Taliban attack girl in eastern Kandahar, Afghans call for medical evacuation

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.18.2010

Courtesy Story

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- A seven-year-old girl was struck down by a Taliban member on a motorcycle as she was walking down the street in her village in the Maruf District of Kandahar province, Oct. 12.

Bibi Farishta was on her way to get water for her family’s home when she was struck by a known Taliban member, Noorhak, while he was speeding through the village on his motorcycle.

Noorhak did not stop and witnesses say he left Bibi lying in the street bleeding.

Her father, Abdul Samad, brought his daughter to the Maruf District Center in order to get treated for an open-leg fracture.

District Governor, Abdul Samad Durrani, requested the assistance of Special Operations Task Force – South in helping to provide treatment.

Regional Command-South medical evacuation assets responded quickly and allowed for her transport to a Qalat medical facility with her father, said the SOTF-S team leader assisting in the MEDEVAC.

The district governor offered words of condolences and encouragement to Bibi before she took off.

“The Afghan National Police and coalition forces here will help you and take care of you during your whole trip,” he said. “We will have your whole family waiting when you come back."

This is the second MEDEVAC of an Afghan girl in Maruf in as many months. Khalida, from Landay village, had an infection from a broken arm and had to be evacuated to be treated.

“Although we don't want our children to be hurt,” said Deputy Chief of Police, Raza Kahn, “this will make the people of Maruf happy with the [Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan] and show them how cruel the enemy can be.”

The ANP Chief of Police, Nadir Kahn, told Bibi’s father that the ANP and the National Directorate of Security would exhaust all means to bring the suspect to justice and that an investigation had already begun.

• Date Taken: 10.18.2010
• Date Posted: 10.18.2010 13:40
• Story ID: 58346
• Location: KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF