Ministry of Defense rejects SIGAR report

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Wednesday rejected reports that soldier from Afghan National Army (ANA) were deserting en masse, but acknowledged that a decline of 3.5 per cent had occurred in its ranks.

The Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR) reported on Tuesday that ANA was facing a decline in personnel due to mass desertions and casualties.

The report stated that between 2013-14 around 1,300 soldiers lost their lives and 6,200 were wounded. At least 40,000 personnel have deserted, the report added.

In a statement MoD admitted that a 3.5% decline has occurred in the army ranks for various reasons, but denied reports on desertions. Efforts were underway to tackle the issue of decline in ANA ranks, the statement said.

“When some of our personnel go and cannot make it back on time then the reports mention them as deserters,” said the statement adding that casualties during wars were normal.

The statement went on to say that after NATO’s combat mission came to an end, Afghan forces took lead in securing the country successfully, despite a drastic rise in insurgents’ attacks.

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