Afghan vice-president Dostum injured in Taliban ambush

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/10-taliban-insurgents-killed-in-kunduz-air-and-ground-operations-02965


According to the security officials North of Afghanistan, the operations in the outskirts of Kunduz started late on Wednesday and are underway in other districts.

A spokesman for the 20th Pamir Division in the North, Ghulam Hazarat Karimi, said at least three militants were also wounded during the operations.

He said the Afghan air and ground forces started the operations from Kanok area of Kunduz city and large swaths Imam Sahib district was also cleared by the security forces.

Karimi further added that some weapons, ammunition, and explosives of the militants were also destroyed during the operations.

The Taliban insurgents group has not commented regarding the report so far.

Kunduz is among the relatively volatile provinces in northern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in a number of its remote districts.

Taliban launched numerous attacks on Kunduz city since they announced their spring offensive earlier last year.

The group also managed to briefly take partial control of the strategic Kunduz city but the militants were pushed back after the Afghan security forces launched an offensive with the support of the US forces based in Afghanistan.

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A combat helicopter of the Afghan forces made an emergency landing in northern Kunduz province of Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed the incident took place on Thursday in Dasht-e-Archi district.

MoD spokesman Dawlat Waziri said an MD-530 helicopter made an emergency landing in Dasht-e-Archi district as it was on its way to Takhar for a mission.

He said the helicopter made emergency landing due to technical issues and the crew of the helicopter were rescued by the other helicopter.

Waziri further added that the helicopter was destroyed in the area as it was not repairable.

In the meantime, the Taliban militants group claim that the helicopter was shot down by the group’s fighters.

The group claimed that the Afghan security forces suffered casualties after the helicopter was shot in Takhar which eventually made emergency landing in Dasht-e-Archi district of Kunduz.

This comes as the Afghan forces are busy conducting counter-terrorism operations in northern Kunduz and Takhar provinces and in the latest operations at least 10 militants were killed and three others were wounded in the outskirts of Kunduz city and Imam Sahib district.

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http://www.khaama.com/isis-militant-shot-dead-before-attacking-afghan-forces-in-nangarhar-02968

A militant affiliated with the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group was killed before attacking the Afghan forces in eastern Nangarhar province.

The provincial police commandment said the incident took place in Abdul Khel area of Achin district as the Afghan forces were busy checking the traffic in a check post.

The ISIS militant attempted to open fire on the security forces after coming out of a vehicle but was shot dead by the security forces, the local officials said.

The anti-government armed militant groups including the loyalists of ISIS terrorist group have not commented regarding the report so far.

This comes as the Afghan forces are busy conducting the Shaheen-25 clearance operations to root out the presence of the loyalists of the terror group from the restive Nangarhar province.

The local officials said Thursday at least 18 foreign insurgents belonging to ISIS terrorist group were killed in a series of air and ground operations in this province in the past 24 hours.

The operations against the terror group was launched amid concerns that attempts are being to turn the province into a regional operational base to expand their activities and insurgency in the country.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/isis-may-develop-regional-power-base-in-northwest-of-afghanistan-isw-02971

The loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group may develop a regional power base in northwestern Afghanistan, the Institute for the Study of War has said in a report, citing the recent activities by the terror group northern parts of the country.

The institute particularly pointed towards the recent killing of ICRC workers and abduction of some of their workers in northern Jawzjan province.

According to ISW, the loyalists of the terror group may particularly use the opportunity provided to them with the absence of the Junbish-e-Millie fighters led by the Vice President General Abdul Rashid Dostum.

“ ISIS’s expansion in the region comes as First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, who maintains significant influence in the North through his Junbish Militia, remains confined to his home surrounded by his militia in Kabul City following a scandal involving the alleged assault of former Jowzjan Provincial Governor Ahmad Eschi in November 2016 by his bodyguards,” the US-based think tank said in a report.

The report further added that “The lack of reported Junbish militia action to combat ISIS-linked militants in Northern Afghanistan may represent the absence of Junbish militias. Alternatively, Dostum may be sanctioning the expansion of ISIS in the region in order to demonstrate his significance to Afghan security in an attempt to relieve the political pressure to prosecute him for the alleged assault.”

“Meanwhile, the ANSF is currently undergoing a U.S.-led force regeneration process during their 2016-2017 winter campaign. The Afghan National Unity Government has historically relied on a joint force of ANSF units and Junbish militiamen to provide security in northwestern Afghanistan. The lessened presence of Dostum’s militia while the ANSF rests and refits units may be granting ISIS-linked militants increased freedom of movement in the region,” the report added.

This comes as the Afghan officials have long been expressing concerns regarding the attempts being made by the ISIS loyalists to expand in northern parts of the country as they look to infiltrate further into the Central Asian States.

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http://www.khaama.com/6-key-isis-leaders-killed-in-nangarhar-province-of-afghanistan-02973

At least six key leaders of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group loyalists were killed during the ongoing operations in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

According to the security officials, the six ISIS leaders were killed in the past 24 hours along with at least 41 other militants.

An official in 201st Silab Corps of the Afghan National Army in Eastern Afghanistan said the militants were killed in Haska Mina district.

The official speaking on the condition of anonymity further added that 25 militants also sustained injuries during the operations.

According to the official, the operations are jointly being conducted by the ground forces and air forces of the Afghan security forces and coalition forces based in Afghanistan.

The Afghan security forces also confiscated several weapons and dozens of weapons were destroyed during the raids.

Nangarhar is among the relatively calm provinces in eastern Afghanistan but the anti-government armed militant groups are attempting to expand their insurgency in this province during the recent years.

The growing threats posed by Taliban, ISIS and other insurgents forced the Afghan forces and US forces based in Afghanistan to step up operations in a bid to restrict their insurgency activities.

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http://www.khaama.com/150-isis-militants-killed-or-wounded-in-shaheen-25-operations-so-far-02974

At least 150 loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group have been killed or wounded during the ongoing Shaheen-25 operations so far.

According to the local government officials, the militants have been killed or wounded in the past ten days and since the operations were launched.

Provincial governor’s spokesman Ataullah Khogyani said the Shaheen-25 operations are successfully being conducted and several commanders of the terror group are among those killed or wounded.

Khogyani further added that the coalition forces are also supporting the Afghan forces during their fight against the loyalists of the terror group.

He said the US forces are providing close air support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.

The Shaheen-25 operations were launched ten days ago to suppress the growing insurgency of ISIS terrorist group in Nangarhar province.

The operations led by 201st Silab Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) forces were launched after receiving approval from the national security council of the country.

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http://www.khaama.com/isis-attack-in-north-of-afghanistan-leaves-10-policemen-and-a-woman-dead-02977
At least ten policemen lost their lives in an attack carried out by the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISSI) terrorist group in North of Afghanistan.

According to the local officials in Jawzjan province, the incident took place on Friday afternoon after a group of ISIS militants ambushed the policemen in a mosque.

Provincial governor’s spokesman Mohammad Reza Ghafoor confirmed the incident and said the loyalists of the terror group ambushed the policemen as they were coming out of the mosque.

He said a woman was also killed during the attack as she arrived in the area following the gunfire to look after her husband who was among those killed.

Jawzjan is among the relatively volatile provinces in northern Afghanistan which has witnessed growing instability during the recent months.

At least workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross were killed by the loyalists of the terror group few days ago.

They also kidnapped two more ICRC workers and there are still no reports regarding the fate of the hostages.

The anti-government armed militants also kidnapped at least 52 farmers from the vicinity of Jawzjan province days after the deadly attack on ICRC workers.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/42-civilians-rescued-from-isis-captivity-in-nangarhar-province-02978

At least forty two civilians were rescued from the captivity of the loyalists of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group in eastern Nangarhar province.

According to the local security officials, the civilians were abducted from the vicinity of Pacher Agam district around four months ago.

The officials further added that the civilians were rescued due to the efforts of the local government and security officials.

Provincial security chief General Syed Aqa Gul Rohani condemned the act by the loyalists of the terror group for taking ordinary civilians as hostages.

He said the Afghan forces are fully capable to confront ISIS loyalists and vowed that Nangarhar will be turned into their graveyard.

Nangarhar has been among the relatively calm provinces following the fall of the Taliban regime but the anti-government armed militant groups including the loyalists of ISIS terrorist group have increased their insurgency activities in some of its remote parts during the recent years.

In the meantime, the Afghan forces are busy conducting counter-terrorism operations in this province with the support of the US forces who resumed their operations under a broader role granted by the Obama administration earlier last year.

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http://www.khaama.com/taliban-shadow-governor-among-21-killed-in-counter-terrorism-operations-02984

By Khaama Press - Sun Feb 26 2017, 3:54 pm

A shadow provincial governor of the Taliban group was killed along with at least 20 others during the counter-terrorism operations, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said Sunday.

According to a statement by MoD, at least twenty three militants were also wounded during the same operations.

The statement further added that the operations were conducted in the past 24 hours in Nangarhar, Kapisa, Paktia, Ghazni, Logar, Khost, Bamyan, Uruzgan, Zabul, Baghlan, and Helmand provinces.

The Taliban shadow governor killed during the operations was in charge of the group for southern Uruzgan province, MoD said, adding that he was identified as Sheikh Hamza.

The ministry also confirmed the death of a top Taliban leader Haji Abdullah whose elimination as confirmed by the provincial government in Bamyan.

According to MoD, the operations were jointly conducted by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) in coordination with the Afghan Air Force and the artillery units of the Afghan national army.

This comes as the Afghan security forces are busy conducting their counter-terrorism operations as part of the Shahfaq-2 military operations being conducted to suppress the insurgency activities of the militant groups

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/8-isis-loyalists-in-separate-airstrikes-in-east-of-afghanistan-02989

At least eight loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group were killed in separate airstrikes in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

According to the local security officials, the militants were killed on Saturday and Sunday in the vicinity of Achin district.

The officials further added that the airstrikes were conducted in Dap and Momand areas of Achin district.

No further details were given regarding the airstrike and it is yet not clear if the raids were conducted by the Afghan forces or the US forces based in Afghanistan.

In the meantime, the officials said the militants killed during the airstrikes are all foreigners.

Nangarhar is among the relatively calm provinces in eastern Afghanistan but the anti-government armed militant groups are attempting to expand their foothold in this province, including the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The attempts by militant groups forced the Afghan forces to launch a major operation, Shaheen-25 operations, to suppress their activities.

The US forces based in Afghanistan also conduct airstrikes occasionally in this province under a broader role which was granted to them by Obama administration earlier last year.

 

[Hindustani78]

President Ghani particularly pointed towards the killing of Mullah Abdul Salam, the shadow governor of Taliban group for Kunduz who was killed in a counter-terrorism operation.

He said Mullah Salam was eliminated with his whole group and the group will no more pose threats to Kunduz and other northeastern parts of the country.

Hailing the nationwide support to Afghan forces in a one voice, President Ghani hoped that the 100th independence day of the country will be celebrated in the historic Dar-ul-Aman Palace which is under restoration by the government.

This is the first Afghanistan is celebrating the national day of the defense and security forces which comes as the Afghan forces are busy confronting devastating insurgency led by the Taliban group and other insurgent groups.

http://www.khaama.com/11-afghan-pol...es-in-taliban-insider-attack-in-helmand-02995

At least eleven Afghan policemen lost their lives in an attack in Lashkargah city, the provincial capital of southern Helmand province.

The incident took place late on Monday night in the vicinity of 2nd police district of the city.

A local security source confirmed that the attack was carried out by a Taliban insurgent who had infiltrated among the police forces.

Helmand is among the volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in its various districts and frequently conduct insurgency activities.

The province is also a central hub for drugs cultivation, production and smuggling which pours millions of dollars into the pockets of the Taliban insurgents, fueling their insurgency against the government.

The group launched numerous attacks on some key districts of Helmand province including the capital Lashkargah city in the past one month but the local officials are saying that the attacks were repulsed by the Afghan security forces.

Earlier, the officials were saying that the Taliban group is attempting to seize control of the province in a bid to shift their key leadership councils and leaders.

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At least five people were killed or wounded in an explosion in the outskirts of Lashkargah city, the provincial capital of southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

According to the local government officials, the incident took place as a convoy of the Afghan police special forces was transferring a number of detainees to neighboring Kandahar province.

The officials further added that the convoy was targeted in the explosion in Do Rahi area of Lashkargah city.

They also added that five people including policemen were killed or wounded in the attack.

However, another official said two prisoners were killed in the attack and at least three policemen were wounded.

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A commander of the Taliban group was among at least five militants killed or wounded in a US drone strike in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

According to the local security officials, the airstrike was carried out late on Monday night in Chaparhar district.

Provincial police spokesman Hazrat Hussain Mashraqiwal confirmed that the militants were targeted in Sangini area of Chaparhar late on Monday night.

He said a commander of the Taliban group was killed along with another insurgent and at least three others were wounded.

Mashraqiwal further added that the airstrike did not incur any casualties to the local residents or security personnel.

Nangarhar has been among the relatively calm provinces since the fall of the Taliban regime but the anti-government armed militant groups have recently increased their insurgency activities in some remote districts during the recent years.

The US forces based in Afghanistan resumed their counter-terrorism operations last year under a broader role granted by the Obama administration.

The operations were resumed amid concerns that the militant groups including ISIS loyalists are attempting to expand their activities and presence in this province.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/explosion-rocks-kabul-city-02304



Back to back explosions rocked capital Kabul earlier this afternoon after a group of militants launched a coordinated attack on Police District#6 and Police District#12, leaving at least 3 dead and around fifty others wounded.

A security official confirmed that a massive explosion took place close to Police District#6 compound.

The official further added that a suicide bomber detonated potent explosives placed in a vehilce near the Police District compound to open the way for the remaining militants to launch the gun attack.

According to the official, additional forces were deployed in the area and clearance operation is underway.

In the meantime, another official said a group of militants launched an attack on a security compound in the vicinity of Arzan Qeemat area in Kabul city.

The official further added that the attack was thwarted following fifteen minutes of clash with the assailants and at least three people were wounded.

Eyewitnesses in the area in PD#6 are saying that sporadic gunshots are also heard following the explosion.

The eyewitnesses are saying that the incident has taken place close to police district compound and the military university.

The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that three dead person and at least fifty others who sustained injuries in the two attacks have been shifted to the hospitals so far.

The Taliban insurgents group claimed responsibility behind the attack.

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http://www.khaama.com/airstrike-target-taliban-training-camp-in-helmand-leaving-20-dead-02306

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the airstrike was carried out in Khanshin district, leaving at least 20 insurgents dead.

MoD further added that a cache of drugs of the group was also destroyed in the airstrike.

No further details were given regarding the airstrike and it is yet not clear if it was carried out by the Afghan Air Force or the US forces based in Afghanistan.

Helmand is among the volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in its various districts and frequently carry out insurgency activities.

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The Taliban militants have captured Tala Barfak district in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan following days of heavy gun battle.

Security sources confirmed the district fell to Taliban control after two days of heavy gun battle between the security forces and the Taliban insurgents.

Baghlan is among the relatively volatile provinces in northern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents and militants belonging to other insurgent groups are actively operating in a number of its remote districts.

The Taliban group increased their insurgency activities in Baghlan province late in 2015 and in earlier 2016 amid rampant insurgency led by the group in northern and northeastern parts of the country.

The Taliban insurgents started to prepared for the 2016 fighting season after reaching to an agreement with the provincial government earlier last year but their plots were foiled after a large scale operation was launched in Dahana-e-Ghori and other key districts.

In the meantime, a top Taliban leader who was actively in charge of leading the group’s insurgency in northern Baghlan province was killed during clashes with the Afghan security forces late last year.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said the slain Taliban commander was identified as Salam Uzbek who was killed along with 15 of fighters.

MoI further added that Uzbek was killed after launching a coordinated attack on security posts in the village of Niazullah in Baglan-e-Markazi district.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of External Affairs
02-March, 2017 12:47 IST
India Condemns Twin Terror Attack in Kabul

India condemns twin terror attack in Kabul.

We strongly condemn the twin terror attacks in Kabul on 1 March 2017, which have resulted in death of more than a dozen people.

We convey our heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Afghanistan for the loss of lives and property. It is our sincere hope that the injured will make early recovery.

India has been a victim of terrorist violence and understands the pain and suffering of the people of Afghanistan. We reiterate our resolve to work with Afghanistan to bring perpetrators of terrorist violence to the justice they deserve wherever they may be.


Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, New Delhi, March 2, 2017

 

[Hindustani78]

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in reaction to the coordinated suicide attacks in Kabul said the group is attempting to boost the morale of their fighters following the death of its most senior leader Mullah Abdul Salam and the recent defeats the group sustained in the battleground.

Condemning the attacks in strongest words, President Ghanis said the terrorist groups once again attempted to spread fear and terror in Kabul city.

“Following the death of the terrorist group leader Mullah Abdul Salam in Kunduz and back to back defeats on the battleground, the group is attempting to boost the morale of its fighters by conducting terrorist attacks in crowded areas,” he added.

President Ghani further added that the Afghan nation endorsed support in one voice to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces during the national day of the defense forces.

He said the Afghan forces are on the frontline in the fight against terrorism more than any other time to eliminate them in all parts of the country.

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The casualties toll from coordinated suicide attacks in capital Kabul has climbed to at least 22 dead while nearly 120 others have sustained injuries.

The officials in the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan (MoPH) have said ordinary civilians are also among those killed or wounded.

MoPH spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kawoosi confirmed Thursday that 22 people lost their lives in the two attacks.

He said around 120 others sustained injuries including civilians.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/23-isis-militants-killed-in-zabul-and-nangarhar-provinces-02316

23 ISIS militants killed in Zabul and Nangarhar provinces

At least twenty three loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group were killed in separate operations conducted in southern Zabul and eastern Nangarhar provinces of Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesman Dawlat Waziri said at least 17 loyalists of the terror group were killed in an operation conducted by the Special Forces in Arghandab district of Zabul.

He said the operations were conducted late on Thursday targeting the militants in Malik Khel village of Arghandab.

Waziri further added that two hideouts of the terror group were destroyed along with several weapons and ammunition.

According to Waziri, one Afghan soldier also sustained injuries during the clash but his health condition is satisfactory.

Waziri also added that six loyalists of the terror group were killed in an airstrike conducted in Lalpur district of Nangarhar province.

Zabul is among the relatively volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents and ISIS loyalists are actively operating in a number of its districts.

The loyalists of ISIS terrorist group have recently increased their operations and presence in some of the key districts of Zabul province during the recent months, sparking concerns among the local residents and tribal elders who met with Chief Executive Abdullah earlier requesting the government to take immediate steps before the terror group further expand its foothold in this province.

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http://www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-recapture-tala-barfak-district-from-taliban-militants-02317

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) recaptured the control of the strategic Tala Barfak district from the Taliban insurgents.

According to the local government officials, the control of the district center was seized earlier today amid intense gun battle.

Provincial governor’s spokesman Mahmood Haqmal confirmed that the control of the district administrative center was seized earlier today after the Afghan forces launched a coordinated operations against the militants.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesman, Dawlat Waziri, confirmed that the Afghan forces full y recaptured the district from the Taliban insurgents.

He said clearance operations are underway and the militants have suffered heavy casualties during the clashes with the security forces.

Gen. Waziri further added that the Afghan armed forces did not suffer any casualties.

The control of Tala Barfak district fell to Taliban insurgents on Wednesday afternoon but the Afghan defense officials said the Afghan forces had made a tactical retreat in a bid to prevent casualties to the local residents and the security forces members.

The security situation in northern Baghlan has deteriorated in the recent years as the anti-government armed militants are attempting to expand their insurgency in some of the key northern provinces.

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http://www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-thwart-militants-nowruz-attacks-plan-in-balkh-02318

Local security officials in northern Baghlan province said several heavy and light weapons were confiscated as the militants were looking to transfer them to Balkh for the attacks.

Provincial counter-narcotics chief General Zamanuddin Zaman told reporters in Baghlan that the weapons were confiscated by the counter-narcotics forces during a search operation on the highway going towards Balkh province.

He said four RPG launchers, a PKM heavy machine gun, and 35 AK-47 assault rifles were confiscated and an individual was arrested in connection to the smuggle of the weapons.

He said the weapons were placed inside a mini truck and was on its way from southeaster Khost province to northern Balkh province when it was identified and the weapons were seized.

According to Gen. Zaman, the militants were looking to destabilize the northern Balkh province by carrying out a series of attacks, specifically during the Nowruz days when hundreds of thousands of people are visiting the province for Gul-e-Surkh picnic.

The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the report so far.

 

[The Eagle]

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