GHAZNI CITY - Interior Minister Noorul Haq Ullomi on Monday accused Pakistan of sending armed individuals disguised as Islamic State (IS) fighters to  destabilise the country.

Ullomi, who arrived in southern Ghazni province to assess the security situation here, told reporters that Pakistan had recently sent Uzbek, Chechen, Turkmen and other nationals in the name of Daesh fighters in order destabilize Afghanistan’s security situation.

“They individuals have arrived to lower the white flags (of Taliban) and hoist the black flags (of Daesh),” said the minister, who added Afghan security forces had launched operations against the IS group in nine provinces.

The interior minister said the Afghan forces had been directed to kill all those individuals who kill innocent Afghans.

Ullomi said plans had been devised to improve security in Ghazni’s Qarah Bagh, Nawa,

Taliban militants have been in control of Nawa district over the past 13 years. But this year, Afghan security forces captured the town for a few days.

Acting governor Musa Khan Akbarzada on the occasion said the central government should pay special attention to maintaining security in Ghazni.

“Though the security situation in Ghazni is not too bad, but still problems exist and need attention,” he said.

Tribal elder Haji Abdul Ahad said insufficient national security forces and the presence of local police and armed militants had resulted in insecurities in the province.

“Local police harass people, they are not trained and know nothing about laws. There are some armed individuals who forcibly take money from people,” the elder said, urging the interior minister to disarm illegal armed groups in Ghazni.

The security situation in Ghazni province has lately deteriorated. Last week, gunmen kidnapped 17 people and later freed 10 of them, but the fate of the remaining captives is unknown. (Pajhwok)