SECURITY
Gunman Kills District Governor in Nimroz
Nimroz: An unknown gunman shot and killed Sayed Agha Mohammad, governor of Chighansor district of western Nimroz province. The incident took place in Zaranj, the provincial capital. No group has yet claimed the responsibility for the attack. Tolonews
One Taliban Insurgent Killed in Sar-e-Pul
Sar-e-Pul: At least one Taliban fighter was killed and four others were wounded after a clash broke out between security forces and the Taliban insurgents in Gozar village of Sancharak district in Sar-e-Pul Province. Security officials also claimed to arrest a Taliban member, Ahmad Khorshid, responsible for training suicide bombers. Tolonews
Two Haqqani Commanders Killed in Paktika Airstrike
Paktika: At least six Haqqani insurgents including two commanders were killed in an airstrike in southeastern Paktika province. The airstrike took place in Shaikhan area of Argon district of the province. Tolonews
Eleven IS-K Terrorist Killed in Nangarhar
Nangarhar: At least eleven terrorist belonging to Islamic State of Khorasan (IS-K) were killed during the counter-terrorism operations Nangarhar Province of the Afghanistan. Two IS-K’s top leaders including Qarid Abdullah were also among the dead. Khaama
Afghan Forces Clear Strategic Tora Bora of IS-K Militants: Gen. Waziri
Nangarhar: The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have cleared the strategic Tora Bora area of Islamic State of Khorasan (IS-K) militants, inflicting heavy casualties to the fighters of the group. According to Afghan officials the mountainous terrains of the area and its surroundings were cleared during the operations. Khaama
Taliban Insurgents Abducted Education Officials in Herat
Herat: At least two education department officials have been captured by Taliban in the Pashtun Zarghoon district of western Herat province of Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Five Killed in Nangarhar Night Raid
Nangarhar: At least five suspected terrorist were killed while five others arrested during an overnight operation by Afghan Special Forces in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Operation Launched to Clear Khwaja Ghar District from Taliban Insurgents
Takhar: Afghan security forces launched operation to recapture six check-posts in the Khwaja Ghar district of northern Takhar province from Taliban control. Any type of causalities has not yet reported. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Ghani Warns Countries against Fueling the War
President Ashraf Ghani warned that countries supporting terrorism and militancy will face serious consequences and will destroy their own people by fueling the war in Afghanistan. He called on these countries, which he did not name, to rather support peace and development in Afghanistan. According to him Afghanistan’s door is open to all those supporting peace and development in the country, but said the people of Afghanistan will not be demoralized by acts of terror and violence. Tolonews
Direct Peace Talks with Taliban after Eid: RPC
Jirga-I-Waqeye Sulh (Real Peace Council), a newly established institute, during its maiden meeting announced that the organization will initiate direct peace talks with the Taliban in one of the country’s southern provinces after Eid-ul-Fitr. Azizullah Fazli, head of the institute, told that the process of peace negotiations with the Taliban would start officially under a five-member delegation which would pave the ground for real ways of peace establishment. Pajhwok
Warlords, Strongmen have Political Connections: Hadid
The Balkh provincial council head said that the political connections had paved the ground for the illegal activities of local strongmen. Dr. Mohammad Afzal Hadid, the provincial council head, alleged some powerful figures within the political system have connections with warlords inside Afghanistan. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
US-Afghan Officials claim Insider Attacks will not Damage Ties
General John Nicholson, the commander of U.S and NATO forces in Afghanistan has said that insider attacks against foreign forces will not damage relations between Afghan security forces and foreign troops in the country. According to him efforts are ongoing to identify infiltrators within the ranks of the Commandos within the Afghan National Army (ANA). Meanwhile, General Tariq Shah Bahrami, the acting minister of defense said that recent attacks by two Afghan Commandos against their foreign counterparts in Nangarhar and Balkh provinces had been plotted by some neighboring countries and intelligence services. Tolonews
Envoy Says Moscow a Key Partner to Kabul in War on Terror
Russian Consul General in Mazar-e-Sharif Dmitry A. Kabaev said that Russia is a key partner of Afghanistan in its fight against terrorism and that insurgent groups in the country pose serious threats to Russia and central Asian countries. According to him Russia has never supported the Taliban and instead it has been a friend to the Afghan people and the Afghan government.He further said that it was unfortunate that despite sixteen years of the West waging a war against terrorism in Afghanistan under U.S leadership, insurgent groups have still not been eliminated but have instead increased. Tolonews
U.S needs to be in Afghanistan for the long Haul: Petraeus
Retired U.S general David Petraeus said recently that the U.S needs to stay in Afghanistan and that in being in the country the U.S has a “useful platform there for the regional counterterrorist effort.” Tolonews
Afghanistan-India air Corridor Inaugurated as $11m Cargo to Arrive New Delhi
The air corridor between Afghanistan and India was formally inaugurated by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghanias cargo worth $11 million is expected to arrive in New Delhi. The second flight as part of the air corridor is expected to leave Afghanistan in a week time and will carry cargo worth $2 million from the southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan. Khaama