Faryab highway becoming a major security threat

MAIMANA (PAN) Residents of western Faryab province have voiced serious concerns about the safety of travelling on the Maimana – Ankhoi highway.

According to residents, the highway has experienced regular clashes between security forces and insurgents in the past 10 days, endangering lives of commuters.

Ghaus Mohmmad, a shop owner in the provincial capital, Maimana, described to Pajhwok Afghan News an instance in which the Taliban stopped his car at gun-point but later released him.

“The highway is becoming more insecure by the day, as the Taliban have increased their surveillance of the vehicles on the highway,” he said.

Abdul Ali, a commuter, said gunmen stopped his car on the Maimana – Andkhoi highway and asked if he was a government official. He said that the gunmen kept him in custody for at least 45 minutes before setting him free.

Provincial council member Mohammad Ibrahim confirmed these concerns faced by people commuting on the highway. He said police were attacked on the highway ten days ago by unknown gunmen, while the driver of an oil tanker was killed in an insurgent attack on the same route two days ago.

Mohammad Naeem, a Maimana resident, said government employees and NGO workers too are concerned about their security on the highway.

Police chief Brig. Gen. Saeed Ahmad Samai said serious measures were being taken to improve the highway’s security.

He said it was not possible for police to patrol the entire highway. He said the security problem lay with some small armed groups harassing travelers.

ma/kg