PAN, May 17, 2012

Civilians shot dead by private security guards

By Nasim Hotak

PAN, May 17, 2012: Two civilians were killed and three others injured by an ISAF convoy guards on the Kandahar-Kabul highway in southern Zabul province on Thursday, an official said.

Two civilians were killed and three others injured by an ISAF convoy guards on the Kandahar-Kabul highway in southern Zabul province on Thursday, an official said.

The men, residents of Shah Joi district, came under fire from the private security guards at 1pm east of Qalat, the provincial capital, the town’s administrative head told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The victims were returning from Ghazni, where they had gone to greet a man who was recently freed from prison, Mohammad Siddique said, adding that the wounded were evacuated to hospital by police.

Information about the condition of the injured was not immediately available. The official said two detained guards of the NATO convoy were being investigated by police.

Resident Mohammad Nabi claimed the guards had shot dead three civilians, including two school students, from the Kalakhel village. He asked the authorities to award deterrent punishment to the killers.

About two weeks ago, a gunbattle between NATO-led forces and Taliban left three children dead and as many others injured in the city. The incident sparked an angry protest from locals.

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