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KABUL, Afghanistan – Village elders gathered at Forward Operating Base Bande Sardeh to sign a pact pledging to keep insurgents out of their villages and report insurgent activity to security forces in eastern Andar District, Ghazni province, Dec. 21.
Afghans taking more responsibility for security is the first step for establishing lasting security in the area, said Abdul Wahab, an agent for the Afghan National Directorate of Security, or NDS.
“Abdul Wahab, from the NDS, has accomplished something that we’ve been working toward since we got here,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nathan Crawford, a squad leader for Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. “The elders trust the NDS.”
When the elders gathered, they discussed security concerns in their villages, the reconciliation program for insurgent fighters and projects for their villages.
The elders agreed not to allow insurgents to operate in their villages and to notify security forces of any insurgent activity or caches.
In return, the security forces agreed to work on some projects through the village and continue developmental assistance.
“This is significant because it is the first time since we’ve been in Ghazni that we have been able to get the elders to meet like this and come to an agreement on something,” said U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Schwengler, commander Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment. “It helped the elders to see our hospitality and witness firsthand the cooperation between the Afghan National Army, NDS and coalition forces.”
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.26.2010 11:23 |
| Story ID: | 62632 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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