Khost province say that Explosive Remnant of War (ERW) put the lives of common people in danger while local officials said efforts were underway to eliminated warheads, shells and grenades remained on the surface from the past.

According to local security officials at least 17 people have been killed due to the explosions from ERW in past few years.

Haji Mamour, 55, from the Zinikhelo area of Nader Shah Kost district, said he lost his 14 year old son due to ERW explosion.

He said on the 18^th of last Ramazan, his son and another child were killed when they were playing with a shell and it went off.

He asked the government to remove ERW because its existence may result in the loss of more lives.

“Warheads and shells from the past still posed threat to the lives of common people, adding that serious efforts were needed to remove these shells.”

Nawab, another resident of Khost province, said his nine year old brother was killed and his five year old son was injured in a ERW blast.

He asked local security authorities to take action for the removal of ERW.

“It was 11:00 when we heard a blast, when I go out I saw that my brother was killed and my son was injured, this area should be cleaned up from ERW.”

Police Spokesperson Mustaghfir Gurbaz told Pajhwok Afghan News total four people have been killed and 13 others injured due to ERW blasts.

He said the Nadar Shah Kot and Sabari are the districts where ERW still remained.

“Our engineering teams in cooperation with common people often visit areas and defuse ERW,” he said.

He asked people to inform police or other security authorities when they see an ERW in the area.

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