PAKTIYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - In a warm classroom cooled by an occasional breeze through a few open windows, 50 Afghan Local Police recruits talked among themselves as they awaited the day's training to begin at the recently-opened Gardez Regional Training Center in Gardez city, Gardez district, Paktiya province.
One recruit called attention as the training instructor 2nd Lt. NorRahman, an Afghan National Police Officer, entered the room. He responded with a salute and told the students to take their seats.
Lt. NorRahman taught the recruits how to detect improvised explosive devices and what actions to take when they find them.
Afghan National Security Forces are irreversibly taking the lead for Afghanistan’s security following the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s announcement of Tranche 5 and will assume full responsibility for security by the end of 2014.
The future guardians listened intently. Some gave an occasional nod as feedback of comprehension, while others filled notepads with characters of the Pashto alphabet in black and red ink.
The classroom of candidates all raised their hands when Lt. NorRahman asked them to share their experiences related to IEDs.
“I once found a rocket and reported it to the ALP,” said one of the candidates. “They reported it and it was destroyed before anyone was hurt.”
Another future guardian stood to share his experience.
“I found one once that was full of wires,” he said. “I thought it was an old tank mine, but it was made of homemade explosives.”
“Mines have killed many innocent people. I went up to the mountains and saw an anti-tank mine,” said the class leader, a large man standing about six feet tall who takes pride in noting that he fought against the Russians in the late 80s. “Taliban use them just like the Russians did.”
Six candidates brought in three large cases containing training aides.
“These bombs are simulated, but you may come across some that look exactly like this,” said the lieutenant as he displayed various examples of IEDs and homemade explosive materials.
He said the danger of IEDs is all too real and the candidates must be prepared to take the appropriate actions when they see them.
“They must know how to deal with these bombs to keep the villagers safe,” said NorRahman. “The enemy plants bombs in our villages and kill innocent people. That's why they must pay attention and take this training seriously.”
The future guardians said they are prepared to face the challenges for the sake of the Afghan people.
“I joined the ALP to serve my country and protect the people in my village,” said one candidate. “Whatever I have to do to help my village, I will do.”
Afghan Local Police complement counterinsurgency efforts by assisting and supporting in rural areas with limited Afghan National Security Forces presence, enabling conditions for improved security, governance and development.