Attacks won’t deter Balkh officials: Wahdat

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): The deputy governor, who survived a suicide attack a day earlier, said on Monday such incidents would not bust his morale or deter officials of northern Balkh province from efficiently performing their duties.

Deputy Governor Zahir Wahdat was travelling in the Kart-e-Ariana area of Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital, on Sunday when a bomber tried to target his vehicle, but stuck in a drain and his explosives went off, according to eyewitnesses.

Police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdur Rahman Rahimi, said the suicide bombing that took place at 11.15am damaged Wahdat’s car and injured one of his guards. At least one civilian was killed and three others were in the explosion.

Wahdat told a press conference such attacks were the handiwork of Afghanistan’s enemies, who had not been able to deter government officials and suffer their loyalty and morale.

“If we commit negligence in our official obligation or become scared, the enemies of Afghanistan would think they have succeeded,” said Wahdat, who challenged the country’s foes for a face-to-face battle with Afghan forces.

“Those who wage a war come to the battlefield. We are in the battlefield and we have no fears, we are proud to be servants of this soil.”

Wahdat praised security forces for being quick to cordon off the attack site and bring under control the situation.

The deputy governor said the attack was the first of its kind targeting a government official in Balkh.

To a question, he said Afghan forces were not weak, explaining such attacks were expected in war-hit countries like Afghanistan.

He said police and other security forces would make day-night efforts to provide Balkh residents with a peaceful environment.

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