Kabul, Sep 2 (IANS) The US is suspending training for new recruits to the Afghan Local Police (ALP) and checks are being carried out on possible ties to the Taliban, BBC reported Sunday.
The move followed a series of incidents in which foreign troops have been killed by Afghan soldiers or policemen. At least 45 coalition soldiers have died in more than 30 attacks this year by gunmen dressed as Afghan security personnel.
BBC said the ALP is a relatively new force, introduced to improve security in some of the most remote parts of the country.
The force, however, has been accused of human rights abuses.
An ALP commander in Kunduz province recently shot dead nine civilians and injured eight others, including women and children.
The report said the suspension of training, which only applies to new ALP recruits, will allow US special forces to verify current ALP forces.
The sale of Afghan army and police uniforms will also be made illegal.
The suspension of training will be temporary, a spokesman for the NATO-led ISAF, was quoted as saying by BBC.
The number of counter-intelligence teams will be increased and there will be greater verification when Afghan soldiers return from leave.
Officials told the Washington Post that military guidelines on vetting have sometimes not been followed in the past for fear of slowing the growth of the Afghan security forces.
Currently, around 130,000 NATO troops are fighting insurgents in Afghanistan alongside 350,000 Afghans.
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