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1st LD: 36 civilians shot dead by militants in W. Afghanistan

Xinhua, October 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least 36 civilians were shot dead by militants in Afghanistan's western province of Ghor Tuesday night, the provincial governor confirmed on Wednesday.

"The victims were kidnapped by militants after security forces and allied local uprising fighters repelled a militants' attack in outskirts of provincial capital of Firoz Koah late Tuesday. The clashes left several attackers killed and injured but the militants in a bid to avenge their defeat shot dead the hostages later overnight," Governor Mohammad Nasir Khazah told Xinhua.

An investigation has been launched by local authorities and further details will be released later Wednesday, he said.

No group has claimed responsibility yet.

However, local officials have blamed the militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group for the killing.

More than 2,560 civilians were killed and over 5,830 injured between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 this year in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan, according the latest figures released by UN mission in the country. Enditem