Roundup: Decapitation of civilians provoke Afghans to stage rally

The kidnapping and brutal beheading of seven civilians including two women and a child by anti-government militants allegedly Deash fighters in the southern Zabul province on Saturday have provoked thousands of Afghans including women to assemble in Kabul on Wednesday to demand justice.

More than 30,000 furious people from all walks of life including lawmakers and activists, strongly condemned the barbaric beheading of the innocent civilians, calling upon the government to bring to justice all those behind the heinous crime.

Seven civilians including four men, two women and a child were kidnapped from Gilan district of the eastern Ghazni province a month ago and their dead bodies were found from Khak-e-Afghan district of neighboring Zabul province on Saturday.

The dead bodies of all the seven victims including a nine-year-old girl, were carried more than eight km from the western part of Kabul to Arg or Presidential Palace as part of the protest.

From Zabul to Ghazni on Monday and then to Kabul on Wednesday morning, the furious demonstrators rallied in front of the Presidential Palace and demanded the government to ensure justice.

In addition to expressing their hatred against Taliban and Daesh, the Islamic State (IS), by chanting slogans "Death to Taliban", "Death to Daesh," the protestors also flayed the government for what they termed failure to protect civilians.

The protestors which began their march towards the Presidential Palace on a rainy day on Wednesday morning rush hour are still continuing their demand behind the Presidential Palace.

Both the locals and officials have accused militants loyal to the IS outfit of beheading the abductees.

Neither Taliban nor Daesh has claimed of responsibility for the barbaric act.

Meanwhile, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in a televised address urged demonstrators for exercising patience and calmness.

"Since the enemies of Afghanistan have failed to achieve their malicious designs in battle grounds, they have resorted to any possible means to divide our people and rule," the president said in his brief speech.

"I reiterate that we shall revenge the blood of our brothers and sisters from the Taliban, Daesh and other terrorist groups," the president assured in his address.

Several warning shots were also fired during the rally after a number of protesters tried to sneak in to the Presidential Palace compound in the afternoon. Endit