Daily Security Brief: February 18, 2012

BALKH: A former Jihadi commander was shot dead along with his brother by his foes in northern Balkh province on Saturday, police and residents said.

Commander Mohammad Zahir was killed because of old enmity in the Sholgara district in the afternoon, police spokesman, Sher Jan Durrani, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Five suspects detained in connection with the incident were being interrogated, the spokesman said.

A resident of the Madrassa era.

Zahir was a former commander of the Harkat-i-Islami Afghanistan group. He would travel in the area, escorted by gunmen.

His foes attacked him in the Ghalchai neighbourhood, killing him and his brother Afghan Jan, the resident said.

—Zabihullah Ihsas

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HERAT: Two rebel groups, including their commanders, joined the national reconciliation programme in western Herat province, an official said on Saturday.

The insurgents were operating in the Rabat-i-Sangi district of the province, Governor Daud Shah Saba told a news conference. “The surrender of the 20 militants will help improve security in the area.” 

Led by Mullah), the Afghan spy service, which said the individuals also turned in 10 weapons.

Another nine militants, led by Mullah Saber, joined the peace drive through the first brigade of the Zafar Military Crops and provincial high peace council, an NDS statement said.

Rabat-i-Sangi, bordering Turkmenistan, was among 13 districts of the province that transitioned to the Afghan security lead 45 days ago.

–Ahmad Quraishi

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SAMANGAN: Three dead bodies buried under a snow avalanche were retrieved in the Dara-i-Sauf district of northern Samangan province, an official said on Saturday.

Two residents of Dara-i-Sauf Bala and Roy Do Aab districts had been missing since Friday after a snow avalanche hit Baloch village, said the administrative head of Dara-i-Sauf of Bala.

Ahmad Ali Hasani told Pajhwok Afghan News a third man was rescued unhurt by area residents who rushed to the scene after the incident. Separately, a man was killed by an avalanche in the Tangi Shikha village.

Provincial natural disaster authority chief, Rajab Ali Yousafi, said four people had so far been killed and three others injured as a result of cold the weather and avalanches in Samangan.

–Barat

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