Saleh says Taliban committing war crimes in Panjshir, asks UN to take note of ‘terrorist behaviour’

Kabul, Sep 3 (Agency) Afghanistan’s caretaker President Amrullah Saleh on Friday accused the Taliban of blocking humanitarian access to Panjshir province and committing war crimes. He urged the UN and world leaders to take note of the “clear criminal and terrorist behaviour” of the Taliban. Saleh, who joined the resistance movement in the northeastern province of Panjshir along with Ahmad Massoud, also accused the Taliban of doing racial profiling of travellers, shutting down telephone and electricity, using army veterans as “mine clearance tools”, and not allowing medicines into the region. “Talibs have blocked humanitarian access to Panjshir, do racial profile of travellers, use military age men of Panjshir as mine clearance tools walking them on mine fields, have shut phone, electricity and not allowing medicine either. People can only carry small amount of cash.

“Over the past 23 years since start of the Emergency Hospital we never blocked Talib access to it. Talibs are committing war crimes and have zero respect for international humanitarian rights. We call on UN and world leaders to take notice of this clear criminal and terrorist behaviour of the Talibs,” he posted. Meanwhile, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed concern over the fighting in Panjshir and called on both sides to resolve the issue through talks. He said the fighting in Panjshir is a matter of deep concern “and I do not consider the consequences to be in the interest of the country and the people”. “I hope that both sides will resolve the current issue through dialogue so that our afflicted people can enjoy complete peace and happiness.”