Afghan Forces To Launch Fresh Anti-Terror Offensive

Afghanistan on Wednesday announced launching nationwide counter-terrorism operation focused on eliminating the Taliban strongholds.



Nusrat Rahimi, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, told a news conference in Kabul at least 650 top Taliban commanders, including shadow governors and military commanders, were killed along with thousands of Taliban fighters in a single Solar Hijri year ending today.



"The ISIS-K [Daesh Khorasan Chapter] was defeated in 1397 (Solar Hijri year) and their key leaders were killed. It was a successful year […] Offensive against the Taliban increased and casualties of ANDSF [Afghan National Defense and Security Forces] decreased", he said.



Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense has announced to launch Operation Khalid against the insurgents in line with the new minister Assadullah Khalid's slogan of eliminating the bastions of the Taliban.



The year 1397 in Afghanistan saw the Taliban enter landmark face-to-face talks for peace with the U.S, however, the Kabul government is yet to be made part of these talks



Amid vague peace process in the war-ravaged country, the end of winter on Wednesday and arrival of New Year usually mean resumption of intense fighting season between the warring sides.



The Taliban have so far not announced their so-called spring offensive. -