Nangarharis say targeted killings continue unabated

JALALABAD (Agencies): The residents of eastern Nangarhar province expressed their deep concerns about what they called unabated targeted killings.

They said the targeted killings had spread a wave of terror among local population who witnessed about a dozen deaths during the past three months. The victims included civilians, religious and tribal elders, government officials and one journalist. However, government officials say a special joint unit of security forces is being created to prevent incidents of targeted killings.

Civil society activist Noor Agha Zwak said such incidents often occurred due to security forces’ negligence. He said police most of the times were unable to properly do searches and play their vigilance role.

Another civil society activist Abdul RahmanMoawin was of the view that mafia circles were behind targeted killings with the aim to destabilize Nangarhar.

‘Because of such incidents which are often blamed on security forces’ negligence the Nangarhar province is deprived of major development projects.’ A member of the Nangarhar provincial council, Ajmal Omar, said they had taken up the issue of targeted killings with security organs and the governor’s house and hoped the provincial administration would come up with an organized plan to prevent such incidents.

The public representative said he was concerned if such incidents did not stop, it would negatively impact businesses and routine life in Jalalabad.

The victims of such attacks include people from various walks of life, but religious scholars term them a conspiracy against them.

Maulvi Rahim Shah, whose nephew (a religious scholar) was killed a few days ago in Behsud district by unknown assailants, said the killing spree of religious scholars had started in Nangarhar.

He said religious scholars were targeted under different pretexts and if the killings did not stop, it would produce dire consequences.

Nangarhar Governor Shah MahmoodMiakhel said targeted killings were the handiwork of Daesh and Taliban militants who opted for soft targets in the provincial capital after facing defeat in districts.

He said recently some individuals had been arrested in connection with targeted killings and security forces were working to arrest more.

Police spokesman Faridullah said that they were working with other security agencies to create a special unit for dealing with targeted attacks and other similar incidents.