JALALABAD (SW): The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have expressed resolve to eliminate the Daesh rebels for good in the newly launched “Qahr-e-Selab” (Rag of Flood) offensives in the eastern Nangarhar province.
Addressing a presser on this, Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor said on Thursday that the operation would have two phases. “In the first phase, the ANSF would dismantle the armed rebels and in the second stage sustainable peace would be ensured”, he said. The operation has been launched in line with the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s directives to the Afghan National Army (ANA)’s 201-Selab Corps to eliminate the Daesh for good.
Khogyani added that a number of local councils consisting of at least 50 men each would be established in each restive district to stop the rebels from regaining ground. He noted that the government would provide support to these councils. The ANSF declared to have killed as many as 36 pro-Daesh rebels in the Achin district alone. Spokesman for the governor added that similar successes have been achieved in Kot and Haskta Maina districts as well. He said that the rebels are on the run.
Lt. Col. Sheren Agha of the (ANA)’s 201-Selab Corps said on the occasion that the clean-up operation has been concentrated at the Kot, Nazian, Aachin, Haska Maina districts and surrounding areas. He noted that the pro-Daesh rebels’ command and control centres have been destroyed. Lt. Col. Agha confirmed that the Afghan forces did have aerial support from the allied forces in these offensives.
The local officials said that the Afghan National Police (ANP) would be stationed in the areas formerly under the influence of the rebels. Earlier this week, the ANSF claimed to have killed over 100 pro-Daesh rebels including their top commander Sa’ad Emarati in Nangarhar.
ENDS
