Badakhshan PC concerned about worsening security

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): Public representatives on Monday expressed concern over the worsening security situation in northeastern Badakhshan province, saying the government ignored the opportunity to eliminate militants in winter season.

Provincial council head Abdullah Naji Nazari said the security situation in Badakhshan would further worsen if security forces did not conduct effective clearing operations in areas under militants’ control this year.

“Last year the security forces remained in defensive mode, Badakhshan is likely to face incidents similar to those happening in Helmand, Kunduz and Baghlan provinces,” he said.

He said the winter opportunity to ensure security was missed by the government and the situation might deteriorate if the central government did not take needed steps in the next one month.

Nazari said the current strength of security forces and resources with them in Badakhshan were inadequate and there was a dire need for deployment of special units, commandos and air forces to improve security situation.

Currently the Afghan forces have been fighting on four fronts against militants and security incidents may increase as the weather has turned warm and snow started melting, he added.

Security organs despite promising clearing operation against militants in Badakhshan were yet to take any steps, Nazari concluded.

A member of the provincial council, Mohammad Zakir Aryan, said: “We shared Badakhshan’s security problems with officials concerned during our last week’s trip to Kabul, but action is still awaited, we are worried the situation will worsen in the next few months.”

Governor Ahmad Faisal Bigzad acknowledged people’s concerns about security and said he had talked to government leaders about security problems in the province.

He said the government leaders had promised conducting operations. The governor said opportunities still were available to recapture districts lost to rebels and clear areas from their presence. “Badakhshan people should wait for the government’s action.”

“Areas which are under Taliban control should be recaptured and those with the government should be protected. Security problems exist in most provinces including Badakhshan and we are trying to defeat the enemy here,” Bigzad said.

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