MAZAR-E-SHARIF - Atta Muhammad Noor, acting governor of Balkh, has asked the residents of the province to cooperate with security forces in order to maintain security and eliminate insurgents.

While traveling to Zare, Kashenda, Sholgara and Kaldar districts of Balkh province, Noor asked residents to support their security forces and report suspicious acts.

Noor however, denies the presence of insurgent groups affiliated to Daesh, but adds that a number of insurgents are present in the Chamtal district. He says they will be eliminated soon.

The Kaldar district, which Noor is visiting, borders Uzbekistan. This district faces insecurity activities from time to time, he says.

Seen in an army uniform for the first time in 13 years, Noor is currently visiting insecure districts to address the issue of security with locals.

Balkh NDS Director and the Provincial Commander of Police are accompanying him on his visit.

"Tell me exactly what we can do against the enemy and where," said Noor. "We came to Kaldar and they said there is nothing. They say the enemy comes secretly sometimes and creates insecurity and then runs away. We went to Sholgara at midnight and we saw that there is nothing. We went to Zare and Kushenda and there was nothing" added Noor.

Noor believes that terrorists do not have the ability to fight the ANSF face-to-face and soon all their bases in Balkh will be destroyed, especially the ones near the Alburz Mountains.

"We know that they are in one place, in the Alburz mountains, we will see how long they will last. We will let the battle field decide how much the enemy can resist. I will be in that battle myself, and will be without companions, just like the past," says Noor.

Noor has been visiting insecure districts in the province since Saturday in order to get a personal overview of the situation and engage with locals. He said he is committed to resolving the issues in the spirit of good governance. (Tolonews)