Border police ready to counter aggression

JALALABAD (PAN on Thursday said they had the ability and courage to give a befitting response to aggression against the country.

Col. Wali Khan Shinwari told a ceremony marking the 93rd independence anniversary of Afghanistan that the country’s sovereignty was under threat and they had to follow in footsteps of King Amanullah Khan, who attacked the British in May 1919 in two thrusts, taking them by surprise.

Two days ago, Afghan border forces clashed with Pakistani soldiers near the Durand Line for seven hours. Shinwari praised Dangam district residents, tribal elders and youth for assisting their forces during the skirmish.

He assured the people of Nuristan, Kunar and Nangarhar provinces that the brave Afghan soldiers were ready to give a tit-for-tat response to foreign aggression.

Another senior border police commander, Col. Mohammad Ayub Hussainkhel, said border police were more responsible for the country’s defence than the common people.

Border police spokesman Mohammad Idrees Momand told Pajhwok Afghan News 56 militants were killed and wounded during security operations over the past four months. Another 31 insurgents were captured alive, he added.

Nine border policemen were killed and a dozen others wounded in 10 bomb blasts during the period, he said, claiming 55 Kalashnikovs with 57 magazines and other ammunitions were seized.

ma/mud