Fifty-one different light weapons were handed over to DIAG in a ceremony on 17 March. Forty-seven of the weapons came from eight commanders, while the remaining four weapons were surrendered by NDS and police after they were seized in a security operation in Hese-1 Kohistan District of Kapisa Province.
The ceremony was attended by: Ghulam Ghaws Abubakar, Kapisa Governor; Kapisa Chief of Police; Provincial Council; Security Officials; representatives from ANBP, UNAMA and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT); and others.
Governor Abubakar announced that by handing over these weapons to DIAG, the district is declared a 'Peace District' and will receive development projects.
"These weapons were on the shoulders of the commanders during the jihad when they forced Soviet troops from the country. Today, they are handing over their weapons to DIAG to ensure security in their district," declared the governor.
Hese-1 Kohistan District is the fourth district following Mahmood Raqi, Hese-2 Kohistan and Kohband Districts in central Kapisa Province which compliant with DIAG.
By accepting to surrender their weapons, the commanders are supporting DIAG, a government-led programme intending to eradicate the influence of illegal armed groups in the country, allowing the consolidation of peace, rule of law and prosperity in Afghanistan.
The DIAG project was launched on June 11, 2005 when it was officially announced by His Excellency Second Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili. As of March 17, 2008, 38,103 weapons as well as 29,199 pieces of boxed and 328,537 pieces of unboxed ammunition have been handed over to DIAG and verified by Afghanistan's New Beginnings Programme collection teams in Afghanistan.