On May 31 personnel of PRT-15 completed a patrol in Sharak District, village of Nasfanj, 100 km on the northwest of Chaghcharan, capital of Ghor. The patrol was conducted to increase influence of the Central Government and security forces in the district, to meet with villagers who a apart of the reintegration process, to evaluate the possibilities for the PRT and partners to undertake development cooperation projects in the district, security situation, to meet with representatives of local administration, and discuss issues population of the region face with governance and development cooperation.
Among the personnel conducting the patrol tee were PRT-15 Commander Col Artūras Radvilas, Governor of Ghor Dr. Abdullah Heiwad, Head of the PRT Civilian Element Jurgis Stanaitis, Chief of Ghor Police Col Delawar Delawashan, representatives of the Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security, and a representative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
PRT-15 delegation met with seniors and elders of the village of Nasfanj and surrounding areas and representatives of local security forces. Governor of Ghor Dr. Abdullah Heiwad presented the delegation to the gathered local representatives, took interest in completed and ongoing projects, asked about the current main issues in the village, priority activity areas and objectives.
The delegation also met with a local authority Mullah Mustafa who has expressed a wish to develop a dialog with representatives of the Central Government, Afghan National Security Forces and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). "Reintegration process and peaceful way of life is essentially the best way of reconstructing our country , therefore I am ready to become a loyal citizen and work for a better future of Afghanistan just like my 250 militants", said Mullah Mustafa.
The PRT delegation and local authorities observed water reservoir in a height of the village where water is amassed for crop and greenland irrigation. Possibilities to renew water tank and improve supply of irrigation water in the village were discussed. Possibilities to improve drinking water supply were also considered.
"Lithuania together with the USA and Japan seeks to enhance and develop daily lives of Afghan people. Everyone is able to notice and evaluate changes in the province. Barracks is being built in Chaghcharan for the future battalion of the Afghan National Army which will be in charge for security in all the regions of the province," accentuated PRT-15 Commander Col Artūras Radvilas upon departing.
"A part of Mullah Mustafa's militants grounded weapons and choose to reintegrate into peaceful life. A visit to these people is a reciprocal step of the PRT expressing support to the former insurgents' decision of peace and now we search for ways to assist population of Nasfanj as they begin a new life," Jurgis Stanaitis share thoughts with local community.
Currently PRT-15 formed by the Lithuanian Grand Duchess Birutė Motorised Infantry Battalion of the Lithuanian Land Force ensures security in Afghanistan. The shift is led by Lt Col Artūras Radvilas, Commander of the Battalion. It is the second deployment of the Battalion's personnel to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Combat flag of the unit flew in the PRT camp in Chaghcharan in 2008.
On the 4th of January, 2012, the town of Chaghcharan and the surrounding area were approved to join the transfer of responsibility process in Chaghcharan. Responsibility of local security forces, i.e. ANA units and police, for the security in their country is gradually increased since then. The key role of the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT is training of the Afghan National Security Forces with a focus on instructions. Administrational capabilities of local authorities are continually being supported as well as the development cooperation projects continued. On May 13 the third phase of the transfer of responsibility process was launched in Afghanistan, among other it covers three districts of Ghor - Lal Wa Sarjangal, Chahar Sadah and Dawlat Yar.
Lithuanian civilian and military personnel in Ghor executes the peacekeeping mission along with colleagues from Georgia, Japan, USA, Poland, Finland, the Check Republic, Ukraine, Croatia and Bulgaria.
PRT-15 information
Photos by 1st Lt Jurgis Norvaiša
