3 civilians killed, 5 hurt in Nangarhar

Monitoring Desk

JALALABAD: Three civilians were killed and five more injured during military operation in Sherzad district in Nangarhar province.

Gunfight erupted in the area while a security convoy was on way from Jalalabad to Sherzad district headquarters, local residents told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP). Eight civilians suffered casualties in the gunfight, they added.

A resident in Gandumak village told AIP that the security forces shot and injured a civilian, Salim while he was working in his fields early Tuesday.

After Gandumak, he said the security convoy did not face any resistance up to Totoo area. However, Taliban attacked the convoy in Totoo.

A loal resident of Totoo, Muhammad Amin said three civilians were killed and four more sustained injuries as a result of crossfire between the armed opponents and security forces.

The dead included a teacher Zwan, his father Syed Hassan and the brother of religious cleric of the village Maulvi Roohullah, he said.

The security forces had started house to house search in the area, he added.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said two commando personnel were killed and few more injured in a clash with the security forces in Totoo area in Sherzad. He, however, did not say anything about casualties to Taliban.

Separately, residents of Tarako, Akhundzadagan, Daudzai and Bibi Maro areas in Chapparhar told AIP that the Islamic State or Daesh gunmen came to their villages early Tuesday and forced the youths to demolish the poppy crop.

Similarly, residents of Haska Maina district said the Daesh gunmen captured 35 civilians in various villages on charges of growing poppy on their lands.

He said the Daesh gunmen took the captured people to Oghaz area where they imposed fine of 50,000 Pakistani Rupees on each person. Later, they were released on the condition that they would destroy poppy crop on their fields.

Afghan officials have not said anything in this regard till the filling of this report.