December 6, Lithuanian military personnel of Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team visited Badgah village during a joint patrol with local policemen of Chaghcharan.
Troops and policemen met with local population, senior of the village, took interest in the main problems of life in the village and security situation. Peacekeepers donated to the villagers warm wraps, clothing, kitchenware, school necessities, soccer balls.
According to he village senior, at present security situation is good enough, local security forces frequently patrol the village, and the base of the Lithuanian-led PRT set nearby adds security to the locals' lives.
People of the village were especially concerned if the security situation was not going to worsen after the withdrawal of the PRT. However, at the same time they expressed satisfaction about the fact that national security forces trained and instructed by Lithuania contingent had grown significantly stronger over the recent year.
Police officers receive training and instruction from the Police Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (POMLT) based in Ghor alongside the PRT, it is formed by US and Lithuanian personnel and officers of the Public Security Service of Lithuania under the Ministry of the Interior. Members of the Afghan national army are trained by military personnel of Chaghcharan PRT.
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.
Information by PIO of PRT-14 1st Lt Tomas Pakalniškis. Pictures by SSgt Virgilijus Jonikas.
