Lashkar gah: Police have taken into custody 11 people on charges of digging a historical site in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, Provincial Director for Information and Culture Abdul Bari Rashid said Wednesday. The individuals were arrested while illegally excavating the Shah Hussain Historical Cemetery, a heritage site located on the outskirts of the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Rashid emphasized that no one has the right to dig or excavate historical sites and cultural monuments.

According to Namibia Press Agency, all the arrested individuals would be handed over to the judiciary after preliminary investigations. The authorities are taking strict measures to protect and preserve cultural heritage sites in the region, with ongoing monitoring to prevent any unauthorized activities. The incident highlights the challenges faced in safeguarding historical sites in conflict-affected areas, where such locations are often vulnerable to illegal excavation and destruction.