PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan- Afghan commandos from the 1st Special Operation Kandak detained 32 suspected insurgents during a clearing operation Sept. 11 in Pacha Khak village to disrupt insurgent safe havens in Parwan province’s Koh-e-Safi district.
The detainees are suspected of managing staging areas throughout the district to traffic insurgents, weapons and other equipment, such as vehicles and communications radios. The suspects surrendered, and the operation ceased without a single shot fired.
At least 12 suspects were released after initial questioning on site, with the remaining individuals turned over to the district’s National Security Directorate.
“The commandos have played a key role in improving the security conditions for the Afghan people,” Lt. Col. Massoud, 1st Special Operations Kandak commander, said. “Our operations are successful because we conduct all of our operations on our own, and that’s what the people want. Our people want their national army to be powerful and to defeat the enemies of Afghanistan.”
District villages are hesitant to volunteer recruits for Afghan Local Police programs, but the operation, Massoud explained, will leave decision makers with a greater sense of security. The operation will earn praise for Afghan National Security Forces, and influence villagers to support their troops, he added.
“We are successful, because all of our commandos are from Afghanistan, and we respect our culture and people,” Massoud said. “We are always ready to defend our people and our homeland even if we lose our lives.”
There were no civilian, Afghan military or insurgent casualties during the operation. There were also no reports of damage to infrastructure.
