December 12, Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Ground Force Commander Lt Gen Murad Ali and Deputy Commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) Maj Gen Marchio Riccardo and a delegation paid a visit to Ghor, province of Afghanistan guarded by Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).
The visit was conducted with an aim to meet with commanders of ANA units in Ghor, discuss planned constructions of ANA barracks, as well as to familiarize with the activities of PRT-14 and current security situation in the region.
The meeting with Commander of Afghanistan National Army Ground Force was attended by Brig Gen Luciano Portolano, Commander of the ISAF Regional Command West (RC-W) the superior Command of Chaghcharan PRT, who was accompanied by high commanders of the Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF) as well as RC-W staff officers, commanders of ANA in Ghor and Governor Dr. Abdullah Heiwad.
PRT-14 Commander Col Eligijus Senulis briefed ANA and ISAF representatives on the ongoing PRT activities, introduced international partners collaborating on joint tasks in Ghor, reviewed security situation in the province, major threats and challenges, and the activities PRT-14 plan to complete during its duty period. Participants of the meeting were also briefed on the PRT tasks with an emphasis on cooperation with provincial ANSF units and administration.
Lt Gen M. Ali expressed sincere gratitude to Governor of Ghor Dr. A. Heiwad and PRT-14 Commander Col E. Senulis for continued and ceaseless collaboration. "Ghor is meaningful from the strategic point of view because of its position in the centre of Afghanistan and borders with eight provinces. Therefore it is crucial to deploy a battalion-sized ANA unit in the province as soon as possible to ensure security of locals and ongoing projects. Presence of such a unit would facilitate the transfer of responsibility for security to Afghan forces", said Lt Gen Murad Ali. General also promised to accelerate the process of deploying an ANA battalion in Ghor.
Governor of Ghor Dr. A. Heiwad highlighted that the presence of an ANA battalion in the province would ensure security in Ghor and several surrounding provinces, especially in relation to road structure. "We have already signed an agreement to deploy an ANA battalion in our territory. Now we hope for a swift permission to begin constructions of barracks for the battalion's personnel. Only such a presence could prevent illegal activities in Ghor and other 8 surrounding provinces", Governor said.
Later on the delegation proceeded from the PRT base to Chaghcharan, Ghor Operations Coordination Centre where head Brig Gen Assadullah Olomyar of the Centre presented to them activities planned and conducted by local forces and security situation in all the districts of Ghor. Brig Gen A. Olomyar stressed that currently security situation in Ghor is relatively stable and controlled by local security forces. Only a minor activity of insurgents has been spotted in a few of the ten districts of Ghor.
At the moment the 14th rotation of Lithuanians serves in Ghor. The shift is formed by the 5th Territorial Unit of the Vytis Military District of the National Defence Volunteer Forces. Military contingent of PRT-14 is commanded by Col Eligijus Senulis, Commander of the 5th Territorial Unit of the Vytis Military District of the National Defence Volunteer Forces.
Lithuanian-led PRT in Ghor is a joint civilian and military mission, a part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), launched in the province in summer of 2005. The essential task of the mission is to support Afghan government in extending its authority in the province, ensuring security and creating conditions for provincial reconstruction.
Staff of the Lithuanian-led PRT in Chaghcharan includes Georgia's, Japan's, US, Poland's, Finland's, and Ukraine's representatives alongside Lithuanian military and civilian personnel.
PIO for PRT-14 1st Lt Tomas Pakalniškis
Pictures by 1st Lt Tomas Pakalniškis
