Herat security improved last year: police chief

HERAT CITY (PAN): As the accountability week began, local officials said the security situation improved last year in the western province of Herat.

Speaking at a conference, the provincial police chief said the security situation had considerably improved, with a dozen districts transitioning from foreigners to Afghan forces.

Brig. Gen. Syed Agha Saqib said 89 insurgents were killed, 20 wounded, 2o4 arrested during a string of security operations. Another 200 rebels joined the peace process during last solar year.

He also briefed the gathering on crime incidence in the province, where 997 cases, including 21 abductions, 43 murders, 247 robberies, 56 incidents of moral corruption, were registered.

As many as 1,617 suspects were arrested in connection with the cases, Saqib said, adding 36 policemen were killed and 42 others wounded in suicide attacks, roadside bombs and ambushes.

According to the police chief, 508 pieces of weapons collected from illegal armed people and private security companies were handed to the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG). Five tonnes of narcotics were captured and 329 suspects arrested.

Challenges facing police force included the presence of illegal armed groups, grant of arms licences, the increasing number of drug addicts and smugglers, Saqib said.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Maria Bashir said 1,852 cases of violence against women were registered with her office from the provincial capital and 797 from districts. About 2,544 cases were registered with the prosecutor’s office last year.

During the accountability week, an annual event, all provincial government departments will present their performance reports at special gatherings.

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