Afghanistan: 13 People Killed in Security Incidents in 24 Hours

Violence continues to surge despite peace efforts, and at least 13 people lost their lives and 25 more were wounded in different security incidents in various parts of the country in the last 24 hours, according to officials.

Kabul, Paktia, Laghman, Kandahar and Khost provinces witnessed security incidents since Saturday evening.

In Kabul, an Afghan Air Force member, Sefatullah Faqir, was killed in an attack by unidentified armed men on Saturday evening. A policeman was killed in the city of Kandahar by unidentified armed men on Sunday morning.

Laghman, Khost and Paktia provinces witnessed explosions on Sunday afternoon in which three security force members were killed and 22 more, including 14 civilians, were wounded.

Kabul’s Police District 5, where the Air Force member was killed, has witnessed many targeted attacks in recent months, according to its residents, who say less attention has been paid to the security of this part of the city.

“There isn’t a single day that we don’t witness a killing or other incident,” said Ajmal, a resident of Qala-e-Daud area in Kabul’s district 5.

“We get upset when we see people killed. We want peace,” said Agha Jan, a resident of Kabul’s district 5.

Meanwhile, a prosecutor was killed in an attack by unidentified armed men in Khost province on Saturday evening, officials said. Atiqullah was 35 years old and worked as a civilian prosecutor for the last five years.

He is survived by a son and two daughters.

“Our enemy should be found. The perpetrator should be found. This is Gardez,” said Samiullah, Atiqullah’s nephew.

“The security in Gardez is so weak,” said Sher Ahmad, Atiqullah’s uncle.

Taliban launched attacks in Nangarhar and Faryab provinces, during which seven security force members were killed and four more were wounded, according to local officials.

“They attacked the Dahan-e-Dara dam in Faryab province in which two security guards of the dam were killed and another was wounded,” said Nizam Khpulwak, spokesman for the National Water Management Authority.

In Laghman province, a security forces armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb that left three force members dead. Also, four members of the public uprising forces were wounded in an explosion that targeted their vehicle in Paktia province on Sunday.

“People are tired of war. There should be peace. The warring sides should know that they are killing their own Afghans,” said Sadiq Qaderi, an MP.

Afghans have called on the warring parties to agree on a ceasefire and make better use of upcoming conferences on peace.