Taliban weakened in Helmand but more police needed: Hayat

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The governor of southern Helmand province on Saturday said the Taliban had been weakened in the province as a result of continued operations against them, but complained about the shortage of police personnel to keep areas cleared of the rebels.

Speaking to reporters in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, Governor Hayatullah Hayat said: “We can capture many areas, but we lack enough police to keep such areas.”

He said they lacked resources to construct security posts and this issue had been shared with the central government.  He complained when the Taliban overran some areas two years ago, the Ministry of Interior reduced the strength of police in Helmand, a problem still in place.

Brig. Gen. Ghulam Daud Tarakhel, the 505 Bost Zone police commander, also said the police strength had reduced in Helmand but added police were not responsible to conduct operations against terrorists.

However, he hoped this issue would be overcome to some extent this new year. He also informed about possible launch of a major military operation against militants in the province, saying civilians would be paid special attention.

On the other hand, local residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome of previous military operations in the province against militants.

A resident of Nad Ali district, Sardar Mohammad, told Pajhwok Afghan News security forces often conducted operations in the province and only civilians bore the brunt of the situation.

“If we give food to security forces, we invite the Taliban’s wrath and if Taliban use our homes as their bastions, it lands us in trouble with the security forces.”

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