Security Contractors Plague Afghanistan

"Overall, PSCs are not seen in a positive light in Afghanistan," said Swisspeace, a peace research institute.

"While PSCs may provide security for their clients, they are considered not to enhance the security of the general population."

The study said most Afghans believe that the "cowboy-like" security contractors are a source of distrust and insecurity.

Afghans are irked by the impunity enjoyed by the heavily-armed personnel who usually carry no identification and travel in vehicles with no license plates.

"Most of the concerns raised by those interviewed are linked to the inherent problems related to insufficient transparency, lacking legal regulations and inappropriate monitoring."

The study said some Afghans could not even distinguish the security contractors from the police, army and US-led foreign forces.

PSCs win a foothold in Afghanistan after the US-led invasion of the Asian Muslim country in 2001.

Between 18,500 and 28,000 armed personnel are estimated to be employed as security contractors.

They reportedly carry a minimum of 43,750 weapons, ranging from semi-automatic handguns to rocket-propelled grenades, the study said.

Their main task is to guard embassies and other premises or act as bodyguards.

Some, like the US-based DynCorp, train Afghan police.

Suspicious

Swisspeace, founded in 1988 to research the causes of war and conflict and develop tools to prevent them, said security contractors are involved in suspicious and criminal activities.

Some PSCs, like the American Blackwater, have been associated with interrogating terror suspects arrested by US forces.

They are also engaged in extortion, kidnapping and the smuggling of drugs.

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