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This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2023)
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The Afghan Border Force (ABF) was[1] responsible for security of Afghanistan's border area with neighboring countries extending up to 30 miles (48 km) into the interior and formed part of the Afghan National Army.[2] In December 2017, most of the Afghan Border Police (ABP) personnel of the Afghan National Police were transferred to the Afghan National Army to form the Afghan Border Force.[3] The ABP retained 4,000 personnel for customs operations at border crossings and international airports such as checking documents of foreigners entering the country or deporting them.[4][5]
The ABF's, and its predecessor the ABP, anti-narcotic efforts were a prominent concern to the international community during the War in Afghanistan. The ABF, and the ABP in its former role, patrolled a 50 km-wide corridor along the entirety of Afghanistan's 5,529 kilometres (3,436 mi) border, particularly the long and porous Durand Line border in the southeast with neighboring Pakistan.
The ABP fell under the command of the Afghan National Police (ANP) which was under the administrative control of the Ministry of Interior Affairs. The ABP was headquartered in Kabul, in the nation's capital, and was commanded by a Lieutenant General. Prior to 2017, the Afghan Border Police divided command of its 23,000 members across 6 zones to protect 14 Border Crossing Points and 5 Major Airports.
The majority of the Afghan Border Police officers were trained by the United States Armed Forces and various Federal government employees as well as by the European Union Police Mission (EUPOL). In order to prepare for their duties as ABP, recruits attended an 8-week course designed by the German Bundespolizei (BPOL). Also Italy provided qualified training to ABP personnel in West Region by TF GRIFO deployed in Herat by the Guardia di Finanza. The BPOL were still heavily involved in mentoring ABP officers as of 2009.[6]
In January 2011, there were at least 25 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers providing training to the Afghan Border Police. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano stated that the number could reach 65 or more by the end of 2011. Napolitano visited the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan and was satisfied with the progress being made there.[7]
The ABP was known to have jointly trained with the Tajik Border Troops, its equivalent in Tajikistan, which was overseen by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.[8]
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Afghan National Security Forces (c. 2002–2021)
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| Office of the President |
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| Ministry of Defense |
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| Ministry of the Interior |
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| Other |
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| Africa |
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| Asia |
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| Europe |
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| North America |
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| Oceania |
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| South America |
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| International |
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| Non-recognized |
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| Defunct |
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