A number of members of Wolesi Jirga (the Lower House of Parliament) on Saturday sharply criticized security officials, especially the interior ministry, over what they said was the use of armored vehicles and vehicles with tinted windows by insurgents. 

MPs said the use of such vehicles by insurgents in carrying out their attacks and reaching secure areas, even to gates of security departments, is questionable and that security officials must respond to their concerns in this regard. 

The MPs were referring to Wednesday's attack on the interior ministry where 10 armed insurgents used two armored vehicles to reach the entrance gate of the interior ministry. From there they carried out a coordinated attack.  

MPs on Saturday questioned how insurgents got access to armored vehicles and how they reach secure areas using these vehicles without being stopped at check points. 

“An insurgent with tinted windows in explosive laden vehicles enters in Kabul city and go to important areas. What are all these check point for?” MP Fatima Aziz asked. 

Security departments have repeatedly been questioned and blasted over the use of vehicles with tinted windows. A few months ago, interior minister Wais Ahmad Barmak was questioned by senators over the issue. Barmak said in response that when police stop the vehicles in the city, senators and MPs interfere and make the police release such vehicles. 

A number of MPs on Saturday reacted to Barmak’s remarks adding that the interior ministry has an obligation to maintain security and it should stop such vehicles for security purposes. 

The MPs said it will be impossible to stop people from tinting their vehicle windows in the city unless government officials themselves stop using such vehicles. 

 “I ask the interior ministry to first change their own vehicles and then criticize others,” MP Lailuma Wali Hakimi said. 

Other MPs meanwhile blasted government officials who break the law and questioned the sale of weapons to insurgents by corrupt officials. 

Interior ministry however said from now on they will seize vehicles with tinted windows that have no registration plates. 

“Interior ministry has ordered all police forces across the country to stop vehicle with tinted windows and armored vehicles and vehicles that do not have registration numbers no matter to whom they belong,” interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.