Afghan National Police lead Canadian mission

KHADAN, KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

02.01.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Christine Jones  

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - On Jan. 26, Afghan National Police and Canadian Forces took part in Operation Tazi, the first of many future operations partnered with the ANP in the village of Khadan, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Tazi in the Afghan language means hound, the objective of the operation was to search and clear the village of any weapons or Improvised Explosive Device making materials.

"The ANP are taking the lead on this, we are going to ask permission. 'Hello, we are conducting a security operation, can we search this compound? We want to make sure for your security and ours that there are no weapons caches, bombs, or insurgent elements in your compound,'" said Maj. Mark Popov, commanding officer, Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron, Task Force 3-09 Battle Group.

A total of approximately 150 Canadian Forces and ANP were involved in the operation. In the village, the search consisted of 30 Afghan National Policemen and the Canadian Police Operational Mentor Liaison Team. Helping to provide security of the village were members of Charlie Company, Princess Patricia's Light Infantry from Edmonton, Alberta and The Royal Canadian Dragoons from Petawawa, Ontario.

"Operation Tazi is a partnered International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Police Operation. We will conduct a series of compound searches, in order to clear potential insurgents out of the village of Khadan," said Popov.

The road to and from the village was secured during the operation, as well as an over-watch of the area provided by Canadian Forces. Route clearance teams were dispatched prior to Tazi, to ensure the roadways were free of IEDs.

"It is one of our first steps towards getting the ANP out more into the towns, and taking their steps toward securing the population themselves," said Popov.
In a supportive role, Popov is working closely with the District Chief of Police Shir Shah, during the search they planned to meet with village elders.

"The Afghan Chief of Police is taking the lead and he is going to explain to the village elders we are conducting a security operation. We have suspicions that insurgents might be operating here and threatening the people, we need to take some measures to stop that from happening," said Popov.

In addition, often during these meetings challenges and problems from the village elders will be brought up for discussion. If there are any quick action projects that need to be done immediately, for example if all of the wells in the village were broken, the Canadian Forces and ANP will try to demonstrate their ability to help the villagers out in their time of need. This helps to build a working relationship with the villagers, which also helps in building trust.

"One of my construction management guys will come along and identify 'Is there a project we can do here? What are the conditions? Could we do this . . . would this be a good project . . . this well . . . this canal?'" said Popov.

Last August a Canadian vehicle was destroyed in Khadan from a massive improvised explosive device. Because of this event, Canadian forces and the ANP were aware that there could be an insurgent presence in the village.

"Doing kinetic operations and the unfortunate necessity to sometimes kill insurgents is like breathing. As a person you don't live only to breathe, but if you didn't breathe you wouldn't be alive," said Popov.

By working with the ANP the Canadian Forces are more easily able to obtain information, not only on insurgent activity, but the needs of the villagers as well. Cultural beliefs are not crossed when someone of the same beliefs is there to help bridge the gap between cultures.

"The villagers were happy to see the ANP. They searched combined within the houses, so this is good," said Shah.

Due to a funeral and out of respect, the search was called off when it was approximately 75 percent complete. It is customary that if someone dies the villagers must bury their loved one before the sun sets the same day they pass. The Chief of Police felt it would be respectful of the villagers' cultural beliefs to give them the day to mourn, he said.

Generally the atmosphere of the village is unfriendly according to Canadian forces which patrol the area. That can be attributed to many things, among which is the proximity of the village to a heavily insurgent-trafficked road, as well as having only recently been introduced to a stable police presence.

"When we go into the village, we get rocks thrown at us and the people are not happy to see us," said Popov. "So that is a factor that indicates we probably have to conduct some security operations there. To demonstrate the capacity, capability and commitment of the Afghan National Security Forces and their ability to operate in the further villages from the Dand district center where the police are headquartered," said Popov.

During the search of Khadan, nothing of interest was found. Coalition forces and the ANP plan on continuing to over-watch the area and plan to maintain a steady police presence in the area. Perhaps this village does not have as much insurgent activity as thought. Or it may be the insurgents anticipated the search and fled the area, said Shah.