Deputy Minister for Security Gen. Abdul Rahman Rahman speaks to citizens and local government members during a validation shura at Forward Operating Base Shank, Logar province, Afghanistan, Oct. 4. The validation shura is the final agreement between village elders and district leaders to train Afghan Local Police. The shura must be conducted in order for ALP candidates to begin training. The ALP is a group of trained and equipped citizens who are responsible for providing security and assisting with counterinsurgency efforts throughout their respective districts.