At least six killed in Kabul, Afghanistan clashes

At least six killed in Kabul, Afghanistan clashes

2011-08-09 21:17:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least six people were killed and 18 others were wounded during clashes triggered by land disputes in Kabul, Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.

The clashes broke out at around 2:30 a.m. local time in the Mirwais Mena neighborhood of Kabul early Tuesday morning, officials told Pajhwok Afghan News. However, the exact reason behind the skirmishes remain uncertain.

Some residents claimed that while Mirwais Hassan and MP Qais Hassan seized some of the area's territories and tried to take over the land, fighting broke out. Those loyal to Mirwais and Qais Hassan opened fire against residents and rockets were also reportedly launched against homes. Follwing the clashes, police conducted a house-to-house search, as reports indicated that residents stored weapons in several residences.

The violence and killings triggered Bagrami residents to block the Kabul-Gardez Highway and put bodies of the people killed during the clash on the road in front of the Presidential Palace as a protest to the violence.

Demonstrators demanded the arrest of the killers, as they set tires on fire on the road near the Ministry of Finance and Fire Department. Protesters vowed to hold their demonstrations until justice was brought against those responsible of the killings.

Local authorities, meanwhile, tried to restore order. Firefighters tried to control the fires, while provincial police chief Brigadier General Mohammad Ayubi Salangi asked the protesters to allow security officials to deal with the killings.

Nine of the 18 wounded were reportedly receiving medical treatment at a local hospital, while reports said some demonstrators were shot at and injured.

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