KABUL: A new control centre is to be created to coordinate security forces and fight a rise in Taliban attacks in Kabul, the capital’s police chief said yesterday, hours after a bomb killed a police officer and injured three in the city.
As most foreign troops withdraw this month, Afghanistan has seen waves of suicide bombings and commando-style assaults by the Islamist insurgents. “Under previous governments, and also during the Soviets, we had a garrison in place which was useful and that fought against the mujahideen,” General Abdul Rahman Rahimi said.
Rahimi said the new control centre would have the authority to command and coordinate a joint response by Afghanistan’s army, police and intelligence force in the event of an attack.
“There was no systematic coordination in place,” the police chief said. “In case of attacks in the city or joint operations, the garrison will be in charge.” The idea for a new control centre was first announced by the Afghan president Ashraf Ghani on Sunday.
Rahimi could not say when the new garrison would be formed but said its members would soon be appointed by the president, who has vowed a security shake-up in the capital to counter the surge in attacks.
Recent incidents include two assaults on foreign guest houses, several army bus bombings and a deadly blast that killed a German at a French cultural centre packed with people attending a performance. The decline in security cost Rahimi’s predecessor his job. “The attacks will continue so long as there is no political agreement to pressure (the Taliban),” the new police chief said.
Reuters
