PUL-I-ALAM - Civilian causalities resulting from Taliban attacks have increased in central Logar province, local officials said on Monday, a claim the militants rejected.
Governor’s spokesman Saleem Saleh told Pajhwok Afghan News civilian causalities from Taliban attacks had surged by 30 percent.
He said 30 civilians were killed and 99 others wounded in the province this solar year --- 30 percent up compared to the previous year.
Of the recorded casualties, 34 percent resulted from landmine explosions, 33 percent from crossfire and 29 others were killed in Taliban’s targeted attacks, said Saleh, who did not
Tribal elders, jihadi leaders, ulema and common people were among the victims of these attacks, the gubernatorial spokesman said.
He believed the Taliban wanted to cut off people’s cooperation with the government through their attacks and brutalities.
Provincial Council member Abdul Wali Wakeel said civilian causalities not only resulted from Taliban attacks but both the warring parties were complicit.
“I don’t agree with the view that most of the civilian causalities are caused by Taliban attacks,” the public representative said, calling civilian casualties as condemnable.
But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the claims of Logar government officials and as untrue.
“We have never killed common people neither we take responsibility for mysterious killings. We kill government officials, about which the group has documents,” said Mujahid.
One month back, UNAMA in its report said civilian causalities in Afghanistan increased during the current year. (Pajhwok)