Senate concerned at rebels’ infiltration into forces’ ranks

KABUL): The Senate on Sunday condemned a suicide blast that killed senior Afghan security officials in northern Takhar province, asking the government to take measures at preventing militants from infiltrating security forces.

Four Afghan police officials, including two senior commanders, and two German soldiers were killed when the bomber found his way into the governor’s compound on Saturday and exploded explosives strapped to his body amid stringent security measures.

Nine Afghan officials, including the provincial governor, Abdul Jabbar Taqwa and NATO‘s German commander Gen. Markus Kneip, were wounded. Police chief for the northern zone, Gen. Daud Daud, provincial police head, Brig. Gen. Shah Jehan Noori, were among the dead.

Senator Mohammad Alam Ezedyar told Meshrano Jirga that the attack was a failure of intelligence officials. He said there was an urgent need stopping militants infiltrating security forces.

Several others lawmakers also voiced their concern at the infiltration, asking the authorities concerned to take urgent steps in this regard.

Ezedyar said the people of Afghanistan had extended a hand of friendship to rebels, but they cut off their hands through such barbaric attacks.

Gulalai Akbari from northern Badakhshan province said suck attacks shattered people’s confidence in the security forces.

Another legislator, Zalmay Zabuli, claimed foreign troops were not sincere in the war against the Taliban. He said assaults would continue to take place until Afghans agreed to the establishment of permanent US military bases.

But Senator Ali Akbar Jamshedi believed Al Qaeda was involved in terrorist strikes, which could end with the elimination of the terror network. He said the attacks would not deter their quest for peace and stability.

“We should join hands and ask the government to prevent such attacks in the future,” said Khaliqdad Baghi, a lawmaker from Kabul. “We have two options — either to die or surrender.”

Haji Nimatullah from southern Helmand province said former mujahideen were the target of suicide attacks.

Both lower and upper houses have summoned senior officials several times to brief lawmakers on the security situation. “Their briefings did not help us draw a conclusion, so this time Parliament should talk to the president,” Ezedyar concluded.

ma/mud

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