SECURITY
Judge Reportedly Killed in Jalalabad IED Blast
Nangarhar: A judge was killed and three civilians were wounded in a magnetic mine blast in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar. The incident happened close to Eidgah mosque in Jalalabad city. IED had been placed on the judge’s vehicle. Tolonews
Six Taliban Insurgents Killed in Takhar
Takhar: At least six Taliban insurgents were killed while nine were wounded in a clash with Afghan forces in Takhar province. During the clashes, three Afghan forces were also killed and three others were wounded. The clash broke out in Khwaja Ghar district when dozens of insurgents attacked parts of the district. The insurgents attacked the district and captured several villages. However, government forces re-captured the villages from the insurgents. Tolonews
Eight Bagram Security Guards Gunned Down
Bagram: At least eight Afghan security guards from Bagram Air Base were killed and two wounded when gunmen opened fire on them from a village close to the base. The incident took place in Shah Kah village. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. Tolonews
Six Policemen Killed in Roadside Mine in Helmand
Helmand: At least six policemen were killed after their vehicle hit a roadside mine along the Lashkargah-Kandahar highway. The policemen were from the Helmand highway battalion. The incident happened when the vehicle they were traveling in struck a roadside mine in Popalzai Shakh area along the Lashkargah-Kandahar highway. So far, no group including the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the incident. Tolonews
Two Protesters Dead, Over 20 Wounded in Clash with Police
Kabul: At least two protesters were killed and more than 20 wounded during clashes between protesters and security forces in downtown Kabul. Protesters said that the clash was sparked when security forces tried to dismantle their tents at Sherpoor Square near Shar-e-Now. Police also detained 11 protesters. Tolonews
Taliban’s Suicide Bombings Organizer Arrested in Sar-e-Pul: Officials
Sar-e-Pul: A key Taliban group member who was trained for the suicide attacks was arrested by the security forces in northern Sar-e-Pul province of Afghanistan. The detained Taliban group has been identified as Ahmad Khurshid who is a fresh graduate of a training center where militants are trained for the suicide attacks and bombings. He was arrested while supervising a coordinated attack on security posts and other government compounds. Khaama
Another Indian Daesh Man Killed in Afghanistan
Kabul: Another Indian national has been reportedly killed in Afghanistan after he allegedly joined the Islamic State or Daesh group. He was from Kerala and allegedly joined the terror group in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Ex-Herat PC Member’s Son Killed Policemen
Herat: Son of a former provincial council member allegedly killed three border policemen and wounded two others in western Herat province. Pajhwok
Jawzjan: Taliban Take Control of Darzab District Centre
Jawzjan: Taliban militants captured the Darzab district center in northern Jawzjan province a day after Daesh affiliates attacked the town. Pajhwok
Teenage Suicide Bomber Captured near Bagram Base
Parwan: A would-be suicide attacker was detained by security forces in the Bagram district of central Parwan province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Insurgents Won’t Win Battle to Divide Shias and Sunnis: Ghani
Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani said that insurgent groups will fail in their attempt to create a divide between Shia and Sunni Muslims in the country as the Afghan people remain united against terrorism and extremism. According to him religious scholars are well-respected in society and can play a significant role in promoting peace and solidarity among the people. Tolonews
Militants Planning Suicide Attack on Afghan Parliament with some MPs Support
The anti-government armed militants are planning to carry out a suicide attack on the parliament building with the support of some lawmakers. The issue was shared by certain lawmakers in the Lower House of the Parliament, Wolesi Jirga, during the general session of the parliament. An MP Nilofar Ibrahimi said that they have been informed regarding the possible attack by the security sources. Khaama
Former Urban Development Officials Get Jail Terms for Graft
The Anti-Corruption Criminal Justice Center’s (ACJC) appeal court sentenced two former officials of the Ministry of Urban Development Affairs and Housing (MUDH) each to 20 years imprisonment and imposed an 86 million AFs fine after finding them guilty on charges of corruption and misuse of the authority. The court also found a third person Mohammad Bakhtyar Nawaz, the former head of the housing enterprise department of the ministry guilty of corruption and sentenced him to seven years in prison and imposed a 440,000 AFs fine. Tolonews
Death of Protester during Clash with Kabul Police to be Investigated: Abdullah
The Chief Executive of the government of national unity of Afghanistan confirmed the death of a protester during last night’s clash with the security forces. He further said that the issue will be thoroughly investigated as he emphasized that the security personnel should exercises restraint while dealing with such issues. Khaama
ARG Hosts Meeting on Urgent Development, Economic Plan for Kabul City
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani chaired a meeting to discuss the plan for Kabul city development and steps to grow the economy of the capital. The head of the independent directorate of capital zone development Elham Hotaki presented 15 recommendations for the development and economic growth of the capital to the meeting. Some of the key recommendations presented to the meeting included the cleaning of Kabul River, construction of 100 schools and clinics, empowerment of women, preparation and management of water distribution, and coordination of efforts for the establishment of commercial market for the women in a bid to create jobs for over 100,000 people. Khaama
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Troop Levels to be announced in July
Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff addressed guests at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and said that the U.S President Donald Trump’s administration could decide by mid-July on U.S force levels in Afghanistan. According to him, no decision has been made with regard to the deployment of additional forces in Afghanistan, but held that this decision would be part of a broader South Asia strategy to counter opposition forces. Tolonews
Australia Donates $2m for UNICEF’s Children on the Move Response
The Australian government contributed $2.2 million USD to UNICEF’s humanitarian response in Afghanistan – to help fund critical child protection, health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene activities for displaced and returnee children and women. The contribution was made through Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Australia’s funding will provide ready-to-use therapeutic foods to treat severe acute malnutrition, and supply water, sanitation and hygiene services to prevent the spread of disease among internally displaced people, returnees and their host communities. Tolonews
More Refugees Likely To Return from Iran, Pakistan: UNHRC
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that more Afghan refugees are expected to be repatriated this year from Iran and Pakistan and called on the international community to take steps to help ease the process. Meanwhile, CEO Abdullah Abdullah called on host nations not to overlook the situation in Afghanistan when sending back refugees. Tolonews
Modi Thanks Ghani for Afghanistan-India Air Corridor Initiative
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani for the initiative to launch the Afghanistan-India air corridor. He expressed optimisms regarding the inauguration of the air corridor as he welcomed the arrival of the first flight to New Delhi from Kabul. According to him, direct connectivity between India and Afghanistan will usher prosperity. The United States also welcomed the air cargo corridor. Khaama, Pajhwok
After 16 Years of War, Stalemate Persists: McCain
An influential US lawmaker and a former presidential candidate has hit out at the Trump administration’s military strategy in Afghanistan as criticism of the US policy came from Senator John McCain. According to him after 16 years of involvement in Afghanistan the US failed to bring peace and stability. Pajhwok
BRICS Summit Backs Afghan-led Peace Process
BRIC, a group of five emerging economies, reaffirmed support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned national reconciliation process. Foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa supported efforts of the Afghan-led peace process in Afghanistan. According to them only in this way peace and stability will be established inside Afghanistan. Pajhwok
