Civilian casualties unacceptable, Ghani tells security organs

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani has expressed his concern over civilian casualties in southern Helmand province and asked the organs concerned to seriously investigate the incident.

According to reports, around 10 people, mostly women, were killed during an operation in Greshk district of Helmand on Wednesday.

A statement from the Presidential Palace received by Pajhwok Afghan News said that President Ghani had expressed his deep concern over the incident in Nahr Saraj area of Greshk district.

The president asked the officials concerned to conduct a precise investigation into the incident and assist the bereaved families.

Ghani ordered the security forces to be careful about civilian lives during their operations and said civilian casualties were unacceptable.

Few days earlier, Ghani during a meeting with officials of Afghan and international forces had suggested creation of a new mechanism for military operations to help prevent civilian casualties.

National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib on Wednesday held a meeting with top security officials to insist on prevention of civilian casualties.

The meeting discussed various incidents that caused civilian casualties in Nangarhar, Kunduz and Laghman provinces in recent past and ordered a delegation responsible for monitoring civilian fatalities in war to complete its assessment and practical steps should be taken on the regard.

The meeting also stressed the creation of an effective plan for putting an end to civilian losses in the conflict.

Civilian casualties by Afghan and foreign forces have recently increased across the country.

mds/ma