Afghan forces retake control of Qala-e-Zal district in Kunduz

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have retaken the Qala-e-Zal district of Kunduz province, ten days after the Taliban insurgents seized its control.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) confirmed that the control of the district was retaken during the operations launched around 6 am local time today.

The provincial police spokesman Mr. Rahmani earlier said the offensive is underway as the Afghan forces have made major gains as the offensive is underway.

He said the operations were launched from the Aqtapa village and Afghan forces are moving forward to fully clear the district.

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U.S. troops may not be needed in Afghanistan by 2020, ambassador says

Afghanistan’s military should be able to carry on the fight against Taliban insurgents mostly without the help of U.S. and other foreign troops by 2020, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United States said Tuesday.

“By 2020 our security forces will be able to have what they need to carry on the fight on their own for the most part,” Hamdullah Mohib told the USA TODAY editorial board.

“We’re not talking about creating a new military,” Mohib said. “What we’re talking about is adjusting what we already have.”

He said the forecast assumes there won’t be any major changes in the security threat in Afghanistan. The Islamic State has made some inroads in the country, though is not considered a major threat.

Mohib said Afghan’s fledgling air force also is growing more self reliant.

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Major operations ‘Khalid’ to be launched soon to retake lost areas

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) will launch a major counter-terrorism operation under the name of Khalid to retake the lost areas.

The Minister of Interior Taj Mohammad Jahid informed regarding the plan as was he was briefing the lawmakers in the Lower House of the Parliament, Wolesi Jirga.

Jahid was among the three top security officials summoned regarding the recent security incidents and deteriorating security situation.

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6,785 Afghan troops martyred till mid-November and 11,777 wounded

At least 6,785 personnel of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) lost their lives until mid-November last year, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko said in his latest report.

Citing the Afghan government figures provided to US Forces for Afghanistan (USFOR-A), Sopko said at least 11,777 ANDSF personnel were also wounded during the same period.

“From January 1, 2016, through November 12, 2016, according to figures provided by the Afghan government to USFOR-A, 6,785 ANDSF service members were killed and an additional 11,777 members were wounded,” the report said.

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ISIS claims responsibility behind Kabul mosque bombing that left 32 deadISIS claims responsibility behind Kabul mosque bombing that left 32 dead

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group claimed responsibility behind the deadly suicide attack on a mosque in Kabul city.

The group issued a statement in Arabic via its media wing ‘Amaq’ news agency and claimed that the attack was carried out by its suicide bomber on a Shi’ite mosque in the city.

The Taliban militants group earlier rejected that the group is involved in the attack.

At least 32 people were killed and 85 others were wounded after the suicide bomber detonated his explosives among the worshipers in Baqir-ul-Olum mosque in west of Kabul city this afternoon.

The officials in public health ministry confirmed that 85 people wounded in the attack were taken to hospitals for treatment.

This is the second deadly attack the ISIS terrorist group is claiming responsibility for within the past one and half month.

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Afghan forces prepare to retake lost district in Baghlan province

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) are preparing to retake control of the lost Dahana-e-Ghori district in northern Baghlan province.

Local security officials are saying the operations will be launchd in Dahana-e-Ghori and Baghlan-e-Markazi districts in the near future.

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Bomb goes off in crowded city market in Mazar-i-Sharif

A bomb in a crowded in market in the north Afghanistan city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Tuesday killed at least two people and wounded 15, police officials said.

Mazar-i-Sharif, an important commercial centre near the border with Uzbekistan, has generally been spared the violence unleashed by insurgent groups battling the NATO-backed government in Kabul.

The attack on Tuesday was carried out by a suicide bomber, said police commander Baba Jan.

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