Afghan government officials, Afghan National Army Special Forces and U.S. Special Forces joined together in an operation Sunday to assess the security of the main route leading from Kandahar City to the Khakrez District Center.
The partnered countries determined what additional checkpoints the area needed as well as how to improve the road's security and stability for those who travel along the highway.
Joining USSF forces was Capt. Wahid, the ANA commander in the district, Acting District Police Chief Rahmatulah, and Qayum Khan, the Khakrez District governor.
"This patrol was an excellent example of the government working on the local populace's main concern, which is the ability to go to and from Kandahar," said Lt. Col. Brian Petit, Special Operations Task Force- South commander. "This is what the people wanted and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan stepped up to fulfil their desires as it relates to the security of the route."
A taxi driver in the Khakrez bazaar told USSOF soldiers that he had travelled the same day from Kandahar to the Khakrez District Center on the route and did not have any trouble with enemies of Afghanistan or improvised explosive devices during the trip.
The same was said by the ANA commander who told Hajji Mohammad Juma, a local leader in the area from Zaylabad village, that he drove all the way to Arghandab with the district governor and didn't encounter any security threats.
Juma agreed with their assessment, and said that "all the people in the district are happy with the clearing of the route."
"I am happy because the route clearing allows the people to take their fruit to Kandahar City causing more people to move back into Khakrez," Juma said.
Juma also stated it will be more difficult for insurgents to emplace IEDs with a paved road, in-turn making it safer for the people.
"It is a very good plan to fix the road for all the people," Juma said.
Article by ISAF Joint Command