ISAF constructs new biometrics facility, improves security at Afghan border

By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski, 16th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentJune 15, 2011

ISAF constructs new biometrics facility, improves security at Afghan border
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ehmadullah Ahmadi, director, Weesh biometrics facility, troubleshoots iris scanning equipment used to gather information from people crossing the Afghanistan-Pakistan Border at the new biometric facility in Weesh, Afghanistan, June 9, 2011. The Afgha... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ISAF constructs new biometrics facility, improves security at Afghan border
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (left to right) Abdul Ghani, governor, Spin Boldak district, Col. James Edwards, commander of the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, and Lt. Sadullah Khan, officer in charge of the Afghan Border Police/Weesh border crossing, prepare to cut a cer... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ISAF constructs new biometrics facility, improves security at Afghan border
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (left to right) Lt. Col. Mohammed Ali, commissar of the Afghan Border Police/Weesh border crossing, Abdul Ghani, governor, Spin Boldak district, Col. James Edwards, commander of the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, and Lt. Sadullah Khan, offic... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ISAF constructs new biometrics facility, improves security at Afghan border
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Booths line the interior of the new biometrics facility where Afghan biometrics technicians will collect forensic data from pedestrians at the border crossing in Weesh, Afghanistan, June 9, 2011. The facility has two rooms that will allow separate pr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ISAF constructs new biometrics facility, improves security at Afghan border
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ehmadullah Ahmadi, director, Weesh biometrics facility, electronically stores fingerprints from Abdul Ghani, governor, Spin Boldak district, following the opening of the new biometrics facility in Weesh, Afghanistan, June 9, 2011. Ghani was the firs... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ISAF constructs new biometrics facility, improves security at Afghan border
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Mohammed Ali, commissar of the Afghan Border Police/Weesh border crossing, has his iris scanned following the opening of a new biometrics facility in Weesh, Afghanistan, June 9, 2011. Travelers passing through the Weesh border crossing from ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WEESH Afghanistan, June 15, 2011 -- Soldiers assigned to 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and Afghan government officials attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new biometrics facility at the Weesh border crossing point, Afghanistan, June 9, 2011.

The new facility, which is aimed at gathering forensic data from individuals, will improve the overall security of pedestrian traffic entering Afghanistan from Pakistan, said Capt. Vivian Chiu, Border Actions officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade , or BfSB.

Of the thousands of people entering Afghanistan daily, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan-run facility will allow Afghans to identify individuals suspected of insurgent or criminal activity, Chiu added.

Construction of the facility began in January with the help of ISAF and is now in the hands of Afghan biometric technicians with help from the Afghan Border Police who monitor the crossing.

“As people come across the border, some will be chosen to go through the facility,” said Ehmadullah Ahmadi, director of the Weesh biometrics facility. “They will be questioned by [biometrics technician] as to their activities and where they specifically live.”

Biometric technicians will electronically finger print and scan the irises of individuals. The data will be entered into a database to help discern the good guys from the bad guys at the border.

“The Taliban is aware of the technology, so they are scared to put their hands on the machines,” said Ahmadi. “As soon as they put their fingers on the machine, some start shaking and sweating. We can sometimes catch them right away.”

Ahmadi said there is a separate section of the facility where female members of the Afghan Border Police will process female pedestrians. Children who are at least 10 years old will also be enrolled into the biometrics system.

There are 18 booths in the building to allow a steady flow of traffic during hours the Friendship Gate at the border crossing is open.

“This entry point into Afghanistan is like a door to a home,” said Ahmadi. “It needs to be strong to be able to keep the wrong people out of it. There are many people whot travel through this area because they live in Pakistan and work in Afghanistan. We will be able to help weed out the bad from the good people coming into this country.”

Related Links:

Army.mil: Middle East News

STAND-TO!: Enhanced COIN Operations

International Security Assistance Force on Facebook

International Security Assistance Force

RELATED STORIES