Many Dasht-e-Qala residents quit serving in armed forces

TALUQAN (SW) – Following threats from the Taliban, dozens of Dasht-e-Qala residents in Takhar have quit serving in the security sector.

According to reports, the rebels control some 90 per cent of the district while the government forces are only confined to the district center. The Taliban have imposed strict rules and regulations in areas under their control, including forcing the residents to quit serving in the armed forces.

A well-placed security source in the province informed Salam Watandar 16 members of the Afghan National Police and 20 members of the Afghan Local Police quit their jobs in the past one month alone. The head of recruitment in police has confirmed it.

Meanwhile, Wakil Khan Agha, district police chief has asserted many among those policemen who had quit have returned to duty. Abdul Rehman Aqtash, provincial police chief, clarified these policemen were away for Eid holidays.

Separately, up to 70 security personnel have vacated their positions at the Ai Khanum dry port, and have returned to the provincial capital, Taluqan. A security source informed only 20 of them are on duty now.

The Taliban attacked security posts in Dasht-e-Qala multiple times in the past two months killings scores of security forces.

ENDS