FAIZABAD (PAN): Long known as one of the peaceful provinces of the country, some districts of the volatile Badakhshan have now been experiencing insecurity and lawlessness due to heavy presence of militants.
Local authority said insurgents had heavy presence in Warduj, Jurm, Daraim, Orgu, Tagab and Kiran-u-Manjan districts, insisting the security forces had thwarted militants’ activities of sabotaging the peace in the province.
Gul Mohammad Baidar, deputy of Badakhshan province said security in other districts of the province was better as compared to the past. The violence graph had now dropped and the insurgents had now been weakened as the Afghan security forces were now more professional equipped with modern facilities and equipments, he remarked.
He went on to say the local police had brought tangible positive changes in maintaining security, adding people of the province were feeling themselves more secure. Efforts were made to create more job opportunities for the residents, he noted.
After foreign troops left Badakhshan, Afghans forces had taken over responsibilities of law and order and security in the province, he added.
The Defense and Interior Ministries had chalked out long-term programs to ensure peace in the trouble districts of the province, he said, adding security had been improved as compared to the past.
General Imamuddin, chief of Badakhshan police said security and order had been considerably improved in the province during the past two years.
Talking to Pajhwok Afghan News, he said local police, national police, public discipline police, border police and the national army had active presence in Warduj and Jurm districts to keep maintain tight security.
“The morale of rebels has weak now and they are unable to confront the security forces. Fighting and clashes have been decreased comparatively,” he added.
Referring to Faizabad, he said the city was under immense pressure by the militants but measures had been adopted to minimize the scale of attacks by the insurgents and weaken them.
During the month of September this year, the mayor of Faizabad city survived Taliban’s planted roadside bomb attack but four of his bodyguards had been killed.
In October 2013, security forces said killing eight militants during an operation in Kohna Batash locality of Faizabad city, saying the operation was conducted in order to arrest Mullah Khairullah--- a wanted Taliban commander--- but he escaped.
Mullah Khairullah was accused of killing four employees of election commission and six policemen.
Provincial authorities said Warduj district was the only way for armed rebels sneaking into the province from Pakistan and Nuristan, adding if the district would not under government’s control then lawlessness would spill over to rest of the districts of the province.
Zabihullah Atique, member of Badakhshan Provincial Council said roads of Zibak-Eshkashim and Draim-Warduj were still insecure and officials and people were feeling insecure while travelling on the roads.
Security had now improved comparatively and the graph of insecurity had lowered following extended cooperation between the people and the government, he added. He went on to say that development programs could not be taken forward without putting tight security in place.
He said efforts were needed to strengthen security and increase cooperation between the people and government, adding unemployment was the main factor contributing to the menace of insecurity.
Residents in some districts complained about growing lawlessness and sense of insecurity, saying insecurity and unemployment had left negative impact on their lives.
Hayatullah Marufi, resident of Warduj district said people were concerned about security and majority of them preferred to go to their homes before the sunset.
The government has no control over Warduj and rebels move freely without any fear, he added.
Most of the roads in neighboring districts were under Taliban’s control, which created fear and insecurity among locals.
Faizi Baig, a resident of Zibak district said they were facing problem while traveling from Zibak to Eshkhashim with armed militants were searching vehicles and harassing passengers.
If stringent security measures were not adopted then it was feared insecurity could spread throughout the province after 2014, he informed.
Major Ahmad Jawed Salimi, spokesperson for the National Army Commando Regiment in the north and northeastern said as a result of joint forces’ operation, Eshkashim- Zibak Highway had been cleared of Taliban.
During the anti-militants operation, tens of rebels had been killed or injured and new security posts had been established on the roads connecting some districts, he added.
In March 2013, bloody clashes occurred between Taliban and security forces in which more than 100 insurgents had been killed or injured and many police and national army forces lost their lives.
In September 2013, the first 1,700 member-division of the national army was deployed in Badakhshan in order to purge Warduj and neighboring districts of rebels.
Residents of several districts demanded the government should work out a comprehensive plan to ensure security and clean the province of militants.