‘Check-posts bring no security to Mazar highway’

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Public representatives and residents of northern Balkh province on Tuesday expressed deep concern over insecurity on the Mazar-i-Shraif-Shiberghan highway.

They claimed government recently constructed some check-posts between Balkh and Jawzjan provinces, but insecurity remained.

They said sometimes Taliban militants emerge on the highway by creating check-posts and collecting taxes from truck drivers.

Residents of Balkh province say security forces have been only securing their check-posts and themselves and most of Mazar-Shiberghan highway’s parts are under Taliban insurgents’ control.

But Shahin Military Corps officials rejected the allegations and said after creation of some check-posts, security on the Mazar-Shiberghan highway has been ensured.

Jan Mohammad, a resident of Balkh province, told Pajhwok Afghan News insecurity increased on the highway since last year.

He said sometimes Taliban militants and gunmen searched vehicles and took money and other valuables from passengers and drivers on the road.

Drivers and passengers often get trapped in clashes between armed militants and security forces on the Mazar-i-Sharif-Shiberghan highway and sometimes they are looted.

He said the government constructed check-posts on the highway a few months back but had no fruitful results. He urged the government to take measures for securing the highway.

Sharif, a driver on the highway, told Pajhwok he had been trapped several times in clashes between Taliban militants and security forces.

He said, “ sometimes Taliban militants and gunmen come out and search vehicles and take money from drivers and passengers during night time.” He said passengers’ number on the highway had decreased due to insecurity.

Ahmad Shah, another resident of Balkh province, said they had expectations the check-posts would bring security on the highway but had no positive outcome.

He said not only Taliban militants, but armed robbers also came out to the highway and took money from passengers and drivers.

He urged the local and central governments to pay serious attention to the Mazar-i-Sharif highway security.

Sayed Ismail Balkhi, North Youth association head, said insecurity on the Mazar-i-Shiberghan highway had created economic problems for people.

He said Taliban militants took taxes from businessmen on the highway and it had caused traders not to send their goods on such highways.

A number of other residents held similar views and urged the government to address the issue at the earliest possible.

Mohammad Afzal Hadid, the provincial council chairman, also expressed his deep concern over the issue and urged the government to take measures for securing the highway.

He said insecurity has reached near Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital, besides general highways. He added the issue had been shared with the authorities concerned and hoped the government would addresses it soon.

He said efforts were underway by the local administration to strength security on the highway soon.

Hanif Rezaee, 209^thShahin Military corps spokesman, rejected the allegations and security challenges had decreased after creation of security check-posts on the highway.

He said all areas along the highway were in control of security forces but sometimes Taliban militants emerge on the road at one place between Jawazjan and Balkh. But he also urged people cooperation in this regard.

Earlier, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said their fighters took taxes on commercial goods based on their rules on all general highways. However, Mujahid rejected their fighters bothered people on highways.

pk/ma