Afghanistan to double number of special forces

Almaty. March 30. Silkroadnews – Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry plans to increase the number of special forces troops to meet threats to the state’s security, the Afghan Telegraph Agency (AfTAG) reports.

“Our commando forces have to be strengthened and have to be better equipped”, Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said, reporting on plans to increase the number of the troops.

At present, the number of troops amount to around 180 thousand people, with 17 000 troops of elite special forces. Despite their relatively small number, these units have been carrying out about 70% of offensive military operations on the territory of the country.

In his statement Waziri have not specified exact numbers, saying the Afghan special forces divisions would be increased to the level of the army corps.