SECURITY
Two Top Taliban Leaders in Samangan Killed in Operations
Samangan: Mawlawi Gheyasuddin, known as Mujaheed, Taliban’s shadow deputy- governor for Samangan province and six other insurgents were killed during Special Forces operations. The targeted operation was conducted in Ab Khorak area of Doab district. Fifteen other insurgents were wounded during the operation. Tolonews
Ongoing Clashes Close Baghlan Roads to Traffic
Baghlan: Afghan security forces are still battling the Taliban fighters in Kabul-Baghlan and Baghlan-Kunduz roads in order to clear the key routes of the militants in which at least 30 Taliban militants were killed. The fighting broke out after scores of Taliban fighters launched attack on Baladori village in Pul-e-Khumri. Amir Gul Hussainkhail, security chief at the Baghlan Police Headquarters, said that the Taliban suffered massive fatalities during 10 hours of battle in Baladori village of Pul-e-Khumri city. The security forces managed to retake the area. Tolonews
Four Taliban Insurgents Killed while Planting Roadside Bomb in Logar
Logar: A group of four Taliban insurgents were killed as they were planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on a roadside in central Logar province of Afghanistan. The incident took place in Mohammad Agha district of Logar province. Khaama
Taliban Vehicle Hit Roadside Mine in Kandahar, Ten Killed, Seven Wounded
Kandahar: A Taliban vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted on a roadside in southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan, leaving at least ten of them dead. The incident took place in Maiwand district. Seven insurgents were also wounded in the explosion and their vehicle was totally destroyed. Two others militants were arrested during a separate operation conducted in Nish district. Khaama
Taliban’s Recruitment Leader Arrested in Kandahar City
Kandahar: A key Taliban leader in charge of recruiting militants for the group has been arrested in southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan. The detained Taliban leader has been identified as Akhtar Mohammad. Khaama
Roadside Bomb Damages NATO Vehicle in Qarabagh
Kabul: A NATO forces’ military vehicle was partially damaged in a roadside bombing on northern outskirts of Kabul City. The rebels claimed the blast killed four soldiers. Pajhwok
113 Taliban Dead as Forces advance in Uruzgan Operation
Uruzgan: At least 113 Taliban have been killed in a military operation. A strategic area in the Tarinkot, the provincial capital, was wrested back from the Taliban during military offensive. Pajhwok
Mortar Shell Kills Five Children in Laghman
Laghman: At least five children were killed and two others wounded when a mortar shell fired by the Taliban landed on a house on the outskirts of Mehterlam, the provincial capital. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Anti-Corruption Efforts ‘Failing’ due to Absence of Law
Ghulam Hussain Fakhri, the head of High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption (HOOC), said that anti-corruption efforts by the HOOC have largely failed because there was no anti-corruption law in place. Six months ago the anti-corruption law was sent to parliament by President Ashraf Ghani but MPs failed to approve the law and instead moved to dissolve the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption. Fakhri said that the important reason for not approving the law by the MPs was that they would have to register their assets. Tolonews
Some Taliban Circles ready to Reconcile: HIA
Qarib Rahman, a spokesman for the Gulbadin Hekmatyar-led party, said that some Taliban’s political circles had contacted the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan to join the peace process. Taliban had contacted the HIA to benefit from its peace agreement with the government in joining the peace process. He further said that said some Taliban groups had realized the war was not a solution to the Afghanistan conflict and the solution to the Afghan conflict lied in intra-Afghan dialogue. Pajhwok
‘Another Waziristan’ in the Making in Badakhshah: MP
A Mesharano Jirga member, who recently traveled to northeastern Badakhshan province, claimed Khastak village of Juram district there had become ‘a safe haven’ for foreign terrorists. The MP further claimed that foreign elements were supporting the insurgents in Badakhshah which would convert this province into another Waziristan in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Senators Question UN Report on Kandahar Police Chief
A number of lawmakers at Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) lent their support to Kandahar Police Chief General, Abdul Raziq, following a report by the United Nations Committee against Torture, calling Raziq a “patriotic and champion” police officer. The UN Committee against Torture in a report accused Gen. Raziq of torturing of prisoners and enforced disappearances. Senator Rahmatullah Achekzai said that the report has been fabricated by the Pakistan’s intelligence service [ISI] and other foreign intelligence services. Tolonews
