MEHTARLAAM - A number of Laghman residents have raised concerns over the presence of alleged Daesh fighters in the eastern province and said the insurgent group has recently started its activities in their area.

Residents said security threats in Qarghaee district are mostly due to Daesh fighters – this after the district was one of the most secure in Laghman. Because of this the district was commonly known as the 'district of peace' among locals.

"There is a group of people with black outfits in this district that do not speak local languages and are harassing the people," said Shayesta Gul, a Laghman resident.

"Daesh has started its activities in parts of this district [Qarghaee] and other parts of Laghman and we are concerned about the expansion of their movements," said Hakim Khan, another resident.

Meanwhile, district chief of Qarghaee, Sadullah Behbud did not comment on the alleged presence of Daesh fighters in the district, but said insurgents were trying to destabilize the eastern province.

"Residents of the district are cooperating with us and we will not allow any insurgent activities here," the district chief said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for Laghman's governor Sarhadi Zwak rejected claims of Daesh presence in the province.

"I reject [reports of] presence of Daesh, not only in Qarghaee [district] but in the entire Laghman province. Daesh fighters do not have any activity here," he said.

Laghman residents have however said unless something is done, they will have to deal with increased insecurity in the next fighting season. (Tolonews)