WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Sayed Abad district officials hosted a shura Dec. 31 at the district center to promote security operations and the reintegration of Taliban members.
Brig. Gen. Fahim Qayam, provincial police chief, said raising the level of security is his highest priority especially along Highway 1, the economic backbone of Afghanistan.
“We have to take advantage of this opportunity and come together in coordination amongst everyone [in Sayed Abad] to be successful in fighting the Taliban,” said Qayam.
According to Qayam, intelligence-driven joint operations coordinated between all of the Afghan National Security Forces in the area can achieve effective security in the district.
Col. Nazrab Shah, Sayed Abad’s district police chief, agreed, saying that the residents of the region would benefit greatly by the elimination of criminal elements in the district.
“To accomplish this I will support [Afghan security forces] in any way possible to ensure [they] have the necessary logistics and equipment required to succeed,” explained the provincial police chief to the leaders in attendance.
The police chief also insisted that the leaders encourage Taliban reintegration in to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
“I urge you to reach out to Taliban insurgents and inform them of the rights they have in this country, our country and their country,” said Qayam. “I urge you to inform them of the Rule of Law and tell them to put down their weapons and join us, be our brothers again so we can become a more unified and peaceful Afghanistan.”