Peacekeepers conduct military drills in Baghlan

PUL-E-KHUMRI: The Dutch provincial reconstruction team (PRT) has started military maneuvers in the northern Baghlan province to prepare for dealing with the security challenge to the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Henk Vaags, spokesman for the civil-military team in Baghlan told Pajhwok Afghan News about their drills featuring tanks, missiles and jets in the expansive Karkar desert, 15 kilometers northeast of Pul-i-Khumri, would continue until elections slated for mid-September.

Vaags added: "Though the security situation in Baghlan is satisfactory, yet we should be on red alert to tackle violent incidents." He would not say as to how many troops of the 150-member Dutch team were participating in the war games.

Deafening sounds of missiles and jets taking part in the drills remind residents of the Russian intervention days, but they are happy because the exercises are being carried out to secure the keenly-awaited elections.

Khair Mohammad, 25, of Pul-i-Khumri observed: "The exercises indicate the presence of a strong force here to maintain security. We are not worried about the law and order situation."

The PRT team in the province is operating under NATO, which is currently leading a multinational peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. Such teams are active in Kunduz, Badakhshan, Balkh, Faryab and Baghlan provinces, helping in reconstruction projects and restoration of security.