Afghan vice-president Dostum injured in Taliban ambush

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/kidnapped-afghan-policemen-kill-5-taliban-militants-in-baghlan-02741

Two Afghan policemen have broken a Taliban cell in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan, leaving at least 5 militants dead.

According to the local government officials, the policemen were kept in a cell in Barak district.

Provincial police spokesman Zabiullah Shuja said the two policemen managed to break the Taliban jail after snatching the weapon of them and opening fire on the others.

He said at least five militants were killed and a clash a broke out after the other policemen arrived to support the two captives.

According to Shuja, the clash between the two sides continued for at least three hours.

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

This is not the first time the kidnapped members of the Afghan security forces have broken the Taliban cell.

An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier killed at least five Taliban insurgents after he was kidnapped in eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan late in 2014.

The local officials said the soldier had also lost his life during the clash with the Taliban insurgents.

According to the officials, the soldier was abducted while he was his way from Kandahar province to capital Kabul by traveling through the restive Ghazni province.

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http://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-orders-arrest-of-vice-president-dostums-guards-02736
The Vice President and his security guards have been summoned for at least three times by the Attorney General but neither of them has responded to the summonses.

According to Afghan law he could be suspended from his position and put under house arrest for his refusal to cooperate with the investigation, Attorney General Farid Hamidi told The Wall Street Journal.

However, the Office of the Vice President has said it would cooperate with a government investigation, saying the accusations by the rivals are baseless efforts to defame Gen. Dostum.

Ishchi claimed that the vice president detained him and forced him to strip naked besides he was beaten by the bodyguards of Gen. Dostum and was sodomized with a rifle.

This comes as a detailed report was presented to a meeting of the National Security Council chaired by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani late in December last year.

The Office of the President, ARG Palace, said the report presented by Attorney General focused on circumstances to launch an investigation regarding the claims made by Mr. Ischi.

The Palace said the report was reviewed and necessary decisions were taken but no further details were given regarding the decisions taken during the meeting.

At least 21 militants affiliated with the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group were killed in an airstrike conducted by the Afghan Air Force in Zabul province.

The provincial police commandment said late on Sunday that the airstrike was carried out in Dai Chupan Khak Afghan district.

According to the security officials, at least 7 ISIS militants including a commander of the group were also wounded in the airstrike.

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

This comes as Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said late in December last year that special military operations will kick off soon in southeastern Ghazni and southern Zabul provinces to suppress the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group and Taliban insurgents.

He made the remarks during a meeting with the elders of the two provinces which organized amid concerns that the fighters of the two group are attempting to expand foothold in some districts of the two provinces.

The elders of Zabul said the local residents in Khak-e-Afghan and Nawbahar districts have noted movements of the two groups to establish and strengthen their presence.

The Ghazni representatives also said the ISIS loyalists and Taliban insurgents have started to expand their foothold in Nawa district.

The ISIS militants have reportedly arrived with their families and are fully equipped with the area turning into an entry point for the foreign insurgents.

http://www.khaama.com/al-qaeda-militants-among-31-killed-in-zabul-airstrikes-02743

At least 31 militants including members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist network were killed in a series of airstrikes in southern Zabul province of Afghanistan.

Local officials said Tuesday that the airstrikes were carried out in Khak-e-Afghan district targeting the hideouts of the militants.

Provincial governor’s spokesman Gul Islam said the airstrikes were carried out by the US forces based in Afghanistan.

He said at least 19 militants were also wounded in the airstrikes.

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

Zabul is among the relatively volatile provinces in south of Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents and militants belonging to foreign terrorist networks are active in some of its districts.

The local officials said Monday at least 21 loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group were killed in Afghan Air Force airstrike.

This comes as Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said late in December last year that special military operations will kick off soon in southeastern Ghazni and southern Zabul amid concerns that the fighters of the Taliban and ISIS fighters are attempting to expand foothold in some districts of the two provinces.

 

[Hindustani78]

At least 10 militants belonging to the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group and Lashkar-e-Islam were killed in separate operations in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

The provincial police commandment in a statement said at least 2 ISIS loyalists and 5 Lashkar-e-Islam militants were killed in a US drone strike in Achin district on Friday.

The statement further added that a commander of the group identified as Qazi Shahid was also among those killed.

At least 3 ISIS militants were killed during a clash with the security forces in Haska Mina district, the statement said, adding that the clash broke out after the ISIS militants ambushed the Afghan forces in Ghalani area.

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

Both the Afghan and US forces conducted regular strikes against the loyalists of the terror group in this province.

The increased raids, usually involving drone strikes, by the US forces followed a broader role granted by the Obama administration earlier last year.

The broader role was granted amid concerns that the loyalists of the terror group are attempting to expand foothold in the country and turn the eastern Nangarhar province into a regional operational hub for its fighters.

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MoI further added that the militants were ambushed in Band-e-Tanoor village of Arghandab district on Friday.

Mawlvi Sediq was a prominent Taliban leader who was playing a key role in planning and coordinating attacks in this province, MoI said, adding that the Afghan forces seized several weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the militants.

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

Zabul is among the relatively volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents and militants belonging to other terrorist networks including Al-Qaeda and ISIS terrorist networks are operating in some of its districts.
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The Taliban militants launched a coordinated attack on security posts in Tarinkot city, the provincial capital of southern Uruzgan province, local officials said Saturday.

The attack was launched late on Friday night in Sarchakhlo area, leaving at least four policemen wounded.

A local security official confirmed the incident and said the clashes continued for several hours before the militants were forced to retreat.

The official further added that 7 Taliban militants were killed and at least 10 others were wounded during the clashes.

He said the provincial acting police chief was also among those wounded during the clash but added that the health condition of the wounded policemen are stable as they suffered minor injuries.

The Taliban militants group has not commented regarding the clashes so far.

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

The Afghan security forces launched an operation in this province earlier in the month of December last year amid ongoing efforts by the militants to stage attacks in some key parts of the province.

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The Taliban militants suffered casualties during a coordinated attack on an army base in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

According to the local government officials, the attack was launched on the base in Nad-e-Ali district but the Afghan forces managed to repulse the attack.

The officials further added that seven Taliban insurgents were killed and at least six more were wounded during the clashes.

No further details were given regarding the possible casualties of the Afghan security forces.

The Taliban militants group has not commented regarding the incident so far.

Helmand is among the volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in a number of its districts.

The local officials earlier said at least 14 Taliban insurgents were killed during an airstrike conducted by the Afghan Air Force.

The provincial government office in a statement said the militants were targeted in an area located between Hazargan and Noor Mohammad Khan villages in Nad-e-Ali.

The statement further added that 4 militants were also wounded during the airstrike.

A rocket launcher, 1 PKM machine gun, 2 AK-47 rifles, and 6 Improvised Explosive Device were also destroyed in the airstrike, the statement said.

 

[Hindustani78]

At least 49 militants were killed during the counter-terrorism operations in at least 7 provinces, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) claimed Sunday.

“The operations were conducted in Helmand, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Farah, Jowzjan, Herat and Faryab provinces, as a result 49 armed militants were killed, six wounded and five others were arrested by Afghan National Defense and Security Forces,” according to a statement by MoI.

The statement further added “Also, during these operations, joint forces discovered and confiscated light and heavy rounds of ammunition, three rocket launchers, two PK machine guns and six AK-47 rifles.”

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

The Afghan security forces are busy conducting their annual counter-terrorism operations against the militant groups.

The annual operations by the Afghan forces were launched in response to Taliban’s spring offensive which was launched by the group in mid-April last year.

The Afghan officials are saying that the annual operations by the Afghan forces are aimed at eliminating the key members of the group in a bid to suppress their insurgency activities.

According to the local security officials, the incident took place late on Saturday night in Imam Sahib district.

A spokesman for the 20th Pamir Division, Gen. Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, said one militant was killed as he was planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Qerghiz area.

He said two other militants who were assisting the militant sustained injuries in the explosion.

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

The Taliban insurgents and militant belonging to other militant groups frequently use IEDs as the weapon of their choice to target the Afghan security forces and government officials.

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

The local officials earlier expressed concerns regarding the attempts made by ISIS loyalist to expand foothold in this province.

Taliban’s shadow governor for Kunduz was also wounded in a suicide attack carried out by ISIS loyalists in Dasht-e-Archi district few days earlier.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/afghan-army-to-send-600-soldiers-to-helmand-province-02767
The Afghan army will deploy around 600 soldiers to southern Helmand province of Afghanistan in an apparent move to suppress the growing insurgency by the militants in this province.

The soldiers are from the 215th Corps, 2/3 Kandak, fresh graduates from an Afghan Army Regional Military Training Center with specialized combat training, the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission said in a statement.

Under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Ahmad Zae and Col. Shawali, the newly-trained soldiers will cover Lashkar Gah and other strategic areas throughout Helmand.

“When the Kandak arrives in Lashkar Gah, they will not only more than double the ANA’s combat capacity there, but the combined units will represent their nation’s best trained, led, and equipped combat-ready fighting force,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sims, commander of Task Force Forge, the unit advising the Afghan soldiers.

According to advisors from Task Force Forge, the Afghan soldiers graduated the training as a formidable force. They built up from individual readiness to squad and then platoon events, demonstrating and proving their battlefield capabilities.

“We swear on the Koran that we will protect civilians and land from the enemy, and be a force for good. We would like to thank the corps commander, instructors, and RMTC advisors for the training,” said Lt. Col. Sabaudin, 2/3 Kandak commander.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/senior-isis-leader-shahid-omar-killed-in-nangarhar-airstrike-02784

A senior leader of the loyalists of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group was killed in an airstrike in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

According to local government officials, the ISIS leader, identified as Shahid Omar, was killed in a drone strike conducted by the foreign forces in Afghanistan.

Provincial governor’s spokesman, Ataullah Khogyani, said Omar was in command of a group of at least 40 ISIS loyalists in this province.

Khogyani further added that the airstrike was carried out on Wednesday morning in the restive Achin district.

Citing preliminary reports, he said Omar was likely hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

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

Nangarhar is among the relatively calm provinces in eastern Afghanistan but the anti-government armed militants have recently increased their insurgency activities in some remote districts of the province.

The loyalists of the ISIS terrorist group has also increased their presence in some remote districts, including Achin during the recent years although counter-terrorism operations continue by the Afghan and US forces to restrict their activities.

 

[Hindustani78]

At least 32 militants including three commanders of the Taliban group were killed in a 3-day fighting in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, local officials claim.

Local officials are saying that the Taliban group launched a coordinated attack on Sangin district which was repulsed by the Afghan security forces.

The officials further added at least 40 militants were also wounded during the clashes with the Afghan security forces.

The provincial government media office in a statement said the Afghan forces were receiving close air support in their fight against the Taliban insurgents.

The statement further added that the attack has been fully repulsed and the Afghan forces continue to their clearance operation.

The Taliban leaders killed during the clashes have been identified as Mullah Bashir, Mullah Jahhid, and Mullah Sher Agha.

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

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

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/5-taliban-hideouts-destroyed-in-helmand-air-and-ground-operations-02796

Five hideouts of the Taliban group were destroyed during the joint military operations in the restive southern Helmand province.

The provincial government media office said the hideouts of the group were destroyed in Sangin district.

At least 18 militants were also killed and 3 others were wounded during the operations, the local officials said.

According to the officials, the operations were jointly conducted by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces with the support of the Afghan Air Force.

The officials further added that the son of the Taliban leader commander Furqani was also among those killed.

No further details have been disclosed by the officials regarding the casualties of the Afghan forces so far.

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

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

The group launched a coordinated attack on Sangin district earlier this week, forcing the Afghan government to deploy additional forces and a delegation to review the situation.

Taliban launched several rockets on the provincial capital of Lashkargah on Wednesday morning as Chief Executive Abdullah was visiting the city to meet the officials.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-and-taliban-suffer-casualties-in-new-helmand-clashes-02800
The Afghan security forces and the Taliban insurgents suffered casualties in the latest clashes in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

The provincial government media issued a statement late on Friday afternoon, saying the Taliban militants launched a major coordinated attack on several security posts in Garamser district.

The statement further added that the attack was launched from various locations but the Afghan forces managed to repulse the offensive.

At least 16 Taliban insurgents were killed and 9 others were wounded during the clashes, the statement said, citing the preliminary information received after the attack.

The statement said that the Afghan security forces also suffered casualties during clashes, adding that further information regarding the Afghan forces casualties will be disclosed later.

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

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


The group launched a coordinated attack on Sangin district earlier last week, forcing the Afghan government to deploy additional forces and a delegation to review the situation.

Taliban launched several rockets on the provincial capital of Lashkargah on Wednesday morning as Chief Executive Abdullah was visiting the city to meet the officials.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

This is why RAW / India are bad time afghanistan act against raw agents

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/taliban-commander-hekmatullah-among-54-killed-in-helmand-mod-02811

At least 54 militants including a local commander of the Taliban group was killed during the clearance operations in southern Helmand province.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the militants were killed during the joint clearance and counter-terrorism operations in the past 24 hours.

According to a statement by MoD, all the militants, including the local commander of the group, Hekmatullah, were killed in Garamser district.

The statement further added that the operations were conducted with the support of the artillery units of the Afghan army and the Afghan Air Force.

In a separate operation in southern Kandahar province, the Afghan forces arrested a drugs smuggler and confiscated 150kg of opium, 2 sacks of Hashish, and 2 motorcycles, MoD said, adding that the drugs were set on fire by the security forces.

No further details were given regarding the possible casualties of the Afghan security forces during the operations.

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

Helmand is among the relatively volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan which witnessed growing violence as a result of the Taliban-led insurgency in the past one week.

 

[Hindustani78]

According to the local security officials, the militants were killed or injured in Chaparhar and Haska Mina districts on Sunday.

The provincial police commandment in a statement said a Taliban insurgent was killed in an airstrike conducted in Behmaro area of Chaparhar district.

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

Both the Afghan and US forces conduct regular operations against the militant groups in this province.

In the meantime, the statement, said a loyalist of ISIS terrorist group was wounded during a clash with the security forces in Haska Mina district.

The statement said the Afghan security forces and the local residents of the two districts did not suffer any casualties during the clash and airstrike.

The anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban insurgents and ISIS loyalists have not commented regarding the report so far.

Nangarhar is among the relatively calm provinces in eastern Afghanistan but the anti-government armed militant groups have started activities in some of its remote districts during the recent years.

A commander of the Taliban group was killed along with nine of his fighters in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the militants were killed during the joint operations of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).

According to a statement by MoD, the operations were conducted in the restive Sangin district of Helmand.

The statement further added that three militants were also wounded during the operations.

The Ministry of Defense said the operations were conducted with the close coordination of the artillery units of the Afghan army and the Afghan Air Force.

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

Helmand is among the volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in a number of its districts.

The group launched a coordinated attack on Sangin district last week with an aim to capture the key security posts but the offensive of the group was repulsed with the deployment of the additional forces to this district.

Some other districts of Helmand including Garamser also witnessed growing violence last week where numerous insurgents were killed and some Afghan security personnel lost their lives.

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http://www.khaama.com/child-among-3-killed-in-taliban-rocket-attack-in-laghman-province-02822

According to the local government officials, the incident took place earlier today in Maidani area located in the outskirts of the provincial capital.

Provincial governor’s spokesman Sarhadi Zwak confirmed the incident and said two women and a child were killed in the attack.

He said a mortar round fired by the militants hit the house of the civilians and at least four others were also wounded.

The anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban insurgents have not commented regarding incident so far.

The incident took place hours before the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released its annual civilian casualties report for the year 2016.

The UN mission said it documented 11,418 civilian casualties between 1st January 2016 to 31st December, 2016.

According to the report, 61 percent of all civilian casualties were incurred through attacks by the anti-government elements which includes a total of 6,994 civilian casualties (2,131 deaths and 4,863 injured).

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/explosion-rocks-kabul-city-02831
A relatively heavy explosion rocked Kabul earlier this afternoon targeting the Afghan Supreme Court compound.

The incident took place between the entrance and the parking of the court compound amid fears at least 12 people were killed.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health Waheedullah Mayar confirmed that around 20 people were killed and around 38 others were wounded in the explosion.

Eyewitnesses in the area earlier the blast took close to the Supreme Court compound and was triggered by a suicide attack.

A security official speaking on the condition of anonymity earlier said at least 12 people have been killed and several others were wounded.

No group has claimed responsibility behind the incident yet.
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http://www.khaama.com/top-government-official-killed-in-an-explosion-in-west-of-afghanistan-02826
A top government official was killed in an explosion in western Farah province of Afghanistan, local officials said Tuesday.

The incident took place late on Monday night targeting the district administrative chief of Khak-e-Safid Abdul Raziq Noorzai.

The provincial police chief Aamir Gul confirmed the incident and the killing of the district chief but did not provide further details regarding the incident and the type of explosion.

The government officials are blaming for Taliban for such attacks and specifically using Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to target the government officials and security forces.

However, they are saying that in majority of such attacks the ordinary civilians are targeted.

The incident took place hours before the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released its annual civilian casualties report for the year 2016.

The UN mission said it documented 11,418 civilian casualties between 1st January 2016 to 31st December, 2016.

According to the report, 61 percent of all civilian casualties were incurred through attacks by the anti-government elements which includes a total of 6,994 civilian casualties (2,131 deaths and 4,863 injured).

No group has so far claimed responsibility behind the explosion in Farah which is among the relatively calm provinces but the militants are active in some of its districts.

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At least six Taliban insurgents were killed in an airstrike carried out in southern Helmand province by the US forces based in Afghanistan.

The provincial government media office in a statement said the airstrike was carried out on Monday, targeting the militants in Garamser district.

The statement further added that the local Taliban leader killed in the airstrike has been identified as Mawlavi Najeeb who was also famous as Madad.

According to the local officials, the militants were targeted in Kharko area and a heavy machine gun of the militants was also destroyed in the airstrike.

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

Helmand is among the volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in a number of its districts.

The group launched a coordinated attack on Sangin district last week with an aim to capture the key security posts but the offensive of the group was repulsed with the deployment of the additional forces to this district.

Some other districts of Helmand including Garamser also witnessed growing violence last week where numerous insurgents were killed and some Afghan security personnel lost their lives.

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The loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group suffered casualties in a series of airstrikes carried out by the US forces in eastern Nangarhar province.

The provincial police commandment said the airstrikes were carried out on Monday, targeting the militants in Haska Mina district.

The militants were targeted with the unmanned aerial vehicle in Charzoi and Nari Obo areas.

According to the police commandment, at least two militants were killed and three others were wounded in the airstrikes.

Several weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also destroyed in the airstrikes, the police commandment added.

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

Both the Afghan and US forces conducted regular strikes against the loyalists of the terror group in this province.

The increased raids, usually involving drone strikes, by the US forces followed a broader role granted by the Obama administration earlier last year.

The broader role was granted amid concerns that the loyalists of the terror group are attempting to expand foothold in the country and turn the eastern Nangarhar province into a regional operational hub for its fighters.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/taliban-leader-killed-with-his-fighters-in-kabul-operation-02838
A local leader of the Taliban group was killed along with his fighters during an operation in Kabul province.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the local Taliban leader Rahim Gul was killed with his two fighters in Surobi district.

The militants were killed during a joint military operation which was conducted in the past 24 hours, MoD added.

According to the Ministry of Defense, at least eight militants were killed during a separate operation in Garamser district of Helmand.

A heavy machine and vehicle used by the militants were also destroyed during the operation, MoD said, adding that the operations were conducted with the support of the artillery unit of the Afghan army and the Afghan Air Force.

Helmand is among the volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in its various districts.

The group launched numerous attacks in this province last week in some of its key districts, including Garamser and Sangin.

Dozens of Taliban insurgents were killed or wounded and several Afghan security personnel lost their lives during the clashes.

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http://www.khaama.com/6-icrc-employees-shot-dead-in-northern-afghanistan-by-isis-loyalists-02840
At least six employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were shot dead in northern Afghanistan.

According to the preliminary reports, the ICRC employees were shot dead by the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group.

A local government official in Jawzjan confirmed that the ICRC workers were executed in Qoshtapa district.

The official speaking on the condition of anonymity further added that two other ICRC workers were abducted and there are no reports regarding their fate.

“Six staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been shot and killed in Afghanistan. Two staff members are unaccounted for,” a statement by ICRC said.

The statement further added that the team, composed of three drivers and five field officers, was on its way to deliver much-needed livestock materials in an area south of the town of Shibergan in Jawzan province and their convoy was attacked by unknown armed men.

“This is a despicable act. Nothing can justify the murder of our colleagues and dear friends,” said the head of the ICRC delegation in Afghanistan, Monica Zanarelli. “At this point, it’s premature for us to determine the impact of this appalling incident on our operations in Afghanistan. We want to collect ourselves as a team and support each other in processing this incomprehensible act and finding our two unaccounted for colleagues,” said Mrs Zanarelli,

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms what appears to be a deliberate attack on our staff. This is a huge tragedy. We’re in shock,” said the president of the ICRC, Peter Maurer.

“These staff members were simply doing their duty, selflessly trying to help and support the local community. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of our colleagues killed and those unaccounted for,” said Mr Maurer.

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

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http://www.khaama.com/isis-claims-kabul-supreme-court-attack-that-left-21-dead-41-wounded-02841

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in Kabul targeting the Supreme Court of Afghanistan.

The loyalists of the terror group operating under the name of Khurasan province, issued a statement earlier this evening, claiming the attack was carried out by the group.

The statement was released in Arabic language along with a picture purportedly showing the suicide bomber who detonated his explosives near the court entrance gate.

According to the Afghan public health officials, at least 21 people were killed and 41 others were wounded in the attack.

The attack was widely condemned in Afghanistan as well as abroad.

“This attack appears to have deliberately targeted civilian judicial staff as they were leaving the office for the day,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA. “This attack is nothing short of an atrocity. Those responsible for planning and carrying out this horrendous act must be brought to justice.”

UNAMA said it notes with concern a pattern of attacks against judicial authorities in recent years.

According to the UN mission, since the beginning of 2015 alone, it documented 74 attacks targeting judges, prosecutors and judicial staff, which have resulted in 89 dead and 214 injured.

“It reminds all parties that judges and staff of civilian courts – including the Supreme Court – are civilians. Attacks intentionally targeting civilians are tantamount to war crimes,” UNAMA added.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/6500-rounds-of-ak-47-ammunition-seized-in-nangarhar-02842
The Afghan security forces have seized at least 6,500 rounds of Ak-47 rifle ammunition in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

According to the local security officials, the ammunition packs were professionally placed inside a vehicle and was confiscated from Torkham-Jalalabad highway.

The provincial police commandment in a statement said the ammunition was seized in the vicinity of Bati Kot district.

The statement further added that the driver of the vehicle managed to escape the area and an investigation is underway in this regard.

It is yet not clear to which group the ammunition was being delivered but the anti-government armed militant groups are actively operating in some remote districts of Nangarhar.

Militants belonging to Taliban group and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group are attempting to expand their foothold in this province.

Reports emerged earlier last year suggesting that the loyalists of ISIS group are attempting to turn Nangarhar into their regional operational base by consolidating operations with the terror group in Syria and Iraq.

However, the Afghan forces and US forces based in Afghanistan are continuously targeting the militants in this province to suppress their insurgency activities.

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Two senior ISIS leaders were killed along with nine other militants during separate airstrikes in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

According to the provincial police commandment, the two ISIS leaders, Omar Sadiq and Omar Farooq, and the nine militants were killed in US drone strikes in Achin and Kot districts.

The nine militants were killed after they were targeted in a drone strike in Nari Oba area of Haska Mina district and the two ISIS leaders were killed in Pekhar Khor area of Achin.

The police commandment said at least one ISIS militant was also injured during the airstrikes which were carried out in the past 24 hours.

At least two foreign Taliban insurgents were also killed during a separate clash with the Afghan Local Police forces in Lalpur district, the police commandment said.

The local residents and security forces did not suffer any casualties in the airstrikes and clashes.

The anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban insurgents and ISIS loyalists have not commented regarding the reports so far.

Both the Afghan and US forces conducted regular strikes against the loyalists of the terror group in this province.

The increased raids, usually involving drone strikes, by the US forces followed a broader role granted by the Obama administration earlier last year.

The broader role was granted amid concerns that the loyalists of the terror group are attempting to expand foothold in the country and turn the eastern Nangarhar province into a regional operational hub for its fighters.

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http://www.khaama.com/11-taliban-insurgents-killed-in-uruzgan-air-and-ground-operations-02848

According to the local security officials, the militants were killed in the vicinity of Tarinkot district during the operations on Wednesday.

Provincial security chief Noorzai said at least eleven Taliban insurgents were killed and more than ten others were wounded during the operations.

Noorzai further added that a vehicle in custody of the militants was also destroyed and several Improvised Explosive Device (IED) were confiscated.

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

The local security officials did not disclose any information regarding the possible casualties of the Afghan security forces during the operations.

Uruzgan is among the relatively volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in some of its districts and often conduct insurgency activities.

The Afghan security forces launched an operation in this province earlier last month amid ongoing efforts by the militants to stage attacks in some key parts of the province.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/explosion-in-defense-ministry-in-kabul-no-casualties-reported-02853
An explosion took place inside the Ministry of Defense compound earlier today but no casualties were reported.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed the incident and said a magnetic bomb planted in a Ford Ranger vehicle went off in the vicinity of the ministry compound

MoD further added that the incident did not result into any death or injury to the ministry personnel or security forces.

No group has so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.

This comes as the anti-government armed militants have stepped up the magnetic bombing in key cities of the country, mainly planting the bombs in government officials vehicles.

Numerous other incidents involving magnetic bombing in civilian vehicles have also been reported in Kabul city during the recent months.

The militants also occasionally carry out major attacks and bombings in the city.

In the latest deadly attack in capital Kabul, at least 21 people were killed and more than 40 others were wounded after a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the entrance of Supreme Court compound last week.

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http://www.khaama.com/nato-confirm-...-review-civilian-casualties-allegations-02854

The NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) confirmed the US airstrike against the militants in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

“While supporting and defending Afghan troops, the U.S. conducted airstrikes in Sangin District, Helmand over the last 24 hours,” the alliance said in a statement.

Brig. Gen. Charles Cleveland quoted in the statement, said “We’re aware of the allegations of civilian casualties, and take every allegation very seriously.”

He said “We’ll work with our Afghan partners to review all related material.”

According to Gen. Charles, the US forces did not use the B-52 bombers to carry out the airstrike, rejecting the claims made by the Taliban group.

“Despite Taliban claims, there were no B-52s involved in these airstrikes,” he added.

Helmand is among the volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in a number of its districts.

The group launched a coordinated attack on Sangin district nearly ten days ago with an aim to capture the key security posts but the offensive of the group was repulsed with the deployment of the additional forces to this district.

Some other districts of Helmand including Garamser also witnessed growing violence last week where numerous insurgents were killed and some Afghan security personnel lost their lives.

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http://www.khaama.com/talibans-ied-expert-arrested-in-farah-province-02855
A key Taliban militant expert of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making was arrested in western Farah province of Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said the Taliban IED expert was arrested from Bala Bolok district highway as he was planting a roadside bomb.

MoI further added the militant is originally resident of Bala Bolok district and was involved mainly in roadside bombings.

No further details were given regarding the identity of the arrested militant but MoI said the militant was arrested by the intelligence operatives of Farah police commandment.

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

Taliban militants and insurgents belonging to other militant groups frequently use Improvised Explosive Device (IED) as the weapon of their choice to target the security forces and government officials but in majority of such attacks the ordinary civilians are targeted.

The UN mission said last week that it documented 11,418 civilian casualties between 1st January 2016 to 31st December, 2016.

According to the report, 61 percent of all civilian casualties were incurred through attacks by the anti-government elements which includes a total of 6,994 civilian casualties (2,131 deaths and 4,863 injured).

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The Taliban militants suffered heavy casualties during a series of airstrikes in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan on Friday.

The provincial government officials said nearly 60 Taliban insurgents were killed as they were planning to launch a major attack on Sanging district.

The officials, including provincial governor, deputy provincial intelligence chief, and the commander of 215th Corps of the Afghan army briefed the reporters regarding the latest development during a press conference in Helmand today.

According to the officials, the militants had summoned hundreds of fighters from the other provinces and districts after one their largest attack on Sangin was repulsed nearly two weeks ago.

The officials further added that the Taliban insurgents were under the surveillance of the security forces and nearly 60 of them were killed after airstrikes were called in to thwart their offensive on Sangin.

The Taliban commanders killed during the operations have been identified as Omran, Haji Zalmai, Shakir, Hussain, Mutasim, Mullah Farooq, Javid, Sharif and some others whose identities have not been ascertained so far but their dead bodies are left in the area, the officials added.

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

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http://www.khaama.com/explosion-rocks-lashkargah-city-in-helmand-02857
A relatively heavy explosion was heard in Lashkargah city in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Provincial governor’s spokesman Omar Zwak confirmed the incident took place around 2 pm local time near Kabul Bank Branch.

He said at least 7 people were killed and nearly 20 others were wounded in the attack.

Zwak further added that the security forces personnel and civilians are among those killed or wounded.

Provincial public health officials earlier said at least 11 people were killed and more than 20 others were wounded in the attack.

The Emergency Hospital in Helmand said at least 12 people wounded in the attack were shifted to this hospital, including a child and a woman.

A security official earlier said the incident took place after car bomb was detonated near the bank as the Afghan security forces were receiving their salary and at least 15 people were wounded, citing the preliminary reports by the provincial public health officials.

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