Taliban recruiting Helmand youth, say police officer

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The Taliban insurgents have launched a recruitment drive in the restive southe province of Helmand, an official said on Thursday.

Greshk district police chief, 1st Lt. Mohammad Ismail Khpalwak, told Pajhwok Afghan News the number of fighters had lately risen because of youth duped into swelling Taliban ranks.

“The rebels have been tricking youngsters into taking part in fighting against govementforces. Youth are told they will be allowed to sell the weapons and ammunition seized from security posts.”

Recently the Taliban tried to overrun Greshk district, but the security persoel were prepared to beat them back, the police officer recalled. In some areas, operations against insurgents were conducted subsequently.

“Until few days ago, many people feared the district’s fall to the insurgents, but we have increased the numbers of security posts besides stepping up patrols,”Khpalwak said.

He acknowledged residents of Greshk were cooperating with them and taking part in clashes against the Taliban. The district was important to the Taliban, because its security was linked to the situation in Lashkargah, he said.

Govement officials, therefore, had been paying greater attention to securing the district, the police chief said,adding they were being provided close air support by foreign troops.

“Right now we don’t have any issues with persoel and ammunition,” Khpalwak concluded. But the Taliban have issued no comment yet on his remarks.

sns/mud