SECURITY
Ten Insurgents Killed in Attack on Takhar’s Durqad District
Takhar: At least ten Taliban insurgents were killed in an attack in Durqad district of northern Takhar province. The incident took place after Taliban insurgents attacked the district from different directions and clashed with security forces. Casualties among security forces are not reported. Tolonews
Afghan Forces and Civilians Suffer Casualties in Khost Car Bombing
Khost: A heavy explosion was reported in southeastern Khost province of Afghanistan leaving a number of the security forces and civilians dead or wounded. The incident took place in the vicinity of Domand district in northern part of the province. According to Mubariz Mohammad Zadran, the government has received reports regarding the six students who suffered injuries in the attack. Khaama
Four Intelligence Officials Killed in Ghazni’s Andar
Ghazni: At least four spy-service members have been killed by Taliban insurgents in the Andar district of southern Ghazni province. According to a Ghazni police Chief Gen. Amarkhel, the slain personnel included two Afghan National Army (ANA) service members and as many NDS operatives. Pajhwok
Fifty Four Taliban Killed in Uruzgan Offensive
Uruzgan: At least 54 Taliban have been killed and 32 others wounded during a week of ongoing operations in southern Uruzgan province. Pajhwok
Two Insurgents Killed, Taliban District Chief Injured
Herat: Taliban’s district chief was injured along with two of his accomplices while a fourth rebel killed was during a clash with security forces in western Herat province. They came under attack during the counter-terrorism operation. Pajhwok
Nine Members of a Family Killed in Greshk Operation
Helmand: At least nine members of a family have allegedly been killed during an operation in the Greshk district of southern Helmand province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Senate Strikes Back at Pedram over Durand Line Remarks
According to Members of Meshrano Jirga (senate), the Durand Line was an imaginary line and recognizing it as an international border would not be acceptable to the people of Afghanistan. The retaliation from Senate came a day after Abdul Latif Pedram, the leader of the National Congress Party (NCP) said that his party recognized the Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan as an official border and that most of the tension between the two countries was rooted in Kabul’s failure to publicly acknowledge this. Tolonews
Ex-Taliban Commander Threatens Action if Conditions Deteriorate
A former Taliban commander who recently joined the peace process, along with 200 of his men, said that he would take up arms again if social injustices continued to increase. He said that he had fought against government forces under the Taliban flag for ten years and now believed that anyone who created trouble for the people was an enemy. He also called on Taliban members to join the peace process. Tolonews
Kabul Confirms it will Attend Moscow Peace Meeting
According to The presidential palace (ARG), Kabul will attend Moscow talks on peace in Afghanistan, which are scheduled to start mid-month. The Afghan delegation that will attend the conference will include high-ranking officials who will try to persuade the regional countries to help fight terrorism. The Moscow peace initiative is scheduled for April 14 and is expected to be attended by delegations from 12 countries including China, Pakistan, Iran, India and five central Asian nations. Tolonews
Afghanistan Reacts at Russia’s Stance on Taliban Demands for Foreign Troops Exit
According to a Presidential spokesman, Shah Hussain Murtazawi, no one has the right to dictate terms or issue instructions regarding the presence of the foreign forces in the country. According to him, the issue relates to the Afghan nation and the Afghan government to decide regarding the presence of the foreign forces or the forces belonging to the international allies of Afghanistan. The retaliation from Afghanistan came when the Russian special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov earlier endorsed Taliban militants group’s call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan. Khaama
HIA Prisoner’s Release to Start next Week as Govt Waits for Hekmatyar’s Return
Some of the prisoners of Hezb-e-Islami will be released next week as the Afghan government is waiting for the return of the party’s leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani instructed the relevant authorities to take immediate steps in implementation of the peace deal with Hezb-e-Islami. Khaama
Over 200 Taliban Insurgents join Peace Process in North of Afghanistan
Over two hundred Taliban insurgents have joined peace process in northern Balkh province of Afghanistan. The militants were previously conducting insurgency against the government and security forces in the vicinity of Alburz mountains. The militants also handed over various weapons, ammunition and other military kits with them. Khaama
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Aid Organizations Get $10m Boost from Japan
The government of Japan recently provided over $10 million USD to a number of aid organizations for humanitarian and emergency assistance in Afghanistan. According to the Japanese embassy in Kabul, this funding will enable these agencies to address humanitarian challenges through the provision of vital support to refugees returning from Pakistan and Iran, and to people suffering from food insecurity, malnutrition, natural disaster, displacement and other critical situations. Tolonews
First Stop Australia as Ghani Embarks on Asia-Pacific Trip
According to the presidential palace, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s trip to Australia, Indonesia and Singapore is aimed at strengthening Afghanistan’s bilateral relations with each nation. According to Shah Hussain Murtazawi, deputy spokesman for the president, “Cooperation in sectors of mining, agriculture and education are the main issues that will be discussed with the officials of the three countries”. Tolonews
