Radio Sahar: Twenty-five Afghan police desert posts in west, Taleban say they join them

Excerpt from report by Afghan female-orientated community Radio Sahar on 27 October

[Presenter] Afghan security officials in Herat Province say 25 police officers have deserted their jobs and have taken away their weapons in the Delaram District of Farah Province. At the same time, the Taleban claim these police officers have joined their side. Hami Azad has a report on this:

[Correspondent] Mr Ali Khan, head of the crime prevention branch of the Western Zone Security Command, states that 25 police officers have escaped from the checkpoints in Delaram District of Farah Province and have returned home in the Adraskan District of Herat Province. It is said that these officers have also taken away their weapons with them. In addition, Mr Ali Khan says that they have contacted the elders who had recommended these officers. The elders have agreed to surrender the policemen to security officials.

[Passage omitted: official's remarks, repetition]

On the other hand, the Taleban claim that 25 policemen have joined their side in western Afghanistan. The head of the crime prevention crime branch of the Western Zone Security Command denies this. The official asserts that these policemen must be punished in line with the laws and for deserting their posts.

Some sources attribute the desertions to delays in paying their salaries of these policemen.

[Description of Source: Herat Radio Sahar in Dari -- local independent radio station in Herat run mainly by women. IAP20071027950063 Herat Radio Sahar in Dari 1230 GMT 27 Oct 07]