Sunday Declared National Day of Mourning

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced today, Sunday, a national day of mourning to pay respect to martyred soldiers of Friday’s attack on Shaheen 209 Military Corps in Balkh. A press release from ARG (presidential palace) stated that Afghanistan flag would fly half-mast on government and foreign offices. The statement added that a special memorial services would also be held at the mosque in ARG and the all mosques across the country to pray for the martyred soldiers. Meanwhile President Ghani held an emergency meeting with senior military and local officials from the 34 provinces last night and discussed Friday’s attack. Ghani said that an investigation into the deadly attack had started and added that deputy minister of defence, deputy head of National Directorate of Security, and chief of army staff are at the scene to carry on the investigation. The death toll in Shaheen 209 Corps attack has increased to at least 135 Afghan National Army (ANA) killed and more than 60 injured.