The Afghan government and US military should investigate reports that Afghan special forces summarily executed civilians in Kandahar province during military operations from January 31 to February 1, 2018, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
According to HRW, citing official reports, on the evening of January 31, the Special Forces Unit of the National Directorate of Security
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murderous Moslems in the Band-e Timor area of Maiwand district and the Reg area of Panjwai district.
Local residents told Human Rights Watch by phone that Afghan cops opened fire on men as they attempted to flee, killing about 50 Taliban fighters and at least 20 civilians.
One witness said, "when the airplanes came we fled. But as the people were running away the forces were shooting them."
"The alleged deaths of at least twenty civilians in Band-e Timor demands a prompt and impartial investigation," said Patricia Gossman, senior Afghanistan researcher. "Summarily executing people in jug, whether they are fighters or civilians, is a war crime. Only a full investigation can uncover all who may be responsible."
The Afghan government and security institutions have not commented regarding the report so far.