‘Ex-ANA officers with no criminal record can join army’

PAKTIA (Pajhwok): Taliban’s chief of army staff has said former officers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) who were not involved in crimes in the previous regime could join the Islamic army.

QariFasihuddin, the army chief, made the remarks at the graduation ceremony of 100 army soldiers at Mansoori Military Corps in southeastern Paktia province.

The event was also attended by Air Force Commander MaulviAmanullahMansoor and a number of other officials.

QariFasihuddin said the graduates would be deployed to areas where thet needed to ensure security of people.

"We are building an Islamic army that will include personnel from the Islamic Emirate as well as members of the former national army and the general public,” he said.

He added that ANA personnel of the previous regime who were not involved in any crimes could join the new army.

Fasihuddin said that security forces would be provided with all needed resources for defending their country and people.

The graduates said that they would perform their job with good manner and let people return to their normal life.

Mohibullah, a graduate, talking to Pajhwok Afghan News, said "We have received one and half months of military training to perform our jobs better.”

“The time has arrived for people to live in peace and we are responsible for ensuring security for them,” he added.

He also called on former ANA personnel who served in the previous government to join the Islamic Army and serve the country shoulder to shoulder with them.

This is the second time in the last four months that dozens of soldiers have graduated from the Mansoori Military Corps in Paktia.

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