Balkh provincial council members on Wednesday warned that residents and civil society members would launch large-scale protests in the province unless government investigates and identifies the masterminds behind Friday’s deadly attack on the 209 Shaheen Corps Headquarters. 

Members of the council said government has not provided convincing answers to people’s questions regarding the army base attack that is believed to have killed over 200 soldiers.  

“We demand clarity about the incident, about the apparent and secret hands behind the incident and about masterminds behind this deadly incident,” said Afzal Hadid, head of Balkh Provincial Council.

“There were two or three soldiers at the gates. There should have been 10 to 12 soldiers at the three gates. All those who are involved in the case have been negligent. All are under investigation,” said Abdullah Masroor, deputy head of the council.

Reports however indicate that 12 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, a number of Balkh civil society members said they will launch large-scale protests if government fails to make public the details about the attack.

“Many people believe that the casualties are beyond 500 dead. It means that revenge was taken on the north which was relatively secure for some years,” said Jahid, a civil society activist in Balkh. 

Until now, actual figures regarding the death toll and numbers wounded have been withheld by government.