Joint Press Release
March 14, 2009
Release Number: 20091403-01
Militants arrested for assassination plot in Chamkani
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Police arrested two militants attempting the assassination of ANP officers in Chamkani District, Paktia Province, during the night of March 11.
The militants were targeting police officers following the recent arrest of one of their companions.
The arrested militants lived in separate villages and districts bordering one another. ANP worked with Coalition Forces to call a key leader engagement with village elders from the separate villages. The elders from only one village attended. The sub-governor of Jani Kheyl District also attended the meeting. The ANP requested the sub-governor’s assistance to investigate the situation. The sub-governor and elders told the ANP they agreed the incident has further shamed the village, and the man will be held responsible for his actions.
Also in Chamkani this morning, a man brought a family member to the ANP, informing them that his young relative had been studying in Pakistan and was now prepared to be a suicide bomber. The family member told the ANP he wanted to prevent further bloodshed in the country.
“These militants were unable to carry out their murderous plot due to the pro-activeness and expertise of the Afghan National Police,” said Zemarai Bashary, Ministry of the Interior spokesman. “Also, the tremendous courage displayed by this Afghan man as he stood up to the militants and put a stop to a future suicide bomber should be applauded. His dedication and loyalty to Afghanistan should be emulated by all of the county’s people.”
Contact information:
Ministry of Interior, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Directorate of Media and Public Relations, office telephone: 93 (0) 220 1758
US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs, office telephone: 93 (0) 799 51 2919