SHARAN (PAN): Security has been improved to greater extent after deployment of Afghan Local Police (ALP) in parts of the strategically located Paktika but some parts of the restive province still experiences militants’ attacks on government installations and officials. 
 
Rahim Khan, a resident of Sharan city, the provincial capital of the province said ALP force was deployed just recently to Khwaja Khel area on the outskirts of the city. He said the deployment of the police force helped reduced rebels influence in the area but the insurgents continued to expand their presence.
 
Salam Jan, a resident of Chardi village of the capital city said Taliban most of the time sneaked to their village since ALP had been deployed. “The militants continue to carry out their activities without any fear of the law enforcement agencies,” he informed.
 
“With the exception of district headquarters, rest of the localities are under the total control of Taliban,” said, Mohammad Jan, a resident of Marian area of Mita Khan District.
 
Armed rebels openly extend their activities in Marian, Karso, Lagaro, Zardad and Ibrahim Kariz villages of the province, he said, adding the militants’ bold presence elsewhere in Paktika sent fear waves among the residents.
 
Rozi Khan, another resident of the village said foreign fighters also sneaked into the village, which was a source of grave concern for the locals.
 
Gul Khan, a resident of Sar Rowza district said security was improved after the deployment of ALP in their area, forcing insurgents to flee the area.
 
With the same tone, Gulabdin Katwazai, a resident of Yahya Khel locality said earlier people had deprived of peaceful life but noting a remarkable improvement in security and peace, people had started extending their all out support to the government.
 
Abdul Ghani Paktin, the provincial council secretary said still some parts of the town were experiencing insurgents’ presence, admitting some of the link roads leading to other districts were under the control of the Taliban.   
 
The roads leading to Waza Khwa and Khoshamand districts were insecure, according to Paktin who said Goshta area was still under the control of Taliban. He informed government employees could not travel to that part of the region.
 
Brig. Gen. Daulat Khan Zadran, provincial police chief said though insurgents were still able to harass and create problems for locals but security parameters had been improved as compared to the past.
He said local police force was deployed to Khoshamand district with travelling activities on Goshta route had been resumed.
 
In an attempt to stabilize the volatile province, Zadran said they were planning to deploy more ALP and establish mobile check posts throughout the province.