Kabul: Dozens of Helmand residents in the country’s south have picked up arms against Taliban in a bid to defend their province and support the security forces.
The residents said they made the decision because they were tired of Taliban’s insurgency.
According to members of the uprising forces, they number at least 500 and are from different districts.
“We urge government to give us weapons to serve our country. We will fight against terrorists and Punjabi fighters,” said Safar Mohammad, a public uprising soldier.
“We want to get our freedom from the insurgents. We will eliminate the Punjabi fighters that have come here from Pakistan,” another public uprising soldier Abdul Mannan said.
Meanwhile, Helmand officials said they are happy about the public uprising and the men will be provided with necessary equipment.
“The public uprising forces came to Helmand’s capital [Lashkargah city] on Saturday and promised to go to the places where Taliban [fighters] are active in order to support security forces. We will send their message to high-ranking officials,” Helmand governor Mohammad Omar Zwak said.
This comes after Nad Ali and Marjah districts in Helmand have been reportedly surrounded by the Taliban and roads to many districts have been closed for the past three months due to insecurity.http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/helmand-residents-take-arms-against-taliban
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