October 7, 2008

Self’s loss [and] other’s loss?

Last year in the happy days of Eid-ul-Fitr [Muslim feast of fast breaking] (42) civilians were killed at night time as a result of NATO bombardment in Panjwai District of Kandahar Province.

Zangi Abad region in Lakanai of Panjwai District is a very conflict-torn village, where houses have been destroyed and many civilians, both adults and children, killed. And where Eid days passed with bloody night time surprise attack. The whole family has met the fate of non-existence.

This was the house of Haji Abdullah where 21 persons died instantly in his well-known and respected house. Haji Abdullah remained alive as he was not home at the time of the incident and everyone gets shocked by looking at him. I asked Haji Abdullah for details of the incident. Haji Abdullah told me, “Last year, it was Eid night. Foreigners’ tanks came and stopped beside our village. Moment later a babo [?] plane (B 52) appeared and bombarded our village and hit the tanks by mistake. The next day planes came along with babo plane (B 52) and bombarded our village while I and three of my sons were far from the village.” This bombardment destroyed many houses. Other residents of the village and eye-witnesses of the incident confirm that the bombardment was carried out on civilians’ homes and unlike the government claims; there was no Talib or Al-Qaida [in the village].

Haji Mohammad Gul says that after the bombardment, members of the national army and foreign soldiers searched the village but could not find a Talib. However, Haji Nazar Jan and Haji Yaqut think that incident of killing and bombarding civilians is of no importance to NATO forces and they do not care about it.

If on the one hand NATO forces kill tens of Haji Abdullah’ family members, the government on the other hand is sending 21 of Haji Abdullah’s relatives including him to Hajj [pilgrimage to Mecca] free of cost. They also receive some financial aid upon their return from Hajj. But on the other hand Taliban beat Haji Abdullah’s son.

According to Haji Abdullah, “I was not there; they had scolded my son and had beaten my son with rifle-butts, and [had told him] why did you take money from the infidels and sold the blood of your martyrs.”

According to Haji Abdullah the same night bombardment had also taken place in Nahar Kariz where, in addition to killing a few persons, it had destroyed a vehicle, motorcycle and a tractor.

Before this incident, many more civilians had died in NATO bombardments. The incident happening during a wedding ceremony in the Uruzgan province can be cited as a well-known and significant example.