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25 Dead as Feuding Warlords Turn Afghanistan to War Zone
Monday, April 29, 2002
By Kathy Gannon
Associated Press Writer

Gardez governor Taj Mohammed Wardak's bodyguards stand guard outside of his office in Gardez, southeastern Afghanistan, Sunday while residents bury their dead.
Image Credit: Amir Shah -- The Associated Press.

But the relentless feuding is hurting the U.S. war on terror, driving the Pashtun majority in eastern Afghanistan away from the interim regime and longing for a return to the Taliban, said Gardez governor Taj Mohammed Wardak. He warned that if it continues, U.S. forces could come under attack by the people of the area.

GARDEZ, Afghanistan -- AP
Bitter feuding among warlords turned eastern Afghanistan into a war zone this weekend, leaving as many as 25 people dead and furious residents accusing the interim regime of being weak, and the United States of being uncaring.

Some say they are even praying for a return of the Taliban, whose heavy-handed rule sent most of the country's warlords into exile.

On Sunday, residents in Gardez began to emerge from shuttered dwellings to bury their dead killed in the previous day's rocket assault.

As many as 25 people died when soldiers loyal to warlord Bacha Khan Zardran fired a torrent of rockets into the city on Saturday, said Gardez governor Taj Mohammed Wardak. Another 70 people were injured.

One man died because the hospital in Gardez couldn't find his blood type. Another two people died while being transferred to the capital Kabul, 120 miles away.

"A small child died because a piece of shrapnel ripped open her abdomen," said Dr. Naqibullah Irfan.
(More: Deseret News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

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