Weapons, explosives seized last year, says MoD

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed on Wednesday a large quantity of weapons and explosives were seized in operations across the country.

In its annual report for the last solar year, MoD said military personnel recovered 588 light weapons, 60 heavy arms, 1,515 kilograms of explosives, 239 hand grenades, 40 binoculars, 386 vehicles and 1,982 motorcycles.

Speaking on the occasion, MoD officials said security had been beefed up, combat activities curbed and civilian casualties reduced to a large extent.

They underlined the imperative of ensuring national sovereignty, support for law enforcement, assistance to victims of natural disasters and coordination with defence and security organs.

In an effort to beef up border security, the officials said, a number of battalions, bases and security posts were set up in different parts of the country.

Last year, the Air Force conducted 4,218 operational and training flights, restored a Black Hawk helicopter, opened a flight academy and evacuated 77 martyrs and 567 injured individuals affected by natural disasters.

As many as 500 high school graduates were enrolled into the National Military Academy of Hazrat Maaz bin Jabal and 120 cadets recruited into the flight academy.

About 390 cadets were recruited into the National Military Academy of Hazrat Nauman bin Sabit, while 5,414 cadets graduated from the National Defence University of Hazrat Ubaidah in Jarrah.

Also during the year, 12,781 security personnel completed different training courses, with 73 graduating from different military medical disciplines.

MoD priorities for the current year include the procurement of arms military gear, strengthening intelligence operations, ensuring coordination with defense and security agencies, enforcing structural reforms and improving logistical, healthcare and support services.

mud