SECURITY
Military Operation Underway in Western Zone: MoD
Herat: According to the Ministry of Defense Afghan security forces have launched a new military operation in the western zone of the country aimed at eliminating insurgents. Security forces have launched their military operation, code named Khalid, in the west zone (Herat province) of the country. The operation, backed by the air force, is hitting Taliban hideouts and it will be expanded to the other regions in the country. Tolonews
At Least Five Killed in Kabul Explosion
Kabul: At least five people were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul city. The attack took place in front of the presidential palace’s administrative affairs office. Two presidential palace guards are among the killed. Tolonews
Army Battalion Chief Killed in Zabul
Zabul: An army battalion chief, along with a soldier, was killed during clashes with Taliban in Arghandab district of Zabul province. According to Barat Khan, the Arghandab district governor, the clash is ongoing between the Taliban and government forces. While in a separate Taliban attack, two policemen were wounded in Shahr-e-Safa district of Zabul province. Tolonews
Two Soldiers Killed in Zabul Blast
Zabul: At least two Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed in a blast in southern Zabul province. The blast took place in Shenkai district of the province after an ANA vehicle struck an IED. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Tolonews
Taliban Leader in Charge of Group of 80 Insurgents Arrested
Jawazjan: A key Taliban leader in charge of a group of at least 80 insurgents was arrested by the Afghan intelligence operatives in north of Afghanistan. The detained Taliban leader has been identified as Akhtar Mohammad who was also famous as Belal. He was involved in major terrorist attacks including attacks on convoys, government officials and civilians, roadside bombings, and kidnappings. Khaama
ISIS Suffer Heavy Casualties in East of Afghanistan, 49 Killed in Latest Operations
Nangarhar: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group associated militants suffered heavy casualties in East of Afghanistan during the latest counter-terrorism operations. At least 49 militants, including three commanders of the group, were killed during the operation. Several weapons and other military kits including explosives were also destroyed during the operations. Khaama
Seven Taliban Militants Killed in Afghan Air Force Strike in Laghman
Laghman: At least seven Taliban insurgents were killed in an airstrike in eastern Laghman province of Afghanistan. The airstrike was carried out by the Afghan Air Force. According to the Ministery of Defence, MoD, seven Taliban insurgents were killed including two others in the airstrike conducted in the vicinity of Alisheng district. Khaama
Kandahar Intelligence Arrest Six Involved in Major Terrorist Attacks
Kandahar: A group of six militants involved in major terrorist attacks were arrested by the provincial intelligence directorate operatives in Kandahar. The militants were arrested during a special military operation after their links with the terrorists were confirmed. According to NDS, the militants were involved in major terrorist attacks in Zherai, Maiwand, and Mianshin districts. Khaama
Taliban Capture Strategic Area of Balcharagh District
Faryab: According to Local officials in northwestern Faryab province, the Taliban had captured a strategic area in Balcharagh district, forcing the security personnel to retreat. The security forces retreated after launching a clearing operation in Aqbalaq locality, where Daesh commander Qari Hikmatullah and his loyalists attacked them. According to police spoke person, Yourish, one Daesh commander was injured while two of his associates were killed during the firefight. A local security official was also killed while another injured. Pajhwok
Daesh Commander among Eleven Dead in Jawzjan Attack
Jawzjan: Notorious Daesh Commander, Qari Mohibullah, and his 10 colleagues have been killed while seven others wounded in local security personnel’s ambush in the Darz Ab district of northern Jawzjan province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Wolesi Jirga Suspends Four MPs
The Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of the Parliament) suspended four MPs for continued absence in parliament. The suspended MPs were Ahmad Behzad, Parwin Durani, Fareshta Anwari, and Bashir Ahmad Tahyanj. They had been absent from parliament for more than 20 days. Tolonews
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MoI Says no Evidence of Russian Visit to Taliban in Uruzgan
According to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), it had no evidence of meeting between Russian military officers and Taliban representatives in Uruzgan province. The statement comes a day after Uruzgan police Chief, Ghulam Farooq Sangari, claimed that eleven Russian military officers, including two generals and two female doctors, met Taliban officials in Uruzgan. Tolonews
NATO Reaffirms Support to Ensure Peace and Stability in Afghanistan
According to the Deputy NATO Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, Cornelius Zimmermann, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has reaffirmed continued support until peace and stability is ensured in Afghanistan. Khaama
‘Pakistan Resumes Building Security Post in Angoor Ada’
According to officials in southeastern Paktika province, Pakistani forces once again started construction of a security post in the Angor Ada border area. Pajhwok
Kabul will never Support Fencing of Durand Line: Zakhilwal
Afghanistan says it will never support fencing of the Durand Line, a plan Pakistan hopes will help prevent the movement of terrorists. Durand Line fencing was not in the interest of either country, Afghanistan or Pakistan. Pajhwok
Afghanistan not on the Backburner: Mattis
Even though the Trump administration primarily focused on Syria, determined to defeat ISIS and provocative actions of North Koreans, US Defense Secretary, Jim Mattis, rejected the notion that Afghanistan is on the backburner. He further said that we would provide every type of support to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Afghans Need Support from US Troops till 2020: Mohib
Afghan security forces may need support from US troops in the fight against Taliban for another three years, says a top diplomat of the war-devastated country. Without the support of the US and NATO, peace and stability will not see the light of the day in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Gen. Bajwa Stresses Af-Pak Intelligence-Sharing
The Pakistan army chief has once again underlined the need for border security and intelligence-sharing mechanisms with Afghanistan. He further said that without having proper mechanism of sharing intelligence, terrorism and religious extremism would not be defeated either in Pakistan or Afghanistan. Pajhwok
