Nahr-e Saraj district officials cite Afghan Local Police importance in retrograde

AFGHANISTAN

09.13.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Equite 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Top officials in Nahr-e Saraj district lauded Afghan Local Police Sept. 7, citing their much-improved skills and competency as U.S. and NATO forces conduct retrograde operations.

“The Afghan Local Police are doing a better job than ever before,” District Police Chief Capt. Saymand Hekmatullah said during the shura. “They are educated, well trained, and have a good relationship with local nationals.”

Hekmatullah emphasized the need for ALP as he outlined security plans to facilitate an upcoming transition of a nearby U.S. military base to Afghan Security Forces. ALP are vital to the police chief’s plan to expand checkpoints near and around the base, he said.

The district governor, Afghan National Army officers and the district’s national directorate of security chief were some of the key attendees at the shura.

The officials also noted an Aug 30 insurgent attack on a checkpoint in Malgir village, as evident of the ALP skills. ALP and other security forces coordinated their efforts through the district’s Operational Coordination Center, successfully defending five police checkpoints and killing nearly 30 insurgents.

“The enemy tried to make the district a miserable place,” he said. “Now the Taliban are having difficulty conducting operations in the area because of the increased security.”

The coordination center streamlines information between Afghan forces during battle and in preparation for operations.

“The victory in Malgir boosted Afghan security forces’ morale and emboldened district leaders,” Hekmatullah said.

“The enemy does not stand a chance because he is weak and unorganized,” Lt. Col. Nez, commander of the 2nd Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 215th Corps, said, crediting Hekmatuallah’s leadership and recommending his promotion.

Nez praised Hekmatullah’s leadership and actions in support of District Gov. Mohammed Fahim’s security priorities and recommended that the governor promote Hekmatullah to the rank of major.

Hekmatullah referenced another recent operations, in which Afghan commandos from the 7th SOK facilitated U.S. forces retrograde operations in districts north of Nahr-e Saraj. U.S. forces transitioned the base in Maktab to Afghan National Army soldiers in just a few days with little difficulty, he said.

“We can have the same success in Nahr-e Saraj,” he added.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2013
• Date Posted: 09.13.2013 07:10
• Story ID: 113574
• Location: AF