The Taleban infiltrated three locations in Kabul and three provinces to launch attacks on April 15. Afghan security forces were able to frustrate the attackers.
The Taleban infiltrated three locations in Kabul and three provinces to launch attacks on April 15. Afghan security forces were able to frustrate the attackers.President Hamid Karzai has called it a failure of intelligence even as he praised the bravery of the soldiers. Afghan security forces including from the army and the police repelled the attacks in Kabul, Nangarhar and Paktia provinces.
However, Qurban Ali Orfani, a senior member of the opposition National Coalition, says security forces do not have the ability to detect potential attacks. Opponents of the government were able to enter sensitive locations in the capital city exposing the weaknesses in the security system despite the millions of dollars spent on training and equipping the security forces, he adds.
Orfani blames the government for allowing the Taleban to slip in. He says there is a structural weakness in the system which is a concern for the people of Afghanistan.
Opposition lawmaker Ahmad Zia Masood, the head of National Front, is equally blunt. “The strategy of national security needs revision and the security institutions should be weeded of all those who do not believe in national interests.”
Military expert, Noorulhaq Ulumi, is scathing about the failure of intelligence and all praise for Afghan soldiers whose “morale was good”. He warns if the government does not come out strongly about how it will deal with armed attacks by its opponents “their boldness will only increase” after foreign troops withdraw in 2014.
He says: “It is necessary for the government to clarify its position more clearly regarding the peace process in order to assure national soldiers and security forces, empower the intelligence institutions and not provide the groundwork for destructive elements to have influence in Kabul and provinces.”
Members of parliament convened an extraordinary session to express their appreciation for the security forces. They urged the government to give each soldier, including those who died cash as reward for their velour. The parliament blamed the events on interference from the country’s neighbours.
A University of Kabul student, Eqbal Fakuri, endorses parliament’s appeal. “If the government shows its appreciation to the national police and army for staying in the risky 18-hour mission, this will give a boost to the morale of the security forces.”
Who was behind the pre-planned attacks?
Fingers are pointing at the Pakistan-based Haqani group. Minister of Interior Affairs, General Bismillah Mohammadi, told the media one suicide attacker has been taken into custody. “It’s a bit early to divulge all the details but the arrested individual has confessed that he has come from abroad, and has accomplished the mission on behalf of the Haqani group.”
How did the Taleban breach rings of security in the capital to get weapons and ammunition into the half-completed buildings in Zanbaq Square and Darul Aman street?
Afzal Aman, head of operations in the Ministry of Defence, thinks the attackers have allies “inside”. “The attackers may have brought in weapons and ammunition from abroad, or they may have people inside who cooperate with them, and provide ground support.”
ISAF spokesman, Brig General Carsten Jacobson, says the gun battles, which the western press has dubbed the “spring attacks”, will dampen the ongoing peace efforts. “Afghanistan is still a country involved in war and combat. … the attacks are being organised to sabotage peace and the process of handing over responsibility to Afghan forces.”
The spokesman insisted the counter-attacks were by Afghan security forces. It is true “we were giving military advice and training to Afghan forces; but for the events of Sunday 15th April the Ministry of Interior did not request formally for help from NATO forces. It means that they have good ability in punishing opponents.”
But there is a warning for security forces and the government. General Atiqullah Amarkhail, military expert, says it is necessary to strengthen intelligence services: failure demoralises people
General Abdul Wahed Taqat, another military observer, insists the Taleban could not have mounted the attacks without external help. Often the Taleban are transported from one area to another in vehicles with tinted glass windows like government vehicles to avoid detection. “I don’t think someone will be ready to confirm that Taleban and al-Qaeda have joined the ranks of the NATO and external forces. It would not be impossible or unusual that terrorists and al-Qaeda bribe western troops to transport their guns and ammunition.” Follow TKG on Twitter & Facebook
