Kabul residents are concerned with what seems to be a growing trend of armed robberies in the capital, and many have taken it upon themselves to protect their communities in lieu of police vigilance.
In a report prepared by TOLOnews reporter Aazem Arash, residents in some areas of Kabul are said to have made security outposts on the roof of their houses in order to look out for gangs of thieves and protect their property against them.
In Hangara area of Kabul, not too far from police security check points, residents report of armed robberies every other night. Often, they say, the thieves claim to be members of the security forces before breaking into a house.
"People gather here from six in the afternoon to six in the morning and patrol because its unsafe here," said Abdul Qudoos, a resident of the 15th District of the capital.
The main reason behind the increase in the number of armed robberies is said to be the lack of presence of security forces.
"We work from morning to evening and instead of relaxing at night, we have to go on the roof and do the job of the police," another 15th District resident named Hameedullah said. "We want the government to take care of our security, what else can we do, we are poor."
Meanwhile, Kabul Police Chief reports of a new initiative to address the problem, especially in the most troubled areas.
"These robberies are not uncontrollable, they are absolutely controllable, and wherever in Kabul they are, our forces will act immediately," Kabul Police Chief Zahir Zahir said. "Our forces have night patrols."
In the Second District of Kabul on Thursday night, robbers were engaged in a gun battle with the police, and as a result, one out of four robbers was arrested.