MEHTARLAM - The governor on Sunday said militants fleeing security operation in neighbouring Nangarhar province were vanquished in eastern Laghman after they tried to create insecurity.
Laghman Governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi told Pajhwok Afghan News in an interview that Laghman was not only a strategic province and a gateway to central capital Kabul, but a 45km portion of the transit and economic highway also passed through it.
He said Laghman not only bordered Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan, but also central Kapisa province through Dawlat Shah district and the enemy was trying to threaten the country’s north and the north highway through this route.
The government cited the ongoing security operation against militants in Nangarhar province as another factor behind insecurity in Laghman. He said insurgents who sneaked into Laghman from Nangarhar and attempted to create insecurity were subdued by security forces.
He said though the enemy had a bit increased their activities lately, it should be said they had no courage and ability to enter a face-to-face fight with the Afghan security forces.
“Some people on the social media portray a bad security situation, which is part of the enemy propaganda to insult the sacrifices of our national security forces.”
The governor said strong ground and air operations were conducted against the insurgents in Laghman and the enemy was given a mouth-breaking response.
Citing information from security and government officials, the governor said dozens of militants were killed and wounded in Islamabad, Shamsa Khel and Watan Gata areas of Alingar district and several other areas on the eastern edges of the Alingar river.
Abuld Jabbar Naeemi said coordination among security forces on high level had no problem and reforms were needed to strengthen coordination among the forces on lower level and in this regard they had presented some recommendations to the authorities concerned.
In this regard, he said, the governor’s house had been holding consultative meetings with religious scholars, political groups, tribal elders, civil society activists, youth, women representatives, traders and other segments of the society over the past three months.
The governor said recommendations and demands floated in these meetings had been shared with the president and the chief executive officer and security ministers in written form.
As a result, he said, high ranking government, security and intelligence officials, including the chief of army staff, paid visits to Laghman.
“Issues pertaining to complete logistic and equipment supplies to security forces, defence walls around security posts and an increase in the local police strength were discussed with the visiting delegations from Kabul.”
The governor said though no steps had been taken on their recommendations, yet they hoped the ministers concerned would consider their proposals and demands and give them practical shape.
Naeemi said a commission had been tasked with collecting accurate information about the internally displaced persons and Afghan refugees returning from foreign countries.
The governor urged the IDPs and the returnees to establish contacts with officials of the commission and district chiefs.
The official said the Afghan national security bravely fought the enemies on a daily basis and offered sacrifices in the defence of the motherland and it was a must that they were respected and well-equipped.
The governor urged the central government to pay special attention  to increasing the strength of local police and said their recommendation in this regard should be considered.
Naeemi also urged social media users to respect the sacrifices of their security forces and avoid creating fear and doubts in the minds of people as it would only benefit the enemy.
He said social media users should highlight government’s achievements keeping in view the sensitivity of the situation and national interests.
The governor also called on the international community to remain committed to their pledges with Afghanistan and help the war-torn country rebuild its institutions.(Pajhwok)