SECURITY
Four Haqqanis Killed in Paktika overnight Battle
Paktika: Four members of Haqqani network have been killed during a clash with security force in Barmal district of southeastern Paktika province, an official said on Saturday. Dozens of Haqqani network gunmen attacked the corps base, sparking a battle that left four attackers dead and two others wounded. The attack was pushed back successfully. Pajhwok
Ex-NDS official among 3 killed in Faryab, Badakshan
Badakshan: A former National Directorate of Security (NDS) employee was among three gunned down separately in north-eastern Badakhshan and northern Faryab provinces, officials said on Saturday. Abdullah Masomi, the administrative head for Sabz-Push district of Faryab, told that Abdul Rashid Arab, a retired NDS worker, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Gorzad locality of the district late on Friday night. Meanwhile, an off-duty border policeman was pulled from a car and gunned down by gunmen on Friday night. Pajhwok
Policemen among 7 Killed in Paktika, Helmand Attacks
At least five Taliban and two policemen were killed and a notorious rebel commander wounded in fresh violence in southeastern Paktika and southern Helmand provinces, officials said on Saturday. Pakika governor’s spokesman Mohammad Rahman Ayaz told that the rebels shot dead two policemen and wounded a civilian in the Amberkhel locality of Sharan. Pajhwok
Taliban Commander among 9 Killed in Kapisa Operations
Kapisa: At least nine Taliban militants were killed during operations in Koh-i-Band and Tagab districts of central Kapisa province. Police spokesman Mohammad Ayub Yousufzai told that Taliban commander Abdul Khabir was killed and his two partners were wounded in the operation in Darnama locality. Meanwhile, eight militants were killed and seven others injured in a separate operation in Tagab district. Pajhwok
Daesh Militants Set on Fire 65 Civilian Houses in Kot
Nangarhar: Scores of civilian homes have been set alight by Daesh insurgents in the Kot district of the eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Saturday. Haji Sayed Rahman, the district’s administrative head, told that the militants burnt 65 civilian in Barsa Payeen on Friday afternoon. Heavy losses had been inflicted on local residents as a result of the Islamic State assault, the district chief said. Pajhwok
Four Killed in Takhar Clash, Say Police
Takhar: At least two Taliban militants, a policeman and a civilian have been killed during a clash in the Rustaq district of the northeastern Takhar province, an official said on Saturday. Police spokesman Col. Khalil Asir told that the incident took place in the Chapa Khan locality of the district on Friday night while the insurgents tried to extort money from people. Pajhwok
American University Asks Taliban to Free its Professors
Kabul: The American University of Afghanistan on Saturday urged the Taliban to release immediately and safely its two professors who were kidnapped some months back. Earlier this week, the insurgents released Kevin King and Tim Weeks, who requested incoming US President Donald Trump to negotiate their release and thereby save their lives. Pajhwok
Daesh Affiliates Arrested in Nimroz
Nimroz: At least three Islamic State members have been arrested in southwestern Nimroz province, an official said. Police chief Brig. Gen. Ghulam Jailani Abu Bakar told that the detainees included Mullah Dur Mohammad, who spearheaded a 50-member group active against government in Khan Abad district of southern Zabul province. Pajhwok
Political
Ghazni Mayor Resigns
Ghazni: The mayor for southern Ghazni province on Saturday resigned but some provincial council members said the mayor had been sacked days before. Feraidon Ahmadi has been serving as Ghazni mayor for the past three years. Around 10 months back, Ahmadi was removed from his duty and replaced with Nasir Ahmad Lalizai following a presidential order. However, some people in Ghazni opposed Lalizai’s appointment as mayor and demanded Ahmadi’s reinstatement. The president, in response to people’s demand, reappointed Ahmadi as mayor but the action was this time opposed by a number of provincial council members. Pajhwok
MPs See Insider’s Hand in Kandahar Attack
Kabul: Lawmakers on Saturday said the guesthouse bomb attack in southern Kandahar province was ‘questionable’ and that the attackers had insider’s support. Eleven people, including five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were killed and 18 others wounded in the powerful blast in a guesthouse in the governor’s house in Kandahar City. Pajhwok
Ghani Warns against Glorification of Terrorists
Kabul: The government would not allow anyone to call the killers of Afghans the angels of peace by exploiting the freedom of speech, the Presidential Palace said on Saturday. A statement from the Palace said that the government respected the freedom of speech but would not let anyone glorify the killers of innocent women and children. Pajhwok
Russia Calls for Intra Afghan Dialogue
Kabul: Moscow has asked the warring parties in Afghanistan, primarily the Taliban movement, to renounce violence and take urgent action to launch intra-Afghan dialogue. The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson told a media briefing in Moscow the security situation in Afghanistan remained challenging and the numbers of terrorist attacks were on the rise. Pajhwok
