Biometric system installed in Spin Boldak

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): A newly-installed biometric system in the Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province, bordering Pakistani, became operational on Thursday, officials said.

Aimed at identifying the people crossing the joint border, the modern system was formally launched at a ceremony in the border town.

District chief, Abdul Ghani, US Agency for International Development representatives, American military officials, senior border police officers, development councils’ chiefs and tribal elders attended the event.

Abdul Ghani said the installation was aimed at brining improvement into the security situation and blocking the infiltration of insurgents into the town.

Funded by the US Army, the project cost $125,000 and took six months to complete, he said, hoping the system would help improve the security situation in Kandahar and other provinces.

It would enable Afghan forces to easily identify militants sneaking into Kandahar, he said. Nine Afghans had been trained to run the system, he said.

ma/mud