![Deminers conduct clearance around an Afghan school in an undated photo. [HALO Trust]](/cnmi_st/images/2023/10/04/44379-manual-deminer-working-around-secondary-school-halo-trust-739_416.webp)
HERAT -- An explosive device planted by members of the "Islamic State State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) on Monday (October 2) killed two children and wounded another in Darzab district, Jawzjan province.
The explosion took place as the children played near the land mine in the Qara Chonqal area of the district.
The children killed in the explosion were nine and 10.
The mine was planted earlier by ISIS members, said Abdul Sattar Halimi, a spokesperson for Jawzjan Police Headquarters.
![An Afghan mine clearance worker is shown in an undated photo. [HALO Trust]](/cnmi_st/images/2023/10/04/44380-miner-739_416.webp)
An Afghan mine clearance worker is shown in an undated photo. [HALO Trust]
"ISIS members had a base here until two years ago and were operating against the locals," Halimi said. "Even though the terrorists have been driven out of the area, their mines are still victimizing the locals."
Mine clearing teams are trying to free the area of mines planted by ISIS, he added.
Mohammad Azim, 45, whose son was injured in the explosion, said on Monday that his son was playing with other boys when the mine exploded.
"My son is 11. Several parts of his body are severely injured," he said. "The two boys that are killed were our relatives. They came in contact with the mine while playing."
"ISIS used to operate in areas close to our village, and its members have planted mines in most areas," he added. "We move around in our agricultural fields and farms with great fear due to ISIS mines."
Another 10-year-old child was killed by an ISIS-planted mine in the province just last month.
ISIS presence
ISIS members are present in remote mountainous areas of Jawzjan and Sar-e-Pul provinces and are trying to recruit fighters, according to locals.
A large number of citizens of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and some other countries who are members of ISIS are living in remote valleys and mountains of the province, said Mohammad Fahim, 37, a resident of Darzab district of Jawzjan.
"ISIS has left its bases in villages and areas close to Darzab district, but they are still present in remote areas," he said. "They are not active right now but are trying to recruit fighters."
"ISIS fighters train children in remote mountainous areas where poor and underserved people live," he added. "Those areas are difficult to access, and people rarely travel to those areas."
The terrorist group is gaining strength day by day, said Abdul Shokoor Nasrat, 60, a tribal elder in Jawzjan province.
"In the past, ISIS was present in villages close to the district, but it was forced to retreat [to remote areas]," Nasrat said. "ISIS is present in many northern provinces."
"ISIS is busy strengthening its ranks. It encourages young men to join the group by offering them large amounts of cash. Some young men are forced by unemployment and economic problems to join the terror group," he added.
ISIS will soon cause insecurity in the northern provinces unless its recruitment is stopped, Nasrat warned.
Concerns over threats
Increasing ISIS threats in Jawzjan and neighboring provinces are very concerning, said Najibullah Mubarez, a civil society activist in the province.
"ISIS is a ruthless group. It will make life for people hell if it gains more territory," Mubarez said. "ISIS enjoys killing people and spilling blood and won't hesitate to do so."
ISIS will control more villages and areas in the northern provinces if it is allowed to build up strength, he said, adding that the group will threaten the entire country if it establishes a safe haven for itself.
The ISIS presence in remote areas is like a fire under ashes, which could flare up at any moment, he added.
Abdul Wase Danish, a political analyst in Jawzjan, said that ISIS is preparing to carry out terrorist attacks in Afghanistan.
"ISIS is active in many countries, especially in the Middle East, supporting its Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) in Afghanistan," he said. "[ISIS-K] receives regular financial and weaponry support, and it is gaining strength day by day."
ISIS is taking advantage of poverty and unemployment in Afghanistan to recruit unemployed young men, Danish said.
Most of the young men in remote areas are illiterate, and easily fall into ISIS's trap, he added.
Afghanistan has experienced a bitter history in the 20th century. The fall of the monarchy in this country, coming to power of the communists, the occupation by the Soviet Union's Red Army, the civil war of the Islamic Mujahideen, which was supported by the neighboring countries and the United States, against the communist government, formation of the Mujahideen government, and then the civil war between the groups of Mujahideen with each other, which led to their weakening and led to the rise of the Taliban, these extremist Salafist Islamists supported by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and Al-Qaeda group sheltering in the shadow of the Taliban, which created the terrorist events of September 11 and in the final result of this event was the attack of America and other western countries on Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and the formation of the new government of Afghanistan under the leadership of Hamid Karzai is only a part of the history of this country where the fire of war and destruction has always been ablaze. After the establishment of the new government of Afghanistan, the intervention of foreign countries, especially Pakistan, in this land has had no consequence except for the Taliban to regain power, and this regaining of power has forced the Afghan government and foreign forces, especially the United States, to negotiate with the moderate part of the Taliban. By sharing them in the power of the government, they can create a basis for creating
Reply7 Comment
I think ISIS is just a name. In fact, these projects are planned and implemented by the intelligence networks of the region and the world to discredit Islam. Otherwise, what ISIS and other extremist groups do, are not part of Islam. Regarding the mines, it is possible that the existing mines were left over from the occupation of the Soviet Union. Also, during the republic period, some opponents of the government planted mines in a number of areas, which may still be remaining the way they were planted. Anyway, first of all, no group should engage in violence that results in killing the people, and especially in the course of which people's lands are mined. Secondly, the international organizations, especially the United Nations, should prevent disputes and conflicts that lead to armed wars. Also, the current government of Afghanistan should accommodate all sections of the nation in its government. However, the former warlords such as Marshal Dostum, Atta Mohammad Noor, Gul Agha Shirzai, Younus Qanoni, Sayyaf, Mohaqiq, Khalili, etc. should not be allowed because they were involved in crimes against humanity and violated human rights. And worst of all, during the twenty years of the republic, they have stolen billions of dollars of international aids which were in fact sent to the people of Afghanistan. During the period of the republic, embezzlement and theft of money had reached such a level that American and European civilians sent their tax money to help Afghanistan, while c
Reply7 Comment
ISIS is a name that every Afghan hates, but thank God that the Islamic Emirate erased the name and sign of the terrorist group ISIS in many provinces of Afghanistan and destroyed them. Mine is an invisible enemy. There are still mines in most provinces. In several years when there was a war in Afghanistan, each warring group has buried so many mines in the ground for its own protection, just like a farmer plants seeds in his land. De-mining in Afghanistan has been going on for a long time by de-mining organizations, but so far, de-mining organizations have not succeeded in removing mines from Afghanistan, because on one hand, the de-mining organizations are engaged in de-mining, and on the other hand, other enemies of Afghanistan are burying mines in the ground. Mines will be removed from Afghanistan when the war ends all over Afghanistan. Most of the people who have ethnic and racial enmities also use such mines in their enmities. In most provinces, the people who are quarreling for the agricultural ground, they also plant landmines for each other. The people of Afghanistan should think not to plant landmines in their lands for the sake of money. Let's join hands to build this homeland. There is no goodness in destroying Afghanistan.
Reply7 Comment
It is a painful incident. The grief of children destroys one. I wish there was such a feeling in the terrorist groups not to do so. Mine planting by anyone and everyone is essentially an enmity against the humanity. Afghanistan has faced this misfortune in the last four and a half decades, and this practice continues. Every day we are killed; sometimes under one name and sometimes by another name and the world just watches. This misfortune is only due to lack of our education. If our people get education, this misery will disappear day by day, and we will be saved from this misery.
Reply7 Comment
In my opinion, these ISIS members should not be destroyed. It is better to keep them in a certain place and use them against parties such as China, which oppress Muslims in that country and do not adhere to any kind of humanitarian principles and ethics. Also, it is very possible that Uzbekistan will attack Afghanistan because of the Qosh Tepa Canal, in which case the Russians may also support the Uzbeks. In such an opportunity, it is better to use these ISIS Uzbek fighters against Uzbekistan and Russia. In addition, Iran has kept the Fatemiyoun division with tens of thousands of members. If Iran steps out of its evil sense against Afghanistan, such militants can be used against Iran. Finally, Pakistan, which is the mother of terrorists, is always waiting for an opportunity to use any means and facilities to carry out destructive activities in Afghanistan, in which case these detained ISIS members can be used to fight against the dirty Pakistan. I ask the Afghan government or let's say the Taliban government not to be short-sighted, and as soon as possible adjust its relations with the Western world, especially with America and even with Israel, and sign bilateral pacts with them, and this way they may better guarantee that in case of an attack by China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia should have Western financial and weapons' support.
Reply7 Comment
ISIS does not exist in Afghanistan. There are only a few of them, even if it does exist. It may not be able to cause danger. Terrorist groups usually need support; currently, no terrorist group has supporters in Afghanistan. How will ISIS carry out its activities? The US also said a few days ago that it has no intention of funding any armed group in Afghanistan. And when America says this, I don't think that ISIS and other groups can operate even in one mountain of Afghanistan. Yes, there is one thing: on the day the foreigners start supporting terrorist groups, Afghanistan will once again turn into a battlefield and hell for the people on the same day. Currently, by the grace of Allah, Afghanistan is safe, but the fact that people are facing economic problems has made them sad. We hope that the economic problems will also be addressed.
ReplyI disagree with your opinion. ISIS exists and is active in Afghanistan, but its activity has been dimmed by Islamic Emirate and has been severely suppressed in most places. They are present in the east, Badakhshan and some other provinces, but they are less powerful and unable to fight. ISIS is a very ruthless group who show no mercy to anyone. May Almighty God save our nation from this cruel group.
Reply7 Comment