Govt’s reaction to Alipoor met with cries for caution

KABUL (Tolo News): The Afghan government’s pledge to take revenge against Alipoor’s militia for downing an army helicopter in Behsud district faced strong reactions from politicians and people, who called it provocative and said it will not benefit the country.

Mohammad Karim Khalili, former vice president and head of the Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, said civilians have been sacrificed in Behsud and that any provocation will have unpleasant consequences. “Recent attempts by security forces and operations among people’s houses is not a solution and it will prolong problems and social and political crises,” Khalili said in a social media post.

President Ashraf Ghani’s senior adviser Mohammad Mohaqiq called on the Afghan government to not be hasty in using force in this issue. “Operations against defenseless people’s houses will have unpleasant consequences and will benefit no one,” Mohaqiq said in a social media post. “I call on the government and relevant officials to avoid haste in the use of the military, especially during the new year days in which people are happy. Efforts should be made to solve the issue peacefully.”

But President Ghani has insisted on retaliating for the attack after he talked on the phone to the families of the victims of the downed helicopter. “Revenge will be taken because they were attacked while they were defending the country,” Ghani said.
Some lawmakers said that they are not in favor of military action against Alipoor, who has admitted having downed the helicopter. The MPs said they seek a peaceful solution to the issue. “The two sides of the case should show patience in this incident and should not allow this issue to change into a deep crisis between the people and the government,” said Ali Akbar Jamshidi, an MP from Daikundi.

“A Tailb who commits a crime is treated peacefully, and (Alipoor’s militia), as illegal armed men, should be treated similarly,” said Hamida Barikzai, an MP. “If the people and civilians and their houses are targeted and we witness another slaughter, this would be like a thunder that covers all central regions,” said Khan Agha Rezaee, head of the internal security commission of the parliament.

Nine people, including two pilots and four security force members, were killed in the incident. “Alipoor has claimed that he has downed the helicopter but there should be mediation by Hazara ethnic groups and they should hand over Alipoor (to the government),” said Khan Agha Rezaee, head of the internal security commission of the parliament. Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry said that at least 12 of Alipoor’s militia members were killed in an operation by Afghan forces in Behsud district.