4 killed as rival groups clash in Baghlan

PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): Four people were killed when two illegal armed groups clashed in northern Baghlan province, police said on Friday.

The incident took place on Thursday evening in the Khawosh area of Khost district, Baghlan deputy police chief Col. Mohammad Sadiq Muradi told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the clash that left four people from both sides dead was a result of an old enmity between the two rival groups. The incident is being investigated, he added.

A resident of the area, who declined to be named, told Pajhwok Afghan News the clash was between gunmen loyal to two former jihadi commanders, Abdul Hanan and Bashir.

He said the two commanders had 150 gunmen, who often harassed local residents. “Residents have several times complained to the provincial officials to disarm the groups, but no action has so far been taken in this regard,” the resident said.

But security officials said they had attempted to disarm the groups but failed because the gunmen used to climb mountains and insufficient forces could not chase them there.

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