4 killed as rival groups clash in Ghor

CHAGHCHARAN (PAN province, an official said on Sunday.

The firefight between gunmen loyal to Fazal Ahad and Abdul Rahman took place in the Masjid Nigar area of Shahrak district late on Saturday, the governor’s spokesman said.

Abdul Hai Khatibi told Pajhwok Afghan News the gunbattle left four people dead, including Ahad’s brother. The two sides clashed as a result of a dispute over control of certain areas.

Ahad was accused in the past of whipping three men in Dolina district, an incident criticised by local officials and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).

An influential local resident, wishing not to be named, said: “We are tired of the warlords who frequently fight and threaten people.”

According to him, a month ago, Fazal Ahad and another illegal commander, Maulvi Karim, clashed in Shahrak district. Six people were killed in the fire exchange.

He requested the government to prevent such activities and disarm illegal armed groups. But officials said they did not have enough security personnel to disarm the commanders.

mds/mud

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