1 killed as airstrike hits private hospital in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): An airstrike hit a private hospital in southern Helmand province on Saturday, leaving one person dead and two others wounded, local officials said.

Helmand public health director, Dr.Shir Ali Shakir told Pajhwok Afghan News that Ariana Private Hospital was bombarded in Biton area of Lashkargah city, the provincial capital, on Saturday morning.

He said that the hospital was mostly destroyed and a person killed and two others wounded in the attack.

“I strongly condemn this attack, I voice on the warring sides to stay away from civilians and civilian places and stop using them as trenches,” he said.

Helmand governor’s house and security officials refused to comment on the incident.

The Taliban confirmed the attack. The group’s spokesman, QariYousufAhmadi said that the hospital caught fire after it was bombarded and was mostly destroyed.

Clashes between the Taliban and Afghan forces have been ongoing for the last several days in Lashkargah city.

Mds/ma