Residents worried as insecurity mounts in Pul-i-Alam

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Public representatives and residents on Thursday expressed deep concerns over growing insecurity in central Logar province, asking the authorities to insure their protection.

Bashir Ahmad, an inhabitant of Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News there had been a series of clashes between security forces and Taliban that over the past few days.

“People have been worried over nighttime offensives and firefights,” he said, asking the government to control the situation and thereby allay public apprehensions.

Jamshid, another resident of the city, also voiced his deep concern at the situation. He claimed the militants were inching closer to the provincial capital.

He said: “Women and children could not sleep a wink due to clashes between the the security forces and militants at night.”

He said the rebels had captured an Afghan National Army (ANA) check-post near the Mir Abdal mountain. Soldiers had fled their check-post.

Hasibullah Stanikzai, the provincial council chairman, told Pajhwok the insurgents stormed security posts around the provincial capital. Both sides suffered casualties.

Stanikzai asked: “How can Taliban militants attack several security check-posts at the same time and take their control?” The issue must be addressed immediately, he said.

He called for the Taliban to announce a ceasefire with the government during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.

A number of other residents held similar views, urging the government to address the issue at the earliest possible.

Police spokesman Shahpur Ahmadzai confirmed coordinated assaults by the Taliban on security check-posts over the past few nights.

He assured residents of security and said more than 20 militants had been killed over the past few days. The Taliban have not yet commented in this regard.

pk/mud