Subscribe
KABUL, Afghanistan - The governor of Helmand province emphatically discounted claims of protesters yesterday during a meeting with ISAF leadership regarding the civil unrest in Garm Ser District.
In a Wednesday evening press release, Gov. Mangal indicated he had strong feelings about the allegations but waited until the investigation had completed to call them a hoax. He also noted that he never believed "the lies" and that the Taliban use this tactic all over the country.
The governor's statement was welcomed as vindication by IJC leadership.
"Governor Mangal's consistent ability to see through Taliban lies and to clearly chart a way forward for his people is a testament not only to him but to the men and women of Helmand province," said Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander ISAF Joint Command.
This civil unrest stemmed from allegations surrounding a joint operation that targeted the Taliban, Jan. 10. No shots were fired, no property damaged and no one was detained. The joint force protected innocent civilians and property during the operation.
Insurgents subsequently made false public allegations that coalition forces had treated women and children improperly and that a holy Koran had been desecrated.
During protests, Jan. 12, an insurgent gunman shot an Afghan official who was working within Forward Operating Base Delhi. ISAF service members identified the insurgent sniper, shot and killed him.
ISAF fired no other shots and caused no further injuries.
ISAF task force leadership attended a shura, or local meeting, Jan. 13, with the district governor and chief of police. In the meeting the insurgent allegations were discounted as a "hoax." The allegedly damaged Koran was shown during the shura, and several eyewitnesses made statements regarding the actual circumstances surrounding the incident in question.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2010 02:52 |
| Story ID: | 43801 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 509 |
| Downloads: | 491 |
This work, IJC comments on Gov. Mangal's statement, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT