Taliban Says 602 Security Operations Carried Out as Opposition Attacks Increase

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the movement’s Defence Ministry carried out 602 independent and joint operations with the Interior Ministry and the intelligence department this year. He claimed the operations foiled “complex enemy plans” and destroyed the safe havens and networks of opposition groups.

At the news conference, Mujahid did not provide details on the targeted groups, the locations of the operations or the nature of the security threats. He also did not specify in which provinces and districts the operations took place or what concrete results they produced.

The claims come as military fronts opposed to the Taliban administration have in recent months reported expanding their attacks in different parts of Afghanistan. The Afghanistan United Front said it conducted at least 43 operations in 14 provinces over the past month, which it said killed 74 Taliban personnel and injured 35 others.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front also said it expanded the scope of its armed operations to eight provinces in the month of Asad and carried out at least 21 guerrilla and frontal attacks. The group claimed that at least 65 Taliban members were killed and about 90 others wounded during these attacks.

The Taliban spokesman also said defending the country’s land, borders and territorial integrity is among the Defence Ministry’s main responsibilities. According to him, Afghanistan is connected through official and unofficial crossings with six neighbouring countries in 19 provinces and 90 border districts, and Taliban border forces have been deployed in these areas with the necessary equipment and facilities.

He added that fixed checkpoints and mobile patrols have been established to protect the borders, and special units have also been stationed along the Durand Line. Mujahid further said the Defence Ministry had arrested 804 smugglers and seized 2,858 light and heavy weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition and military equipment, but he gave no explanation about the identities of those detained or the origin of the weapons.

The Durand Line is the disputed border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and has always been considered one of the country’s most sensitive border areas. In recent years, insecurity, border clashes and the activity of armed groups in parts of these areas have been among the enduring security challenges along the line.