SECURITY
25 Militants Killed, Vehicle Packed with Explosives Destroyed in Uruzgan Airstrike
At least twenty insurgents were killed and a vehicle packed with explosives was destroyed in an airstrike conducted in southern Uruzgan province of Afghanistan. According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the airstrike was conducted in the vicinity of Tarinkot city, the provincial capital of Uruzgan province. At least ten other insurgents were killed and seven more were wounded during a separate operation conducted in the vicinity of Shindand district in Herat province. Khaama
Senior Taliban Leader Arrested in North of Afghanistan
Samangan: A senior Taliban leader has been arrested by the Afghan security forces in northern Samangan province of Afghanistan. According to the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), the detained Taliban leader has been identified as Mullah Esmatullah who is also famous as Jalali. An Ak-47 assault rifle and motorcycle belonging to Mullah Esmatullah was confiscated. Khaama
Suicide Attack on an NGO Foiled in Kabul City
Kabul: The Afghan security forces have foiled a suicide attack plot on a Non-governmental Organization in capital Kabul. According to the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the attack was plotted by the notorious Haqqani terrorist network to target an NGO in Kabul city. The intelligence operatives also confiscated two fake vehicle registration number plates from the house of the suspect. Khaama
Daesh Insurgents Kill Jawzjan Grower
Jawzjan: Local officials on Thursday said a farmer was shot dead by Daesh or Islamic State (IS) militants in the Darzab district of northern Jawzjan province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
MoD to Unveil List of Suspects Involved in Hospital Attack
According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense’s (MoD), Major General Dawlat Waziri, the names of those who assisted attackers during the assault on Sardar Daud Military Hospital in Kabul last month would be disclosed within the next few days. He said that the fact-finding team’s task has been completed and that they found 11 out of 24 people arrested in connection with the attack are hospital employees. Tolonews
We will Kill you or Capture you, RS Warns Daesh
Captain Bill Salvin, the Resolute Support mission’s spokesman in Afghanistan, said that Daesh is a clear and present threat to Afghanistan and the region and warned that members of the group would be killed or captured if they come to Afghanistan. According to him, “This is a message to Daesh: If you come to Afghanistan, we will kill you or capture you.” Tolonews
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Trump Discusses Ukraine, Afghanistan with Merkel
U.S President Donald Trump and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany discussed several issues of mutual concern and interest, including the situation in Afghanistan. According to a statement from the White House, “The leaders discussed several issues of mutual concern and interest, including the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan.” This comes after U.S Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, said at a NATO meeting in Brussels that NATO’s work in Afghanistan remained critical and that his country was committed to supporting the Afghan forces. Tolonews
Uzbek President and Putin Discuss Afghanistan at Moscow Meeting
At a joint press conference, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin said that that they had given special attention to the situation in Afghanistan during their bilateral talks. According to the President of Uzbekistan, “We are convinced that there is no military solution to the Afghan problem. The only way is through peaceful political talks under the aegis of the United Nations. Uzbekistan supports Russia’s efforts to find ways of resolving the Afghan conflict and will attend an extended meeting in Moscow on April 14.” Tolonews
NATO Pledges $2.7 Million for Kabul Military Hospital Reconstruction
The NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan has pledged $2.7 million for the main military hospital in Kabul which witnessed a deadly attack last month. According to Capt Bill Salvin, a spokesman for the Resolute Mission, the repair work of Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan hospital has been completed by 90 per cent after the attack by the insurgents. He further said that budget $2.7 million would include $1.7 million for new medical equipment and $1 million for new furnishings. Khaama
Sherpao Welcomes Af-Pak Hotline Contact
A senior politician, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) head Aftab Sherpao, has welcomed the first hotline communication between Pakistan and Afghan military commanders, hoping the step would help improving the situation in Afghanistan. He further said that peace in Pakistan depended on peace in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
No Military Solution to Afghan Conflict: Islamabad
Pakistan has reiterated its long-held stance on the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, saying a military solution to the problem is not possible. Focused efforts are needed for a politically negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Controversial Parts of Durand Line not being Fenced: Aziz
Adviser on Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Sartaj Aziz, said that Pakistan was not fencing controversial parts of its 2500-kilometre frontier with Afghanistan, a plan rejected by Kabul. According to him this move would help to stop cross-border movement of militants from both countries. Pajhwok
Indonesia Promises Support for Afghan Peace Drive
President Joko Widodo of Indonesia has reaffirmed Indonesian’s commitment to support an Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process. Pajhwok
