3 ex-rebels killed; foreign troops raid bride’s home

MAIMANA (PAN fighters who recently joined the government-initiated reconciliation programme in the Almar district of northern Faryab province, officials said on Friday.

The three were killed in Bori area on Thursday afternoon, deputy police chief Col. Abdul Rashid told Pajhwok Afghan News. An investigation has been launched into the incident to determine the exact motive behind the killings, he said.

The town’s administrative, Mohammad Saleh, said that five ex-fighters had gone to the provincial capital, Maimana, to receive their monthly stipends. On the return, gunmen attacked them, killing three, he said, adding the two had managed to escape.

A resident of the area, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attackers belonged to a local Taliban commander, Khairullah.

Provincial Peace Director Maulvi Asadullah Jamali said the slain individuals had joined the peace process a year ago and since received salaries on monthly basis.

Meanwhile, gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire at a doctor named Muhibullah, according to Mohammad Salih, the district chief. Muhibullah was on his way home from his clinic when came under attack, he said.

Public Health Director Dr. Abdul Ali Halim said the doctor was in a stable condition. He linked the incident to ethnic problems.

Separately, one guest at a wedding party was killed and nine others detained by foreign troops during a night-time operation in southeastern Paktia province, said Rohullah Samoon, the governor’s spokesman.

He said the operation was conducted in Chino area of Syed Karam district on Thursday night without the local authorities being informed. He said the foreign troops raided a house where a wedding party was taking place.

The slain man had recently returned from Kuwait on vacations and the detainees were all civilians, the gubernatorial spokesman said.

Tribal elder Haji Wali said the operation was conducted on the house of bride and the victim belonged to her family. The bride’s family members and some guests were among those detained, he said.

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