Gunmen associated with Commander Zalmay, a member of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s Hizb-e-Islami group, have killed three members of a family--including one child-- in Baghlan province, security sources told TOLOnews.

Security sources said that the gunmen killed the family following a brawl over 70,000 Afs in Khalazayee village in Baghlan province.

But Hizb-e-Islami has rejected any link with Commander Zalmay.

“Hizb-e-Islami members are not involved in the issue, but it is a personal issue between two neighbors that occurred because of money-- there was a clash and there were casualties,” said Fazel Ghani Haqmal, spokesman for the Hizb-e-Islami.

Residents said that the incident happened in an area where there is a Hizb-e-Islami presence.

“The government has the responsibility to tackle any problem that occurs in any corner of Baghlan and arrest those involved in such brutal acts” said Bismillah Attash, a member of Baghlan provincial council.

Police officials in Balkh have confirmed the presence of illegal armed groups in the province, stating that security forces have arrested at least two suspects in connection with the incident.

“No one here is allowed to use their guns for bullying,” said Mohammad Wais Samimi, Baghlan police chief.

Residents say that even local government officials in the province have refrained from taking action against this commander.