President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday said that civilian casualties in the name of war was unacceptable and called on Afghan security forces to make sure civilians are protected during operations against insurgents.
“My expectation from the security and defense forces is (that they) prevent civilian casualties, civilian causalities is unacceptable,” he said.
Speaking in Khost on Monday, where he inaugurated a new runway at the Khost City airport and a power station among other projects, Ghani said that elections in Afghanistan was a priority for government this year.
“Next elections will be held on time and on the basis of the constitution,” he said.
He said that no one including lawbreakers and corrupt elements will be allowed to interfere in the elections.
Meanwhile a number of residents in Khost criticized the Afghan government over its failure to deliver on its promises.
“All promises pledged to the people were not fulfilled,” said one resident Abdul Hakim.
“Our expectation from the president is to include the demands of the people in Khost in his (list of) priorities,” another resident Abdul Ajmal said.
But Ghani called on Khost residents and religious scholars to support the peace process.
He said: “I request you cooperate with us in restoring peace and in paving the way for peace.”
Ghani said his administration is ready to render sacrifices to attain peace but will not compromise on the sovereignty of the country.
Ghani’s comments on civilian casualties comes after the Afghan air force recently carried out an air strike on a madrassa in Taliban-controlled Daftani village in Kunduz province. According to government, two helicopters used in the air strike targeted a Taliban gathering.
However, residents and the Taliban denied these reports and said a graduation ceremony was being conducted at the madrassa at the time of the air strike.
Government said 50 Taliban members had been killed and 150 wounded. However residents claimed the death toll was much higher and that only civilians had been killed.
Following conflicting reports, Ghani assigned a fact-finding team to investigate the incident. The results of the probe have not yet been released.