Afghan policemen defect to the Taliban

[amateurdentist]

Afghan policemen defect to Taliban in Farah province

An Afghan police commander and 13 junior officers have joined the Taliban in the western Afghan province of Farah, in what correspondents say could be the biggest defection by police.

They say the commander, named as Mirwais, was in charge of a 20-man checkpoint when he defected on Sunday.

The men are said to have taken heavy weaponry, radios and police vehicles including US-made armoured Humvees.

Farah is one of the most insecure areas in the relatively peaceful west.

The commander was based in Shewan village in the district of Bala Bulak, which was until recently considered a Taliban stronghold.

The insurgents were driven out of the area following a series of operations carried out by Afghan security forces. But local officials say insurgents have regrouped in the area recently.

Rarely reported
Police and intelligence officials deployed in the province said the commander poisoned seven policemen in his charge who had refused to defect along with him.

"Mirwais and his policemen had joined the force nearly two and half years ago. Mirwais had fought the insurgents in this area for quite some time," an Afghan intelligence official in the region told the BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul.

"Long before he defected, he must have been passing intelligence and crucial information to the insurgents," the official said.

Officials said that the equipment taken by the defectors - rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns, radios and police vehicles, including two Humvees - will be a major boost to the Taliban in the area.

Our correspondent says this is believed to be the biggest police defection to the insurgents. Over the past few years similar incidents have taken place on a much smaller scale in the southern provinces of Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Uruzgan and in Ghor, Farah, Badghis and Herat in the west.

Such incidents have rarely been reported in the Afghan media, our correspondent says.

Once relatively peaceful, Farah has seen increasing levels of violence. The Taliban and other insurgent groups are active in many districts, particularly those close to the provincial capital, which has witnessed recent attacks.

The province has a strategic position, bordering Iran, and the key Kandahar-Herat highway passes through Farah.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18965123



Why would a policeman prefer taliban to the NATO? are NATO really that bad?

[Mohsin]

Another example of (im being frank, sorry if it hurts anyone but IMO its the truth) i find it laughable when people say 'Afghanistan is changing.is going to change'...'once the Americans leave the Army will take things over and everything will be OK'....it wont. The 'Army' cant/wont do anything, theyve not the resources, training nor skill to combat anyone.

They way things are going, they was things have gone, and IMO the way things will go...itll be a case of 'once the Americans/NATO leave, itll be a matter of time before Kabul is 're-taken' again'...the current (puppet) 'Government' sees this perhaps, hence the various 'offers' for Taliban to join the democratic system and be in the Government?

[mithun_minhas]

I hope it is just an isolated incident. Otherwise, Afghanistan is doomed forever. Back to stone age.

Don't the people realize that Taliban are not the solution to their problems? Haven't they seen enough of be-headings and murders and destruction? You have to feel for their females folk who will bear the brunt of the savagery.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Originally Posted by mithun_minhas I hope it is just an isolated incident. Otherwise, Afghanistan is doomed forever. Back to stone age. Don't the people realize that Taliban are not the solution to their problems? Haven't they seen enough of be-headings and murders and destruction? You have to feel for their females folk who will bear the brunt of the savagery.

Afghanistan is the wrong place to try to enforce enlightenment. I can't see them ever accepting new ideas down the barrel of a gun. They haven't done to this point in history I don't see what is going to change now.

To offer something better by example is a much better way in my view. Why do so many Pakhtuns move to more liberal areas of Pakistan like Karachi or Islamabad? Is it because they are being forced to at gunpoint?

[amateurdentist]

Originally Posted by mithun_minhas I hope it is just an isolated incident. Otherwise, Afghanistan is doomed forever. Back to stone age. Don't the people realize that Taliban are not the solution to their problems? Haven't they seen enough of be-headings and murders and destruction? You have to feel for their females folk who will bear the brunt of the savagery.

The trouble is the Other side Northern Alliance is exactly the same with the same mentality. the only sane and great leader Afghanistan had was martyred (ahmed shah Masood).

the reason why people prefer the taliban is that the government is filled with men with the same thinking however the taliban are not corrupt and are also fighting the occupiers

[amateurdentist]

Originally Posted by Cpt. Rishwat Afghanistan is the wrong place to try to enforce enlightenment. I can't see them ever accepting new ideas down the barrel of a gun. They haven't done to this point in history I don't see what is going to change now. To offer something better by example is a much better way in my view. Why do so many Pakhtuns move to more liberal areas of Pakistan like Karachi or Islamabad? Is it because they are being forced to at gunpoint?

education is the key bro. the literacy rate in afghanistan is lower than in pakistan(which is some achievement)

[amateurdentist]

another interesting article on the bbc

Why Taliban are so strong in Afghanistan

Nato has invested hundreds of billions of dollars over the past 10 years trying to raise a modern army for Afghanistan and to rebuild the country's infrastructure.

But if a leaked classified report prepared by the alliance is to believed, all this will go to waste soon after foreign combat forces withdraw in 2014.

The latest in a series of leaks suggests that Nato is much more worried about the course of the war than it lets on in public.

Nato has tried to play down the importance of the report by calling it a "compilation of opinions expressed by Taliban detainees", but it highlights many failures in the decade-long war in Afghanistan.

The harsh reality is that an increasing number of Afghans are turning to the Taliban, having grown mistrustful of Nato and Afghan forces.

In remote parts of the country where the government rules only on paper, the Taliban are often preferred.

"Americans are like Kuchi nomads," a tribal elder from the south-east once told me. "They come with their tents for some time and before you know them, they leave."

Taliban courts
People have little choice but to support the Taliban in many areas, given the power of the militants.

But widespread corruption in the government and a culture of impunity - where senior bureaucrats or those with connections to them easily escape punishment even for serious crimes like murder - are seen as reasons for people moving closer to the Taliban.

In Kunduz in the north, for instance, several militia commanders working for the government have been accused of extortion, robbery and rape, but not one has ever been tried.

Locals say corruption is rampant even in the judiciary and they have no option but to turn to shadowy Taliban judges to resolve disputes.

One Kabul man I spoke to, Jamshid, a fruit vendor in his 30s, compared the judicial system of the Karzai administration with the desert courts of the Taliban.

"The Taliban courts were swift and strict," he said with admiration.

"A thief would be given the death sentence after a short trial. But under Mr Karzai's rule, it will take a century to prove a thief guilty - and even then there is no guarantee that he will be punished."

the country's poor literacy rate and the Taliban's psychological war in many districts is believed to have helped the insurgents to win the hearts of the Afghan population.

Taliban songs, videos and ringtones play on people's emotions.

Taliban leader Mullah Omar has launched his own style of counter-insurgency, and a shadow Taliban administration of sorts is in place in many areas.

Taliban officials do the rounds in villages, districts and valleys collecting taxes and dispensing their version of justice.

I know of several cases where Taliban officials have been fired because people have complained about them - many people see this as a more responsive system than the actual government where such action is rare.

And family loyalties run deep. People from the same village or district as a Taliban fighter will never hand him over to Nato or the Afghan government.

Many families have members working on both sides, some for Afghan forces, others for the Taliban - this is seen as a form of local insurance policy. When villagers hear US President Barack Obama or Vice-President Joe Biden discussing withdrawal in 2014, the Taliban come and say, look Nato is leaving, but we will be here.

The Taliban's reach is thought to extend right into parts of the government.

When I was in Sarkano district in the eastern province of Kunar, I could hear the Taliban presenter on Radio Voice of Sharia FM: "This is a message for apostate employees of the Afghan government. But not to some of our friends in the government - they know who they are."

Serious threat
Senior officials have told me some government members think the Taliban might return.

"So, they tell the Taliban, 'look we have sympathy with you'," one of the officials said.

"Then the Taliban tell these officials to prove their support. Sometimes, they ask these officials to help carry a fighter, a suicide attacker, or to help with weapons and access."

Another reason for locals turning away from the elected government is its failure to restore or maintain order in areas vacated by Western forces. Afghan security forces, grappling with high illiteracy rates, desertion, drug addiction and Taliban infiltration, have failed to instil confidence in the people.

There have even been several reports of Afghan police selling their weapons to militants.

While Afghan officials admit there are problems in the army and police - on whom the country's future security depends - they say there is no systemic failure.

"The reality is that they sell their bullets and weapons in the market to the highest bidder and that sometimes includes Taliban or other insurgent groups," said one senior Afghan security official in Kabul.

Pakistan is crucial
The leak also puts Afghan President Hamid Karzai in a very difficult position.

He has been trying to repair ties with Afghanistan's not-so-friendly neighbour, Pakistan, which denies sheltering the militants. The report's claims that Pakistani security services are helping the Taliban will do nothing to help his efforts.

Mr Karzai has told his confidants on several occasions that a peace dialogue with the Taliban will succeed only when it has the backing of Pakistan.

"If you have a hundred channels to talk to the Taliban through, and Pakistan is not on board, all of these channels will get closed, but if you have a small number of channels to contact Taliban through, along with Pakistan's approval, it will surely take you somewhere," one senior aide to the president told the BBC.

The leaked document seriously undermines Nato and Afghan government claims over the years that the Taliban have lost their punch.

On the contrary, the Taliban remain a more serious threat than ever to peace and stability in Afghanistan.

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Originally Posted by Mohsin Another example of (im being frank, sorry if it hurts anyone but IMO its the truth) i find it laughable when people say 'Afghanistan is changing.is going to change'...'once the Americans leave the Army will take things over and everything will be OK'....it wont. The 'Army' cant/wont do anything, theyve not the resources, training nor skill to combat anyone. They way things are going, they was things have gone, and IMO the way things will go...itll be a case of 'once the Americans/NATO leave, itll be a matter of time before Kabul is 're-taken' again'...the current (puppet) 'Government' sees this perhaps, hence the various 'offers' for Taliban to join the democratic system and be in the Government?

Hahah this is more your wishes then reality.

[SIMBA]

Originally Posted by thelandofthebravepeople Hahah this is more your wishes then reality.

the fact remains the americans influence starts and stops at kabul...why is: Karzai called the: Mayor of Kabul

Karzai wants assistance from: Pakistan to negotiate with: Taliban..if they were in control then this wouldn't be the case.

[the Great Khan]

The people want justice and security first so they can live..everything else comes a close second..nato has failed them here..their idiots..they should read how the british won over the frontier (pakistan)..swift God fearing justice..but those men were God fearing christian victorians with a sense of honour and grudging acceptance of Islam..the americans are seen as godless cowards who support corrupt rapists that are in the afghan govt..

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Originally Posted by SIMBA the fact remains the americans influence starts and stops at kabul...why is: Karzai called the: Mayor of Kabul Karzai wants assistance from: Pakistan to negotiate with: Taliban..if they were in control then this wouldn't be the case.

As you wish to believe

[Down2Earth]

this must be pakistan's fault too...

[amateurdentist]

Originally Posted by thelandofthebravepeople Hahah this is more your wishes then reality.

the army has a severe underrepresentation of the pakhtuns and the taliban are mostly pakhtuns.
when the americans leave i honestly dont think the taliban are going to stop fighting. however i think karzais government will hold as long as americans continue to supply it with arms and aid. However if the americans stop that karzai will fall within a matter of months

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Originally Posted by amateurdentist the army has a severe underrepresentation of the pakhtuns and the taliban are mostly pakhtuns. when the americans leave i honestly dont think the taliban are going to stop fighting. however i think karzais government will hold as long as americans continue to supply it with arms and aid. However if the americans stop that karzai will fall within a matter of months

There are more pakhtuns in both army and police then any other ethnic group. I had posted a link in another thread.

[amateurdentist]

i didnot know that. but i still think my second point stands.

[AFG_Brit]

karzai's term expires sometime around 2014/15 and he is not allowed for another term. So he will run away too when the US leave.

[amateurdentist]

Originally Posted by AFG_Brit karzai's term expires sometime around 2014/15 and he is not allowed for another term. So he will run away too when the US leave.

is there any proper worthy leader who can defeat the taliban, present in afghanistan and can that person be elected?

[AFG_Brit]

i don't think so. one person who comes to mind is amrula saleh. He is 200% against talibans. he was the chief of afghan intelligence up untill a couple of years ago. Currently he is running his own security company within Afghanistan.

[amateurdentist]

yea i heard about him. competant but anti-pakistan man. do you believe that the taliban can be defeated by afghanistan once Nato is gone? if yes then how?

[AFG_Brit]

i don't think taliban can ever come back into power and have the same rule/ influence as they had back in 1997/98. However, they might join the government in someway but lets wait and see how.

[Black Zero]

simple solution that I am advocating for years...
divide the country in to pashtun, tajik and uzbik areas...

or better give tajik uzbik and pushtoon regions to tajikistan, uzbekistan and Pakistan respectively.

[AFG_Brit]

Originally Posted by Black Zero simple solution that I am advocating for years... divide the country in to pashtun, tajik and uzbik areas... or better give tajik uzbik and pushtoon regions to tajikistan, uzbekistan and Pakistan respectively.

Haha.. Funny joke!!

[amateurdentist]

Originally Posted by Black Zero simple solution that I am advocating for years... divide the country in to pashtun, tajik and uzbik areas... or better give tajik uzbik and pushtoon regions to tajikistan, uzbekistan and Pakistan respectively.

pakistan cannot take care of its own problems at the moment and you want us to take up more people and land.
oh we need more brilliant solutions from you

[SIMBA]

Originally Posted by Black Zero simple solution that I am advocating for years... divide the country in to pashtun, tajik and uzbik areas... or better give tajik uzbik and pushtoon regions to tajikistan, uzbekistan and Pakistan respectively.

Afghanistan is a sovereign country...We need to respect that and their existence.

[Black Zero]

Originally Posted by SIMBA Afghanistan is a sovereign country...We need to respect that and their existence.

no, that's inaccurate...

Afghanistan been a football for various neighbouring countries for centuries...

[Black Zero]

Originally Posted by amateurdentist pakistan cannot take care of its own problems at the moment and you want us to take up more people and land. oh we need more brilliant solutions from you

if you dont want extra responsibility and can't serve the people,,,then let NWFP join Pashtuns of afghanistan and make a separate country...

It would beneficial for Pakistan in lot of aspects...

[Black Zero]

Originally Posted by AFG_Brit Haha.. Funny joke!!

r u from north?

[amateurdentist]

Originally Posted by Black Zero if you dont want extra responsibility and can't serve the people,,,then let NWFP join Pashtuns of afghanistan and make a separate country... It would beneficial for Pakistan in lot of aspects...

all im saying is that let let pakistan take care of itself. You talk of breaking up countries and making new ones as if it is done by sitting at home with a pencil and a map in you hand

[AFG_Brit]

Originally Posted by Black Zero r u from north?

North of England or Afghanistan?

[SIMBA]

Originally Posted by amateurdentist all im saying is that let let pakistan take care of itself. You talk of breaking up countries and making new ones as if it is done by sitting at home with a pencil and a map in you hand

Hes a: PPP ghaddar..what else do you expect of him

What dont you, your boss and fellow supporters of: PPP leave Pakistan. After the 4 and half years of chaos.

[Black Zero]

Originally Posted by amateurdentist all im saying is that let let pakistan take care of itself. You talk of breaking up countries and making new ones as if it is done by sitting at home with a pencil and a map in you hand

actually, it's easier than that..
country is already divided based on ethnicity, language, culture, sect and even region.

just need an official statement...

(constructions of few new highways would be good ..)

Its just natural...