Governor’s spokesman wounded by US troops

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): The Kandahar governor’s spokesman was shot injured by an American soldier in the provincial capital on Sunday morning, he said.

The security responsibility for the province was handed over to US soldiers due to recent incidents of violence. But the governor’s office staff was exempted from security checks, the spokesman said.

Zalmay Ayubi told Pajhwok Afghan News he was entering his office when US troops tried to frisk him, but he resisted the search. After a verbal clash, one of the soldiers shot him in his feet, the official added.

Many officials of the Governor’s House stayed away from duty as a mark of protest over the shooting incident, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the US military said Ayubi attempted to bypass the security measures established to protect the governor and his staff. As he tried to physically bypass the security guards, he began to grapple with the US security partner blocking the way. 

In the ensuing altercation, the US soldier’s rifle was discharged, hitting the spokesman in the foot, a statement from the military said. The spokesman left of his own accord and drove to the local hospital. The shooting is being investigated.

myn/mud

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