SECURITY
Three Foreign Troops Wounded in Insider Attack
Helmand: At least three foreign soldiers were wounded in the southern province of Helmand after an Afghan National Army (ANA) officer deliberately started firing at foreign troops at Maiwand Army Corps. The incident happened during a military training exercise. Tolonews
Ten Taliban Insurgents Killed in Paktia Airstrike
Paktia: At least ten insurgents were killed in an airstrike in eastern Paktia province. The airstrike took place in Narai Kamar village of Dandpatan district in the province, while a group of Taliban insurgents were gathered in a house. There were no civilian casualties in the airstrike. Tolonews
Taliban Gunmen Kidnap Three Passengers in Farah
Farah: Taliban militants kidnapped three passengers in western Farah province. Pajhwok
17 rebels killed in Zabul; 7 suspects held in Logar
Zabul: At least Seventeen Taliban militants have been killed and nearly a dozen others wounded during operations in southern Zabul province. Pajhwok
Two Children Killed, One Injured in Mortar Shell Blast
Kandahar: Two children have been killed and a third wounded in a mortar shell explosion in southern Kandahar province. Pajhwok
TTP Commanders Killed in Paktika Drone Strike
Paktika: Two Pakistani Taliban commanders have been killed in a US drone strike in a border area of southeastern Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Four: Policemen Reportedly Hurt in Kandahar Suicide Blast
Kandahar: At least four policemen have been wounded in a suicide blast in the Nesh district of southern Kandahar province. Pajhwok
Thirteen ISIS Militants Killed in Airstrikes in East of Afghanistan
Nangarhar: At least thirty militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group were killed in separate airstrikes in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. Militants were killed in Achin district and Deh Bala area. The Afghan security forces and the local residents did not suffer any casualties during the operation. Khaama
Clash among Junbish and Jamiat Gunmen Leaves Four Dead in North of Afghanistan
Faryab: At least four people were killed during a clash between the irresponsible gunmen of Jamiat-e-Islami and Junbish-e-Millie in North of Afghanistan. During the clash ten people were also wounded. Khaama
ISIS Spy Chief Taj Gul Arrested in East of Afghanistan
Nangarhar: The spy chief of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group offshoot in Afghanistan has been arrested by the security forces. The Afghan National Police (ANP) Special Forces also arrested another suspect having links with the terror group. In the meantime, at least three militants were wounded after attacking some check posts. According to local residents, the security forces did not suffer any casualties during the operations. Khaama
POLITICAL
Press Freedom ‘One of Our Biggest Achievements
CEO Abdullah Abdullah said at a gathering to mark Journalists Day that press freedom was one of the greatest achievements of the past 15 years. Abdullah stressed that threats against journalists was not acceptable and that all cases of violence against journalists must be investigated. According to him, “Every case should be investigated, but investigating such cases (violence against journalists) can prevent other such incidents. We are committed to investigate such cases”. He further said that media can play a positive role in eliminating a culture of violence and establishing a culture of peace. Tolonews
Senators Claim ISI has Infiltrated Afghan Security Sector
Senators in the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) claimed that the infiltration of Pakistan’s military intelligence (ISI) in security institutions is a key reason for the high level of insecurity in the country. He said that the investigative team tasked to probe the Sardar Daud military hospital attack was not impartial. According to him, “If government fails to recapture districts under the control of the Taliban, I think that more districts will fall to the Taliban next spring”. Tolonews
Taliban Using Civilian Homes as Shields in Baghlan Battle
Residents in the Baghlan-e-Markazi district of northern Baghlan province have said that the Taliban has destroyed their homes after taking control of their area. According to them Taliban changed their homes into military strongholds to battle security forces and they established their trenches inside the residential areas. Battle between the Taliban and security forces completely destroyed Mangalha village. Tolonewsds
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Russia’s Contact with Taliban Limited to Peace Process: Rabbani
Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani has said that Russian officials assured the Afghan government that contact between Russia and the Taliban were aimed only at persuading the insurgent group to endorse peace talks with the Afghan government. Rabbani stressed that Russia has promised the Afghan government that ties with the Taliban were to encourage peace talks between the two sides. According to Russian officials, “Our relations with the Taliban are only to motivate them to attend the peace negotiation talks with the government of Afghanistan.” Tolonews
Pakistan Stresses Capacity Building of Afghan Security Forces
KABUL (Pajhwok): According to a statement from Pakistan Foreign Ministry, Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to continue efforts for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan will help to bring the Taliban on the negotiation table. Pajhwok
Border Closure a Temporary Step: Pakistani Diplomat
Pakistani officials assured Afghan government that the temporary closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is part of a strategy to block terrorist attacks. It will be opened very soon. Pajhwok
