New Afghan Commander enhances collaboration between Army, Police and intelligence agency

The new Commander of the 4th Brigade Afghan National Army (ANA), Colonel Rasul Kandahari, is strengthening ties between the ANA, Afghan National Police (ANP) and National Directorate of Security (NDS) to enhance information sharing, joint planning and operational effectiveness in Uruzgan province.

Colonel Kandahari said his priority was to increase integration between the three organisational pillars of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) – the ANA, ANP and NDS – and improve relations.

“We would like to have good cooperation and coordination with the security organisations. They are Afghans from one country with one goal and one enemy,” Colonel Kandahari said.

“We need to cooperate and coordinate with each other as much as we can because without it we cannot go one step forward in developing security. We have to work together to go forward for Afghanistan.”

The Afghan-led Joint Planning Group, introduced in Uruzgan in early January, ensures the three organisations synchronise their security efforts in the province.

Colonel Kandahari has developed a strong rapport with Provincial Chief of Police Matiuallah Khan and Director NDS Khan Mohammed Khan, and is held in high regard by the local people of Uruzgan.

“I have seen very positive signs about the security situation during my recent trip to Chora, Mirabad, Khas Uruzgan and Dorafshan. The locals are very happy with the entire security situation in Uruzgan,” he said.

While Australian and Coalition redeployment draws closer, Colonel Kandahari was confident the ANSF would sustain independent operations and provide effective protection to the local people.

“The enemies of Afghanistan are no longer able to fight against us and will never defeat us. The local people do not support them and understand their activities have been wrong the entire fighting period.

“I’m so confident with the 4th Brigade: the personnel, the professionalism, the leadership and management. The Kandaks have good morale and discipline and everything is well,” Colonel Kandahari said.

Colonel Kandahari, who replaced General Zafar Khan late last year, served as a Kandak Commander in Helmand province and Brigade Executive Officer in Kandahar, and assumes command of the 4th Brigade with a decade of experience in the ANA.

“To all the people of Afghanistan, and especially Uruzgan, we need your continued support,” Colonel Kandahari said.

“I promise you all we will try our best to protect you from the insurgency. Don’t let them cheat you anymore, they are enemies and will only try to destroy what we’ve worked so hard for.”