2005-07-28
At least 50 taliban killed in Uruzgan
According to local authorities, at least 50 Taliban were killed and
another 25 were captured Monday night during an operation carried out
by the Afghan national Army {ANA} and Afghan national police {ANP},
working together with coalition troops in southern province of
Uruzgan. Hundreds of small arms and much ammunition was also sized on
the Monday
night operation in this area. Sadly, two US soldiers and two Afghan
soldiers were also killed during the fight.
Provincial governor Jan Mohammed said the operation took place in Cia
Choy district of Uruzgan. The US Air Force played a significant role
in destroying a Taliban stronghold in this area. Cia Choy district is
the main center where the Taliban supply weapons and armaments to the
insurgents in three important provinces: Zabul, Kandahar, and Uruzgan.
These are provinces where the Taliban often attacks Afghan and foreign
troops.
Taliban spoksman Latif Hakimi confirmed the attack but he said only
four militants were killed, and claimed that the Taliban destroyed
five US vehicles and killed 28 coalition soldiers. He also said that
three US soldiers and one Afghan soldier were wounded in the fight,
but the claim has not been confirmed by independed media.
The Taliban leader Mullah Omar, in an audio tape released two days
ago, called upon his followers to intensify their attack against
foreign troops. They have managed to increase their attacks in recent
months; some 180 Taliban were killedin Mian Nushin district of
Kandahar province late last month.
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another 25 were captured Monday night during an operation carried out
by the Afghan national Army {ANA} and Afghan national police {ANP},
working together with coalition troops in southern province of
Uruzgan. Hundreds of small arms and much ammunition was also sized on
the Monday
night operation in this area. Sadly, two US soldiers and two Afghan
soldiers were also killed during the fight.
Provincial governor Jan Mohammed said the operation took place in Cia
Choy district of Uruzgan. The US Air Force played a significant role
in destroying a Taliban stronghold in this area. Cia Choy district is
the main center where the Taliban supply weapons and armaments to the
insurgents in three important provinces: Zabul, Kandahar, and Uruzgan.
These are provinces where the Taliban often attacks Afghan and foreign
troops.
Taliban spoksman Latif Hakimi confirmed the attack but he said only
four militants were killed, and claimed that the Taliban destroyed
five US vehicles and killed 28 coalition soldiers. He also said that
three US soldiers and one Afghan soldier were wounded in the fight,
but the claim has not been confirmed by independed media.
The Taliban leader Mullah Omar, in an audio tape released two days
ago, called upon his followers to intensify their attack against
foreign troops. They have managed to increase their attacks in recent
months; some 180 Taliban were killedin Mian Nushin district of
Kandahar province late last month.
2005-07-22
Afghans support the presence of coalition forces
As an Afghan I support the US and coalition forces presence in Afghanistan. In the current situation, the US presence is really important for peace and stability. Like me, most Afghan people support the US presence, even though Afghan people have always been against foreign forces and occupiers. But they know that the US and coalition forces are here to help Afghanistan and the Afghan people and they are not here to occupy our country.? After the 1992 civil war between various factions of the Mujahideen, and during the Taliban regime, thousands of people lost their lives. The situation was really bad. Millions of Afghans emigrated to different foreign countries in the world. Our teachers, officers became street vendors. More than 50% of Afghan students were away from their education and they were working to support their families. Personally, I was away from school for 4 years while I was in Pakistan. After the 11 September tragedy, the US-led invasion finally liberated Afghanistan from the Taliban regime and Afghanistan has achieved remarkable progress and success since the fall of the Taliban. As a result, the Bonn agreement, the Loya jirga, presidential election, and establishing a democratic government having a new National Army, new National police, new Afghan currency are the achievements that Afghanistan has made in the last three years. More than 3 millions Afghan refugees have returned home and the repatriation process has continued. As of March 2005, more than Sixty thousand Afghan refugees have returned to their country and they feel really good to return to their country after beign far from their homeland. Most refugees that returned were homeless during the civil war and Taliban regime. They sold their properties for very cheap prices because the situation was very horrible and they needed money to get out of the country. During their emigration they spent their money and now its impossible for them to buy a house because the prices are 10 times higher than they sold at during the war. So most returnees are suffering without proper shelter. The main problem is shelter for the returnees. Some other refugees who didn't sell their properties are enjoying their life. Most educated returnees got good jobs in government and foreign organizations and they are much better off than before. Generally all returnees are happy to return back even if they live in tents. Most of them say living under tents in our own country is better then living in a modern house in others' country
. As an interpreter, I have been working with the US Army for the last two years and I have been on many patrols, and during the patrols we talk with the locals about their problems and they look very happy when they see us. Almost all villagers invite us for tea and a meal. Afghan people are the most hospitable. Even if people are poor, they still share everything they have and try to serve their guests as best as they can. our patrols have been always welcomed by locals. one of the best patrol was to a new refugee camp. This refugee camp was not in our patrol area before and they had returned from Pakistan. There were more than 50 tents. We went there and talked with some people in this new camp they told us about their problems. It was the beginning of winter and they needed tents, blankets, food and medicine. Our patrol leader wrote down about their problems and after 12 days we went with a few trucks full of food, blankets and tents and we also took some doctors to examine their kids and patients. Almost every one of them were looking really happy that they got everything they needed for the winter and they spent a good winter without problems. Every two weeks we would ask if they needed anything else. The only thing they were asking for was shelter and we couldn't provide it because it's up to the Afghan government to issue land to these returnees. I think it was one of the best patrols which was received very well by the people. I have talked with some of my friends - some locals and ANA soldiers and officers, and almost every one told me that the US and coalition presence is very important. If they leave us alone the terrorists will grow up again, so they should be with us until the ANA (Afghan National Army) formation completes and is capable of protecting Afghanistan. If the US and coalition forces leave Afghanistan, the terrorists and warlords will cause a big problem for the central government. People fear that if the US and coalition forces leave Afghanistan, the neighboring countries will interfere like they did during the civil war, and Afghanistan will be destabilized again. So they should stay till we have a strong national army and national police and are capable of protecting Afghanistan. Our police force is more than 50,000 strong, plus there are special forces who conduct counter-narcotics operations and our new Afghan National Army currently has around 32,000 troops. With the help of the US Army it is improving well and taking the responsibilty for supporting security across the country.
After the parliamentry elections on September 18, it is up to parliament to decide about permanent US bases. I can't say now if Afghan people support permanent bases or not. Time will tell. But most people want the US to stay for at least 5 more years. The government is accelerating the disarmament process and disarming both the regular armed forces and illegal armed groups. More than sixty one thousand former militia have been disarmed and over 95% of the heavy weaponry has been collected. After the first historic presidential elections, Afghanistan has entered into a new phase of its history which is democracy, rule of law, supremacy of constitution, unity, and brotherhood. The people are feeling free - we have an enlightened and progressive constitution, which safeguards human rights, and guarantees the equality of women and men. Afghan women have achieved much more than before, but it still takes time. There are some areas where women are still locked inside their houses, but in some big cities like Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat, they have a bit more freedom. There are driving courses for women where they learn how to drive and I have seen some women driving in downtown Kabul and Herat city. There is a big garden especially for women in Kabul city where they go for picnics, and there is a shopping center in the garden where women sell handicrafts and cosmetics. Many women have jobs at different government and non government organizations. They are not forced to wear burkas. There are some weekly and monthly magazines for women where women can express their opinions and these magazines give a lot of useful information for Afghan women. Free press has enjoyed great development and success as demonstrated by the publication of more than 300 independent papers, more than 30 radio stations, and 5 independent TV stations. For the first time in Afghanistan, the investment conditions for foreign investors is suitable. There are some foreign companies that have invested hundreds of millions of dollars and certain industries such as the hospitality sector, banks and mobile communications have particulary benefited. The wages of civil servants have increased. Almost four million kids returned to school this year. We appreciate the United States for its generous economic support that we have received over the last three years. Without US and other friendly countries, Afghanistan would never have accomplished what we have over the past three years. We also need the United States and United Nation for their multi-year pledges of aid to support our efforts at rebuilding our country. People are hoping that the US and world community will not abandon Afghanistan. Afghanistan wants good relationships with the United States of America and other countries in the world.
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. As an interpreter, I have been working with the US Army for the last two years and I have been on many patrols, and during the patrols we talk with the locals about their problems and they look very happy when they see us. Almost all villagers invite us for tea and a meal. Afghan people are the most hospitable. Even if people are poor, they still share everything they have and try to serve their guests as best as they can. our patrols have been always welcomed by locals. one of the best patrol was to a new refugee camp. This refugee camp was not in our patrol area before and they had returned from Pakistan. There were more than 50 tents. We went there and talked with some people in this new camp they told us about their problems. It was the beginning of winter and they needed tents, blankets, food and medicine. Our patrol leader wrote down about their problems and after 12 days we went with a few trucks full of food, blankets and tents and we also took some doctors to examine their kids and patients. Almost every one of them were looking really happy that they got everything they needed for the winter and they spent a good winter without problems. Every two weeks we would ask if they needed anything else. The only thing they were asking for was shelter and we couldn't provide it because it's up to the Afghan government to issue land to these returnees. I think it was one of the best patrols which was received very well by the people. I have talked with some of my friends - some locals and ANA soldiers and officers, and almost every one told me that the US and coalition presence is very important. If they leave us alone the terrorists will grow up again, so they should be with us until the ANA (Afghan National Army) formation completes and is capable of protecting Afghanistan. If the US and coalition forces leave Afghanistan, the terrorists and warlords will cause a big problem for the central government. People fear that if the US and coalition forces leave Afghanistan, the neighboring countries will interfere like they did during the civil war, and Afghanistan will be destabilized again. So they should stay till we have a strong national army and national police and are capable of protecting Afghanistan. Our police force is more than 50,000 strong, plus there are special forces who conduct counter-narcotics operations and our new Afghan National Army currently has around 32,000 troops. With the help of the US Army it is improving well and taking the responsibilty for supporting security across the country.
After the parliamentry elections on September 18, it is up to parliament to decide about permanent US bases. I can't say now if Afghan people support permanent bases or not. Time will tell. But most people want the US to stay for at least 5 more years. The government is accelerating the disarmament process and disarming both the regular armed forces and illegal armed groups. More than sixty one thousand former militia have been disarmed and over 95% of the heavy weaponry has been collected. After the first historic presidential elections, Afghanistan has entered into a new phase of its history which is democracy, rule of law, supremacy of constitution, unity, and brotherhood. The people are feeling free - we have an enlightened and progressive constitution, which safeguards human rights, and guarantees the equality of women and men. Afghan women have achieved much more than before, but it still takes time. There are some areas where women are still locked inside their houses, but in some big cities like Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat, they have a bit more freedom. There are driving courses for women where they learn how to drive and I have seen some women driving in downtown Kabul and Herat city. There is a big garden especially for women in Kabul city where they go for picnics, and there is a shopping center in the garden where women sell handicrafts and cosmetics. Many women have jobs at different government and non government organizations. They are not forced to wear burkas. There are some weekly and monthly magazines for women where women can express their opinions and these magazines give a lot of useful information for Afghan women. Free press has enjoyed great development and success as demonstrated by the publication of more than 300 independent papers, more than 30 radio stations, and 5 independent TV stations. For the first time in Afghanistan, the investment conditions for foreign investors is suitable. There are some foreign companies that have invested hundreds of millions of dollars and certain industries such as the hospitality sector, banks and mobile communications have particulary benefited. The wages of civil servants have increased. Almost four million kids returned to school this year. We appreciate the United States for its generous economic support that we have received over the last three years. Without US and other friendly countries, Afghanistan would never have accomplished what we have over the past three years. We also need the United States and United Nation for their multi-year pledges of aid to support our efforts at rebuilding our country. People are hoping that the US and world community will not abandon Afghanistan. Afghanistan wants good relationships with the United States of America and other countries in the world.
2005-07-18
23 Girls Graduate After 11 years
After 11 long years, the first group of 23 girls completed their high school education in the southern province of Kandahar last week. These 23 girls graduated from Zarghona High School in Kandahar City, a former stronghold of the Taliban who had banned female education in Afghanistan
These are the first girls to graduate Khandahar City, because during the civil war and Mujahideen government the girls school was closed, due to the unstable security situation in the Region. Safi Ama Jan, head of the Women Affairs Department, said this graduation of the girls was a great success, and is a new beginning for girls education after years of war and violence. She also said that she was very glad because these (female) graduates were now in a postition to apply for government jobs; and also able to pursue higher education at university level. Female education is still a problem in the conservative south.
Families have stated many reasons why their daughters cannot attend school. There are still no schools for girls in some districts, and is very difficult and expensive to transport their daughters from outlaying villages into cities. In other provinces such as Herat and Mazer-e-Sharif hundreds of girls attend school and graduate every year. In the capital city of Kabul thousands of girls attend school and graduate every year. In Kabul there are many schools for girls, and the bussing transportation for students is very good.
We hope that the govenment will build more schools in rural areas of Afghanistan so that a larger part of the population will have access to schools and education. The main key to our advancement as a country is to educate our people as much as possible.
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These are the first girls to graduate Khandahar City, because during the civil war and Mujahideen government the girls school was closed, due to the unstable security situation in the Region. Safi Ama Jan, head of the Women Affairs Department, said this graduation of the girls was a great success, and is a new beginning for girls education after years of war and violence. She also said that she was very glad because these (female) graduates were now in a postition to apply for government jobs; and also able to pursue higher education at university level. Female education is still a problem in the conservative south.
Families have stated many reasons why their daughters cannot attend school. There are still no schools for girls in some districts, and is very difficult and expensive to transport their daughters from outlaying villages into cities. In other provinces such as Herat and Mazer-e-Sharif hundreds of girls attend school and graduate every year. In the capital city of Kabul thousands of girls attend school and graduate every year. In Kabul there are many schools for girls, and the bussing transportation for students is very good.
We hope that the govenment will build more schools in rural areas of Afghanistan so that a larger part of the population will have access to schools and education. The main key to our advancement as a country is to educate our people as much as possible.
2005-07-12
Taliban killed 15 Afghan in Uruzgan province
Taliban fighters killed nine village elders including four policemen and 2 other civilians in the central province of Uruzgan on Thursday night, a day after government forces killed seven rebels in an attack on a security check point. Uruzgan governor Mohammed Jan Khan said guerrilas released a nine-year-old boy to bring the news of the killings and to offer to exchange the dead bodies of the village elders and the rebels. Taliban spokesmen claim that the elders had been cooperating with the Americans therefore they killed them. According to another report early on Friday morning, Taliban fighters attacked a security post in Charcheno district of Uruzgan province killing four policemen, and five guerillas were also killed and one was captured and the
rest escaped.
Two more civilians were killed in another insurgent attack in Khost Province on Thursday when rockets aimed at the government office landed northeast of the city. Deputy police chief of Khost province Mohammed Zaman said police were conducting more patrols in the area to prevent such attacks in the future.
According to reports from the southeastern province of Helmand, one Taliban fighter was killed and another captured after they were trying to attack a convoy of American troops. Provincial spokesman Haji Mohammed Khan said no U.S soldiers were hurt.
Six Afghan security personnel, including two soldiers and four policemen, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in the southern Paktia province on Saturday while a senior police officer and his driver were wounded. Paktia governor Gulab Mangal told reporters a convoy comprising the National Army, National police and ISAF forces was on a patrol in the Maist village when the explosion happened, which killed four policemen and two ANA soldiers while provincial security chief Ali Khel was wounded and had been shifted to the civil hospital for treatment. He further said the explosion did not hurt the U.N and ISAF personnel,who were part of the convoy. Some people had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack.
Taliban and their allied militants have stepped up attacks in the southern part of the country since March, killing dozens of Afghan officials, security forces and 35 coalition forces. More than 400 guerillas have also been killed according to the government figures, of which 178 were killed in major attacks late last month, in Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces.
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rest escaped.
Two more civilians were killed in another insurgent attack in Khost Province on Thursday when rockets aimed at the government office landed northeast of the city. Deputy police chief of Khost province Mohammed Zaman said police were conducting more patrols in the area to prevent such attacks in the future.
According to reports from the southeastern province of Helmand, one Taliban fighter was killed and another captured after they were trying to attack a convoy of American troops. Provincial spokesman Haji Mohammed Khan said no U.S soldiers were hurt.
Six Afghan security personnel, including two soldiers and four policemen, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in the southern Paktia province on Saturday while a senior police officer and his driver were wounded. Paktia governor Gulab Mangal told reporters a convoy comprising the National Army, National police and ISAF forces was on a patrol in the Maist village when the explosion happened, which killed four policemen and two ANA soldiers while provincial security chief Ali Khel was wounded and had been shifted to the civil hospital for treatment. He further said the explosion did not hurt the U.N and ISAF personnel,who were part of the convoy. Some people had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack.
Taliban and their allied militants have stepped up attacks in the southern part of the country since March, killing dozens of Afghan officials, security forces and 35 coalition forces. More than 400 guerillas have also been killed according to the government figures, of which 178 were killed in major attacks late last month, in Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces.
2005-07-07
3 Journalists Arrested in Kunar
Three Afghan journalists were arrested by intelligence officials in eastern Kunar province last week on Friday and Saturday. All three journalists went there to provide news for their news agencies. Two journalists, Sher Shah Hamdard and Rohullah Anwari, are reporters with Radio Azadi and Radio Europe. Another detained journalist is Dr Shoaib, working as a photographer for the American news agency Associated Press. Asadullah Wafa, the governor of Kunar province, confirmed the arrests and said they will release the journalists after an investigation. He said he was in contact with the provincial officials to secure the release of the detained journalists. The journalists had gone to the Kunar province to do follow up stories on a US Military operation against insurgents who shot down an American chopper in the troubled eastern province. According to an official, the journalists were beaten up in custody. Interior ministry spokesman Lutfullah Mshal said the journalists had contact with the insurgents and they were trying to publish the enemies propaganda and enemies want to change people's mind with their anti-government propaganda. Afghanistan's Independent Journalists Association {AIJA} expressed grave concern at the health condition of one of the three journalists detained in the eastern province over the weekend. The journalists shifted to Kabul on Monday after they were arrested in Kunar province. AIJA head Rahimullah, who visited the three journalists in custody in Kabul Monday evening, said they had gone to cover an ongoing US military operation and they were detained without any specific charge and they are in custody without any legal process or evidence of any wrongdoing against them. He also said that the jail authorities told me to ask the inmates about their health and officials' behavior towards them and they reminded me not to ask the journalists about possible political motives behind their arrest. All three journalists are still in government custody. When they are released I will post an update about their release and the main reason for their arrest.
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2005-07-06
20 Taliban Commanders Join Peace Process
20 Taliban commanders have surrendered to the government in the western province of Ghor last week. The commanders are reportedly the candidates of the parliamentary and provincial council elections. They have surrendered their weapons to the Disarmament Demobilization Reintegration (DDR) and they declared their full support for the Afghan Government.
According to the complaints commission of the parliamentary election, the names of 233 candidates have been canceled from the primary list after discussions. 208 candidates are still armed and they have not yet handed over their weapons to the DDR process. 13 of the canceled are those who have not resigned from their govenmental posts yet, and 12 others have not collected the number of signatures that is needed according to the election rules. Most of the former commanders handed over their weapons to the {DDR} process in order to participate in parliamentary elections, but a number of them have been canceled from the list that was prepared by the complaints commission. These commanders had a consultative meeting in the capital Kabul yesterday, to find a way of solving their problem. More than 50 commanders from different provinces participated in the meeting and they expressed their views regarding the problems they encountered. One of the participants, commander Noor Habib, said they are trying to find a peaceful way to solve this problem. He added that although they have handed over their weapons to the DDR process and have also received appreciation letters, their names have been canceled from the list. The commander believes that some hands are working to get them out of the poliical field.
According to reports, a week ago 18 commanders of Hezb-e-islami Gulbudin Hekmatyar joined the peace process and turned themselves in to the government in Paktia province. The commanders came under the terms of the Afghan government's amnesty program. Most of these commanders returned home after living for years in Pakistan. After a meeting with Paktia governor Taniwal and coalition representatives, all 18 commanders signed statements pledging loyalty to Karzai's elected government, including an agreement not to possess heavy weapons or take up arms against the Afghan government or coalition forces.
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According to the complaints commission of the parliamentary election, the names of 233 candidates have been canceled from the primary list after discussions. 208 candidates are still armed and they have not yet handed over their weapons to the DDR process. 13 of the canceled are those who have not resigned from their govenmental posts yet, and 12 others have not collected the number of signatures that is needed according to the election rules. Most of the former commanders handed over their weapons to the {DDR} process in order to participate in parliamentary elections, but a number of them have been canceled from the list that was prepared by the complaints commission. These commanders had a consultative meeting in the capital Kabul yesterday, to find a way of solving their problem. More than 50 commanders from different provinces participated in the meeting and they expressed their views regarding the problems they encountered. One of the participants, commander Noor Habib, said they are trying to find a peaceful way to solve this problem. He added that although they have handed over their weapons to the DDR process and have also received appreciation letters, their names have been canceled from the list. The commander believes that some hands are working to get them out of the poliical field.
According to reports, a week ago 18 commanders of Hezb-e-islami Gulbudin Hekmatyar joined the peace process and turned themselves in to the government in Paktia province. The commanders came under the terms of the Afghan government's amnesty program. Most of these commanders returned home after living for years in Pakistan. After a meeting with Paktia governor Taniwal and coalition representatives, all 18 commanders signed statements pledging loyalty to Karzai's elected government, including an agreement not to possess heavy weapons or take up arms against the Afghan government or coalition forces.
2005-07-04
Taliban Killed 15 Afghans in Uruzgan Province
Taliban fighters killed nine village elders including four policemen and 2 other civilians in the central province of Uruzgan on Thursday night, a day after government forces killed seven rebels in an attack on a security checkpoint. Uruzgan governor Mohammed Jan Khan said that guerillas released a nine-year-old boy to bring the news of the killings and to offer to exchange the dead bodies of the village elders and the rebels. A Taliban spokesman claimed that the elders had been cooperating with the Americans so they killed them. According to another report early on Friday morning, Taliban fighters attacked a security post in Charcheno district of Uruzgan province killing four policemen in which five guerillas were also killed and one was captured and the rest escaped.
Two more civilians were killed in another insurgent attack in Khost Province on Thursday when rockets aimed at the government office landed northeast of the city. Deputy police chief of Khost province Mohammed Zaman said police were conducting more patrols in the area to prevent such attacks in the future.
According to reports from the southeastern province of Helmand, one Taliban fighter was killed and another captured after they were trying to attack a convoy of American troops. Provincial spokesman Haji Mohammed Khan said no US soldiers were hurt.
Six Afghan security personnel, including two soldiers and four policemen, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in the southern Paktia province on Saturday while a senior police officer and his driver were wounded. Paktia governor Gulab Mangal told reporters a convoy comprising National Army, National Police and ISAF forces were on a patrol in the Maist village when the explosion happened, which killed four policemen and two ANA soldiers. Provincial security chief Ali Khel said the wounded and had been shifted to the civilian hospital for treatment. He further said that the explosion did not hurt the UN and ISAF personnel, who were part of the convoy. Some people had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack.
Taliban and their allied militants have stepped up attacks in the southern part of the country since March, killing dozens of Afghan officials security forces and 35 coalition forces. More than 400 guerillas have been also killed. According to government figures, 178 of them were killed in major attacks late last month in Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces.
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Two more civilians were killed in another insurgent attack in Khost Province on Thursday when rockets aimed at the government office landed northeast of the city. Deputy police chief of Khost province Mohammed Zaman said police were conducting more patrols in the area to prevent such attacks in the future.
According to reports from the southeastern province of Helmand, one Taliban fighter was killed and another captured after they were trying to attack a convoy of American troops. Provincial spokesman Haji Mohammed Khan said no US soldiers were hurt.
Six Afghan security personnel, including two soldiers and four policemen, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in the southern Paktia province on Saturday while a senior police officer and his driver were wounded. Paktia governor Gulab Mangal told reporters a convoy comprising National Army, National Police and ISAF forces were on a patrol in the Maist village when the explosion happened, which killed four policemen and two ANA soldiers. Provincial security chief Ali Khel said the wounded and had been shifted to the civilian hospital for treatment. He further said that the explosion did not hurt the UN and ISAF personnel, who were part of the convoy. Some people had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack.
Taliban and their allied militants have stepped up attacks in the southern part of the country since March, killing dozens of Afghan officials security forces and 35 coalition forces. More than 400 guerillas have been also killed. According to government figures, 178 of them were killed in major attacks late last month in Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces.
