Construction complete, Taliban repelled
Thursday - 16 August 2007 - CPA 253/07


The Afghanistan-based Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) yesterday completed the construction of a police out-post in the southern Oruzgan Province.

The out-post was completed in six days under trying circumstances, including two serious clashes with the Taliban and an encounter with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was found and removed before it could harm anyone.

The engineer commander, Lieutenant John Pring said the police out-post was strategically sited, in consultation with Afghan National Security Forces, to ensure it had a commanding presence over the local area.

“There is significant blast protection built into the position. We have also installed new services as well as sleeping and living quarters, which is a great improvement on what they are used to,” said Lieutenant Pring

To conduct the task, Lieutenant Pring called on his tradesmen and earthmovers.

“We had two bulldozers, an excavator and two bobcats operating on the job. They are up-armoured and provide the same ballistic protection as the Bushmaster and the Light Armoured vehicles,” he said. There was also a potent security force providing protection to the worksite.

The Afghan National Police who have now moved into this new out-post were grateful for their new facility.

They will now be able to exert more control over the area, which is around 10km east of the provincial capital, Tarin Kowt.

Commander of the RTF, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Jarvie said Taliban extremists continue to resort to intimidation and terror tactics. He said that projects which strengthen security infrastructure and add to the capability of the local police will help put an end to this intimidation.

“The Afghan National Security Forces are the key to this country,” he said.

“We are currently undertaking a number of projects in Oruzgan Province which will see their standing within the community greatly improved.”

Lieutenant Colonel Jarvie said the attacks on his forces were an indication that the projects were hitting the Taliban where it hurts.

“The Taliban are obviously concerned with the progress we are making. With the rise of the national security forces, comes the Taliban’s downfall.

“That is why they are trying to disrupt our work. They found out the hard way last week – twice – that we don’t give up ground and will fight back if they threaten us or the local community,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Jarvie said the latest incidents will not disrupt his mission.

“We will continue with our work and show the Taliban that they have no place here.

“We are determined to create necessary infrastructure to better the lives of the local communities. In the case of building this new Police out-post, this will assist local Afghan National Security Forces in deterring those who foster terror and oppose the people’s right to freedom,” he said.