SECURITY
Ten Daesh Militants Killed in Nangarhar
Nangarhar: At least ten Daesh militants, including a senior commander, were killed while six others were wounded during joint Afghan security forces operations in Chaparhar district of Nangarhar province. A commander of the group identified as Hamza was killed. A huge cache of weapons belonging to the group was also destroyed. Tolonews
Eight Insurgents Killed as Fierce Clashes Erupt in Ghazni
Ghazni: At least eight Taliban fighters have been killed during clashes, which also caused security forces casualties, in southern Ghazni province. Further details have not been yet released. Pajhwok
Two Dead, 30 Wounded in New Kabul Bank Attack in Paktia
Paktika: At least two civilians were killed while 30 wounded when attackers stormed the New Kabul Bank branch in the center of Gardez in Paktia. Three attackers had also been killed by security forces. During the attack, a suicide bomber also detonated his explosives inside the bank. Tolonews
Senior Taliban Commander Faqir Mohammad Khairkhwa Killed in Laghman
Laghman: A senior commander of the Taliban group, Faqir Mohammad Khairkhwa, was killed along with six aides, while a militants was also critically wounded during an operation in eastern Laghman province of Afghanistan. The Afghan security forces did not suffer any casualties during the operation. Khaama
Taliban Leader and 32 Militants belonging to Red Unit Killed in Helmand
Helmand: At least 33 militants, including the leader of the group, were killed during an operation launched in Nad-e-Ali district. The operation was jointly conducted by the Afghan and US forces in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan. Khaama
Two Local Policemen Join Taliban in Sar-i-Pul
Sar-i-Pul: Two local police personnel joined the Taliban along with their weapons in northern Sar-i-Pul province. Further details have not been yet provided. Pajhwok
Taliban Kidnap Legal Advisor for Raghistan District
Badakhshan: The Taliban kidnapped the legal advisor for the Raghistan district of northeastern Badakhshan province. Mulavi Abdul Hameed Shahab was forced down his car and taken to an undisclosed location by the Taliban insurgents. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Eshchi Rejects Dostum’s Reasons for Leaving Kabul
Ahmad Eshchi, former deputy head of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, rejected reports that the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum had left Afghanistan for Turkey for medical reasons and said he “had been exiled to Turkey.” He said that Dostum had been exiled unofficially due to a number of considerations by government aimed at preventing challenges in assessing Dostum case as well as investigating his Dostum’s case properly and ensuring justice in this respect. Tolonews
Hekmatyar, Karzai Stress Intra-Afghan Dialogue
Hezb-i-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and former president Hamid Karzai met in Kabul and both the leaders stressed intra-Afghan dialogue to achieve peace in the country. Both the sides conferred on Afghanistan’s current situation and efforts at peace and its importance. They emphasized on the need of unity among the Afghans whom they believed could resolve their issues themselves. They stressed intra-Afghan talks for peace, saying the reconciliation process with the Taliban should also be conducted this way. Pajhwok
Govt Blamed for Delay in Parliamentary Polls
Imam Mohammad Warimach, Head of Secretariat of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said that government was killing time in holding the upcoming parliamentary and district councils elections; therefore, the parliamentary polls would not be held this year. At the same time, the Presidential Palace said that government was committed to ensuring elections’ safety and providing its budget. Tolonews
MoI Expects Better Security after Changes in Leadership
Najib Danish, MoI spokesm, said that the new changes brought in the leadership of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) recently were aimed at improving security across the country. The officials had been appointed in three deputy head offices, four zonal commands, and a number of other posts within the ministry in order to improve law and order in the country. Tolonews
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Ghani to Attend Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh
President Ashraf Ghani flew out of Kabul for Saudi Arabia, where he would join leaders from 20 other Muslim-majority nations – a trip that coincides with U.S President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh. He would meet with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Saudi royals, as well as leaders from other countries. The emerging threat of IS to the Muslim world and several other issues would be discussed. Tolonews
An isolated Pakistan not in Afghanistan’s Favor, Says President Ghani
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said that Pakistan is in isolation but emphasized that an isolated Pakistan is not in the favor of Afghanistan. The remarks by President Ghani came as relations between Kabul and Islamabad witnessed at an all-time low during the recent months, mainly due to recent clashes along the Durand Line and Kabul criticizing Pakistan for allowing the anti-government militant and terrorist groups to use its soil against Afghanistan. Khaama
NATO Allies and Partners Reaffirm Strong Support to Afghanistan
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies and partners reaffirmed their Warsaw commitments to sustainable security and their strong partnership with Afghanistan. The meeting provided also the opportunity to take stock of the continued efforts by Afghanistan’s National Unity Government to boost internal reforms and maintain momentum on key areas for Afghanistan’s stability, including good governance, the rule of law, regional cooperation, and the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. Khaama
Afghanistan Policy Review to Complete Soon: Mattis
US defense secretary James Mattis has denied making any recommendations to President Donald Trump on the number of troops in Afghanistan, but hoped the ongoing review would be completed soon. According to him, our main concern was to defeat IS and different insurgents groups inside Afghanistan. Pajhwok
