LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The unavailability of Afghan National Police (ANP) personnel in some security check posts in southern Helmand province has obliged other security forces to perform their duty as well, officials said on Monday.
Afghan Border Police 4th Brigade’s quick reaction commander in Helmand, Col. Aka Rasool Mujahid, told Pajhwok Afghan News no ANP personnel were present at their many security posts in Chah-i-Injir area of Nad Ali district and in the Babaji area of Lashkargah, the provincial capital.
According to Mujahid, the border police were obliged to keep security in these areas because of the non-existent ANP personnel.
“According to rules, our duty timing and responsibility to remain in an area is short, but we perform duty for months due to the ghost ANP personnel.”
Giving an example, he said 30 national policemen attempted to flee during a clash with militants two days ago and when they were stopped, they said they did not want to continue with their job.
Meanwhile, quick reaction forces’ commander in Lashkargah, Lt. Habibullah Paktiawal, told Pajhwok that in Babaji and Chah-i-Injir areas, there no police personnel existed in many security posts.
“There are some policemen who don’t take part in clashes against insurgents and they roam in civilian clothes that cause us serious problems.”
He said they had been maintaining security over the past six months despite lacking fighting equipment.
Meanwhile, provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Aqa Noor Kentoz said he had launched efforts to resolve the issue of ghost personnel.
He said from now on police would be supplied with all needed facilities and if someone committed negligence in duty, he would be handed over to the authorities concerned.
He said he was in coordination with other security organs and had started visiting districts to bring reforms.
Last week, Kentoz had said half of the police personnel in Helmand were non-existent and their salaries went into private pockets.
The Chah-i-Injir area of Nad Ali district and Babaji are located 10 kilometres from Lashkargah.
sns/ma
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