Panjsher has been one of the peaceful provinces of Afghanistan where security responsibilities from international troops were transferred to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in the first phase of transition process. On Wednesday, however, the insurgents attacked this province creating fear among the people after long period of what can be called ‘good security’ in Afghanistan.

Half a dozen Taliban suicide bombers, some dressed as police, killed a policeman in a rare attack on a governor's compound in Afghanistan's fiercely anti-Taliban Panjsher valley, a stark indication of their broadening reach. In the same province, in July 2011, a NDS agent killed two NATO soldiers and injured the third one before he was gunned down.

Being able to launch a coordinated attack in Panjsher, where people hate Taliban the most, is an indicator of Taliban’s growing breadth of operation. This month, major attacks from Taliban in Kabul, Kandahar, Baghlan and now Panjsher has been enough to illustrate the start of their spring offensive. As this offensive reaches its peak, Afghans may witness more bloodshed even in provinces that are considered calm.

Since the fall of Taliban regime in 2001, insurgency has increased with every ending year. It is expected that suicide attacks, roadside bombs, coordinated attacks and other form of insurgency that the Taliban have been practicing might increase in the months to come. Due to this, Afghanistan might have very hard days by beginning of the next spring.

With Taliban’s operations anticipated to become manifold, what will be fate of next year’s presidential election? Compared with 2009, 2014 is being seen as deadlier. Will the Afghan government be able to provide security for 5th April, 2014 polls?

The fact that Taliban do possess the capability to reach the Panjsher valley automatically proves that they can create serious hurdles for next year’s presidential election. In 2009, they chopped off the fingers of the voters, this time they might behead them. Additionally, the Taliban with cooperation from other terrorist groups such Hezb-e Islami and Haqqani Network might launch country-wide bombing and attacks on the Afghan security forces. Is there any plan how the government will assist the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to conduct election in such a scenario?

Finally, Taliban’s attack in Panjsher province must be taken a ‘warning signal’ by other relatively-peaceful provinces like Bamiyan. In such provinces, the ANSF must implement a security plan that could prevent any possible attack from Taliban.