Foreign rebels threaten Kapisa residents

MAHMOOD RAQI (Pajhwok): A number of residents of central Kapisa province complain of a heavy influx of foreign militants into the province, killing and threatening civilians. They urge the government to control the security situation.

Mukhtar Ahmad, a resident of Alasai district, told Pajhwok Afghan News foreign fighters had been threatening people with death because they were working for the government. The rebels have already killed some government servants.

“A few days earlier, two brothers were killed and their corpses dumped on a hillside by foreign insurgents,” he said, adding Afghan rebels did not allow foreign militants to operate in the area.

Ahmad said government employees could not go to the district centre for work because of militants’ threat.

Khairullah, a dweller of the Badarab area of Tagab district, said every week a number of people were killed mysteriously in connection for having links with the government or on the charge of working for the Afghan Local Police (ALP).

Residents of Alasai and Tagab districts said rebels led by foreigners had established their own courts in their area.

Shah Agha, a resident of Ahmadzai area of Tagab district, said foreign insurgents could be identified for their physique. “The foreigners do not know about Afghan languages and they look like Chechen nationals,” he added.

Governor Gen. Mehrabuddin Safi said security situation in the province improved as compared to the past but acknowledged Alasai and Tagab districts were under militants’ influence.

Safi confirmed presence of foreign militants in the two districts, saying they had killed civilians in the localities.

Brig. Gen. Khwaja Faqir Ahmad Sadiqi, provincial police chief, said his forces had launched a clearing operation in Alasai district.

However, Taliban rejected existence of foreign rebels, with the group spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said all militants were locals and they did not harm civilians.

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