Afghan forces in security crackdown ahead of poll

Afghanistan’s government began stepping up security measures on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s presidential elections as Taliban insurgents repeated their threat to disrupt the vote.

Security forces have stopped the flow of trucks bound for Kabul and have banned vehicle use in some areas of the country as part of the measures, residents said. Hundreds of soldiers and police checked vehicles and passengers in sections of Kabul on Thursday, searching for Taliban fighters and shipments of ammunition to the city.

Kabul’s police chief, Sayed Roshandil, said that 30,000 troops were providing security at polling centers in the capital.

More than 40,000 additional security forces have been assigned to security in other parts of the country, officials said.

“We have begun security preparations for the elections 48 hours ahead,” Roshandil said.

Taliban militants have described the vote as a sham and renewed their threat to target the poll.

“We intend to disrupt this fake process of the American invaders and their few servile slaves by attacking all security personnel that guard this process and by targeting offices and centers that operate for this staged show,” a spokesman said. “All major and minor roads of the country will be closed by mujahideen on election day. We ask our fellow countrymen to refrain from venturing out of their homes on this day so that no one is harmed.” Traffic movement was reduced in Kabul on Thursday after schools and polling centers were closed ahead of the vote.

The campaign period for the polls ended on Wednesday night with nominees now observing 48 hours of silence.