Andar ANP welcome Ghazni PRT

Afghan National Policemen welcomed the Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction team at the Andar District Center to discuss recent events in the Andar district, May 29.

Recently, Andar chief of police, Col. Muhammad Nabi Patang, lost his life while fighting of insurgents during a patrol, May 22. Afghan Col. Sardar, the deputy chief, replaced him shortly afterward.

The ANP remain dedicated to securing the district center and the neighboring Miri village in the wake of the death of Col. Patang and several kidnapping incidents in May.

Recently, the Andar district saw the kidnapping of 24 university and high school students between 15 and 20 years old, May 21.

The act spurred the people of Ghazni province to close their businesses to protest and mourn the deaths of 11 hostages killed by the insurgents, May 23.

Hafizullah, the Andar counter-terrorist police chief, spoke to the Ghazni PRT about the kidnappings and the recent death of Col. Patang, who was well-known for his leadership abilities that pulled the ANP together.

“Colonel Patang was an outstanding policeman,” said Hafizullah.

All ANP are here to stay and stand their ground, while waiting for the official announcement of a new police chief, he said.

Hafizullah said the insurgents kidnapped the students while they were on the way to their homes or their cars, but not at school.

The insurgents are intent on disrupting the lives of the people, Hafizullah pointed out. Currently, the insurgents have closed off the mosques and no one can pray, he said.

The Ghazni PRT understands the great risk the Andar ANP experience every day and hopes to maintain relations with the police.

“We appreciate the very hard and dangerous work you do to fight the insurgents,” said Jason Crosby from Washington, D.C., Department of State representative with the Ghazni PRT.