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Roundup: IS group attempts to consolidate foothold in Afghan eastern region

Xinhua, January 30, 2017 Adjust font size:

The hardliner Islamic State (IS) group has been attempting to expand and consolidate its gripe in the eastern region of the war-battered Afghanistan, locals said.

A branch of the Iraq-Syria based extremist group, the militants loyal to IS who surfaced in Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province along the border with Pakistan's tribal areas nearly two years ago, have gained grounds in parts of Kot, Pachiragam, Dehbala, Haskamina and Ghani khil districts.

IS militants which are notorious for their brutality, attacked security checkpoints in Ghani Khil district last week but fled away after suffering casualties and leaving three dead bodies behind.

"Attack on security checkpoint in Ghani Khil district demonstrate that Daesh (IS) attempt to expand activities in the eastern region," a local analyst Tahir Zaland told local media recently.

He also warned that negligence by government would enable the "terrorist group" to enlarge its clutch and create more law and order problems in the area.

Emerged in 2015, militants loyal to the IS have enlarged its foothold along the border areas with Pakistan's tribal areas with committing barbaric acts ranging from beheading people and burning residential houses to intimidating the people living around.

The hardliner group, according to local media reports, has set on fire more than 200 residential houses in Kot district, besides killing and kidnapping scores of people including women and children.

Daesh or IS armed group, according to locals have increased their propaganda to recruit fighters. The militant group have their radio to propagate in IS favor and also distribute pamphlets in Nangarhar and the neighboring Kunar and Nuristan provinces to motivate people, especially youngsters to join the armed outfit in the war against government.

"Dozens of civilians have been languishing in the custody of Daesh (IS) insurgents in Nangarhar. Availing the opportunity the armed outfit has been recruiting the jobless youngsters into their ranks," member of Nangarhar provincial council, Zabihullah Zamarai told local media.

Zamarai also warned that "negligence by government to take necessary steps against enemies" would prove catastrophe. Enditem