Sangay is a competition in which men attempt to dislodge a spike from the ground with a spear, while at full gallop on horseback, said Capt. Matthew Sraj, 3-187 INF spokesman. "The people of Sharana City feel safe and are confident in the capabilities of the ANSF and CF in the area," said Capt. Josh Powers, Co. A cmdr. "The entire city is celebrating the New Year, and shows little concern for enemy activity."
Baseer and Dr. Gul, dir. of Public Health for the prov., haven't been in their positions long. However, their org. and knowledge of medical practices are changing the landscape of healthcare throughout the prov., especially at this hospital in the center of the city, Lopez said.
The Strong Foods and Clean Water programs, both funded by the PRT, have produced rapid and highly-measurable results, because they're easy to implement and have low overhead, Baseer said. The success of these programs in Paktika, has led to the expansion of the program to several areas throughout the prov. Baseer also praised the dedication that his workers show for their patients. “Our basic healthcare is equal to if not better than the healthcare in the surrounding provs., including Khost, Ghazni and Paktya,” Baseer said. “The workers do their best to provide for their patients.” The ultimate goal for Sharana Hospital is to be the showcase medical facility for Paktika prov., and the surrounding regions, Baseer said. “There’s really no good reason that this hospital can’t develop into the type of place that can handle any patient that comes through their doors,” Baseer said. “In the future, I want to have a hospital here where we don’t have to transfer anyone to Kabul for a higher level of care. We want to have the money, the infrastructure and the incentive for the many specialists to come here to work, because they know of what a good facility we have developed.” This future is possible with advisers such as Baseer at the helm, Lopez said. “Dr. Baseer seems to be truly committed to the future of healthcare in this prov.,” said Lopez. “He’s very professional and really cares about the Afghan people.”In Nangarhar, March 23, Afghan/ISAF searched a compound in a rural area of the Khogyani district after intel info indicated militant activity there, and captured a Taliban sub-cmdr involved in kidnappings, weapons purchases and recon of CF. The security force also detained another insurgent after he and another man approached the force. One of the armed men was killed after he rushed the force, ignoring demands to surrender, and pointed a weapon at them. The other insurgent surrendered.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases)
In eastern Mosul, March 24, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected AQI member who allegedly is involved in oil-company extortion. The Iraqi soldiers arrested 12 suspected criminal assocs of the wanted man.