TOWR KHAM FIRE BASE, Afghanistan, May 24, 2006 — Commander Naqeebullah of the Afghan Border Police’s 1st Brigade, 2nd Battalion, says his unit acts as a door to Afghanistan, responsible for keeping bad people and bad things out and catching bad people trying to leave the country.
"The people are very happy when we walk through the villages. And we are very happy to be serving our country."
Afghan Border Police 1st Sergeant Hijrat Ulla |
Naqeebullah directs the efforts of more than 300 men responsible for 160 kilometers of the Afghan-Pakistan border ranging from Tora Bora to Shirzad. He commands from a rocky outcrop overlooking the village of Ghani Kheyl in the Shinwar District of eastern Afghanistan. “I feel more like a soldier than commander,” said the native of Sarshai village who escaped to Pakistan and fought against the Taliban regime from the Panjshir Mountains. “I don’t do this for the money – I’m already a wealthy man – I do this for my country.” Several of Naqeebullah’s men are among the more than 62,000 national police, highway police and border police officers who have completed basic training programs at facilities throughout Afghanistan. Because there are no major vehicle border crossings in his area, the commander sends his men out along paths carved through centuries of trade – most are little more than donkey or caravan trails. Members of the Afghan Border Police’s 1st Brigade, 1st Battalion near the town of Reneh have even received help from local villagers in stopping insurgents and smugglers, according to Afghan Border Police 1st Lt. Naqib Ullah, commander of the battalion’s Kamah Dakan Compound. “The people of Reneh are soldiers and they have formed a militia to help us patrol and protect the border,” he said. Afghan Border Police Capt. Khan Mohammad, another commander within the 1st Battalion in Jangora, said his men routinely check items for illegal drugs or weapons as well as car parts and motor oil carried through the mountains by donkeys, horses and camels. “I’m very proud to be a part of the rebuilding effort of my country,” said Mohammad. “My men are very brave and honorable.” Naqeebullah’s men also conduct “presence patrols” in local villages to increase the populace’s familiarity with border patrol forces. |