Afghan police trainees disappear in Washington

KABUL (Pajhwok): Two Afghan police officials, who were trained by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), have disappeared in Washington, an American news channel reported.

CBS News identified the disappearing duo as Mohammad Yasin Attayee and Mohammad Naveed Samimi, were among 31 police officers attending a five-week DEA training programme to combat drug trafficking.

It said the trainees had been taken to Georgetown for sightseeing, including an evening boat ride. The two men failed to show up for the boat’s departure.

DEA spokesman Rusty Payne was quoted as saying: “They are among the best … and that’s why they were chosen to train at Quantico. We are very concerned for their safety.”

The men, who arrived in the US in mid-August with special visas, were participating in the DEA’s Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU) Programme, which trains law enforcers in surveillance, undercover operations and intelligence gathering.

The DEA is working with law enforcement agencies to locate the Afghans whom authorities believe may be heading to the Buffalo, where they may try to reunite with a relative.

PAN Monitor/mud