AYBAK, Afghanistan, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have broken up a 21-member gang of robbers and thieves in the northern province of Samangan, the provincial police spokesperson said on Thursday.
The arrested gang members, according to the official, were involved in criminal activities including armed robbery and theft in Samangan and the neighboring Balkh and Baghlan provinces.
Confirming the operation, Samangan governor Mawlavi Abdul Ahad Fazli told reporters that breaking up the gang could help reduce criminal activities in the northern area of the country.
Police have arrested 622 persons on charge of their involvements in 476 crime cases in Samangan in the past 10 months.
As part of its efforts to ensure peace and security, the Afghan caretaker government has vowed to crack down on crimes, irresponsible armed persons, and drug traffickers in the war-ravaged Asian country. ■