Nimroz ready for security transition: governor

ZARANJ (PAN): Southwestern Nimroz province, where Afghan forces are in charge of most of area, is ready for the second phase of security transition, the governor said on Saturday.

International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) troops are based only in Dilaram district, Governor Abdul Karim Barahawi told a news conference in Zaranj.

Afghan forces have set up checkpoints in areas previously patrolled by foreign forces, he said, stressing the creation of job opportunities through development projects.

There would be no security problems once Afghan police was properly trained and equipped, said the Nimroz police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Jabbar Purdali. “Police have the ability to maintain security along the 450-kilometre borders with Pakistan and Iran.”

According to 215^th Maiwand Military Corps Commander Syed Maluk, two army units will also be stationed along the borders. The Corps’ strength had increased from 8,000 to 17,000 in recent years, he said.

Security of Balkh, Daikundi, Takhar, Samangan, Kabul and Nimroz provinces and Jalalabad, Chaghcharan, Shiberghan, Faizabad, Ghazni City, Maidan Shahr and Qala-i-Naw will be shifted to Afghan forces in the second phase of transition.

frm/mas/mud

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