SECURITY
Ten Militants Killed in an Airstrike in Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan
Uruzgan: At least ten insurgents were killed in an airstrike conducted in the southern Uruzgan province of Afghanistan. According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the airstrike was carried out in the vicinity of the provincial capital Tarinkot targeting a group of insurgents. Twelve insurgents were also wounded and two vehicles along with a motorcycle in the custody of the militants were destroyed. 18 militants were killed during a separate operation conducted in Nish district of Kandahar province. Khaama
Kapisa Policeman Shot Dead by Unidentified Attackers
Kapsia: A policeman has been shot down by unidentified gunmen in central Kapisa province. It was not known who attacker was and why he has been gunned down. Pajhwok
Fifty Six Insurgents Eliminated in Security Operations: MoD
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), fifty-six fighters have been killed and 33 others wounded in security operations in different parts of the country. The operation was carried out to clear the areas from militants and destroy their safe havens. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Afghan Return Refugee Program to Resume on Monday
According to Sayed Hussain Alemi Balkhi, Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, the process of repatriating Afghan refugees from Pakistan will resume on Monday. He further said that a drop in financial aid for registered refugees and the probability of forcing refugees to leave Pakistan were the most serious challenges they are facing. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had increased its financial aid from $200 USD to $400 USD (per return refugee), but this year they said we couldn’t give them $400 USD and would decrease the amount. Tolonews
Govt to Bring Major Changes in New Security Plan
According to the National Security Council’s spokesman Tawab Ghorzang, the Afghan government is working on a four-year security plan through which major changes will happen in the security forces sector. The security plan will include: Mobilizing ground forces and establishing a powerful management for the soldiers; increasing the number of helicopters, warplanes such as Super Tucano, military jets and also mobilizing the Afghan Air Force; increasing and mobilizing Commando units; reforms in supplying forces or activating a non-stop supply system for troops; empowering intelligence, investigative and engineering sectors. Tolonews
SOCIO – ECONOMIC
Taliban Imposing Illegal Taxes on Truckers in Zabul
A number of truck drivers said this week that the Taliban had started imposing illegal taxes on them in the Shamalzai district of Zabul province and when they crossed the Durand Line and enter the district, they gave 8,000 to 15,000 (Pakistani) Rupees to the Taliban and received a customs receipt. Tolonews
FREIGN AFFAIRS
Russia sees no Military Solution to Afghanistan’s Problem
The Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Alexander Mantytskiy, has said that Afghanistan’s problem cannot be solved through military solutions. He further said that representatives of 12 regional countries will encourage the Afghan government and Taliban to hold face-to-face talks at an upcoming conference in Moscow. Tolonews
Tillerson Signals Support for Settlement with Taliban
The Trump administration affirmed its commitment to the development of Afghan security forces’ capacity to contribute to regional stability and ward off terrorist threats. According to a Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, NATO’s new training mission in Afghanistan is very critical. He said, “The ongoing commitment of NATO allies and partners to peace in Afghanistan, including to an eventual settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban, protects this alliance’s interests.” Pajhwok
NATO Calls for Boosting Capacity of Afghan Forces
NATO foreign ministers discussed ways of stepping up efforts to project stability and fight terrorism in Afghanistan. According to him, “We have made significant contributions for many years – from Afghanistan to the Balkans”. Pajhwok
Islamabad Backs Moscow Meeting on Afghanistan
Pakistan has reaffirmed support for an upcoming meeting involving regional countries on Afghanistan’s future in Moscow, saying such consultations are in line with its policy. Pakistan is interested to restore peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Border Closure to Fuel Tensions: Afghan Delegates
The Pakistan – Afghanistan Joint Committee has held productive discussion with Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on issues of common concern. According to them the closure of border between them will further fuel tensions. Pajhwok