No night raids after security switch in Paktia: Ghani

GARDEZ (PAN): Afghan forces are ready to take security control from international soldiers in the southeastern province of Paktia, a senior official said on Friday.

Security Transition Commission Chairman Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai said night raids by foreign soldiers in the province would come to an end after the switch.  

He told a news conference in Gardez, the provincial capital, an end to nighttime operations and house searches by ISAF held in November 2011.

As part of the transition process launched in July, a number of provinces and districts have been handed to Afghan security forces.

When the second phase of transition that started on December 1 is completed, 50 percent of the country’s security responsibility would be transferred to the Afghan lead.

During the current phase, Faizabad, Shahr-i-Buzurg, Yaftal Sofla, Arghanchkhwa, Baharak, Tishkan, Kishm and Argu districts of Badakhshan transitioned to Afghan forces.

The Aab Kamari district of Badghis, Nawa, Nad Ali and Marja in Helmand, Herat province — excluding Shindand, Oba and Chisht Sharif — Qarghayee in Laghman and Behsud, Kooz Kunar and Surkh Rod in Nangarhar will also change hands.

At his meetings with local officials and tribal elders, Dr. Ghani said, residents accused the central government of paying little heed to their problems.

The proposed handover would pave the way for Paktia’s socio-economic development, as well as improvement in the overall security situation, the official promised.

Ground force commander Gen. Murad Ali Murad who accompanied the delegation to Paktia, said Afghan soldiers were able to take control of national security.

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