Saturday, July 23, 2011 – According to sources, CIA has trained covert Afghan forces to keep the war against the Taliban on the track as US troops are leaving the country.
But officials in presidential office expressed unawareness regarding the existence of such forces in the country.
Around 400 men who are members of one shadowy group have given The Independent insight into their training and secret operations against militants.
According to a senior among the 400-man shadowy forces, they were taught hand-to-hand combat by foreign military advisors, were delivered to targets by US Black Hawk helicopters and have received a thank-you note from President Hamid Karzai for their work.
Rachel Reid, a senior policy advisor to the Open Society Foundation said, “These forces are the most shadowy and the most unaccountable in the country and it’s a serious problem that nobody’s taking responsibility for.”
In the meantime, Seyamak Herawi, Deputy Spokesperson for President Karzai said, ”President Hamid Karzai has sought clearance about the units for several times.”
According to sources, the paramilitary groups are stationed in eastern and southern Afghanistan where they gather intelligence, secure the border with Pakistan, and launch raids on militants of al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the host of other militant groups.
