PANJWAI DISTRICT, Afghanistan – More than 70 villagers and district leaders including District Governor Haji Faizal Mohammad attended an Afghan Local Police graduation ceremony and a security shura in Belambai village, Panjwai district, Kandahar province, Feb. 23.
Six graduates joined the growing village-based security force during Belambai’s second graduation ceremony held in the historical insurgent safe haven.
The district governor spoke to the villagers and district leaders about continued support for the ALP, highlighting improved security conditions in Zangabad and Peshingan villages as a result of the ALP.
“The ALP represent the people of their villages because they know more about their villages than anyone else,” said District Governor Haji Faizal Mohammad. “The people in this area are fed-up with the Taliban and trust the ALP to help them. ALP is the messenger between the people and the government of Afghanistan and I have faith in them.”
Assistant District Chief of Police Haji Lala, District ALP Coordinator Abdul Ghafar, Community Council Deputy Chairman Jan Agha, National Directorate of Security representative Mahibullah, and Afghan National Security Forces commended the newest ALP members for completing the intense training, promoted the success of the ALP program, and asked for continued support the program during the graduation ceremony and village security shura.
The villagers rallied behind District Governor Haji Faizal Mohammad and Malik Ahmad Shah, as they distributed Afghan flags before the local security shura.
“It was a good day for the country, one of the best days in the past 10 years,” said village Malik Ahmad Shah. “Today was a good day for Afghanistan.”
The ALP’s expansion demonstrates the villagers’ resilience by recruiting volunteers for the ALP despite facing high risks.
“I joined ALP because I want to serve my country,” said an ALP member. “I’m proud to be a part of the ALP. My family is proud and happy because I’m working for my village. I hope more volunteers will do the same and become ALP to protect our country.”
Afghan National Army Special Forces led the three-week training including marksmanship, checkpoint operations, improvised explosives device detection, Afghan constitution and basic first aid.
Several district leaders addressed the crowd at the shura and stressed the importance of security, healthcare, education and development in the region. Villagers witnessed strong support and interest in their area as a result of the improved security conditions by the ALP.
“The Afghan people have confidence in the ALP because they come from them,” said district Mullah Shariffuddin. “ALP members are someone’s father, someone’s son or brother from this community so they will fight more. They are powerful and brave fighters here for the security of their own families.”
The ALP complement ANSF counterinsurgency efforts by assisting and supporting rural areas in order to enable conditions for improved security, governance and development.
“A lot has happened in the past 30 years, a lot of fighting in my country,” said an ALP graduate. “Everyone is burned out from that and they all want freedom now for their country.”
Afghan flags are now flying from homes in surrounding villages, demonstrating the people’s refusal to support the Taliban.
| Date Taken: |
02.23.2013 |
| Date Posted: |
02.27.2013 02:52 |
| Story ID: |
102594 |
| Location: |
PANJWAI DISTRICT, AF |
| Web Views: |
92 |
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