KABUL): Chief of Army Staff Gen. Sher Mohammad Karimi has urged Afghan soldiers to pay special attention to keeping their weapons in working condition.
Afghanistan being an impoverished country could ill-afford bulk purchases of weapons, the army chief said, adding foreign assistance would not continue forever.
At a certificate-awarding ceremony for 800 Afghan Special Forces and commando members who completed a 12-week training course in Kabul, Gen. Karimi said: “There is an old saying that arms are like dignity.”
He went on to tell the soldiers to keep their weapons and equipment in good shape so as to keep their pride and honour intact.
Addressing the troops, Gen. Karimi said: “Take special care of the weapons and techniques you have. Ours is a poor nation that can’t buy arms on a daily basis.”
The army chief added: “Allies would not assist us indefinitely. Therefore, we should judiciously use whatever we have and try to double the lifespan of each tool.”
Complaints had been received about violations of traffic rules by army soldiers, the general said, stressing an end to the practice and protection of military vehicles.
Gen. Karimi made clear respect for traffic laws was not confined to civilians alone; the army personnel should demonstrate a greater sense of responsibility in this regard.
According to him, army officials should be role model for their countrymen, serving as a paradigm of good manners, national unity and adherence to religion, as well as the Afghan culture.
Special Operation Unit commander Brig. Gen. Syed Abdul Karim said with the passing out of the latest batch that was trained to NATO standards, the unit strength had reached more than 12,000.
“The Special Forces Unit is imbued with the spirit of fighting against militants and acquiring techniques of combating ruthless enemies; they were determined to bring peace and stability to the country,” he remarked.
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