December 16, 2001	Sunday	Ramazan 30, 1422

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KANDAHAR, Dec 15: US troops, after taking control of Kandahar airport, have started repair work on the damaged parts of the runway to be readied for deployment of international forces.

This important airport of southern Afghanistan first came under attack on Oct 7 when the US launched airstrikes on Afghanistan and destroyed its communication system and runway.

After the arrival of US special troops the airport has been closed to Afghans, and security has been tightened in and around the airport building.

The tribal security guards have orders not to allow anyone go near the airport, not even the guards themselves.

Also, the unexploded bombs and missiles fired by US warplanes and found in different areas of Kandahar region, would be defused only by the US personal; there are many laying around in the area.

The three huge helicopters siting on the runway, and the movement of tanks and army personal carriers, could be seen from the main Chaman-Kandahar highway passing near the airport.

“US troops have been arriving for the last three days.”

An Afghan commander loyal to Gul Agha, governor of Kandahar, sitting at the main gate of the airport, told this correspondent.

The United States special services personnel have started patrolling Kandahar city. They were also seen in the Governor’s House.

The international forces will help local tribal soldiers in the recovery of illegal arms.

The governor of Kandahar, Gul Agha, has said he wants to make the province arms-free and has asked the people to surrender their weapons.