KABUL - Zahir Qadir, the first deputy speaker of Parliament said Monday that eastern Nangarhar province has become a Daesh stronghold and strongly criticized government for having ignored the problem to date.

Zahir, who was speaking at the first session of Parliament following the MPs summer break, also called on the National Unity Government (NUG) leaders to fulfill their commitment over improving security and services to the people.

He said "if government does not pay attention to the issue [of Daesh] we will start a war against them with the support of the people."

He said that the enemy threatens their families and that government is ignoring their plight. "It is clear for all to see the security situation is not good in the country."

"We are ready to go to every nook and cranny in the country by our own means and fight tit-for-tat against the enemies."

Meanwhile, Wazhma Safi, another MP also expressed her concern over the rising insecurity situation and the problem of Daesh.

"The insecurity has increased in the country and we can't go anywhere." Safi said that Daesh activities have also increased in the country.

She urged the government to address the security issues.

Meanwhile, TOLOnews has received footage showing that Daesh insurgents have torched a number of civilian houses in eastern Nangarhar province.

The footage shows residents leaving their homes and fleeing to other parts of the province.

Mawlawi Abdul Zahir Haqqani, a religion scholar in the province, said: "The torching of innocent people's homes and killing them is against Islam religion and we ask them not to hurt civilians."

Mawlawi Mohammad Abbas, provincial peace council head has also condemned this act.

"This act of Daesh is unacceptable and the Peace Council is asking the government to prevent the Daesh attacks," he said.

This comes after residents of Nangarhar from Pachir Agam district voiced their concerns on Sunday over what they claim is the growing number of Daesh members in their area.

Speaking to TOLOnews, residents said at least 13 civilians have been killed and 14 wounded in a recent attack by Daesh in the district.

Tribal elders also said that at least 23 residents from Pachir Agam have been taken hostage by the group.

The insurgent group had taken 25 residents hostage, of which 23 of them are still in their custody, according to the local officials.

Concerns have continued to rise in the past few months after Daesh first emerged in the Achin, Kot, Haska Mina and Pachir Agam districts in Nangarhar. They have also reportedly clashed on numerous occasions with the Taliban in the province. (Tolonews)