LASHKARGAH (SW): Bashir Ahmad Shaker, head of provincial council’s committee on security has expressed fears that the worsening state of security affairs might well cause Kunduz like situation in this part of the country as well.
In his views, only four districts were under the government control while the rests remain under the influence of the militants. He added that 70 percent of Helmand was practically under the militants’ influence. Other PC members too have been expressing concerns over growing militancy in the province.
“Security situation is getting worse day by day, most of the northern districts are under the Taliban control, the government has been unable to retake the fourth zone’s control back from the militants since months now”.
Security officials on the other hand reject this notion. In an exclusive interview with Salam Watandar, Abdul Rahman Sarjang, Provincial Police Chief said situation was not as bad as portrayed by the PC members. He acknowledged that some districts were faced with security threats but the militants cannot overrun them.
According to Sarjang, there were some security threats in the northern districts but after Afghan Special Forces conducted operations there last night, much of the area has been cleared of the militants.
Sarjang also rejected a statements issued on the social media by the deputy governor Muhammad Jan Rasulyar about worsening security situation. “Our security forces have been deployed all over the province, the ASF has been sent to Sangin and other restive areas, the deputy governor’s claims are baseless”.
The deputy governor said in his message to President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani that 90 soldiers had been killed in the past two days in Helmand. "Be quick and act on this! Protect Helmand from this life and death situation and distance yourself from the circle of those lawyers who tell you everything is OK and the situation is normal."
Lying in southern part of Afghanistan, Helmand has long been one of the most troubled province in terms of militancy.
ENDS
