Following reports about the handover of police check posts by soldiers to Taliban in Helmand, the provincial governor Hayatullah Hayat warned that he will take legal action against security force members that desert their posts.
“I have decided at the military council that anyone that leaves their check posts without permission from their commanders will face legal action,” Hayat said.
However, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) rejected the involvement of police in handing over check posts to militants in Helmand.
“The issue of check posts in Helmand existed in the past. We lost a number of check posts in Helmand in the past and they were exchanged during conflicts. The involvement of police in this matter is not considered,” said MoI deputy spokesman Najib Danish.
Meanwhile, a number of Helmand residents urged government to punish those soldiers that left their check posts without resistance.
“The individuals [soldiers] that have left their weapons to Taliban in Helmand should be punished,” said Obaidullah, a resident of Helmand.
Military commentator Atiqullah Amarkhail meanwhile said he believes that leaving check posts or outposts to militants is a disaster.
“This is a disaster. The interference of a powerful enemy inside security forces will affect the soldiers’ activities,” he said.
According to reports, nearly 230 security check posts were left to Taliban in Helmand.
“We receive weapons as assistance from the world to defend our country, but this act by the soldiers is questionable,” said Juma Din Giyanwal, member of the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament).http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/27460-helmand-governor-threatens-soldiers-with-legal-action-if-posts-deserted
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