Security up at polling sites, Durand Line

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Security at polling stations, other sensitive areas and at the Durand Line has been tightened in Nangarhar province for Saturday’s elections, officials said on Thursday.

Police Chief Brig. Gen. Fazl Ahmad Sherzad told Pajhwok Afghan News they had adopted security measures to ensure the elections passed off peacefully. He claimed polling stations previously under high threat had been secured.

“We are not going to sit idle, but planning more operations,” Sherzad said and expressed his confidence that policemen deployed at polling stations would be able to easily perform the task.

The police chief said the security operations in Hesarak, Sherzad, Khogyani, Chaparhar, Pachiragam, Batikot and other districts had many achievements.

“Dozens of militants have been killed and wounded during these operations and many others forced to flee,” he said.

First Border Police Zone official Col. Mohammad Ayub Hassankhel told Pajhwok they had tightened security at border areas considered dangerous in term of militant infiltrations.

He said border forces would not only secure borders, but would also cooperate with other forces in maintaining security for polling stations. He said they would not allow miscreants to disrupt the election process.

“We are working together with other security forces in maintaining security and we say it openly that no one will be allowed to create chaos,” said Hassankhel.

He claimed the Durand Line from Nangarhar to neighbouring Kunar and Nuristan provinces would be sealed at the possible extent to block the entry of terrorists from across the border into Afghanistan territory.

Gen. Dadan Lawang, the 201st Selab Military Corps 4th battalion commander, said the insurgents had lost the courage to fight. “This is just propaganda by the insurgents that they will derail the vote. No one can do this,” said Lawang, who challenged the rebels to a direct engagement.

The general said the Afghan forces had strengthened enough to challenge a developed force of any country. “The rebels operate like thieves; they hit and run. We have repulsed them and sent them back to their caves.”

Lawang asked residents to stream to polling stations and choose their future leadership. He said the Afghan National Army, police, public order police, border police and intelligence operatives would thwart plots aimed at disrupting the vote.

National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief, Gen. Gul Nabi, said the Afghans broadly and boldly take part in the elections and should not be worried about the security situation. He said no untoward incident would occur on the voting day.

ma/mud

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