A dozen suspects held in Herat operation

HERAT CTY (PAN): A dozen suspected militants have been detained during a counterinsurgency operation in western Herat province, an official said on Thursday.

The suspects were detained in the Shidaee camp area on the outskirts of Herat City, the provincial capital, on Wednesday evening, police spokesman Col. Abdul Rauf Ahmadi told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the operation came in response to recent surge in insurgent activity in Herat City, adding 21 motorcycles were seized during the search operation.

But area residents insisted the detainees had no connection with any militant group and they were innocent locals.

Resident Nazar Khan said his friend, who owns a shop in the area, was among those detained on the suspicion of having links with the Taliban.

Mostly internally displaced families live in the camp, which is 15 kilometers south of Herat City. The families belong to northern provinces.

mds/ma

Visits: 0