Violence, traffic accidents leave 4 dead in Faryab

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Four people have been killed and as many wounded in separate incidents of violence and traffic accidents in northwestern Faryab province, an official said on Saturday.

Police spokesman Hamidullah Bot Shekan told Pajhwok Afghan News unknown assailants killed three guards of a salt mine last night and fled the area.

He said the assailants snatched guns of the bodyguards who were asleep and shot them dead.

He said intelligence operatives had found a motorcycle of the attackers which they left in an area and the perpetrators will be arrested soon.

Mines and Petroleum Department officials confirmed the incident and said there had been a dispute between some livestock owners and the mine guards.

The guards did not allow the cattle owners to graze their animals near the salt mine. This action may have led to the murder of the three people.

Meanwhile, one person died and four others were injured in two separate traffic incidents in Faryab.

Police said in the first accident took place yesterday, when a car collided with a rickshaw in Islam Qala area of ​​Shirin Tagab district. Two people including the rickshaw driver were injured.

The second accident involving two cars took place yesterday evening in Kotal Gurzad area of ​​Khwaja Sabzposh district. A man died and two children were injured in the head-on collision.

The injured were said to be in critical condition.

hz/ma