BAGHLAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Elders and villagers from the Dahana-E- Ghori district held a shura validating the beginning of Afghan Local Police training, in Tapagurghan, Pul-E-Khumri district, Oct. 18.
Due to the number of attendees and the space needed to accommodate them, the shura was held in Tapgurghan, Pul-E-Khumri district.
The shura was jointly hosted by district elders and the coalition Special Operations Forces that will provide the initial training for the ALP.
Attending the shura were numerous Afghan government officials including: Deputy Provincial Gov. Mohammed Kadim Khan; District Gov. Khan Zada; Baghlan Provincial Chief of Police, Brig. Gen. Assadullah Sherzad; Ministry of the Interior ALP commander, Brig. Gen. Ali Shah Ahmadzai; and the representative for women to the Provincial Shura, Nurya Hamidi.
Ahmadzai encouraged those gathered at the shura to support the ALP. He reminded them the ALP consisted of people close to them.
“ALP are your sons and brothers; support and encourage them,” he said. “After all, they are the ones that will bring security and peace to your area.”
Several of the officials reminded the elders of the local connection the ALP have with the people and also emphasized the connection the ALP has to the Afghan National Police, and the overall security to the Afghan government.
The first class ALP candidates will begin training in the next few days.