Afghan national security forces increase security in Paktika

AFGHANISTAN

03.26.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Members of the Afghan national security forces and Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, found and detained a suspected bomb placer in Moghul Khel village, Zarghunshader district of Paktika province.

Led by the ANSF in the pre-dawn hours of March 26, more than 300 members of the ANSF and Soldiers from the 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division's Company A, 3rd Platoon surrounded the village and assisted with the search for the bomber.

The search was in response to a March 25 attack on the Yahya Khel District Center that killed an Afghan security guard, said U.S. Army Maj. Mark Leslie, executive officer of the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment.

As the search was underway in Mogul Khel, ANSF leaders gathered to speak to villagers and to hear Gen. Dalwat Khan, police chief for Paktika's Afghan uniformed police, explain why the ANA and AUP were in the village.

Khan also took this opportunity to talk about the need for Paktika's people to come together for a better future.

"The fighting in Afghanistan has been going on for over thirty years. We must stop the fighting so we can send our children to school and give them a better future," Khan said. "The Americans supported us when we fought against the Soviets. When we defeated the Soviets, the Americans let us have our country [for us] to begin to govern ourselves. But instead of coming together, we began fighting each other. The fighting must stop."

He also elaborated on the support for Afghanistan's improvement by the U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan.

Locals responded by pledging their support to the coalition forces' cause.

"We support President Karzai and his government. Twenty-seven thousand people from this area voted for him," said a village elder. "We do not want the Taliban here and we will kick them out of our village."

Company A commander, U.S. Army Capt. Josh Powers, also addressed the villagers.

"I am here to help make Paktika better for you and to free you of [insurgent] intimidation. Gen. Khan and I need your help to make Paktika better for you," he said. "We need your support to end the war here in Afghanistan. We have no intention to occupy your country. Our intention is to help you redevelop your country, so you may have a country free of war and fighting."

Leslie said the operation was a success, resulting in one individual detained by the police and no civilian injuries or damaged infrastructure.

"This operation is further proof that the Afghan police and army units in Paktika province are an independent, capable, and professional force," he said.

• Date Taken: 03.26.2010
• Date Posted: 03.28.2010 13:00
• Story ID: 47345
• Location: AF