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Governor's Guards, Dostum's Militia Clash In North Afghanistan


SHEBERGHAN, Afghanistan -- The governor of Afghanistan’s northern Jowzjan Province says his house has been attacked by ethnic Uzbek commander Abdul Rashid Dostum's militia.

Governor Mohammad Alem Saee told RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan that several attackers were injured on June 17 when his bodyguards returned fire.

Saee said Dostum’s militia also attacked the National Security Directorate’s provincial office.

RFE/RL’s correspondent in Sheberghan reports hearing gunfire and confirmed that Afghan security forces from other provinces have been deployed.

Kenja Kargar, the provincial head of Dostum’s Junbish National Islamic Party, denied Dostum’s fighters started the clash.

Kargar said Dostum went to Saee’s house with his militia on June 17 for a meeting, but the meeting was cancelled due to "a misunderstanding."

Dostum founded the Junbish party and is chairman of the armed forces' Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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