LASHKARGAH (SW): Security personnel of some 150 check posts in southern Helmand province are set to face trials for abandoning duty at check posts without putting resistance against the Taliban.
Hayatullah Hayat, the provincial governor said on Saturday that these security men, upon deserting their posts, escaped to the provincial capital Lashkargah, and on their way looted civilians. “They would be charged for at least 14 years in prison”, he hinted.
It has been noted that among these men are 38 men of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and 112 more of the Afghan National Police (ANP). The governor claimed that enough proof and evidence are available to convict these men in uniform.
Aqanoor Qentoz, the police chief in Helmand has confirmed that so far five security men have been introduced to the court. He added that investigations are underway into other cases. “We are investigating the fall of these check posts, we have not lost the posts where our men have been martyred but we are checking other incidents”, he said.
Violence has resurged in Helmand with the Taliban mounting brazen attacks on the outskirts of the provincial capital Lashkargah. The ragging violence has inflicted heavy casualties on both sides besides forcing thousands of families to flee.
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