Pakistani attacks displace 500 Paktia families

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): More than 500 families have been displaced from the Dand-i-Patan district of southeastern Paktia province due to a recent clash between Afghan and Pakistani forces.

Two days ago, Islamic Emirate chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid had confirmed Pakistani jets pounded the houses of ordinary people in Paktika’s Barmal district and Khost’s Spera district, killing eight civilians, including women and children.

After the bombardment, a clash -- lasting several hours -- erupted between Afghan and Pakistani forces in Dand-i-Patan district.

A reliable government source in the district told Pajhwok Afghan News the clash ended after mediation by tribal elders late on Monday.

Deputy administrative chief of Dand-i-Patan Maulvi Ziauddin told Pajhwok the people of some areas had suffered financial and human losses in firing from Pakistani forces.

He said two people were killed and seven others, including children, injured by Pakistani forces in the Astia village of the district.

According to him, civilian houses and vehicles were damaged and more than 500 families displaced to other areas.

Meanwhile, a resident of the village, Jarneel Mangal, also accused Pakistani security forces of hitting civilian houses.

He said some families were forced to shift to their relatives’ houses in other areas due to the Pakistani attacks.

“We are attacked all too often. Yesterday, our village was hit with more than 100 mortars shell and artillery ammunition by Pakistan,” he claimed.

The villagers stressed the imperative of paying serious attention to the protection of civilians in all situations.

Wahidullah, another inhabitant of the area, said last year had witnessed several clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces in the area.

He said from people had economic problems on the one hand, and forced into displacement by such incidents on the other. They had nowhere to go, he regretted.

“This year, it is the fourth time that we have been forced from our homes to other places due to fighting. No military site has been targeted yet; civilian houses alone come under fire. My house was also hit.”

sa/mud