SECURITY
One Killed, Nine Wounded in Kunduz City Rocket Attack
Kunduz: At least one school student was killed and nine others, including students and school staffers, wounded in a rocket attack against Kunduz city. A rocket hit the Shir Khan High School in Kunduz city. Security forces are currently conducting search operations to find the insurgents behind the attack. Tolonews
Clashes Ongoing in Badakhshan’s Tagab District
Badakhshan: Heavy clashes are ongoing between local security forces and Taliban insurgents in Tagab district of north-eastern Badakhshan province. Both sides have suffered casualties but there is no exact information. Clashes are still ongoing between both sides. Tolonews
13 Soldiers Killed in Kandahar Attack: Source
Kandahar: At least 13 security force members and eight Taliban insurgents were killed while eight other soldiers were wounded during clashes in southern Kandahar province. The clash started at in Maiwand district of the province after dozens of insurgents attacked a military base. Tolonews
Blast Close to NDS Office in Helmand Leaves Six Dead
Helmand: At least six people were killed and two others were wounded in a suicide attack close to an office of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) in Washir district in the southern Helmand province. The attack was carried out by a suicide bomber. Tolonews
ISIS Suffer heavy Casualties in Afghan Forces Operations in Chaparhar
Nangarhar: At least 14 ISIS affiliates were killed while 19 militants of the terror group were wounded during the Afghan forces joint operations in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. The operations were jointly conducted by the Afghan army, Afghan police, border police, and public order police forces in Chaparhar district. Khaama
Senior Afghan Defense Officials Jailed over Kabul Military Hospital Attack
Several senior defense officials were jailed by a primary military court over a deadly attack on Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan hospital that left scores of people dead. Gen. Dawlat Waziri, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesman, said that Major General Abdul Razaq Siawash, the commander of the health division in the Office of the General Staff, and General Abul Salam Nejrabi, the chief of the health division of the Office of the General Staff, were jailed for one year each after they were found guilty of negligence. Khaama
Kunduz-Khanabad Road Closed following Attacks
Kunduz: The Kunduz-Khanabad road was blocked for traffic following Taliban militants’ attacks on security posts in northern Kunduz province. Report of any type of causalities has not been yet produced. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Kabul Process Meeting on Peace Scheduled for June
The presidential palace said that it is reaching out to regional countries to support moves to end the war and in line with this has scheduled the Kabul Process conference for next month. Shahhussain Murtazawi, the acting presidential spokesman, said that regional partners would take part in this all-important meeting. Tolonews
Three Bamiyan Officials Suspended over Plane Debacle
Ministry of Interior said that three Bamiyan officials have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation into this week’s illegal diversion of a Kam Air plane at Bamiyan airport. The task team has investigated the five individuals and took three of them to Kabul who are included the head of Bamiyan Airport’s security, border police commander and head of Bamiyan’s PD1 police headquarters. Tolonews
Govt Accused of Violating the Law over Cabinet Issue
A number of lawmakers and analysts accused government of violating the country’s law as it had “failed” to introduce new nominees to replace the seven cabinet ministers who were dismissed by parliament last year. According to them, President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah were pushing to appoint ministers by keeping in mind their political interests so that these ministers might not be able to oppose their decisions. Tolonews
Ghani Underlines Need for Security Sector Reforms
President Ashraf Ghani has underlined the need for reforms in the security sector and evolving a coherent plan for the deployment of commanders to different parts of the country. According to him, peace and stability would not be established inside Afghanistan, until and unless we introduce Security Sector Reforms. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Top of Agenda at NATO Meeting is Fight against Terrorism
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, said that the key items on the day’s agenda at the heads of state meeting would be the fight against terrorism and fair burden sharing. He said that we should adopt an action plan to enhance NATO’s contributions. Our largest military operation ever was launched in Afghanistan in a direct response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. 13,000 NATO troops continue to train Afghan forces. He emphasized on the importance of training the local forces as the NATO leaders gather for a summit in Brussels to hold talks on some key issues, including fight against terrorism. Tolonews, Khaama
UNAMA Receives Petition on Hizb-e-Islami’s Hekmatyar
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) received a petition requesting justice for the victims of crimes allegedly committed by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the Hizb-e-Islami party. In this context, the United Nations maintains that attention to human rights is of critical importance, and that the promotion and protection of human rights is a key component of genuine and lasting peace. Tolonews
China Vows more Support to Afghan Forces and Peace Process
The Chinese officials have pledged more support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and the Afghan peace process. The latest commitment was made during a meeting between the Afghan and the Chinese national security advisers in Moscow. China’s national security adviser pledged more support to equip the Afghan security forces. Khaama
Moscow, Kabul Agree on End to Propaganda War
As Russia seeks to strengthen its role in stabilizing Afghanistan, Moscow and Kabul have agreed on ending the propaganda war against each other. National Security Advisor (NSA) Mohammad Hanif Atmar met his Russian counterpart during his visit to Moscow. During the meeting, they agreed on the need for concerted efforts to promote peace and stability in the region and signed an agreement in this regard. Pajhwok
Terrorists Hiding, Collecting Money in Pakistan: Ghani
President Ashraf Ghani said that he was still awaiting the implementation of the commitments Pakistan made five months ago to help end the conflict in the country. He further said that terrorist were still enjoying sleeping cells inside Pakistan and were collecting money in order to extend financial support to insurgents. Pajhwok
Ghani, Modi to Meet in Astana Next Month
Afghanistan National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar and his Indian counterpart Dr. Ajit Doval have discussed bilateral security and political cooperation during a meeting in Moscow. According to them, Ghani and Modi woud meet at Astana next month. Pajhwok
