Afghan police facing shortage of weapons

KABUL): The 150,000-strong Afghan police force is still faced with a shortage of equipment and weapons, an official of the Ministry of Interior said on Monday.

Efforts were underway to arrange for police training and accommodation, Sadique Sadiquei, the ministry spokesman, told a press conference in Kabul.

Although the police strength was not an issue of concern, they were faced with a lack of weapons and equipment in several provinces, he said.  

As the force remained dependent on assistance from the international community, Afghanistan wanted to improve its capacity, he said.

International Security Force (ISAF) Training Mission officials had promised last year to spend 100 billion afghanis ($2 billion) on strengthening Afghan police. 

In an opinion poll by Pajhwok Afghan News reveals most of the people are happy with the process of security transition from international soldiers to Afghan security forces.

However, a large number of respondents voiced concern at the strength and efficiency of Afghan security forces, stressing the need for training and equipping them.    

The police strength would increase from 150,000 to 160.0000 in 2012 based on an agreement with global fraternity, Siddiqui said. “We are still in early stages of security transition. We are focused on making the police force self-reliant until 2014.”

Siddiqui told a questioner the third phase of the security switch would begin in Samangan and Daikundi provinces during the current week.

He said Afghan police conducted four independent and seven join operations in different provinces last week, killing 14 rebels and detaining 101 others. During the operations, 12 policemen were killed and 26 others injured.

mrh/mud

Visits: 8