As more areas come under security control of Afghan forces with the process of transition, the percentage of casualties increases. According to Interior Ministry, during the past year, there has been a 15 percent increase in casualties of Afghan National Police. Taliban suicide attacks, IEDs and frontline clashes from March 2012 to March 2013 have left about 1800 police officers killed. It shows a 15 percent increase from last year.
Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi while talking to media said more than 3,000 other security forces have been injured in the attacks. He added that about 6,300 militants have been also killed and 980 others injured. Overall 6,800 militants have been arrested by Afghan National Security Forces in operations during that period.
Despite the fact that ANP does not go through heavy military training for combat, they are largely a counterinsurgency force that has paid high sacrifice with huge number of casualties. Indeed our police do the most difficult job in the world and they deserve utmost praise for the extraordinary performance.
Last month a suicide bomber with a corolla car filled with explosives was timely detected by a member of ANP in Wazir Akbar Khan area of Kabul and killed on the spot. He was on the way to target some high-security area in the city. Recently the story of an ANP member embracing a suicide bomber to save others made headlines around the world. Similarly, there are hundreds of stories where ANP members have sacrificed their lives in a tough fight against terrorists.
Currently the number of ANP has reached to 157,000. One of the most important phases after the withdrawal of NATO troops would be their further training towards an increasing change in role from where they will face more crime control and normal policing responsibilities than counterinsurgency. The continuity of their capacity building is essential.
A critical challenge would be the Afghan Local Police. Without formal policing trainings, these local militias have been raised to counter Taliban insurgency in particular areas. After the completion of transition, and gradual security improvement, they need to be absorbed in the ANA or ANP properly.
It is of serious concern that many criminal elements have joined the ranks of ALP and they have been involved in looting and murdering scores of people in several incidents reported by media during the last two years. In a report, the Human Rights Watch also expressed concerns calling for reforms in training, supervision and accountability.
Though Afghan Local Police has contributed in improving security and fighting insurgents in many areas and it has proved effective, but there have been too many incidents of Taliban infiltration and criminal elements joining the local forces. The Interior Ministry should not only keep a tight check and control on the ALP, but also consider the future absorption plans after their expansion.