ZARANJ - Officials in Nimroz, Badakhshan and Samangan provinces on Thursday said Afghan forces were ready for security transition but needed to be strengthened and equipped.
Some programs for improvement of security, good governance, convincing residents to support the government and providing job opportunities have been drawn up ahead of security handover, Deputy Governor of Nimroz Mohammad Qasim Khadri said.

Local police have been maintaining security in the province over the past decade, with foreign troops only conducting airstrikes, acting police, Brig. Gen. Abdul Rahim Chakhansoori, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

If the number of police was increased and they were provided with heavy weapons, there would be no problem in the province, having a 450 kilometers border with Pakistan and Iran, the police chief said.
There is a need for strengthening the Afghan air force, according to Mohammad Hashim Noorzai, the Khashrod district chief. With air power, Afghan forces would not need support from foreigners, he pointed out.

"Although the number of police is inadequate, they have no armored vehicles and heavy weapons. But they are still prepared for the security switch," the Samangan deputy police chief said.
Col. Musaddiqullah Muzaffar said special programs were underway for the improvement of security in the northern province.

The governor's spokesman, Siddique Azizi, also believed the security transfer in Samangan would take place without any problem.

In Badakhshan, the provincial capital Faizabad, Shahr-i-Buzurg, Yaftal-i-Sulfa, Arghanj, Baharak, Tishkan, Kasham and Argu districts are among the areas which will change hands.

"All militant hideouts in the province were eradicated earlier in the year; so there will be no problem in the security handover," said the Badakhshan police chief, Gen. Abdul Saboor Nusrati.