PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) programme officials have expressed their concerns over the presence of illegal armed individuals in northern Baghlan province.
At a meeting with DIAG officials, police chief Lt. Gen. Aminullah Amarkhel said there were about 1,000 illegal weapons possessed by irresponsible individuals in the province.
He said the weapons were mostly possessed in Andarab, Nahrin and Baghlan-i-Markazi districts, saying the gunmen posed a threat to security personnel.  
He said police planned to collect illegal weapons until the April elections.
Residents have long been complaining about the presence of illegal armed groups, who had so far killed more than 20 people in the province.
A week back, a number of tribal elders held a gathering in Baghlan-i-Markazi district and warned illegal armed groups could threaten the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, Col. Lala Lala Gul, DIAG programme in-charge in Baghlan, expressed his concerns over the presence of irresponsible armed men and weapons in the province.
He hoped security forces would be able to collect the weapons as an effective step toward improving  the security situation.
Baghlan police headquarters have so far turned in 24 different weapons, including AK-47 assault rifles, 100 tonnes of explosives and ammunitions to the DIAG programme.
mrh/ma