News - Afghanistan

The monthly security report by TOLOnews recorded 848 security incidents throughout the country in February, illustrating a 22 percent increase as compared to last month's report.

The report detailed that over 2,000 security forces and civilians were killed in the second month of 2015 since the takeover of the country's security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

Southern Helmand province, based on the report, suffered most of the incidents while Nangarhar, Kandahar, Herat and Kunar were the other four respective provinces with high insecurity events.

In addition, 2,056 militants were also killed during the mentioned period, showing a 55 percent increase compared to January.

According to the report, casualties of the security forces increased by 37 percent, while civilian casualties witnessed a 22 percent decrease.

About 26 other types of violence and abductions by insurgents were also recorded, which the abduction of the 31 Hazara passengers in southern Zabul was considered as the most tragic incident.

Furthermore, the report added that the ANSF conducted 396 operations in February, in which 15 air strikes were also carried out against the insurgents.
The report noted that about 10 suicide bombings and 39 mine explosions took place across the country.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) officials admitted the increased insecurity events, saying the incidents were increased because of intensified operations against the militants.

"The figures mounted because currently 13 operations are underway in the country," deputy MoI spokesman Najib Danish said.

The reported identified central Bamiyan and northeastern Panjshir as safe provinces where no insecurity events have been recorded.

However, roadside mine blasts still remain as the main concern, killing many security forces and civilians.