11 militants killed in Ghazni public uprising

GHAZNI CITY (PAN fighters were killed and 15 others held hostage by residents in a public uprising against militants in Andar district of southern Ghazni province, an official said on Saturday.

Governor Musa Khan Akbarzada told Pajhwok Afghan News that locals in different areas of the district started clashing with militants on Friday night, which lasted for several hours.

A local was also killed and three children wounded in the armed conflict, he said, adding that besides the district, others areas have also witnessed uprising against Taliban movement.

The governor did not mention the areas but said that if people asked the government for help to counter Taliban threats, they were ready to support.

“I demand all people of the province not to provide shelter to Taliban anymore and rise against them,” Akbarzada added.

Earlier, Sher Khan Yousafzai, the district chief, confirmed there were clashes between residents and the insurgents in Painda Mohammad and Ibrahimkhel areas, where residents had previously warned the rebels against continuing their activities, including closing schools.

The clashes that lasted several hours broke out after militants were seen moving around the areas, the district chief said, adding one local was also killed and four children wounded in the armed conflict.

Haibat Khan, a local tribal elder, said they would not allow anyone to close schools and create unrest in their areas.

According to Abdul Jamay Jamay, member of the provincial council, people in the district were unhappy with the Taliban and started to oppose the militants.

“The clashes continues, a number of shops and schools are also opened in the district today (Friday),” he added.

mas/vp

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