Some members of the Provincial Council and residents are worried at growing targeted attacks in Gardez, the capital of southeastern Paktika province.
While asking the authorities concerned to stop such incidents, they said some people, including government officials, had been killed recently and people looted on the highway.
Baejan Naeb, a resident of Gardez, said unidentified gunmen recently killed two people in the Erjal locality of the city in broad daylight.
He said people had been concerned as no one felt secure in the city. “The law and order situation is terrible, targeted killings, and robberies have become a routine affair.”
Riyaz Zamir, another inhabitant, said some people arrived in the city almost one month ago and lived in tents on the outskirts of the first police district.
They speak a strange language and the security situation had deteriorated after their arrival. Most people view them as trained killers and personnel of intelligence networks.
“In most targeted attacks, police, traffic and crime branch officials have been killed. If the situation remains the same, life will become more difficult here.
“We want security officials to stop targeted killed killings and round up suspected individuals,” he said, voicing concern at the existing security environment.
Mumtaz Karkhel, a Provincial Council member, accused detective and intelligence personnel of negligence. He called for effective steps to track down perpetrators of targeted attacks.
Karkhel said: “Common people and tribal elders are killed in the provincial capital but the government has failed to stop these killings.”
“Who is responsible to protect us?” he asked, urging the government to grill the organs concerned regarding their failure to ensure the security of the city.
Police chief Col. Mohammad Usman Janbaz acknowledged insecurity in the city, saying a new plan had been devised to control incidents of violence.
He termed cooperation from other government institutions vital and said police alone could not control crime and violence.
