ALP needed to boost security in border districts: Gardiwal

JALALABAD (Pajhwok):  The Afghan Local Police (ALP) force be deployed to border districts of eastern Nangarhar province to improve the security situation there, an official said on Wednesday.

Some 1,640 ALP men have been serving in 14 districts, which do not share borders with Pakistan.  The province in total has 22 districts. The deployment of a 100-man ALP contingent to Surkhrod district was recently approved.

Deputy Governor Mohammad Hanif Gardiwal told Pajhwok Afghan News there was a need for the deploying the ALP to border district to halt insurgent the activities.

He said some border districts, where small ALP contingents were already working, needed additional personnel. The ALP number in Momand Dara is 50, needing 200 more personnel.   

The deputy governor praised local police officials for their role in peace and stability. He claimed ALP staff enjoyed a good reputation in Nangarhar.

Mohammad Jan, the 201^st Selab Military Corps commander, said the presence of ALP personnel had left a positive impact on security in Nangarhar.

“ALP men understand the culture and traditions of their areas. Therefore, they can better deal with matters,” Jan believed, praising the force for good communication with other security organs.

The Afghan National Army (ANA) commander justified demand for increasing the strength of local police because their role had been effective.

Earlier, a senior official at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said high-level consultations were underway to deploy local police force to Nangarhar province.

Col. Mohammad Khalil Oryakhel, head of the local police force, said this during a workshop in Jalalabad: “Initially, we will consult tribal elders and residents. In the second phase, a proper deployment mechanism will be evolved.”

Earlier in the week, ALP General Commander Maj. Gen. Alisha Ahmadzai told reporters in Jalalabad the number of local police would be increased in certain areas.

nh/mud

Visits: 6