KABUL, Jan 8: Afghan police began dismantling security barriers on Sunday erected by Western embassies, foreign military forces and security firms as part of a popular move to ease traffic congestion in Kabul. Despite a spate of suicide attacks by Taliban insurgents, President Hamid Karzai served notice over a week ago that the barriers would be removed unless they were voluntarily dismantled by Saturday.

With the passing of the deadline, bulldozers began by pushing aside barriers outside the Asian Development Bank building in the city’s 10th precinct under the eye of armed police.

US and Nato-led forces are headquartered in the same precinct, which is also home to several aid groups, UN offices and embassies.

“There should be no opposition to the plan,” Jamil Kohestani, a senior city police official, said when asked what the police would do if anyone tried to stop them carrying out orders.

The US military, along with some aid groups, voiced concern last week over the plan to remove barriers.—Reuters