United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has found that at least 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes in Kunduz province, in Afghanistan’s northeast, early Saturday.
“Credible reports that at least 10 civilians killed in Kunduz Afghanistan airstrike 4 Nov, UNAMA initial findings show. UN interviews with multiple survivors, medics, elders and others give strong reason to believe civilians among victims,” UNAMA said on its Twitter page late Tuesday.
Government has confirmed the death of one civilian in the joint Afghan and foreign forces airstrikes.
Members of Kunduz Provincial Council said airstrikes must be carried out with caution in order to protect the lives of civilians.
“We have at least 13 martyrs in Gharaw Qeshlaq Village and two other martyrs in Rajkia village which is 15 in total. Meanwhile, two people were martyred in Qatlam village and totally there are 18 martyrs,” said Khosh Mohammad, a member of the council.
Kunduz residents said the relatives of those who lost their lives in the airstrikes visit government offices every day in the hope of ensuring a thorough investigation is conducted.
“The Kunduz governor is behind all the deadly incidents that have happened so far in Kunduz,” said Mohammad Ibrahim, a resident of Chahardara district in Kunduz.
“The war has taken all I have. I don’t have my home and property anymore,” said Khan Mohammad, a resident of the district.
Meanwhile, government officials in Kabul and Kunduz gave a different tally.
“The Ministry of Defense has assigned a commission to investigate the incident. One dead and five wounded were taken to a hospital there (in Kunduz),” the defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said.
“Most of those killed (in the airstrikes) are those who fight against government in favor of Ziauddin’s group at night,” said Abdul Hamid Hamidi, the police chief of Kunduz.
The military operation in Chahardara district continued for four days to clear the area of Taliban. Airstrikes were also carried out during the military operation.
Residents claimed that besides civilian casualties, the airstrikes have destroyed people’s houses in the district.