SECURITY
250 Daesh Militants Killed in Hamza Operation
Nangarhar: At least 250 Daesh militants have been killed and many wounded in Operation Hamza launched by Afghan Special Forces in cooperation with foreign troops. According to Esmail Shinvari, Achin district governor, the operation was launched to eliminate Daesh and will continue until the region is cleared of insurgents. During the operation, seven Taliban commanders were also killed. Local residents of Nangarhar urged security forces to establish posts in the areas that have been retaken from Daesh in order to prevent the group from reoccupying the areas. Tolonews
Rise in Assassinations in Kabul Sparks Concern
Kabul: Kabul residents have raised concern over security in the city after three people were killed in two separate incidents. The first shooting took place in Qambar square when gunmen opened fire on two Anti-Corruption Criminal Justice Center (ACJC) employees while the second incident occurred just hours later when an officer from the Directorate for the protection of VIPs was killed in Zanbaq square. According to the local people, they are worried about the rise in targeted killings, kidnappings and insecurity and criticized government for not having a clear and efficient plan to prevent crime in the capital. Tolonews
Fifty Nine Insurgents Killed in Counter-Terrorism Operations
According to the Interior Ministry, at least 59 insurgents were killed during joint security forces counter-terrorism operations across the country. The operations were conducted in Khost, Laghman, Nangarhar, Balkh, Kunar, Maidan Wardak, Helmand, Zabul and Kunduz provinces. As a result 59 armed militants were killed, 23 wounded and 18 others were arrested by Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. During the operation light and heavy rounds of ammunition have been confiscated. Tolonews
Suicide Bomber Killed in Car Bombing in East of Afghanistan
Nangarhar: A suicide bomber was the only one killed in a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. The explosion took place in the vicinity of Marko Bazaar in Ghani Khel district. The explosion resulted into the death of the suicide bomber only and no other casualties were inflicted. Khaama
21 Taliban Killed & Wounded in Sar-i-Pul Operation
Sar-i-pul: At least 21 insurgents have been killed and wounded during an ongoing operation in northern Sar-i-pul province, while 12 weapons were seized in central Parwan province. According to Mohammad Zahir Wahdat, Sar-i-Pul Governor, nine militants were killed in an ongoing operation codenamed ‘Al-burz’ in the Sayyad district. Rebels included a notorious commander Qari Sher Mohammad known as Sher Ghazanfar and nine others militants were wounded in the operation. According to local officials, 25 militants have been killed and 29 others wounded in the ongoing Al-burz operation. Pajhwok
Drone Kills Senior Taliban in Maidan Wardak
Wardak: A senior member of the Taliban has been killed in drone attack. No further causalities have been reported up till now. Pajhwok
Tagab Offensive: 88 Taliban Killed, 103 Injured
Kapsia: According to Security officials 88 Taliban militants have been killed and scores of others wounded during three months of an ongoing operation in central Kapisa province. Pajhwok
One woman, Thirteen Militants Killed in Jawzjan Clashes
Jawzjan: A woman and 13 Taliban militants have been killed and two others wounded during clashes in Darzab district of northwestern Jawzjan province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Politicians Accuse Ghani of Working for his own Interests
A number of politicians and former government officials accused President Ashraf Ghani of demagogic behavior and said he makes decisions based on his own interests opposed to those of national interest. According to Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi, Chairman of the New National Front Party, “President really has problems in deciding about major issues and when sometimes he takes a decision, and then he dissolves it. Mostly he keeps himself busy with small issues and deceives people”. Tolonews
Alizai to be Detained: MoI
According to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), we have received the court’s arrest warrant for Kamran Alizai, the head of the Herat provincial council, and will execute the decision based on the law. The primary court of the Anti-Corruption Criminal Justice Center (ACJC) sentenced Alizai to two and a half years in prison two weeks ago for misusing his authority, intervening in Herat attorney general’s affairs, insulting prosecutors and ordering the release of a detained man from the Herat attorney general’s office. Tolonews
Kunduz Governor Paying Death Benefits to Taliban Families
Assadullah Omarkhail, the governor of northern Kunduz province, confirmed that the provincial administration paid death benefits to between 50 or 60 Taliban families in the province. According to him, “I swear that 50 to 60 of these families who lost their members came and asked me for the money of martyrs, all of them (Taliban members) were eliminated during war, so we told the nation that the government has that much generosity”. Tolonews
MPs Absent for Twenty Days to be Suspended
The Wolesi Jirga or lower house of parliament has decided to suspend membership of lawmakers who were absent for more than 20 days in a row in future. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Russia Rejects Claims of Meddling in Afghanistan’s Affairs
The Russian Embassy in Kabul rejected reports of Moscow’s support of the Taliban and said the claims were groundless. According to the statement from the official, “It is surprising that statesmen, deputies and high-ranking police officers based on rumors and conjectures and without providing the public any evidence allow themselves to publicly make irresponsible accusations against Russia in financing and supporting terrorism.” Tolonews
Afghan Ulemas Angrily Reacts at Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman’s Remarks
The Ulema Council of Afghanistan angrily reacted at the remarks of a prominent Pakistani religious cleric and politician Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman who had claimed that the peace in Afghanistan would not be achievable as long as the foreign forces have presence in the country. According to Mohammad Qasim Halimi, spokesman for the Afghanistan Ulema Council, the remarks of Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman are full of enmity and hatred. Khaama
Work Together for Stability, ICG Asks Govt Leaders
According to a news report from the International Crisis Group (ICG), President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah should work together for the stability of national unity government and Afghanistan. Pajhwok
