SECURITY
U.S Citizen Kidnapped in Kabul
Kabul: A U.S citizen was kidnapped in Kabul city. The man was abducted from outside his house in PD3 in Karte Char area. He had been working on a World Bank-funded project for the ministry of agriculture, irrigation and livestock. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Tolonews
75 Insurgents Killed in Ongoing Helmand Operations
Helmand: At least 75 Taliban insurgents were killed while 36 others wounded in ongoing operations in southern Helmand province. The operation was launched in Marja district of the province to clear the area of insurgents. Tolonews
Five Policemen Killed, Nine Wounded in Paktia Attack
Paktika: At least five policemen were killed and nine others wounded when Taliban insurgents stormed police headquarters in Gardez city of Paktika. One of the attackers was a suicide bomber and detonated his explosives near the parking area at the police headquarters. The Taliban claimed responsibly for the attack. Tolonews
Top Haqqani Network Leaders Killed in Paktia Airstrike
Paktika: At least two senior leaders of the Haqqani terrorist network were killed in an airstrike in southeastern Paktika province of Afghanistan. They were killed in the vicinity of Orgun district and were identified as Abdul Azizi and Ghalchakai. Khaama
Afghan Commandos Deployed to Clear the Strategic Tora Bora from ISIS: MoD
Nangarhar: The Special Operations forces of the Afghan National Army, Afghan commandos, have been deployed at the strategic Tora Bora, days after the ISIS terrorist group claimed the capture of the area. According to acting Afghan defense minister, Tariq Shah Bahrami, the operations are underway in the area and developments regarding the clearance of the area are expected soon. Khaama
Three Suspects in Kabul Truck Bombing Arrested: Stanikzai
Kabul: At least three suspects were arrested in connection with a massive truck bombing in Kabul. Stanikzai, the National Directorate of Security head, rejected the involvement of the Haqqani network in the truck bombing, saying the group had accepted responsibility under pressure. He further said investigation into the hospital attack had been completed and the results would be shared with the people. Pajhwok
MAIL’s Kenyan Advisor Abducted in Kabul
Kabul: Unknown gunmen kidnapped a foreign advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) from Kabul. No group has yet accepted the responsibility. Pajhwok
Three Policemen Killed, Two Wounded in Khost Blast
Khost: At least three policemen have been killed and two other injured in a bomb explosion in Zazai Maidan district of southeastern Khost province. Pajhwok
Taliban Gun down Elder Seeking Release of Captive
Faryab: A resident of Sherin Tagab district, negotiating the release of captive with the Taliban, has been shot dead in northwestern Faryab province by Taliban. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Stanekzai Dismisses Rumors about a Fifth Pillar within the System
The Chairman of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) Massoum Stanekzai said that rumors about the existence of a fifth pillar within the political system were completely untrue and that these rumors have been fueled by political forces. He further said that government would not collapse, but warned that negative propaganda would add to woes of the country. Tolonews
Insurgent Attacks will not Divide Afghans: Ulema Council
The Afghanistan Ulema Council (Religious Scholars Council) has strongly condemned the recent attacks in Kabul and provinces, said that attacks on mosques and religious premises would not harm the unity of the Afghan people. Qiamuddin Kashaf, the head of the national Ulema Council called on the Afghan people to be more vigilant, saying the enemy wants to divide Afghans by attacking mosques and religious gatherings. According to them Islam strongly denounces acts of violence and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Tolonews
Blocking Roads and Disturbing People not Acceptable, Ghani Tells Kabul Protesters
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said that blocking of the roads and causing disturbance to the public are not acceptable as he called for immediate clearing of the routes blocked by the protesters who have set up camps. The Afghan lawmakers also said that peaceful protests and demonstrations are the right of the people but sit-in tents have created problems for the people and residents of Kabul city. They also announced their support to the government of national unity for the implementation of law. Khaama
Qadir Seeks Long Term support for Anti-Daesh Militia
A Wolesi Jirga delegation asked the government to provide long-term support and equipment to the anti-Daesh militia in eastern Nangarhar province. According to them IS will be defeated with backing of full force from Kabul. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Saudi and Egypt Seeks Hamid Karzai’s Support against Qatar
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt have sought the support of the former Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the stance the coalition of the Arab countries against Qatar. The Kingdom of Saudi met with Hamid Karzai to discuss the issue surrounding the sanctions imposed on Qatar. The two top diplomats of Saudi Arabia and Egypt demanded from the ex-president to declare his support in the isolation of Qatar. While Karzai called on unity among the Muslim nations and also declared his support against any nation supporting or having links with the terrorism. Khaama
Ex-Taliban Commander Admits the Group’s Leaders are in Pakistan
A former commander of the Taliban group who has joined peace process in eastern Nangarhar province has admitted that the group’s leaders are based in the neighboring Pakistan. The leader of the group, Abdul Wahab, who has surrendered to the government with his four fighters has said that they were conducting insurgency in Khogyani, Shirzad, Hesarak, Chaparhar and some other districts of Nangarhar since last eight years. He claimed that the group’s top leaders are based in Pakistan and they were receiving instructions from them to conduct insurgency activities. Khaama
