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Militants using civilians as human shield: President Ghani

Xinhua, September 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday accused Taliban militants of using civilians as human shield in the northern Kunduz province.

"The cruel enemies are using civilians as shield," President Ghani said at a press conference here a day after the fall of Kunduz city to the Taliban militants.

Flanked by top security officials including defense and interior ministers, President Ghani pointed out that his government is a responsible administration and doesn't want to harm innocent civilians by conducting aerial bombardments.

"I have instructed security officials not to harm civilians during military operations," the president said.

However, he added that the ground forces have inflicted huge casualties to the enemies.

Expressing his confidence in the ministers for interior and defense, the Afghan president said that the defense and security forces have foiled the enemies' malicious designs to overthrow the government of Afghanistan.

Describing 2015 as "tough year" for Afghan security forces following the end of the combat mission of the NATO-led forces in late December 2014 and withdrawal of the alliance from Afghanistan, the Afghan President said that the war has been imposed on Afghans.

Without blaming any country for imposing the war, President Ghani, nevertheless, stated that Afghan nation and its security forces would overcome all challenges.

Speaking at the press conference, Acting Defense Minister Masoom Stanikzai said that security forces after launching counter- offensive early Tuesday have recaptured several places in Kunduz city.

Replying a question on possible deal between some officials and Taliban that enabled the former to enter the Kunduz city on Monday, Stanikzai said, "Naturally it requires thorough investigation."

Taliban militants who captured the strategically important Kunduz province which borders Tajikistan have reportedly strengthening their positions in Kunduz city and ready to fight back the advancing government forces.

Earlier on Tuesday, the U.S. aircrafts pounded Taliban positions in and around Kunduz city. Endi