By: Suraya Raiszada
A spokesperson to Afghan National Defense and Security Forces has declared that Afghan defense and security forces are preparing to launch big clearing and aggressive operations against the Taliban. This comes amid increasing mobilities and uprising of ordinary people in support of the country’s defense and security forces.
A number of Afghans in their interviews with The Kabul Times correspondent say they are not only encouraging their Afghan forces but cooperating to launch offensive operations against the Taliban to recapture the fallen districts.
Meanwhile, Afghan political experts say in current circumstance in which peace talks are underway between the two sides to the ongoing conflict, it is hoped that ongoing fighting will reduce and help maintain peace and security in the country.
They believe that war is not a way for solution of disputes in the country. They say that people are in very bad situation as they have been displaced from their home areas.
Afghanistan Ministry of Defense has informed of overall preparation for launching offensive and clearing operations against the Taliban.
“All necessary preparations are underway for recapturing of the fallen districts,” said Gen. Ajmal Omar Shinwari, a spokesperson to Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).
He said that Taliban fighters were active in some parts of the country, saying that ANDSF were preparing to launch big offensive and clearing operations across the country. He added that ANDSF with increasing capabilities and modern equipment could respond and address the current situation.
According to Gen. Shinwari, the situation is tense, but the country’s defense and security forces with all motivation, morale, training and equipment they have are able to control the situation as they have been able to recapture 14 districts from Taliban fighters.
Pointing to US and NATO troop withdrawal process from Afghanistan, Gen. Shinwari said military gap had been predicted upon the completion of the process and there had been program to fill the gap, adding that there have been some problems appeared in tactical level, but they have now been addressed.
The ANDSF spokesperson further said that with US withdrawal from Bagram airbase, handing over US military bases to ANDSF have been completed and there was no US military base in the country anymore.
Based on data of the country’s defense and security organs, nearly 2,367 Taliban fighters have been killed and wounded as a result of the ANDSF operations in seven provinces of the country.
Meanwhile, ministry of defense has declared that Afghan defense and security forces have been able to clear provincial police department, NDS headquarter and governor office from presence of Taliban fighters who have stormed Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital of Badghis. It is worth mentioning that the provincial capital of Badghis is under full control of ANDSF.
