At least six killed in clash at Afghanistan food distribution event

HEART (AFP): At least six people were killed and 19 others sustained injures today (Saturday) during a clash at food distribution event in central Ghor province of Afghanistan, according to officials.

According to the spokesperson of Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry, four civilians and two police officers died in the incident. “A delegation will be sent from Kabul to investigate today’s incident in a comprehensive manner,” he added.

Commenting on the incident, he informed that the violence began after demonstrators gathered in Firozkoh to complain about the perceived failure to help the poor during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Gunmen in the crowd attacked a government office, prompting security forces to open fire,” the interior ministry spokesperson said.

The deputy head of Ghor’s provincial council, Abdul Rahman Akshan, also confirmed the incident and the death toll.

In this regard, Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh said that the attack was shocking and announced that the government was seriously investigating the incident.

The chairwoman of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission told an international news agency that in the past week it had received complaints that food aid was being distributed unfairly.

The aid group was distributing food to about 1,000 local families. Food drives are a common practice in the country during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.