Roundup: No recession in Afghan fighting as wave of militancy continues in winter

Contrary to expectations no sign of decline has been seen in Afghan fighting as Taliban militants like in summer and autumn have been challenging the government forces in winter this year.

Although the government forces, availing the cold winter opportunity, have launched operations to dislodge militants, the hardliner fighters have been fighting back to defend their positions.

In the latest crackdown, the government aircrafts targeted Taliban hideouts in the restive southern Helmand province on Monday, killing at least 16 armed militants, said a statement of 215 Miwand Army Corps stationed in the southern region, on Tuesday.

Meantime, Taliban militants have intensified activities in the poppy-growing Helmand province over the past year, which have claimed countless lives from the militants, security forces and the civilians.

The Taliban fighters in their latest strike attacked security checkpoints in Bolan area outside Helmand's provincial capital Lashkar Gah on Monday night, killing nine police personnel and injuring three others, according to a security official who declined to be identified.

However, a senior police officer Abdul Rahim Chakhansori has confirmed the clash in Bolan neighborhood, but refused to comment on casualties.

Militancy and counter-militancy have gotten momentum in the northern Badakhshan and Faryab provinces over the past couple of days.

Fighting in Afghanistan traditionally receded in winter in the past years. However, this year, even though today, Tuesday is chilly and snowing in parts of the country, fighting has been continuing in some areas.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on the chair in its meeting on Monday evaluated security situation in the country and issued necessary instructions to the concerned institutions for improving the situation. Enditem