Kapisa clash over pine nuts leaves 2 dead, as many injured

MAHMOOD RAQI (Pajhwok): At least two individuals have been killed and two others wounded as a result of a clash over collecting pine nuts in the Alasai district of central Kapisa province, an official said on Tuesday.

District chief Ghulam Naqshband Safi told Pajhwok Afghan News that clash erupted between Payalkhel residents and Nijrab inhabitants over collecting pine nuts.

Two residents of Alasai were killed and as many wounded, he said, calling the district an unstable place, where illegal gunmen and Taliban were operating.

Lajaward, a resident of the area, said pine nut trees dotted the mountainous areas of Nijrab and Alasai districts. Traders from southern Afghanistan purchase nuts there.

Pine nuts worth 100 million afghanis were collected in the two districts annually, he added.

sa/mud