Rights watchdog calls for both sides to end the conflict

The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has called on warring parties in Afghanistan to end the violence in the war-weary country.

In a series of tweets, the AIHRC stated its findings show that two civilians – a woman and her child – were killed and six others including a woman and a child were wounded in mortar fire by the Afghan forces in the Sabri district of Khost province early this month.

A mortar fired by the Afghan security forces hit a residential house at 2 pm, on March 28, the AIHRC said.

Expressing concerns over the civilian casualties, the AIHRC called on the warring parties to end the violence “by respecting the collective will of the people to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.”

The organization also called on the government to investigate the incident to ensure justice is served for the victims.

Pro-government forces reportedly conducted an operation in the Sabari district of the province in late March, which people said, inflicted casualties on the civilians.

According to media outlets at least 17 civilians including women and children were killed during the raids.

The Taliban in a statement claimed that government forces had launched operations on several residential houses and several civilians were killed.