Markazi Bihsud District
Markaz-i Bihsūd District (Persian: ولسوالی مرکز بهسود) is one of the districts of Maidan Wardak Province in Afghanistan. It is located less than an hour-drive west of Kabul and south Bamyan. The main town in the district is Behsud. The district has an estimated population of 134,852 people,[2] majority of which are ethnic Hazaras.
Markazi Behsud District
ولسوالی مرکز بهسود | |
|---|---|
![]() Markazi Behsud District in dark pink in the west | |
![]() Markazi Behsud District Location in Afghanistan | |
| Coordinates: 34.3157°N 68.0478°E | |
| Country | |
| Province | Maidan Wardak |
| Capital | Behsud |
| Village numbers | 781[1] |
| Government | |
| • Type | District |
| • Governor | Jan Aqa Mohasel |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,186 km2 (844 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,950 m (9,680 ft) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
| • Total | 134,852 |
| Time zone | UTC+4:30 (Afghanistan Standard Time) |
| Postal code | 1351 |
| Main languages | Dari |
The Markazi Behsud is the largest district of Maidan Wardak Province with a number of villages. Most residents of the district are farmers and involved in agriculture.[3] The chief of the district is Abdul Rahman Tawfiq.[4]
The Hesa Awal Behsood District sits to the northeast of this district. Both are strongholds of Hazara militia forces who are engaged in a guerrilla warfare with the Taliban and the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).[5][6][7][8][9] One of these groups are led by Abdul Ghani Alipur (also known as Commander Shamshir),[10][11] who is currently wanted by the Afghan government. His followers have used a rocket-propelled grenade to shoot down an Mil Mi-17 of the Afghan Air Force on March 18, 2021,[12] which was transporting several members of the Afghan National Police.[13][14][15][16][17][18] All nine ANSF members in the Mi-17 helicopter were killed, including the Afghan pilots.[19][20]
See also
References
- اداده مستقل ارگان های محلی افغانستان
- "Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21" (PDF). National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA). www.nsia.gov.af. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Wardak Province Agriculture Profile 2008" (PDF). USAID. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "5 pro-govt fighters killed in Maidan Wardak attack". Pajhwok Afghan News. May 12, 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "12 armed men linked to Alipur killed Behsud operation". Pajhwok Afghan News. March 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Ghani vows revenge for Behsud copter downing". Pajhwok Afghan News. March 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Alipour has taken gun against government: Mohib". Pajhwok Afghan News. March 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Military general warns against Alipur and his militias". Khaama Press. March 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
Sami Sadat, commander of the 215th Maiwand Corps said security forces will target Alipur, his militancy, and his supporters in Behsud, Kabul, and other areas of Afghanistan.
- "Hazaras fear for future as Afghanistan risks slipping into chaos". Al Jazeera. February 3, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Afghan Authorities Release Militia Leader After Violent Demonstrations". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. November 26, 2018. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "A future with the Taliban". India: National Herald. August 24, 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- وزارت دفاع:حمله برچرخبال ارتش درمیدان وردک ازسوی علی پورانجام شده on YouTube (TOLOnews, Mar. 20, 2021)
- "Saleh Vows Action against Those Behind Behsud Incident". TOLOnews. March 22, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- "Afghanistan: Nine killed in military helicopter crash". DW News. March 18, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Local militia shot down army chopper: Afghanistan". Anadolu Agency. March 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "MoD calls for 'vengeance' following the attack on ANA helicopter". Khaama Press. March 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "MoD: Army Helicopter in Behsud Downed by Alipoor". TOLOnews. March 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Alipour's men shoot down ANA copter: MoD". Pajhwok Afghan News. March 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Mi-17 helicopter crash lands in Afghanistan, 9 killed". India Today. March 18, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- "Nine die as Afghan military chopper shot down in militia stronghold". Arab News. March 18, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.


