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NANGAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 20, 2008) - Communication
and cooperation between Afghan and Pakistan border security forces
is essential to the success of containing insurgents threatening
both countries. To this end, the Afghan and Pakistan border
security forces at Torkham Gate, held a Border Flag Meeting Feb. 28
with the 173rd Airborne's Special Troops Battalion commander, Lt.
Col. Jeffrey Milhorn, to address security and communication issues,
as well as the upcoming opening of the Khyber Border Coordination
Center.
Preventing insurgent operations in the border area requires
constant communication between the Afghan and Pakistan border
forces, said Milhorn. He hopes to improve the chances of catching
insurgents by supplying the Afghan and Pakistan Border Police with
radio equipment so they can speak directly with each other.
The recent improvements at Torkham Gate, such as installing an
X-ray machine to scan incoming cargo trucks and entering personnel
who regularly cross the border into nationwide databases, are just
some of the processes put in place to more efficiently regulate
border operations.
Pakistan Army Col. Qaiser Alam, Khyber Rifles' commander, talked
about the importance of all three organizations - the Afghan Border
Police, Pakistan Border Police and U.S. military - pooling their
resources to combat a common enemy.
"A terrorist is a terrorist," Qaiser said. "He has no
nationality, no religion, no color."
The meeting moved to the roof of the border checkpoint on the
Pakistan side to take in a full view of the bustling Afghan border
station across the bridge and plans were discussed about future
changes. Part of these plans, Colonel Qaiser hopes, wisll include
newer facilities on his side of the border, alleviating some of the
burden from the Afghan side.
Right now, there is no paperless communication between the
Afghan, Pakistan and U.S. forces, and although only a few hundred
feet apart, the checkpoints work virtually independent of each
other.
Improving the forces cooperation between each other will
ultimately benefit both sides.
"Estimates by experts indicate that (Torkham Gate) has the
potential to generate $350 million in revenue each year - money
that could be put back into government projects." said Army Maj.
Scott Sonsalla, Special Troops Battalion's executive officer. "Our
goal is to improve the country through prosperity and security.
Closing the border to illegal traffic does both."
Representatives from the Pakistan and Afghan security forces are
looking forward to the Khyber Border Coordination Center opening
and all organizations involved in securing the Afghan/Pakistan
border have a dedicated point to consistently exchange ideas and
information.
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