Villagers tell of Taliban, IS massacre

MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Taliban and Islamic State fighters unleashed a killing spree targeting civilians after capturing a remote village in the north, traumatised families said yesterday after being released by the insurgents.

The militants killed about 50 villagers, including women and children in Mirzawalang — a shia village in Sayad district of northern Sar-e Pul province — on Saturday after overrunning a government-backed militia.

The insurgents also took residents captive, but released 235 hostages on Tuesday after elders and provincial officials struck a deal with the group.

Survivors described nightmarish scenes, detailing how the militants went from house to house, shooting villagers.

“When the fighting began, the villagers tried to flee, but they were stopped by IS fighters. They took a group of men, women and children behind a hill and shot them,” said Ali Dad Zafari.

“Since my mother was too old to walk, she was left behind, I don’t even know what has happened to her,” he added.

Villager Yasin Abuzar said IS and Taliban fighters cut off the main roads to the area before launching a killing spree.

“I could only rescue my kids. When they entered our village they opened fire at everyone indiscriminately, they didn’t even spare women and children.” AFP