KABUL - A number of civil society activists and journalists on Wednesday asked the government to announce nationwide mourning over the Kunar incident, in which 21 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed.

Criticising President Hamid Karzai for not attending a ceremony for the handover of the soldiers’ bodies to their families, the activists sought strong public support to Afghan security forces.

Rallying in the Shahr-i-Naw Park in Kabul, they chanted “soldiers, your lives are our lives”. One activist Mir Ahmad Joyenda regretted the president and his Cabinet members did not attend the ceremony.

Wajiha Rastgar, a noted singer, said she joined the protest to express solidarity with the martyred soldiers. “We firmly support our security forces and vehemently condemn Taliban’s backers.”

Siddique Siddiqui, the Ministry of Interior spokesperson, earlier said the slain soldiers had demonstrated bravery but they were not as well- equipped as their NATO counterparts. (Pajhwok)