MPs in the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) lashed out at government on Wednesday over Monday’s airstrike in Dasht-e-Archi in Kunduz that reportedly killed dozens of civilians. 

This came after the ministry of defense claimed it had targeted a Taliban gathering but residents and Taliban rejected the claims, saying the air force had targeted a civilian gathering at a madrassa. 

MPs warned in parliament that continued harm inflicted on civilians will further expand the gap between the people and government.  

But, the Afghan government said it was conducting a thorough investigation into the airstrike, that residents claim killed 50 people and wounded at least 150 others. 

“I warn that survivors of the incident will think of fighting against you,” said one MP, Kamal Safai. 

“If government wants to fight the Taliban, they can meet the Taliban anywhere,” another MP, Habiburrahman Afghan said. 

“Rocket attacks still continue against the people,” another MP Zahir Qadeer said. 

Meanwhile, some other lawmakers said the lack of intelligence reports, about military operations, is one of the key reasons for the high civilian casualty toll in the country. 

“There is not doubt that the Taliban were also present there, but to be honest, such a move against a madrassa, where religion is taught, is not acceptable,” parliament speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said. 

“Summon the president, summon the minister of defense and head of the national directorate of security and asked them why they are killing ordinary people,” MP Allah Gul Mujahid said. 

Another MP Mullah Tarahkhail Mohammadi meanwhile said: “The bombardment was very oppressive." 

In conclusion lawmakers asked government to share the findings of its investigation with the public. 

This comes after President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday appointed a task team to investigate the incident.