Kabul security plan to begin from diplomatic zone soon

KABUL (Pajhwok): The security plan for Kabul will be implemented soon by giving priority to diplomatic areas before being stretched to other parts of the central capital and districts, officials said on Monday.

Mohammad Salem Ehsas, deputy in-charge for security at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and acting chief of the Asmaee Police Zone, said the security plan named “Zarghon Belt (Green Belt)” included 26 check-points and 27 restrictions.

He said 10 additional security restrictions would be established near sensitive areas to be used in emergency situations.

He said work on the new security plan was launched after May 31 deadliest blast and the plan had been approved by the President.

Ehsas said Wazi Akbar Khan, Shashdarak, Sherpur and some other areas were part of the Green Belt.

Trained security personnel in coordination with security institutions would be appointed at the check points. In addition, sniffer dogs would be available at check-points to avert any untoward incident, Ehsas said.

According to him, police patrolling would be increased in Kabul city and scanners and security cameras would be installed.

A 500-member strong riot battalion for preventing possible violence during protests and sit-ins had also been kept in view in the security plan and the battalion would be raised soon, he said.

Ehsas said the plan would be implemented in three months for short-term and in six months for mid-term.

At the gathering, Kabul Governor Hamid Ikram the security scheme after being implemented in specific areas would be extended to Kabul city, districts and then to other provinces. He said following the Zanbaq Square bombing, devising such a plan was requisite.

Acting Kabul Mayor Abdullah Habibzai also spoke on the occasion, saying they had programs for better implementation of the plan.

He said reducing traffic hams in the city, reconstruction of roads, installing security cameras were something that could help the plan. However, Habibzai did not say when these plans would be executed.

Capital Zone Development Agency head, Ilham Omar Hotaki, said alternative roads should be constructed in unplanned areas such as Bibi Mahro, Qala-i-Nazir and Qala-i-Musa for reducing traffic on theWazir Akbar Khan road.

He said if homes were to be destroyed during construction of a road, first the owners should be given new homes elsewhere and then the road should be constructed.

nh/sns/ma

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