SECURITY
ISIS Leaders among 22 Killed in Airstrikes in East of Afghanistan
Nangarhar: At least twenty two militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group were killed in a series of airstrikes conducted in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. The airstrikes were carried out in the vicinity of Nazian district. The ISIS leaders killed in the airstrikes have been identified as Shino and Zargul. Khaama
Afghan Intelligence Arrest Six Involved in major Terrorist Activities in Herat
Herat: The Afghan Intelligence operatives have arrested a group of six militants involved in major terrorist activities in western Herat province of Afghanistan. According to a The National Directorate of Security (NDS) the militants were arrested during an operation conducted by the Special Forces of the Afghan Intelligence. The statement further added that the group was led by commander Safiullah. Khaama
Deadly Mosque Bombing Foiled in North of Afghanistan
Sar-e-Pul: A deadly plot by the anti-government armed militants to detonate explosives inside a mosque in northern Sar-e-Pul province has been foiled by the Afghan security forces. The militants were looking to target the Friday prayers in Guzar Shahan mosque. The suspect has been identified as Basir and was arrested by the security forces after he planted an IED in the mosque. Khaama
Eight Militants, Police Officer Killed in Logar Attacks
Logar: A police officer and eight militants have been killed during separate incidents of violence in central Logar province. Pajhwok
Taliban Commander among Six Rebels Held in Herat
Herat: At Least six Taliban, including the group commander, has been arrested in western Herat province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
MoD Accelerates Fight against Corruption: Waziri
Authorities in the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that they have swapped posts of at least 1,000 officials accused of corruption in procurement and finance departments of the ministry as part of their efforts to fight the phenomenon. According to the MoD spokesman Dawlat Waziri, “We have many cases under investigation aimed at fighting corruption in the ministry. At least 6.1 billion was saved in procurements and contracts last year. All these efforts are to fight corruption”. Tolonews
Ghani did not Discuss Disbanding of Parliament with anyone: ARG
The Afghan government has dismissed reports suggesting that President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has warned to disband the Afghan parliament. This comes as reports emerged earlier suggesting that President Ghani has warned to disband the parliament as the lawmakers in the Lower House of the Parliament, Wolesi Jirga, plan to summon top security officials. Khaama
Afghanistan has Optional Routes if Enemies Think to Block Trade Routes: Ghani
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said optional routes are available for Afghanistan if the enemies of the country think to block the trade route to the country. President Ghani further added that the northern Kunduz, Mazar and Herat provinces will be connected via railway network that will eventually connect Iran and China via Afghanistan. He also added that the historic Balkh province will once again become the roundabout of the Central Asia. This comes as Afghanistan has been heavily dependent on transit route linking the country through Pakistan. Khaama
States Supporting Terror Need to be Controlled: Muslimyar
Meshrano Jirga chairman Fazl Hadi Muslimyar said terrorism would engulf other countries if needed steps not taken against states supporting terror groups. The conference was attended by Chinese deputy prime minister, Nepal prime minister, the president of Madagascar, the president of Micronesia, vice-president of Myanmar and leaders from some other countries. Pajhwok
I will quit my Job, not the Province: Balkh Governor
Atta Mohammad Noor, the governor of northern Balkh province, reiterated his intention to resign in the near future, saying the president had asked him to delay his decision. Pajhwok
Ghani Calls for Sustained Focus on Girls’ Education
President Ashraf Ghani commended the even-handed development of northern Balkh province, attributing the achievement to Governor Atta Mohammad Noor’s leadership. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PPP Wants Report on Osama Presence Made Public
Pakistan’s major opposition party says the mystery surrounding the presence of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the country is yet to be resolved. Pakistan People’s Party Senator Farhatullah Babar (PPP) demanded the report on the presence of Osama in Pakistan to be made public. Pajhwok
Moscow Trashes NATO Charge of aiding Taliban
Russian has rejected the NATO commander’s allegation that Moscow may be assisting the Taliban who have been fighting against foreign forces in Afghanistan. According to Russian officials, these claims are absolutely false. Pajhwok
US Declines to Attend Moscow Huddle on Afghanistan
The United States has decided not to participate in the Russia hosted international meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow. Pajhwok
