Security

Taliban face 'eye for an eye' retaliation for soldiers' killings

By Omar

Afghan border forces March 13 in Herat Province display Taliban weapons that they seized during a retaliatory attack on militants in the province. [Omar]

Afghan border forces March 13 in Herat Province display Taliban weapons that they seized during a retaliatory attack on militants in the province. [Omar]

HERAT -- Afghan security forces in Herat Province say they have killed seven Taliban members involved in a deadly attack on border soldiers as part of an "eye for an eye" crackdown on militants who target troops.

The Taliban gunmen were killed on March 7 by security forces, the same day that militants fatally shot five members of the border force near the city of Herat.

"Our border forces thoroughly inspect the Herat-to-Islam Qala highway daily to ensure that the enemies of the Afghan people do not plant mines and bombs on this highway," said Gulbuddin Alokozai, commander of the 705th Border Police Division in western Afghanistan.

"When one of our units was inspecting a bridge to make sure no bomb had been planted, it was ambushed by 14 militants. Unfortunately, five of our personnel were martyred," he told Salaam Times.

"In co-operation with other security forces, we pursued the Taliban, who had been planning on yet another ambush in the Sangi Kutal area of Gulran District, Herat Province," he said.

"A clash broke out between us, in which seven Taliban members were terminated. We brought back the bodies of a Taliban commander and of three of their leaders."

"Documents that we found with the Taliban show that they were in the process of extorting ushr and zakat," said Alokozai. "The Taliban's military commanders for Zindajan and Gulran districts were among the dead militants."

2 Taliban militants for every soldier

The Taliban will face harsh retribution for any loss of life among security personnel, Herat Provincial Governor Abdul Qayum Rahimi said February 7.

"Two Taliban militants will be killed in retaliation for every soldier" killed, he told reporters at the headquarters of the 705th Border Police Command in Herat.

"It is better for the terrorists not to put themselves in the path of death. The gates of peace are open, so they should come and talk."

"The act of anyone who points a gun at our soldiers and security forces is unforgivable, and we will prove it to them," Rahimi added.

"To our security forces and soldiers who stood as a shield and defended your homeland with your blood, we are proud of you. The Taliban have become mercenaries of foreigners, and we will not allow them to further murder our troops," he said.

Alokozai, commander of the 705th Border Police Division, echoed the goal of the retaliatory operations.

"Our message to the Taliban is clear: an eye for an eye," he said. "Every negative action the enemy takes against Afghanistan's territory and its citizens will be severely punished."

Public welcomes vengeance against Taliban

The decisive stance taken by security forces against the Taliban has won acclaim from the public.

"Statements made by the Herat governor have been welcomed by everyone," Toryalai Taheri, Herat Provincial Council spokesman, told Salaam Times. "This is a good step that strengthens the morale of our security forces against the enemy."

"The support our security forces receive from the governor -- who is in fact the representative of our president -- whenever a soldier is martyred makes the security forces fight better."

"Killing the Taliban in retaliation is a good thing that has been welcomed by the public, as well as by the supporters of our government," he added. "This policy, in turn, helps our security forces avenge the blood of their fellow soldiers."

Jawed, 27, a resident of Herat city who goes only by one name, agreed that such security actions are warranted.

"The Taliban murder our civilians, as well as our security forces, every day," he told Salaam Times. "They should be asked why they do such inhumane acts."

Waheed Ahmed, 23, another resident of Herat city, shared the sentiment that sending the Taliban a clear message is imperative when they target soldiers.

"When the Taliban realise that they are going to be killed, they won't dare attack our security forces' checkpoints and stations," he told Salaam Times. "We call on the government to value the blood of our security forces and to destroy their enemies."

Increasing military pressure

Military pressure on the Taliban should increase during the peace talks so that they will be forced to make peace with the Afghan government, according to some analysts in Herat Province.

"It is the legitimate right of the Afghan government to protect and preserve the lives, dignity, and honour of the public and to launch aggressive attacks against the Taliban," Abdul Qader Kamel, a political analyst in Herat Province, told Salaam Times.

That is especially true "as long as the Taliban doesn't respond positively to the peace messages of the Afghan government and of the world, continuing to beat the drums of war", he said.

"The government must exert pressure on the Taliban, so that they are forced to show more flexibility in the peace process in order for formal talks to begin between the Taliban and the Afghan government," Kamel added.

"The more pressure is exerted on the Taliban and terrorist groups, and the more they are killed or otherwise leave the battlefield, the more the Taliban become flexible in their response to the peaceful demands of the Afghan government."

Do you like this article?

0 Comment

Comment Policy * Denotes required field 1500 / 1500