Security centre a step forward for Afghan province
The opening of a NATO-ISAF supported centre for coordinating the security efforts of Afghan authorities, as well as an emergency phone line, mark a further step forward for security in the Baghlan province of Afghanistan.
On Saturday 5 August, the Provincial Coordination Centre (PCC) in Pol-e Khomri was officially opened. The PCC will synchronize and coordinate the security efforts of the Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan National Army (ANA), National Directorate of Security (NDS), Counter Narcotics and the Provincial Government.
Up until now, the lack of coordination and information sharing between the different security forces has been an issue affecting security in the region. The Baghlan PCC is the first to be opened in Northern Afghanistan.
One key asset of the PCC is a manned emergency phone line that the Afghan people can call in case of an emergency. The PCC can then alert a security force to respond to the emergency. The emergency centre is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The task of the PCC also includes information sharing to enable the efforts of the various security forces to be synchronized for greater efficiency.
The Dutch PRT provided communication equipment, materials and training to enable the PCC to be established. The Dutch will continue to conduct joint patrols in cooperation with the Afghan National Army.