The situation of peace and tranquility was once again disturbed in Kabul after Taliban insurgents targeted the neighborhood of Kabul International Airport early Monday morning. According to the news reports around seven attackers in a vegetable-lade Suzuki pick-up entered a building, which was under construction on the north of the airport around 4.30 am. Afterwards, there were heavy firings between the insurgents and Afghan police as attackers were equipped with rocket-propelled grenades, suicide vests, and heavy machine guns. According to the statement of Kabul police chief, security forces and airport staff bore no casualties or injuries, while only a tent inside the facility was damaged.
At 9 am, Kabul police chief Salangi said that the operation had ended and the area had been brought under control with the killing of all seven insurgents. Two of the militants blew themselves up while the rest were killed by the firing of security personnel.
The Ministry of Interior said the situation had returned to normal after few hours of fighting and security forces found five suicide vests and some weapons at the site.
On the other hand, Taliban claimed responsibility and Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that a number of suicide bombers had targeted the airport's portion used by the US military.
"An explosives-packed vehicle was detonated, destroying the checkpoint and letting a large number of fighters reach their target, many security guards and foreign soldiers have been killed," Mujahid claimed.
It is really important to note that Afghan security forces did well in responding to the situation and controlling it without heavy loss. Afghan security forces have gained much strength and capabilities in the last few years and now as the security responsibilities are being completely transferred to them, they have to face myriads of challenges. They would need the support of international community in this regard and there are possibilities that if they are backed and supported appropriately, they would be able to face these challenges with success.
However, there are again questions on how the insurgents were able to enter Kabul city with explosives and weapons. It is really important for Afghan security forces to work in this regard and make sure that they avoid such situation from the very beginning. If such filthy machinations are foiled from the very beginning, many valuable lives and different properties would be saved.
Afghanistan is standing at a very crucial juncture of its socio-political history. After more than a decade of international involvement, there has been a relative stability achieved; nonetheless, that is being threatened by Taliban insurgents who do not seem in the mood to start peace negotiations with Afghan government. As announced by Ministry of Defense on Monday, June 10, the 5th phase of security transition would start soon. At a joint press conference with Gen. Gunter Kitz of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said currently Afghan forces were responsible for maintaining security in 80 percent areas of the country. The fifth phase of transition would start in the next few days and at the end of the current year, security responsibility across the country would be handed over to Afghan forces, he said. Afghan security personnel have the capacity to properly take the responsibility.
Moreover, Afghanistan has to go through a very important year (2014) wherein it would have its presidential and parliamentary elections and it would experience the withdrawal of international forces. How these elections are conducted and what would be the role of international community in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of international troops are factors that would decide the destiny of Afghan nation.
There are two important sectors that Afghanistan must concentrate on and must make improvements in so as to make their journey swift and easy through the coming challenges. One of them is the peace process and the other is the political stability in the country. Unfortunately, various developments are required in both the sectors. The peace process, lead by High Peace Council (HPC), is not on the track and currently there are no dialogues underway between Taliban and Afghan government regarding this process. Moreover, Taliban have now and then targeted the members of the Council and have completely neglected their calls for peace.
The support of the neighboring countries in this regard has not been very effective. Currently there were news reports that Taliban had a meeting in Iran regarding the possible peace talks; however, it is difficult to expect much from such efforts as Iran would facilitate these meetings in order to counter US involvement in Afghanistan. In addition, Pakistan’s role has not been very much helpful as well. The newly elected prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, has promised to support Afghanistan in peace process and promised that Pakistan would fight against the sanctuaries of the terrorists within Pakistan, but the peace process would require genuine and consistent efforts. Few promises and nominal actions in this regard would not solve the issue at all.
Another important factor in the peace process is that it should be made participatory. There should be involvement of the opposition political parties as well in the process and the support and suggestions of all political parties must be weighted in this regard.
The other sector that Afghanistan needs to work on to a great extent is its political stability. It needs to strengthen its political institutions and must carry on the democratic processes and culture with consistent efforts. Definitely, the role of the coming elections would be of utmost importance; therefore, the present government must make sure that the election s are fraud-free and reliable and the authority is transferred to newly elected president in a transparent and democratic manner.
In the meanwhile, Afghanistan needs to play a very important role regarding administrative reforms. The prevalent corruption within the present administration and within the Afghan society must be curbed if success has to be achieved. There should be honest efforts to achieve good governance and corruption free society. There are margins of improvement in the areas like justice, rule of law and human rights. Nonetheless, one of the most important sectors would be the economic stability and prosperity. A shaky economic system would not assist much in gaining political stability and eradicating the root causes of terrorism. Therefore, Afghanistan, with the support of international community, must strengthen its economic infrastructure and must decide to stand on its own in this regard.