11 dead, dozen hurt as mortar hits Faryab wedding

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Eleven people were killed and 12 others, including the bride, were wounded on Thursday when a mortar shell hit a house where a wedding party was underway in Khawaja Sabz Posh district of northwestern Faryab province, officials said.

Dr. Mohammad Maruf Samar, the public health director, told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident happened at around 2:00pm in Kosa Qela locality.

He said five bodies had been shifted to a local clinic and two others to the Afghan-Turk hospital, adding the dead and wounded included women and children and some of the injured were in critical condition.

A security official, who wished to go unnamed, said it was premature to confirm who fired the mortar. He said the number of death might rise because some bodies had been taken home by relatives.

The official said a security operation codenamed “Zafar 19” was underway in the area where the mortar struck.

Mohammad Naeem, a resident of the area, said the rocket landed when the groom’s family was transferring the bride to their house. The bride was also wounded in the incident.

Khirun Nisa, one of the wounded women, said the mortar landed close to them when they were approaching the wedding ceremony. Another injured woman, who refused to be named, said she lost five of her family members in the incident.

nh/ma

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