UN, US offer accolades for Afghan forces

WASHINGTON (PAN) for successfully crushing recent terrorist attacks, saying their response showed their increased capability of dealing with such assaults.

“It confirms that the Afghan army and police did a great job of reacting to these attacks. They quickly restored order and security in those areas, and it gave us an indication that they really are improving in terms of their capability to provide security,” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a Pentagon news conference.

“This is clearly the beginning of the spring offensive that the Taliban engage in and we are fully confident that combined with the Afghan army, we can confront that threat,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said: “I’ve worked with both Iraqi security forces and Afghan security forces.  I’ll tell you, the Afghan security forces perform their duties admirably when attacked, even though it was on very short notice over the last 48 hours.”  

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) also condemned the coordinated strikes in Afghanistan and commended the ANSF for their effective action. “Members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Afghanistan.  

“Security Council commended the Afghan National Security Forces for their effective action,” said a presidential statement issued by UN Security Council.

In another statement, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon denounced the violence. “It is ordinary Afghans who ultimately bear the brunt of such attacks,” said a statement from Ban’s spokesperson. “The Secretary-General calls on the parties to the conflict to take all possible measures for the protection of civilians.”

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