Afghan Security Chiefs: ANDSF Ready to Safeguard the Nation

The heads of Afghanistan’s security agencies on Saturday referring to the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country reassured that the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) were capable of foiling threats posed by the insurgents and terror groups as they have proved it in the past.

General Yasin Zia, the Afghan Acting Minister of Defense, said that currently foreign forces are only in Bagram and Balkh and that recently six new A-29 Super Tucano aircraft have been handed to the Afghan Air Force.

“You shouldn’t be influenced by the propagandas of the ISI (Pakistan’s intelligence agency). These complex operations which are designed by foreign nations are handled by these brave men (ANDSF),” Zia said.

National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib said that foreign forces will handover military equipment worth of $1 billion to ANDSF when they leave the country.

“There will be some problem whether you like it or not. It is now 40 years that Afghanistan faces problems and the current problem is not something beyond our strength,” said Mohib, referring to the possible challenges after foreign troops pullout.

Mohib said that AAF has over 160 aircraft today of different categories.

“NATO forces are only in Mazar and Bagram, of course we have taken the control of their bases in Kabul and other areas,” added Yasin Zia.

Meanwhile, AP reported that CIA Director William Burns made a recent unannounced visit to Kabul as concerns mount about Afghanistan’s capability to fight terrorism once the US has withdrawn its remaining troops by summer.

“Separately, a senior former Afghan security official deeply familiar with the country’s counterterrorism program said two of six units trained and run by the CIA to track militants have already been transferred to Afghan control,” AP wrote.

“The 01 and 02 units and KPF are undertaking their duty in the structure of the NDS,” said Ahmad Zia Saraj, the head of NDS.

Saraj said that there are reports of serious fragmentation between Taliban’s Quetta Shura and its wing in Peshawar.