Security boosted at ‘peace jirga’ after attacks

KABUL: Security was tightened at the Afghan “peace jirga” on Thursday, after an attack by Taliban militants on the opening day.

“I can’t say if we have absentees, but security has been strengthened,” said the National Consultative Peace Jirga spokesperson.

On Wednesday, at least five rockets were fired in the direction of the tent where the jirga is being held and two as President Hamid Karzai was delivering a speech in which he urged delegates – and the uninvited Taliban – to work towards peace.

Authorities said they had shot dead two suicide bombers and captured another who had holed up in an unfinished building close to the jirga venue.

The interior ministry said the attackers were teenagers, but their ability to breach security provided by 12,000 police, army and intelligence officers was seen as an indication of the militants’ determination to make their point.

The Taliban say they will not enter into peace negotiations while foreign troops, now numbering 130,000 under US and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation command, are in the country.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2010.