300 Daesh-recruited youth being trained in Darzab

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Three hundred youths, who recently joined Daesh militants, are receiving training in the Darzab district of northwestern Jawzjan province, officials said on Thursday.

Baz Mohammad Dawar, acting administrative chief for Darzab, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militant outfit recently organised a large gathering in Moghul village as part of a recruitment campaign.

“Daesh is investing more in young men below 20. These youths are trained by foreign militants and then sent to war fronts against Afghan security forces. The group has created training centres in Moghul and Sar Dara villages,” he added.

Dawar said Daesh paid 30,000 to 40,000 afghani to each new fighter to encourage them into fighting for the group.

Halima Sadaf, a provincial council member, confirmed the number of teenagers and youth joining Daesh had increased in Darzab and people were worried about the situation.

A limited number of people currently living in rural areas of the district were either under high pressure or had no option but to accept Daesh’s demands, she said.

She added the insurgent organisation was getting stronger with each passing day and could easily target the district centre.

Mohammad Salim (not a real name), a resident of Sar Dara village, said Daesh raised Salafi and Hanafi issues among the people and had asked scholars to support the group.

Daesh were against followers of the Hanafi school of thought and killed them if they violated the group’s orders, he alleged.

A week back, Daesh beheaded a scholar who wrote amulets in Sar Dara village, an incident that has created fear among locals.

Babar Ishchi, the provincial council head, meanwhile, expressed concern over the security situation in Darzab. “We are trying to press local officials to conduct an operation against these militants.”

He said they had contacted the officials concerned on the security situation. People are faced with similar security concerns in Qosh Tepa district as well.

Darzab is located 105 kilometers west of Shiberghan, the capital of Jawzjan province. Most parts of the district is under Daesh control.

mds/mud

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