PAN, December 26, 2011

By Khan Wali Salarzai



PAN, Dec. 26, 2011: Residents of a remote valley in eastern Kunar province on Monday protested against night-time searches of their homes by international troops and Afghan commandos. (Photo: PAN) , Dec. 26, 2011: Residents of a remote valley in eastern Kunar province on Monday protested against night-time searches of their homes by international troops and Afghan commandos. (Photo: PAN)

Residents of a remote valley in eastern Kunar province on Monday protested against night-time searches of their homes by international troops and Afghan commandos.

In front of the provincial council office in Asadabad, a large number of residents of the Shonkray valley in Sarkano district warned of joining opposition forces if the government failed to address their concerns.

"We can no longer tolerate wilful searches of our houses by Afghan and foreign troops," said Haji Yousuf, a resident who accused the security forces of taking away money from their residences during the operations.

Another resident, Hazrat Mir, claimed foreign troops once entered houses in the Mulagoro area, beat inmates and locked them up in rooms.

Another protestor, Abdullah, said the joint force used explosives to blow up gates of civilian houses.

Provincial council chief, Miakhel Adil, told the protestors that their demands were genuine. He warned the situation could further aggravate if an early solution was not found to the problem.

"It is unfortunate that Afghan and foreign troops launch their operations at night," he said. The district chief confirmed operations in the area, but denied the forces had stolen cash and other materials from civilian houses.