Wounded, battle-tested recruits complete ALP training

MAIWAND DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN

03.15.2013

Story by Spc. Tyffani Collins 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

MAIWAND DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Eleven wounded Afghan Local Police (ALP) recruits completed training despite suffering injuries in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, March 15.

The recruits were injured, March 9, when approximately 15 heavily armed insurgents attacked them while conducting training near Koka village. The recruits stopped the attack, although not fully trained, by killing three of the insurgents.

The recruits completed a rigorous three-week course including marksmanship, patrol techniques, checkpoint security, basic first aid and improvised explosive device detection.

The battle-tested ALP graduates displayed resiliency and resolve by completing training despite their injuries. They also demonstrated a strong will to protect friends and families by forcing enemies out of their villages.

Over 30 new Afghan Local Police (ALP) members expanded the village-based security force during their graduation ceremony.

District Chief of Police Maj. Esmatullah personally congratulated all the graduates and commended the 11 wounded for their bravery at the conclusion of the ceremony.

“Afghanistan will truly be secure when we take ownership of our own country,” said Esmatullah. “You young men are doing exactly that."

ALP complement counterinsurgency efforts by assisting and supporting rural areas with limited Afghan National Security Forces presence, in order to enable conditions for improved security, governance and development.

• Date Taken: 03.15.2013
• Date Posted: 03.22.2013 03:32
• Story ID: 103927
• Location: MAIWAND DISTRICT, AF