SECURITY
Military Offensive Launched to Clear Kunduz City
Kunduz: A joint military offensive was launched in northern Kunduz city to clear the city of insurgents. The operation was launched under the name of Pamir 2 in the framework of Khalid New Year operation. Army, police, and the National Directorate of Security (NDS) forces are all participating in this operation. Any type of causalities during the operation have not been reported. Tolonews
Three ANA Soldiers Killed in Kandahar Attack
Kandahar: At least three Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack in southern Kandahar province. The attack took place in Khakrez district of the province after a number of Taliban insurgents attacked ANA and local police check posts and clashed with troops. The Taliban also suffered heavy casualties but there was no exact information about the number of the casualties. Tolonews
Taliban’s most Senior Leader Killed in East of Afghanistan
Laghman: One of the most senior leaders of the Taliban group has been killed during a special military operation in eastern Laghman province of Afghanistan. The killed militant was a shadow district governor of the group identified as Rohullah. Khaama
Taliban Commanders among 21 Killed in Helmand Airstrikes: MoD
Helmand: At least 21 Taliban insurgents, including two of their local commanders, were killed in a series of airstrikes in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan. According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), Taliban commanders killed in the airstrikes have been identified as Mullah Toryali and Mullah Ahmad, who was also famous as Zabiullah. This come as reports emerged last week suggesting that the control of the strategic Sangin district has fallen to the Taliban insurgents. Khaama
Eight Militants Killed, Five Wounded in Ghazni Clashes
Ghazni: At least Eight Taliban have been killed and five wounded in separate clashes with security forces in southern Ghazni province. The clashes took place in Andar and Gelan district between security forces and Taliban. Security personnel suffered no casualties in the clashes. Pajhwok
18 Taliban Join Peace Process in Nangarhar
Eighteen Taliban fighters including a notorious commander has surrendered their weapons and joined the government initiated peace process in eastern Nangarhar province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Hizb-e-Islami ‘United’ Under Hekmatyar’s Leadership
Hizb-e-Islami rejected rumors of the existence of factions in the country, saying the party was united under the leadership of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. According to Hizb-e-Islami, rumors about the existence of Hizb-e-Islami factions are propaganda on the part of rivals. According to Hizb-e-Islami’s top negotiator, Amin Karim, “Hizb-e-Islami has been active for fifty years and it does not need technical issues. I assure you that the party is united under the leadership of Mr. Hekmatyar”. Tolonews
MoD Calls on Pakistan to Stop Supporting Terrorists
Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri, called on Pakistan to prevent terrorists from coming into Afghanistan and urged Pakistan to stop supporting terrorists. He further said that terrorist group leaders are based in Pakistan and some had even been killed in Pakistan. Tolonews
Afghanistan Fired 1,394 Army Personnel on Charges of Corruption
The Afghan government has fired at least 1,394 army personnel on charges of corruption amid persistent efforts to bring reforms in the government institutions. Some army general and commanders are also among those fired by the government. Khaama
No Final Decision yet on Moscow Meeting: MoFA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said the government had not yet taken a final decision whether to attend the Moscow meeting or not. The meeting will take place in Mascow in which building peace and stability in Afghanistan will be discussed. Pajhwok
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
World Bank to Give $200m for Urban Development
The World Bank will offer $200 million for the sustainable urban development of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Urban Development (MRRUD) have claimed. It will help in bringing social development. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Pakistan Moves to Build Fence along Disputed Border
Pakistan has started building a fence along the disputed 2,500km Durand Line in areas Islamabad deems “high threat zones”. Islamabad has long blamed alleged insurgents based in Afghanistan for attacks on Pakistan soil. According to Pakistan’s Army Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, initial fencing will focus on “high threat zones” of Bajaur and Mohmand agencies in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which border eastern Afghan provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar. Tolonews
Atmar, McMaster Discuss Peace, Terrorism
The Afghan and US national security advisors discussed the war against terrorism and peace efforts in Afghanistan. They discussed in detail how to defeat insurgents and to establish peace and security in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Terrorism, Afghanistan on Agenda in Upcoming NATO FM Meeting
NATO foreign ministers were scheduled to meet on March 31 in Brussels to discuss range of issues including situation in Afghanistan and fight against terrorism and IS. They will also discuss how to establish peace and security in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
