Some lawmakers and critics on Saturday criticized security officials for their “inability” to prevent a complex attack on a security outpost on the outskirts of Kabul city on Friday which left four security force members dead.
The MPs and military analysts said those behind the attack should be recognized and should be brought to justice.
So far, no group has claimed responsibly for the attack.
Taliban has claimed that they have captured a security outpost in Mahipar area in Sarobi district in Kabul and have killed four soldiers. These two incidents look similar, but the Public Protection Forces outpost was located on the outskirt of Kabul city.
The Kabul Police was also criticized for not sending reinforcements on time to respond to the attack. Eyewitnesses said the clashes continued for almost two hours.
“Head of the security department who did not act on time and did not anticipate such an attack should be held responsible,” said Mohammadagul Mujahid, a military analyst.
“There is no coordination between different departments of the Interior Affairs Ministry. The ministry does not have accurate communication with its outposts and police districts and cannot address their challenges,” said Fatima Nazari, an MP.
Kabul Police, meanwhile, said the incident is under “thorough” investigation.
“These soldiers were operating under the Public Protection Unit and they asked for help when the attack was ended. It means they did not ask for help in the first minutes,” said Firdaws Faramarz, a spokesman for Kabul Police.
The Acting Minister of Interior Affairs has ordered an investigation into the incident and has said that those who were found negligent in sending reinforcements to the area “should be punished”, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
This comes as General Salem Almas was removed from his post as head of the Crime Investigation Department in Kabul to pay more attention to Kabul security. Lieutenant Colonel Moeenuddin was appointed as acting head of the Crime Investigation Department.
“Recently, pressure has increased on criminal networks in Kabul,” said Nusrat Rahimi, a spokesman for Ministry of Interior Affairs. “At least 120 suspects have been arrested on charges of murder and robbery in Kabul over the past two weeks.”
Kabul residents said they are deeply concerned about an increase in crime in the city.
“Murder, kidnapping and any types of crime are happening in Kabul,” said Mohammad Sharif, a Kabul resident.
“We cannot walk freely in the city. The government should do something,” said Hashmatullah, a Kabul resident.
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