Afghan Border Police enlist tribal leaders to protect eastern borders

01.21.2010

Story by Sgt. Tracy Smith 

48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Afghan border police and coalition forces hosted Shinwari tribal elders of the Nangarhar province, Jan. 21, to unite the tribes and obtain their unanimous commitment to defeat the Taliban, corruption and any illegal actions that threaten the Afghan people and their government.

More than 170 Maliks from six districts of the Nangarhar province put aside tribal differences to form the alliance, as a community, and bring stability to Afghanistan's eastern border region.

The traditional jirga organized by the ABP 6th Kandak headquarters in Shinwar gave the tribes the confidence that their voice would be heard as they addressed concerns. The event sent a powerful and irrefutable message to the Taliban and those allowing corruption in government that tyranny and passive governance would no longer be tolerated.

Task Force Mountain Warrior, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment commander, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Randall V. Simmons, applauded the leaders for their bravery in continuing to fight oppression and dispelled rumors that the military would leave Afghanistan.

"If the whole tribe speaks as one it will be heard and action will be taken as we are here to fight our common enemy and promote a common cause," Simmons reassured. "America has donated its most prized possession, its sons and daughters, to this mission and we will not leave until our mission is complete."

During previous key leader engagements in Rough Rider's area of operation the Maliks voiced common community concerns; security, education, health care and the lack of reliable governance.

Malik Niyaz, an influential tribal elder from the Mohmand Valley, opened the jirga's discussion for his peers and spoke passionately to their common sense of purpose as representatives for the people of their villages.

"Is it only me who dares to speak out? I do not have the power to remove a corrupt governor but I can expose him and so must you," Niyaz said. "I appeal to you today because I know there are others that know how our people have suffered from mismanaged projects because [government] lines it's pockets with money intended for our communities. We must stand together to purge our community of corruption and the thumb of tyranny."

During the open discussions the chieftains signed the Anti-Taliban Shinwari Pact committing to unification and pledging to resist the Taliban, or any other disruptive factions. Failure to do so would bring dire consequences to any who went against its mandates.

The Shinwari Pact is historical as the sub-tribes publically pronounced solidarity with their Afghan national security force brothers to bring peace to Afghanistan showing the power of cooperation.

ABP Zone one commander, Brig. Gen. Zaman Mamozai, said this willingness to commit to defending their own is a source of personal pride for him as a Muslim and an Afghan and invited the Maliks to reinforce their security by empowering their people economically.

In his address Zaman announced the formation of the ABP 8th Kandak to be headquartered in the Achin District. The new headquarters will bring jobs and service opportunity to the people of the region.

The Kandak, actively seeking to recruit from the local community, plans to reinforce its service numbers by 500 providing additional jobs for 500 families. Zaman and the Ministry of Interior will also increase each ABP Soldier's pay by roughly 15 percent.

"This is an opportunity for the people of Shinwar to step forward and give new life to the new battalion and keep jobs in the community," Zaman said.

Zaman, a former Mujahedin fighter, reflected on the collapse of governance during the Soviet occupation and subsequent attacks by the Taliban on "Afghanistan's innocents" in the 1990s. Taking ownership of their own security did not mean taking a handout but a helping hand from partners in the fight.

"Take advantage of coalition force resources to rebuild what we have lost," Zaman encouraged. "The United States was not considered an infidel country when it assisted Pakistan in the development of nuclear technology so it should not be considered such as they look to help our beloved Afghanistan."

As one of Nangarhar province's three most influential tribes, the signing of the Shinwari Pact will set precedence for future defense and economic growth planning and implementation for Afghanistan. Yet the outcome must be worth more than the paper it is printed on.

Simmons reiterated the need for action-based solidarity with tough, encouraging talk.

"[Your signature] indicates that your tribe is united and will resist the Taliban or other insurgents at all costs," Simmons stated. "I applaud you for taking responsibility for your own security and stand ready to fight to the end for peace and victory alongside you and our ANSF brothers in arms."

• Date Taken: 01.21.2010
• Date Posted: 02.15.2010 03:20
• Story ID: 45362