SECURITY
Thirty Five Insurgents Killed in Counter-Terrorism Operations
According to the Interior Ministry (MoI), at least 35 insurgents were killed while 18 other insurgents were wounded and three arrested during counter-terrorism operations in different provinces. The operations were launched in Mohammad Agha district of Logar, Shah Joi district of Zabul, Shindand district of Herat, Ali Shang district of Laghman, Achin district of Nangarhar and Uruzgan provinces in a bid to clear the areas of insurgents. Tolonews
Unknown Gunmen Kill Balkh’s Chief of Handicrafts Union
Balkh: Handicrafts Union chief, Assadullah Nachar, was gunned down by unidentified gunmen in Maz-e-Sharif. According to a police spokesman, the motive for the shooting was not clear. Tolonews
Afghan Forces’ Khalid Operation Underway in Thirteen Provinces: MoI
A large scale military operation under the name of Khalid is underway against the militant groups in at least thirteen provinces. According to Najib Danish, acting spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI), 16 areas or districts in 13 provinces are under the cover of Khalid operations at the moment. Khaama
Deadly Car Bombing Plot Foiled in Kabul City
Kabul: The Afghan security forces have foiled a deadly car bombing plot by the anti-government armed militant groups in capital Kabul. A terrorist was arrested and Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) was confiscated. Khaama
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Key Topic at Next OIC Meeting in Saudi to be Afghan War
According to the Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan is ready for the next Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting that will be held in Saudi Arabia to discuss Afghanistan’s war. He further said that the war in Afghanistan being fought under the slogan of Islam will be discussed with renowned Islamic scholars. During the conference the issue of outlawing the war in Afghanistan will also come under discussion. Tolonews
Russian Delegation Visited Taliban Training Centers in Waziristan
According to an Afghan police commander, Assadullah Sherzad, the Russian delegation along with Pakistani military had visited a number of Taliban training centers in the remote region across the Durand Line. Nadir Khan Katawazi, an MP from Paktika, said, “People who have come from there [other side of the Durand Line] have said they have seen the delegation with the Taliban. But there is no information on whether the delegation promised help Taliban or give them weapons”. Tolonews
Public to Decide about Fate of Durand Line
Shekib Mustaghni, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that any decision on the Durand Line would need to be made by the people living on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan de facto border. According to him, the fate of the Durand Line was not brought up during the recent meeting between Afghanistan and Pakistan in London. He further said that incursions by the Pakistani army across the Durand Line were unacceptable and the security forces and the Afghan government were ready to defend the country’s sovereignty if action across the line continued. Tolonews
Ghani Arrives Indonesia for 2nd Leg of Asia-Pacific Tour
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Jakarta for the second leg of his three-nation Asia Pacific tour. He will meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo, his deputy, other officials, businessmen and Islamic religious leaders. Tolonews
Japan Provides $12m in Fresh Aid to Afghanistan for Irrigation and Fiscal Support
The Government of Japan has contributed over USD 12 million to the Government of Afghanistan to support improvement of irrigation systems in Afghanistan and to provide fiscal support to the Government of Afghanistan. It will support the following two on-going projects, which are essential to meet the country’s needs to improve the lives of the people of Afghanistan, and the recurrent cost expenditures of the Afghan government. Khaama
Netherlands Pledges $300m Aid until 2020
The Netherlands will give Afghanistan $300 million in aid over the next four years with special attention on the strategic southern Kandahar province. According to Geoffrey Van Leeuwen, the Dutch ambassador in Kabul, the development projects should be implemented in Kandahar to provide jobs to people. Pajhwok
Olson Pushes for Reconciliation with Afghan Taliban
The Taliban do not pose a threat to the United States, a former American diplomat pushed for reconciliation with the movement to bring lasting peace and stability to Afghanistan. According to him, without their participation in the affairs of the government, peace and stability in Afghanistan would not see the light of the day. Pajhwok
