Civilians, Taliban suffer casualties in Balkh airstrike

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Civilians and Taliban have suffered casualties as a result of airstrikes in northern Balkh province, sources said on Thursday.

Local officials and residents claimed four civilians were killed and eight others wounded during a strike in the main bazaar of the Balkh district on Wednesday.

But the Afghan National Army’s Shaheen Corps said eight Taliban fighters were killed in the airstrike that also destroyed a car bomb.

Rahmatullah, a resident of the district, said his cousin was killed and brother wounded in the raid. Children were also among the injured, he added.

The airstrike was conducted after the Taliban brought a pick-up of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to a workshop in the area, the inhabitant revealed.

He said: “Four mechanics were killed and eight more civilians wounded in the airstrike that also destroyed a pick-up and a tractor.”

Maroof, another resident of the area, told Pajhwok a mechanic named Ghawsuddin was killed in yesterday’s incident. The victim leaves behind three children.

Meanwhile, the Shaheen Military Corps said eight insurgents were killed in the airstrike in the Balkh district. Two explosives-packed vehicles were also blown up.

Hanif Rezaee, spokesman for the military corps, said they had not yet received any report about civilian casualties in the riad.

In a separate report, the military claimed striking a Taliban belt on the Mazar-Shiberghan highway, killing 18 militants.

However, the Taliban have so far said nothing about the two incidents in Balkh, where the fighting has escalated in recent weeks.

sa/mud