Logar Province

Logar
لوګر
لوگر
Province

Aerial view of Mohammad Agha District in Logar province

Map of Afghanistan with Logar highlighted
Coordinates (Capital): 34°00′N 69°12′E / 34.0°N 69.2°E / 34.0; 69.2Coordinates: 34°00′N 69°12′E / 34.0°N 69.2°E / 34.0; 69.2
Country  Afghanistan
Capital Puli Alam
Government
 • Governor Mohammad Halim Fidai
Area
 • Total 3,879.8 km2 (1,498.0 sq mi)
Population (2015)[1]
 • Total 392,045
 • Density 100/km2 (260/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+4:30
ISO 3166 code AF-LOG
Main languages Pashto
Dari

Logar (Pashto: لوګر‎, Persian: لوگَر‎‎) is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in the eastern section of the country. It is divided into seven districts and contains hundreds of villages. Puli Alam is the capital of the province.

As of 2013, Logar has a population of about 373,100.[1] It is a multi-ethnic tribal society, with about 60% belonging to the Pashtun group and the rest being Tajiks and Hazaras.[2]

The word of Logar is a combination of two Pashto words: Loy (لوى "Big") and Ghar (غر "mountain"). The Logar River enters the province through the west and leaves to the north.

History

Further information: History of Afghanistan

Pre Islamic era

Main article: Mauryan Empire

The Logar province territory fell to the Maurya Empire, which was led by Chandragupta Maurya. The Mauryas introduced Buddhism to the region, and were planning to capture more territory of Central Asia until they faced local Greco-Bactrian forces. Seleucus is said to have reached a peace treaty with Chandragupta by giving control of the territory south of the Hindu Kush to the Mauryas upon intermarriage and 500 elephants.

Maurya Empire under Ashoka
Alexander took these away from the Indo-Aryans and established settlements of his own, but Seleucus Nicator gave them to Sandrocottus (Chandragupta), upon terms of intermarriage and of receiving in exchange 500 elephants.[3]
— Strabo, 64 BCE – 24 CE
Some time after, as he was going to war with the generals of Alexander, a wild elephant of great bulk presented itself before him of its own accord, and, as if tamed down to gentleness, took him on its back, and became his guide in the war, and conspicuous in fields of battle. Sandrocottus, having thus acquired a throne, was in possession of India, when Seleucus was laying the foundations of his future greatness; who, after making a league with him, and settling his affairs in the east, proceeded to join in the war against Antigonus. As soon as the forces, therefore, of all the confederates were united, a battle was fought, in which Antigonus was slain, and his son Demetrius put to flight.[4]
— Junianus Justinus
Newly excavated Buddhist stupa at Mes Aynak in Logar Province of Afghanistan. Similar stupas have been discovered in neighboring Ghazni Province, including in the northern Samangan Province.

Having consolidated power in the northwest, Chandragupta pushed east towards the Nanda Empire. Afghanistan's significant ancient tangible and intangible Buddhist heritage is recorded through wide-ranging archaeological finds, including religious and artistic remnants. Buddhist doctrines are reported to have reached as far as Balkh even during the life of the Buddha (563 BCE to 483 BCE), as recorded by Husang Tsang.

In this context a legend recorded by Husang Tsang refers to the first two lay disciples of Buddha, Trapusa and Bhallika responsible for introducing Buddhism in that country. Originally these two were merchants of the kingdom of Balhika, as the name Bhalluka or Bhallika probably suggests the association of one with that country. They had gone to India for trade and had happened to be at Bodhgaya when the Buddha had just attained enlightenment.[5]

Recent history

During the Soviet war in Afghanistan, Logar was known among some Afghans as the Bab al-Jihad (Gates of Jihad) because it became a fierce theatre of war between US-backed/trained mujahideen groups and the Soviet-backed Afghan government troops. It was one of the main supply routes of mujahideen rebels coming from Pakistan. Like other parts of the country, Logar has also seen heavy fighting during the 1980s.[6] Swedish journalist Borge Almqvist, who visited the province in 1982, wrote that: "Everywhere in the Logar province the most common sight except for ruins are graves".[7] Soviet operations included using bombing, the use of flammable liquids to burn alive people in hiding, poisoning of drinking water, and destruction of crops and farmland. One writer who witnessed the events argue that the Soviet actions in Logar amounted to genocide.[6] Some of the notable rebel fighters were Fazlullah Mujaddidi, Sayed Rasool Hashimi, Malim Tor, Mohammad Wali Nasiri, Taher Shirzad, Asadullah Fallah.

By 1995 the province had fallen to the Taliban government. After the removal of the Taliban and formation of the Karzai administration in late 2001, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) gradually took over security of the area. The Provincial Reconstruction Team Logar (PRT Logar) was established in March 2008. It provided a number of benefits to the locals, including security, development, and jobs.

In the meantime, Taliban insurgents are often causing major disturbances in the area. This includes major attacks on key projects, suicide bombings in civilian area, and assassinations of Afghan government employees. On 19 August 2014, a major Taliban offensive took place with 700 militants aiming to take control of the province,[8] while the NATO-led foreign force mistakenly killed three civilians in an air strike in December 2014.[9]

Geography

Further information: Geography of Afghanistan
The main river valley in the Khoshi District of Logar province. Extensive irrigation and canal works, known as karez, provide water for the majority of the agriculture in southeastern Afghanistan.

Logar can be generally described as a relatively flat river valley in the north and central regions, surrounded by rugged mountains to the east, south, and southwest. The district of Azra, in the east, consists almost entirely of mountains, while travel to the Paktia Province to the south is limited to the Tera Pass, a 2896 m high road that was recently completed as part of the international reconstruction effort in Afghanistan. The Kabul-Gardez Highway runs north-south through Logar Province, from the Mohammed Agha District south to the Paktiya Province border.

Although the government of Afghanistan recognizes the Azra district as being in Logar, many widely accepted maps include it in the Paktia province to the south.

Politics and governance

The last governor of the province was Arsala Jamal. He was assassinated by anti-Afghan forces, often described as Taliban militants. All law enforcement activities throughout the province are managed by the Afghan National Police (ANP). The border with neighboring Pakistan is monitored by the Afghan Border Police (ABP). A provincial police chief is assigned to lead both the ANP and the ABP. The Police Chief represents the Ministry of the Interior in Kabul. The ANP and ABP are backed by the military, including the NATO-led forces.

Capital

Puli Alam, the capital of Logar province.

Logar's capital is the city of Puli Alam, located in the district of the same name. It sits on the main road running from Kabul south to Gardez and Khowst province.

Puli Alam has seen reconstruction since the fall of the Taliban. The main road to Kabul was completed in 2006, significantly reducing travel time to the national capital. Additional projects include numerous schools, radio stations, government facilities, and a major Afghan National Police base situated just south of the city.

Like most Afghan cities, there is little municipal planning or services. Electricity is provided by diesel generators, and wells are the primary source of drinking water.

Healthcare

Further information: Health in Afghanistan

The percentage of households without clean drinking water fell from 45% in 2005 to 14% in 2011.[10] The percentage of births attended to by a skilled birth attendant increased from 9% in 2005 to 73% in 2011.[10]

Education

Further information: Education in Afghanistan

The overall literacy rate (6+ years of age) increased from 21% in 2005 to 30% in 2011.[10] The overall net enrolment rate (6–13 years of age) increased from 22% in 2005 to 45% in 2011.[10]

The overall literacy rate in Logar province was 21% in 2005 however, while nearly one-third (31%) of men are literate this is true for just under one-tenth (9%) of women. There are around 168 primary and secondary schools in the province catering for 81,538 students. There are nearly 2,082 teachers working in schools in the Logar province.[11] There are several girls schools in the province, mostly located in Koshi and Pul-e-alam. Due to the large Taliban presence in Chark and Baraki Barak, the freedom of women in Logar does not always allow for an education.[12] As of 2007, the province had a literacy rate of 17%.[12]

Demographics

Further information: Demographics of Afghanistan
Ethnolinguistic groups in Afghanistan
Districts of Logar province. This image does not include Azra district, located to the east of Khoshi and Mohammad Agha districts.

As of 2013, the total population of Logar province is about 373,100,[1] which is multi-ethnic and a tribal society. About 60 percent of Logar's residents belong to the Pashtun group; Tajiks and Hazaras form the remainder of the population.[2][12][13]

Districts

Until 2005 the district was administratively subdivided into five districts. In that year the province gained Azra District from neighbouring Paktia Province; also part of Charkh District was split off into the new district of Kharwar.

Districts of Logar province
District Capital Population (2015) [14] Notes
Azra 20,760 Shifted from Paktia Province in 2005
Baraki Barak 89,476 Includes the road linking Puli Alam with Highway 1 to the west
Charkh 45,362 Sub-divided in 2005
Kharwar 26,762 Created in 2005 within Charkh District
Khoshi 24,602 Home to lot of the Shiite enclaves in southeast Afghanistan
Mohammad Agha 77,074 The northern portion of Mohammad Agha is contiguous with the southern 'suburbs' of Kabul 65% pashtun.
Puli Alam Puli Alam 108,039

Sport

Further information: Sport in Afghanistan

Cricket is the most popular sport in the province. Logar has been a major supplier of players for the Afghanistan national cricket team. Former players include Dawlat Ahmadzai, Ahmad Shah Pakteen and former national team captain Raees Ahmadzai. Among the active national players hailing from Logar are: Mohammad Nabi (captain of the national team), Shahpoor Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Nasir Jamal Ahmadzai and Gulbadin Naib Ahmadzai.

Football is the second most popular sport in the province. De Abasin Sapih (meaning "Weaves of Abasin") plays at Afghanistan premier league. Abasin means "the father of the rivers" in Pashto language and refers to the Indus River. The team represents the provinces of Paktia, Logar, Paktika and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Settled Population of Logar province by Civil Division, Urban, Rural and Sex-2012-13" (PDF). Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Central Statistics Organization. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  2. 1 2 "Understanding War". Understanding War. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  3. ↑ Nancy Hatch Dupree / Aḥmad ʻAlī Kuhzād (1972). "An Historical Guide to Kabul - The Name". American International School of Kabul. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  4. ↑ Historiarum Philippicarum libri XLIV, XV.4.19
  5. ↑ Puri, Baij Nath (1987). Buddhism in central Asia. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 352. ISBN 81-208-0372-8. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
  6. 1 2 Kakar, M. Hassan (1995). "Massacre in Logar". Afghanistan: The Soviet Invasion and the Afghan Response, 1979-1982. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-20893-3.
  7. ↑ Almqvist, Borge (1984). Committee for International Afghanistan Hearing, ed. International Afghanistan Hearing.
  8. ↑ http://www.ibtimes.com/logar-afghanistan-attacked-more-700-taliban-fighters-1662402
  9. ↑ "Nato force kills three Afghan civilians in air strike, mistaking them for insurgents". Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Archive, Civil Military Fusion Centre, https://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Logar.aspx
  11. ↑ "Logar provincial profile" (PDF). Mrrd.gov.af. 2013-07-27. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  12. 1 2 3 "Province: Farah" (PDF). Program for Culture & Conflict Studies. Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). 2008. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  13. ↑ http://www.nps.edu/Programs/CCS/Docs/PDF%20Maps/NewTribal/Logar.pdf
  14. ↑ Afghanistan at Geohive
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