The north needs extensive clearing offensive: Dostum

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): First vice-president Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum said on Tuesday an extensive clearing operation was needed in northern region of the country to reverse the tide of insecurity.

Dostum made the call during a meeting with National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib and National Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) Abdul Matin Baig in Shiberghan, the capital of northern Jawzjan province in the morning.

Dustom said security situation was deteriorating in the north and an extensive military operation was needed to improve the situation and control militants in the region.

Journalists were not allowed to cover the meeting.

Meanwhile, the NSA office in a statement said Hamdullah Mohib met with civil and military officials of Jawzjan province and discussed with them the security situation and problems there.

It quoted Lotfullah Azizi, Jawzjan governor, as saying, “Taliban target public facilities such as healthcare centers, schools and others to cause problems for economic development and disrupt public life.”

Security officials in the meeting shared their requests and suggestions with NSA and said that foreign terrorists were operating within Taliban ranks and there was need for clearing operation against the insurgents.

Mohib talking to military officials of Jawzjan said, “Accelerate your operations against terrorists and ensure that we are defending the public.”

He said coordination among security and defense forces should strengthen and public trust for supporting the government should be attained.

“Terrorists do not belong to Afghanistan and we should send them back to their masters,” he said.

NSA said Afghan security forces would accelerate their operation in north of the country, which has special importance for the government.

He said suggestions for improving security situation of north would be shared with officials in Kabul.

After arrival of Mohib, people were not allowed to move around the governor’s house and even the governor’s house own guards were barred from entry to the building.

Mds/ma

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