IS men in Logar set shrine on fire

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): A number of armed men posing themselves to be the members of Islamic State torched a shrine and stormed civilians’ homes and destroyed their television sets in Charkh district of central Logar province, an official said Saturday.

District chief Khalilullah Kamal told Pajhwok Afghan News that IS members put the shrine of widely regarded Khwaja Ali shrine on fire and then forced their way into residents’ houses to smash their television sets.

The armed men warned the residents not to watch television and stop visiting shrines, he added.

Khwaja Ali shrine is a well-known place and people visiting it most of the time, he said, adding that torching of the shrine had sparked anger among people because the militants were out to undermine the respect of holy places.

Kamal informed that IS had started operation under leadership of man introducing himself as Amarati who threatened residents and Taliban to join the group.

Kamal had no information about the exact numbers of IS members but said the group was busy attracting new members.

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