Insider Attacks are a Growing Problem

           Another insider attack has occurred within the Afghan borders. On Saturday, an insurgent posing as a National Directorate of Security (NDS) employee detonated a suicide vest. The suicide bomber managed to kill two Americans and four Afghan officials, including the Afghan deputy intelligence director for Kandahar Province Ghulam Rasool (Dead Officials). The attack occurred when delegation members were delivering new furniture to the intelligence headquarters of the Kandahar’s Maruf district (Suicide Bomber). After the attack occurred U.S. and local officials claimed the attack was set up and the suicide bomber was an NDS elite intelligence member. Shafiqullah Tahiri, spokesman for the intelligence agency stated, “The suicide bomber was never on the staff of the NDS. Unfortunately, the local media reported this. It created concern among the people of Afghanistan” (Public Concern). Tahiri was saying that the local media that covered the story, reported the suicide bomber was indeed an employee of the NDS. This was part of the reason why U.S. and local officials made assertions against the NDS. However, these claims have since been denied and evidence has been presented to show that the suicide bomber had no association with the NDS.

            Upon further investigation these insider attacks have been on the rise over the past year. The insurgent attack by a pseudo intelligence agent is the first of its kind. In recent reports, insurgents have dressed like other soldiers and officials, but never like an intelligence agent. These insider attacks have people concerned about the security in Afghanistan as well as the threat of increased exposer to Taliban infiltrations. Not only have the Afghan citizens lost faith in their government’s protection, but western nations have also lost confidence in Afghanistan’s ability to regulate and protect its own people. This is a major problem. If the Afghans are losing confidence with their own government then this might increase the risk of more attacks in the future. The Afghans are already in turmoil and if people are losing faith then ordinary citizens might rise to the occasion and start a revolution. If this were to occur it wouldn’t solve any problems. The Afghan people need reassurance at this point, not loss of faith. On the other hand, having the western nations losing confidence is a big concern as well. With insider attacks like these, soldiers and foreign officials might assume that the risk of carrying out their duties is no longer worth the reward. If this occurs the whole system will continue to crumble. Direct actions need to be taking to stop these insider attacks. Security and intelligence agents need to be more careful then ever before. Insider attacks need to be stopped and the Afghan government needs to maintain assurance amongst its people. Peace can be restored in Afghanistan but the citizens and high-ranking officials need to step up to their roles. Hope and faith must be maintained in order for this goal to stay within reach.