CHAGHCHARAN - Interior Minister BismillahMohammadi on Wednesday promised a crackdown in western Ghor province on illegal armed commanders within two months.
Local officials say up to 6,000 armed men, or about 100 groups, operate in the province. Mohammadi, who arrived in Chaghcharan, held a meeting with provincial council members, lawmakers and police officials.
The issues of illegal armed groups and a shortage of security forces came under discussion at the meeting that discussed ways and means of improving the security situation.

Provincial council member, MaulviRamazanQasimi, and Wolesi Jirga member KiramudinRazazada called for an increase in number of Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and police. They also asked the minister to intensify efforts at disarming gunmen.

Mohammadi promised launching a campaign to disarm the armed groups in the near future. He said an ANA battalion would be deployed to the province after a building for their stay was completed.
The building is being constructed by the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

"There has been no collaboration between security departments and the governor's office, as a result the armed individuals have been able to exploit the situation", Mohammadi observed.

He said the interior ministry would give more importance to training, equipping and strengthening police in the province. (Pajhwok)