Hundreds of ethnic Hazaras rallied in protest here Sunday over the arrest of a rogue anti-Taliban militia commander, resulting in violence that left at least 30 civilians and security forces wounded, police said. The arrest Sunday in Kabul of Hazara militia commander Alipur, known as “Commander Sword,” spread rapidly among Hazara communities here and other cities, where he was viewed as an ethnic hero of the anti-Taliban conflict. Alipur escaped from central Ghowr province during a government raid in October and is wanted by Kabul for alleged human rights abuses. As news of Alipur’s arrest spread, Hazara protesters flooded the streets of the capital, marching from Hazara-dominated areas toward the presidential palace. Several other ethnic minority commanders, seen by officials as leaders of illegal armed anti-Taliban groups, have also been arrested in recent months.

Source: Washington Post November 25, 2018 21:44 UTC