Gul Zaman, a 38-year-old resident of Torkham, describes the terrifying moments when clashes erupted between Afghan Taliban and Pakistani forces. Civilians fled under heavy gunfire to protect their women and children. Families were separated, children went hungry, and homes were lost. He is now calling for urgent humanitarian assistance for displaced families who have no shelter, no food, and nowhere to go.
Gul Zaman interview:
My name is Gul Zaman. I am 38 years old. I came from Torkham. Our homes are located at the end of the barbed wire fence.
It was evening when clashes broke out between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani forces. We civilians ran from the area of fighting and arrived here. It was a very strange and frightening atmosphere. Bullets were raining down. We would hide from the gunfire, and shots were coming from every direction.
We saw that the Pakistani side first launched an attack on the Taliban. Our main concern was the safety of our women and children. The Pakistani forces were also using heavy artillery, and civilians were being hit. The children were extremely frightened and crying. It was a very difficult situation. This is an ظلم (injustice) against Afghans.
I ask fellow Afghans to help the displaced people. When we fled the fighting area, our women and children got separated from us, but with great difficulty, we managed to find each other again.
Until now, we have not eaten. The children were hungry; there was nothing at all. One country should act in goodwill toward another, but they are not treating us well.
I ask the government for help. We have no homes, no tents, no food. Assistance must be provided to us.
The complete interview can be seen below.
