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| Afghan security forces carried out airstrikes against Taliban positions in southeastern Afghanistan as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations. |
Kabul:
Afghan security forces carried out a series of coordinated airstrikes across
multiple provinces, killing at least 47
Taliban militants and injuring 15
others, according to official statements released by the Afghan army.
The operations, conducted earlier this week, targeted what authorities
described as “secret militant bases” and leadership positions in the
southeastern province of Jabul, as
well as additional locations in Kandahar
and Uruzgan provinces.
The military action reflects a broader
counter-insurgency push by Afghan forces amid persistent security challenges
and ongoing clashes with militant groups across the country.
An Afghan army spokesperson confirmed that the
primary operation took place in Jabul province, where air assets were deployed
against Taliban positions in the Shinki
and Naubhar districts. According
to the statement, the strikes were based on actionable intelligence indicating
the presence of active Taliban bases used for planning and coordination.
“At least 47 Taliban militants were killed
during the airstrikes, and 15 others were wounded,” the spokesperson said. The
military added that a district-level
Taliban commander was among those killed, describing the individual as
a key operational figure responsible for coordinating militant activities in
the area.
Local officials reported that the targeted
sites were located in remote terrain, minimizing the risk to civilian
populations. However, authorities said damage assessments were ongoing to
determine the full impact of the strikes.
Afghan officials emphasized that the strikes
were conducted against hidden or covert
facilities, which militants allegedly used to store weapons, train
fighters, and plan attacks. Such locations are often difficult to detect due to
their placement in mountainous or sparsely populated regions.
Security analysts note that targeting these
bases is a central element of Afghanistan’s counter-terrorism strategy, as it
disrupts militant logistics and command structures rather than focusing solely
on frontline clashes.
Local media outlets cited defense sources
saying the airstrikes followed days of surveillance and intelligence gathering,
including aerial reconnaissance and ground-based reporting.
In addition to the Jabul operation, Afghan
forces carried out airstrikes in Kandahar
province, a region that has long been a focal point of insurgent
activity. According to military officials, strikes in the Argandab and Shah Wali Kot districts resulted in the destruction of ten Taliban bases.
“These locations were being used as staging
grounds for attacks and as safe havens for militant movement,” an army official
said, adding that the destruction of these facilities would reduce the group’s
operational capacity in southern Afghanistan.
While casualty figures from Kandahar were not
immediately disclosed, officials confirmed that the bases were rendered
inoperable. Security forces also conducted follow-up operations to prevent
militants from re-establishing positions in the area.
The latest operations follow an earlier
airstrike in the Gizab district of
Uruzgan province, where Afghan forces reported killing 11 Taliban militants. That strike
targeted a separate cluster of militant positions believed to be linked to
recent attacks on security checkpoints and local government infrastructure.
Defense officials described the Uruzgan
operation as part of a rolling campaign designed to maintain pressure on
militant networks across multiple provinces simultaneously.
The airstrikes come amid heightened tensions
along Afghanistan’s eastern border with Pakistan. Afghan officials recently
accused Pakistani forces of shelling border areas during a dispute over the
construction of a checkpoint in the Nari
district of Kunar province.
According to Afghan authorities, Pakistanitroops attempted to establish a new checkpoint in a contested border zone,
prompting resistance from Afghan security forces and local fighters. The
confrontation reportedly escalated into mortar and rocket fire, resulting in
the deaths of three women, as
confirmed by Afghan officials.
Pakistan has not publicly commented on the
incident, and there has been no official confirmation from Islamabad regarding
the allegations. Border disputes and cross-border incidents have long
complicated relations between the two neighboring countries, with both sides
periodically accusing each other of violating territorial boundaries.
The latest military actions follow a series of
high-profile attacks attributed to the Taliban in recent months. One of the
most significant incidents occurred on October
1, when militants attacked a police
headquarters in Balkh province.
According to Afghan officials, the attack
resulted in the deaths of 11 police
officers. Militants reportedly detained more than a dozen officers
during the assault and set fire to parts of the police complex before
withdrawing. The incident underscored the continued ability of militant groups
to carry out coordinated attacks on security installations.
Security analysts say such attacks are often
designed to undermine public confidence in state institutions and demonstrate
the militants’ operational reach.
Afghan defense officials say the recent
airstrikes are part of a broader strategy combining air power, ground operations,
and intelligence-led targeting. The aim, according to the government, is to
degrade militant leadership, disrupt supply chains, and limit the group’s
ability to launch large-scale attacks.
“The focus is on precision operations that
minimize civilian harm while maximizing impact on militant networks,” an Afghan
defense source said. The military has repeatedly stated that it conducts
pre-strike assessments to reduce the risk of civilian casualties.
Independent verification of casualty figures
remains challenging, particularly in remote areas where access is limited.
However, international observers note that airstrikes have become an
increasingly prominent tool in Afghanistan’s security operations.
Despite official assurances, air operations
continue to raise concerns among humanitarian organizations regarding civilian
safety. Advocacy groups have urged all parties to the conflict to adhere
strictly to international humanitarian law and to ensure transparency in
reporting casualties.
Afghan authorities maintain that the recent
strikes were carefully planned and targeted only confirmed militant positions.
Local officials in Jabul and Kandahar said there were no immediate reports of
civilian casualties, though assessments were ongoing.
The renewed wave of airstrikes highlights the
persistent instability in Afghanistan, even as security forces attempt to
assert control over contested regions. Analysts say the operations demonstrate
the government’s intent to maintain pressure on militant groups, particularly
in provinces that have seen repeated insurgent activity.
At the same time, cross-border tensions and
previous high-casualty attacks illustrate the complex security environment
facing the country, where internal insurgency, regional disputes, and
humanitarian concerns intersect.
The Afghan army’s recent airstrikes in Jabul,
Kandahar, and Uruzgan provinces mark a significant escalation in efforts to
counter Taliban activity, resulting in dozens of militant casualties and the
destruction of multiple bases. While officials describe the operations as
successful and intelligence-driven, the broader conflict remains unresolved,
with ongoing risks to regional stability and civilian safety.
As Afghanistan continues to navigate a fragile
security landscape, the effectiveness of sustained military pressure, combined
with political and diplomatic efforts, will remain a key factor in shaping the
country’s future.
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