Afghan forces discover cache of weapons in Ghazni

Afghan National Army forces have discovered a cache of weapons and other military equipment in central Ghazni province, a local security official said Saturday.

The provincial police chief Ghulam Daoud Tarakhail said that the cache has been discovered at house of an individual identified as Tafan in an area near Ghazni City.

Tarakhail said that most of the discovered weapons and military equipment have come from Iran.

“The weapons are totally new and have been imported from Iran,” Tarakhail said.

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IECC invalidates all votes in Kabul

The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Thursday announced that the results of voting at all polling centers in Kabul parliamentary elections have been invalidated.

The announcement was made by the IECC Spokesman Ali Reza Rouhani.

According to the complaints commission, evidence of widespread fraud is the main reason behind the decision.

Rouhani said that Kabul parliamentary elections should be conducted once again.

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At least 40 Pakistani Taliban killed in Ghazni operations

The Afghan Military in the Southeast claims at least 40 Pakistani Taliban militants have been killed during the operations of the Afghan forces and coalition airstrikes in Ghazni province.

The 203rd Thunder Corps in a statement said the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and coalition forces conducted operations and airstrikes in Nawa, Khogyani, and Gilan districts.

The statement further added that at least 72 militants have been killed during the operations, including around 40 Pakistani Taliban militants.

According to 203rd Thunder Corps, at least 2 militants were also wounded and at least 17 others were arrested during the same operations.

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Survey shows over 80 percent of Afghans have ‘No sympathy’ for Taliban

Afghans continue to lose sympathy for the armed opposition groups, 82 percent indicating that they have “no sympathy” for the Taliban, according to a new survey released by The Asia Foundation on Tuesday.

The foundation’s survey – which is based on face-to-face interviews with 15,012 people from all major and most minor ethnic groups in 34 provinces – shows that 79 percent of Afghans in northwest identify the Taliban as the biggest threat to local security while in east 57 percent see Daesh/ISIS as the biggest threat to local security.

The survey which was conducted in July 2018, indicates the optimism about country’s direction has remained unchanged (33%) despite the nation’s challenges to maintain security against the Taliban insurgency and the growing presence of ISIS/Daesh while 61 percent more said the country is moving towards the wrong direction.

According to the survey, insecurity is the most frequently cited reason for pessimism, followed by unemployment, bad economy and high prices.

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Manan’s death will have ‘direct’ impact on security of many provinces: MoI

The Interior Affairs Ministry says the death of Mulla Abdul Manan who was the Taliban’s shadow governor for southern Helmand province and a key member of the armed group will have a direct impact on the security of many provinces.

Mulla Rahim was also known as Mulla Manan was killed on Saturday night in a U.S. airstrike in Nawzad district of Helmand province. The Taliban confirmed the death of Manan – who had also been the militant group’s military in-charge – and termed it as a great loss.

Manan was leading the war for the Taliban in Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces.

“The death of Manan will have a direct impact on the security of these provinces,” the Interior Ministry Spokesman Najib Danish said. “We are hoping to strike more targets with such kind of plans and operations.”

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Preliminary election results for Kabul delayed again

The preliminary results of the long-awaited parliamentary elections for Kabul have been delayed for the second time, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday.

It has been about two months since parliamentary elections were held in the country, however, the IEC is yet to announce the preliminary results of the vote for Kabul.

The elections which were held on October 20, marred by fraud and technical problems. The issue forced the IEC to recount the ballots for some provinces.

The IEC said the primary results for Kabul will be delayed as it still seeks to separate “black” votes from “white” ones.

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Earthquake injures 9, damages 60 houses in Baghlan

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake hit Baghlan province in the north of Afghanistan on Wednesday night, injuring nine people and damaging 60 residential houses.

Mohammad Naseer Kohzad, Natural Disaster Management Director in Baghlan province, told Ariana News that the epicenter of the jolt was Hindu Kush mountains range, 14 kilometers far away from Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province.

He added that most of the affected houses are located in the vicinity of Pul-e-Khumri city.

According to the official, relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations have launched efforts to survey the affected areas in order to provide aid for the victims of the quake.

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10 killed, 29 wounded in Kabul suicide attack

A heavy explosion rocked Kabul city this evening as reports indicate that the blast has taken place in Kabul Customs House road.

At least ten people were killed and at least 29 others were wounded in a suicide attack in capital Kabul late on Wednesday night.

The Ministry of Interior spokesman Najib Danish confirmed that a private military firm was attacked in East of Kabul city, leaving at least 10 dead and 29 more wounded.

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Taliban kidnap 25 passengers in Sar-e Pul

At least 25 passengers have been kidnapped by a Taliban commander in Balkhab district of Sar-e Pul province, officials said on Tuesday.

Assadullah Khurram, a Provincial Council Member in Sar-e Pul said the passengers were kidnapped by a Taliban commander, identified as Mahdi Mujahid, while they were traveling from Balkh province to Balkhab district in Sar-e- Pul.

According to Khurram, Taliban militants have taken these passengers into custody in Kandalik area of Sancharak district.

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Explosion foiled in Kabul city

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have foiled militant’s bid to carry out an explosion in Kabul city, the Kabul Security Commandment said.

According to a statement released by the Security Commandment of Kabul, the Afghan forces discovered and defused an improvised explosive device planted in the 9th police district of the city.

The statement further added that the improvised explosive device was planted close to a police check post in Abdul Haq square.

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