PUL-I-KHUMRI (SW): As many as 35 members of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) have joined the ranks of Taliban in the northern Baghlan province.
Gen. Amir Gul Baghlani, Commander of the ALP in Baghlan said the dissenters including top ranking members of the local police. Baghlani avoided commenting on reasons why the men joined the ranks of the militants.
A source in the provincial police department told SW the group of dissenters was led by a renowned ALP commander named Iqbal. They have also taken away the arms provided to them by the government with them, the source said.
In telephonic conversation with the SW, Iqbal said corruption in the government was the reason why he and his allies joined Taliban.
The National Directorate of Security (NDS) on the other end said, a group of four rebels has been apprehended in Baghlan. The man are said to have possessed arms, ammunition, communication devises and propaganda material.
Baghlan neighbors restive Faryab province that has been the site of a full-blown military operation. Scores of rebels, including Uzbekistanis, Chechens, Arabs and others have reportedly escaped to Baghlan after the operation in Baghlan.
ENDS
