The Afghan government has unveiled a new security strategy for Kabul in a bid to make the city safe from insurgent attacks – following a series of deadly terrorist incidents that claimed at least 200 lives. 
 
The Ministry of Interior on Monday announced a package of measures which includes seven priorities composed of 92 classified items and will be implemented in three phases.
 
Based on the new plan, side roads connecting suburbs of Kabul to the center of the city will be closed off and security forces will increase their reconnaissance and intelligence activities. 
 
President Ashraf Ghani has already approved the plan which will be implemented in a week’s time.
 
“Inform the faithful people of Kabul that your security plan was finalized yesterday, and it will be implemented within two weeks,” Ghani told a gathering on Tuesday.
 
The president has removed seven security officials including two generals for negligence over the attack on an Afghan Army Unit near Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim Military Academy in Kabul last month.  
 
“Findings reveal that seven high ranking officers including two generals committed professional negligence. All seven are sacked and referred for further investigations. The process of REWARD and PUNISHMENT to continue!” Presidential Palace wrote on Twitter. 
 
According to the new strategy, the security forces will also undertake search operations in vulnerable areas of Kabul and the process will be expanded to all parts of the city. 
 
“In the reconnaissance and intelligence portion, all side roads coming to Kabul have come under an operational plan and this is a comprehensive plan,” Interior Ministry’s deputy spokesman Nusrat Rahimi said.
 
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD), Ministry of Interior (MoI) and National Directorate of Security (NDS) will jointly undertake the implementation of the new security strategy. 
 
“Brigadier General Khatgar, the commander of 111 army division has been suspended from the job and introduced to the legal and judicial institutions, Brigadiar General Ghayour, 111 first brigade chief of staff was also suspended and referred to the legal and judicial institutions,” Defense Minsitry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said.
 
“The plan will be very helpful for security of Kabul and the situation will improve,” said Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah’s deputy spokesman Jawed Faisal said.
 
One of the main reasons behind the security lapse in Kabul is related to the lack of effective intelligence. 
 
“Kabul gates must be assessed accurately, corruption must be tackled seriously, qualified cadres and trusted people must be appointed at Kabul gates,” suggested former military officer Mia Gul Khalid.
 
“Fundamental work is required to be done in the intelligence sector, because Kabul has suffered tremendously due to  the lack of proper intelligence measures,” said Mirdad Nejrabi, head of parliament’s security and defense commission.