Preparations continue for new Afghan Border Police unit

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Afghan National Army, Afghan Border Policemen, and International Security Assistance Forces moved forward with plans to establish another border police unit in eastern Afghanistan’s Nuristan province as Afghan officers met with ISAF servicemembers at Forward Operating Base Bostick, March 3. 

The Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. servicemembers  discussed various security concerns in the area.

Task Force Destroyer, headed by 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, is in the midst of activating the new ABP unit, the 7th Kandak.

“It’s going to be a step forward,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert B. Brown of Temple, Texas, Task Force Destroyer commander.

Brown also said the task force is working with the Afghan government to obtain approval of the needed equipment for the new unit, and working to fill the ranks of the unit from graduating police classes. Most of the current unit personnel came from an existing kandak.

The new kandak will be placed in eastern Nuristan, an area where ISAF withdrew from in October as part of its realignment to high-population centers. The kandak will reinforce existing community security forces.

“That’s the first step in re-establishing a government presence in Kamdesh [district],” Brown said, explaining that the tribes providing security to the area now will join the police force once it is established. “This is an Afghan effort.”

ANSF and ISAF have been meeting since September to activate the 7th Kandak.

U.S. Army Col. Randy A. George, Task Force Mountain Warrior commander, who came from Jalalabad for the March 3 meeting, said such gatherings are important for progress.

“It’s the Afghan forces who are most crucial to provide security,” George said.