Story by Spc. Tyffani Chaney
MA’RUF DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Twenty-four members of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) and Afghan National Police (ANP) suffered from food poisoning caused by a suspected insurgent in Boz Mohammad village, Ma’Ruf district, Kandahar province, July 28.
The Afghan forces ingested an unknown substance in a meal prepared by the checkpoint cook just after
preparing the daily Iftar meal.
Afghan Local Police standing guard rushed their comrades to a nearby medical facility after observing they were suffering from nausea, vomiting and blood discharge.
The poisoned security forces have since recovered from the incident.The Taliban considers ALP and Afghan National Security Forces the most significant threat to their activities.
Afghan Local Police arrested the cook and transported him to the district jail where an investigation of the incident continues.
Ma’Ruf District Chief of Police Nadir Khan says he is exploring options that will decrease the risk of future incidents.
Afghan Local Police complement counterinsurgency efforts by assisting and supporting rural areas
with limited Afghan National Forces presence, enabling conditions for improved security, governance, and development.