SECURITY
Nights Raids Critical to Eliminating Insurgents: MoD
According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD) night raids by Afghan National Army (ANA) Special Forces units are of strategic importance in the fight against insurgency. Dawlat Waziri, defense ministry spokesman, said that these operations help to eradicate terrorists from strategic locations quickly and effectively. Tolonews
District Police Chief Killed in Zabul
Zabul: Shinkay district’s Police Chief, Saifullah Hotaki, was killed in a Taliban attack. The incident occurred when Taliban insurgents attacked a security forces check post. Taliban targeted him and killed him along with five other police force members while three other police force members were also wounded in the attack. Tolonews
Taliban’s Shadow Governor for Baghlan Killed in Night Raid
Baghlan: Mawlawi Lal, the Taliban’s shadow governor in Baghlan province, along with a number of fellow Taliban insurgents were killed in a night raid by Afghan and foreign forces in Dand-e-Ghori area of Pul-e-Khumre city. Dozens of helicopters and U.S. aircraft participated in the night raid and the main aim of the raid was to target Taliban’s key fighters in Baghlan. The militants killed during the operation have been identified as Mawlavi Lal and four Taliban commanders identified as Haji Sher Alam, Qari Janbaz, Qari Shahabuddin, and Qari Ismail. Tolonews
Five Pakistani Militants Killed in an Airstrike in East of Afghanistan
Nangarhar: At least five Pakistani militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group offshoot, ISIS Khurasan, were killed in an airstrike in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. The militants killed in today’s airstrike belonged to Mawlavi Yahya group and are originally residents of Orakzai agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. Khaama
Three Al-Qaeda Network Members Killed in Airstrikes in South of Afghanistan
Zabul: At last three members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist network were killed in airstrikes in southern Zabul province of Afghanistan. The militants were killed during the airstrike conducted in Audaki village located in Tarang district. Khaama
Thirteen Key ISIS Leaders Killed in MOAB Bombing in East of Afghanistan
Nangarhar: At least thirteen key leaders of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group offshoot loyalists were killed in the US airstrike in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, involving the GBU-43 bomb. The senior ISIS leaders killed in the airstrike have been identified as Mumtaz and Afsar from Orakzai agency of Pakistan, former Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Shahidullah Shahid and another militant of the same group Omran. The sources further added that the other leaders killed in the raid have been identified as Aftab, a resident of Punjab province of Pakistan, and Mohammad and Alogita from India. A Tajikistan militant identified as Sediqi, Noorak, Hamid, and Haji Saeed, residents of Afghanistan were also killed in the airstrike. Khaama
Neighboring Countries Supporting Taliban in Various Forms: Jahid
Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Taj Mohammad Jahid was briefed on the security situation in Faryab, Sari-i-Pul and Jawzjan provinces at the meeting in Mazar-i-Sharif. He accused neighboring countries of supporting terrorism in different forms. He did not name any country. The minister said continued support to Taliban from neighboring countries helped the militants establish training centers and expand their terrorist activities. Pajhwok
Ten Rebels Killed, 13 Wounded in Kandahar Firefight
Kandahar: At least 10 militants have been killed and 13 others wounded during a clash with security forces in southern Kandahar province. The clash erupted in the Mianshin district. Pajhwok
Senior Border Police Official Killed in Takhar Ambush
Takhar: A senior border police official was killed and five others were wounded in a Taliban attack in Yangi Kala district of northeastern Takhar province. Pajhwok
Badghis Clash: Four ALP Personnel Killed, Three Wounded by Rebels
Badghis: Four Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel have been killed and three others wounded in a Taliban attack in the Qades district of northwestern Badghis province. Pajhwok
Shenkai District Police Chief Killed in Taliban Bomb Attack
Zabul: The police chief for the Shenkai district of southern Zabul province has been killed along with a bodyguard in a roadside bombing claimed by the Taliban. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Massoud Calls for Early Elections, Asks Ghani to Step Down
According to Ahmad Zia Massoud, former special representative for reforms and good governance, Consultations will be held between a number of political leaders over the next few days where they will discuss issues relating to early elections, the establishment of an interim government and the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani. Massoud also serves as the deputy chairman of Jamiat-e-Islami party. However party members have said that Massoud was not representing Jamiat in the government of national unity and that Jamiat did not want a new crisis. Tolonews
Dostum Opposes Massoud’s Removal: Aide
First Vice-President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum has opposed the removal of Ahmad Zia Massoud from his office, saying people are fed up with the president’s decisions and perfidy. Pajhwok
First HIA Prisoners’ Group to be Released Soon
The first group of Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) prisoners is set to be released soon from the Bagram prison as their bail process has been finalized. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Pakistan Military Rejects Employment of Proxies from its Soil
The Pakistani military has rejected employment of proxies as the country is facing criticisms for allowing the terrorist groups, including the notorious Haqqani terrorist network to use its soil for the attacks in Afghanistan. US NSA acknowledged Pakistan Army’s efforts in eliminating terrorists and their infrastructure, assuring US support to bring peace and stability in the region and globe. This comes as the Afghan officials have long been criticizing Pakistan for remaining reckless to act against the leadership councils of the Afghan militants based in the country from where they plot and coordinate attacks in Afghanistan. khaama
US, Pakistani Envoys Confer on Afghan Stability
According Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatmi, Pakistan is willing to work with the Trump administration to support efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and stability in the region. Pajhwok
Afghan, Pak Officials to Meet on Easing Tension
An important meeting between Pakistan and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place next month on easing tension in relations between the two neighbors. Pajhwok
