FEROZKOH - Around 200 armed families supporting the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader Tahir Yaldash have sneaked into western Ghor province, officials said on Tuesday.
Governor Ghulam Nasir Khaze told Pajhwok Afghan News it was yet to be known from where the pro-Yaldash families had entered Ghor. They have settled in Pasaband district.
Based on intelligence, the governor said, the families possessed weapons and ammunition. Provincial authorities, before targeting them, are trying to determine the exact location of the families.
Fazal Haq Ihsan, the Provincial Council chairman, claimed the Turkish-speaking families had stolen into Ghor from Uzbekistan. They are reportedly living in rented houses in Pasaband for the past two weeks ago.
But Abdul Ahad, the acting district chief, said only 10 armed families had taken up residence in the Kakar village of Pasaband.
He voiced grave concern over the new arrivals and urged the provincial administration to take strict action against them.
Sirajuddin Ahmadi, a resident of Ferozkoh, said the armed households had sparked concerns among Ghor residents as they might trigger insecurity.
Mohammad Qasim, another resident, held a similar view. He asked the governor to take deterrent action against the suspected families.
Tahir Yaldash was involved in terrorist activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan. His loyalists have been stoking an insurgency in northern Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)