ANA Digs In As Taliban Launches the Spring Offensive

MOD press releases:

8 April

Commandos, Special Forces from Police & National Directorate of Security, and Afghan Air Force have started the second phase (offensive phase) of operations in Badghis.

As results, 99 Taliban terrorists were killed and 35 were wounded, tactical vehicles, a large amount weapons and ammunition were seized or were destroyed in the area. Unfortunately, It is with great sadness we announce that during these operations 8 Afghan National Army and 4 Police who fought with bravery and courage accepted martyrdom

6 April 12 Taliban Terrorists Were Killed in Different Parts of the Country

Helmand: Nahar Saraj district, 4 terrorists were killed, a Taliban hideout was destroyed in an airstrike carried by Resolute Support in Support of Afghan National Army.

3 April 76 Taliban terrorists were killed, 24 were wounded and 10 terrorists including 5 suspects were detained.

2 April In order to remove security threats and ensure security to the people of Afghanistan, in the past 24 hours, Afghan National Army launched 6 joint clearance operations and conducted 84 Special Forces operations in different parts of the country. Afghan Air Forces conducted 161 flights and carried out 14 airstrikes on enemies’ positions in support of these operations.

As a result, 74 Taliban terrorists were killed, 14 were wounded.

1 April Afghan Air Forces conducted 151 flights and carried out 7 airstrikes on enemies’ positions in support of these operations.  As a result, 36 Taliban terrorists were killed, 15 were wounded and 2 suspects were detained.

The last report from Afghan MOD was 8 April. Then the Taliban launched their spring offensive 12 April. RFE reporting

Taliban Fighters Attack Kunduz Outskirts, Violence in Kabul, Day After Spring Offensive Announced RFE/RL

Taliban fighters attacked the outskirts of a northern Afghan city and bomb blasts were reported in the capital, Kabul, a day after the Taliban launched their annual spring offensive.

The violence on April 13 comes as the United States continues to push for a peace settlement with the Taliban, with a new round of talks scheduled later this month in Qatar.

In the city of Kunduz, Naeem Mangal, head of the regional hospital, told the AFP news agency that at least eight people were killed and 62 wounded in fighting on the city’s limits.

In Kabul, meanwhile, a central police station came under attack when two hand grenades were thrown at a military vehicle — the first major incident of its kind in weeks.

Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said at least one person was killed and six others wounded. No one immediately claimed responsibility.

In the western province of Ghor, at least seven members of Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban ambush, the provincial governor’s spokesman, Abdul Hai Khatibi, said.

And a truck bomb attack was reported in eastern Nangarhar province late on April 12. A spokesman for the provincial governor, Ataullah Khogyani, said two Afghan troops had been killed, along with 27 Taliban fighters.

The spring offensive traditionally marks the start of the so-called fighting season, though fighting nowadays continues unabated throughout the year.

In a statement released in five languages on April 12, the Taliban said the fighting would continue while foreign forces remain in Afghanistan.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy who is spearheading Washington’s push for a peace settlement, called the Taliban announcement “reckless.”

Based on reporting by AFP