ZHARI DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Many of the policemen in 2nd Battalion, 3rd Afghan National Civil Order Police Brigade, are experienced in providing security in Afghanistan, and they have age on their side – most being at least 30 years old.
They are a touch out of place in Kandahar province but not because of their age, rather because most are from Herat province.
But Policeman Mir Abdel is an exception on both counts.
Born in Ghowr province, 24-year-old Abdel is currently in Kandahar province helping the rest of his battalion bring security to the region.
He said he thinks of his family often, as he works more than 350 miles from where they live. His father is a shopkeeper and is still head-of-household for Abdel’s six brothers.
“It will be a great day,” Abdel said, when he sees them again.
It has been almost six months since the family has embraced each other, but it’s the mission that takes up most of Abdel’s thoughts, not his family, he said.
It is this sort of focus which sets Abdel apart from other ANCOP in his battalion.
One evening in the ANCOP camp in Zhari District, his fellow policemen were passing a few phones among each other in order to catch up with family, said 2nd Sgt. Gulaha, a non-commissioned officer in the battalion.
“When we had to give the phone to Abdel, we couldn’t find him,” Gulaha said. “He was talking to the [battalion’s] executive officer about who would go out on patrol the next day.”
This is typical Abdel behavior, he said.
“When the other ANCOP take it easy, Abdel finds someone to talk about work,” Gulaha said.
His dedication is an example to others in the unit, said Lt. Col. Muhammad Agha, battalion commander.
“It is good to see him with his squad,” Agha said. “He helps keep them alert and doing what they should be doing.”
Abdel’s squad and the rest of the battalion are tasked with operating checkpoints in Zhari District, west of Kandahar City.
They regularly go on patrols to meet with local citizens, discuss security and restore a sense of order to the district, said the Special Operations Task Force – South team leader whose unit is partnered with 2nd Bn.
It was one of the typical patrols where Abdel again set himself apart.
Abdel was with a group of select ANCOP Oct. 26 when they found an insurgent weapons cache inside an abandoned compound.
“He flagged us into the room so we could neutralize the [improvised explosive device], and then he went right back to pulling security outside the compound,” said the U.S. Special Forces engineer who followed up on Abdel’s find.
“He’s a good dude,” the engineer said. “He wasn’t poking around dangerously; he kept his guard up and no one was hurt.”
But there is a soft side to the dedicated Abdel.
“He goes out on patrol with a flower tied to the barrel of his rifle,” said Gulaha.
Abdel scowled when Gulaha put that information out, while a few other ANCOP laughed. But it was a friendly exchange.
“This is the guy who put the flower on his weapon?” asked the Special Forces weapons sergeant who went out with 2nd Bn. the morning they found the cache.
When asked why he did this, Abdel said it was his first patrol in Zhari and he wanted to take something as a souvenir.
“But I stay thinking about the mission,” he added.
Abdel is quick to redirect his thoughts to the work at hand, said the Special Forces team leader.
For example, in Kandahar City, a Special Forces medic asked Abdel if he is as keen on visiting his family as some of the other ANCOP.
Abdel replied that he’s not in a rush to get back home.
“I’d rather do my job the way I’m supposed to,” he said. “Once the job is done and the mission is accomplished, then we will leave for home safely.”
It’s with the attitude of policeman like Abdel that the Special Forces team is seeing a brighter future for security in the region.
“We’re making pretty decent progress with the ANCOP in Zhari,” said the Special Forces team leader. “You can’t say guys like Abdel aren’t a part of that progress.”
| Date Taken: |
11.05.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
11.06.2010 13:37 |
| Story ID: |
59560 |
| Location: |
ZHARI DISTRICT, AF |
| Web Views: |
68 |
| Downloads: |
5 |
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