NPCC plays major role in successful Afghan Parliamentary Inauguration

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.26.2011

Story by Guy Volb 

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Afghan Parliamentary Inauguration held here Jan. 26 was successful, not for what happened during the event, but for what didn’t happen.

In what officials touted as a victory for its internal security forces, the inauguration was held without incident.

And the National Police Coordination Center, or NPCC, played a major role in its execution. As part of the Ministry of Interior’s Operations and Plans Directorate the NPCC is active 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, serving as the Police Command Center for national and strategically significant events – such as the inauguration.

“The NPCC is responsible for coordinating, monitoring, synchronizing and reporting public incidents and police operations and activities across Afghanistan,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gerald Stalder, the IJC NPCC deputy director at the Ministry of Interior. “The NPCC also prepares daily reports and briefings … in order to recommend actions and inform Ministry of Interior leaders for decisions that maintain law and order for the protection of the people of Afghanistan in accordance with the rule of law.”

While the Afghan National Police was the lead agency regarding security for the inauguration, the NPCC was also involved in the planning by Brig. Gen. Ali Mast Momand, ANP chief of plans, and execution of the ceremony. Other agencies included Afghan National Army units, Presidential Protective Services, Parliamentary Security Services, National Directorate of Security, General Directorate of Police Special Units, and International Security Assistance Force.

“Planning and executing included rehearsals, communications exercises, site reconnaissance, route security, positioning of emergency services and quick reaction forces,” said Stalder.

"The plan was developed over two months," said Momand. And was approved two weeks early by Deputy Minister of Security Abdurahman Rahman, which allowed ample time for rehearsals.

“The greatest challenge was close coordination between the various Afghan National Security Forces,” said Brig. Gen. Namatullah Haidary, chief of ANP operations responsible for the NPCC. "Each understanding their roles, command and control of these forces and their responsibilities.”

Execution was also successful due to proper communications between Afghan National Police and NPCC operations, while staff remained flexible during timeline changes. Security operations included proper force deployment and NPCC’s ability to remain focused on national events, while coordinating with the other intelligence units in the area.

“Communications between the many security units was key to the successful event,” emphasized Stalder.

“This reverses a decade-old soviet process … of waiting to be told vice displaying initiative,” he continued. “Additionally, advisors provided recommendations, but this was an Afghan led effort, specifically an ANP led effort.”

• Date Taken: 01.26.2011
• Date Posted: 02.01.2011 06:38
• Story ID: 64585
• Location: KABUL, AF