KABUL - A SURVEY conducted by TOLOnews on Afghanistan's security situation has found that security threats increased by 13 percent in August during which Afghan forces launched more than 600 operations across the country to curb the advance of the Taliban.
According to survey findings, casualties among the insurgents in August increased by 19 percent compared to July.
Statistics of violence also increased in August, but TOLOnews survey found that the ANSF managed to thwart many threats due to the rising morale of Afghan SECURITY forces and professional management of the war against the insurgents.
TOLOnews survey also illustrates that the month of August saw civilian casualties decrease and casualties amongst Taliban increase.
1089 terror and anti-terror events were recorded during August with 13 percent of the events similar to the events that were recorded during July. ANSF extended their military campaigns during August and launched 666 military operations which show a 26 percent increase compared to the previous month.
"The opponents were seeking to have some gains in various regions of the country. We also faced some challenges this year and utilized the available sources against the enemy and the terrorists," Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for Ministry of Interior said on Saturday.
ANSF posed serious damage to the armed opponents during August, 3482 rebels were killed including 48 local commanders and 1940 others were wounded.
ANSF also suffered in August. 396 security personnel were killed during this month and 137 soldiers wounded which shows a 29 percent increase compared to July.
"Rising morale among the security forces and better management of war during August led to the expansion of military operations and the gains made by the ANSF. But the important point is how to secure these gains," TOLOnews researcher Abbas Hussaini said.
Faryab remained the most vulnerable province in August in terms of security. 101 terror events were recorded in the province during August while this figure was around 91 events in July.
Besides Faryab, provinces of Helmand, Nangarhar, Uruzgan and Ghazni were also the most insecure.
Civilian casualties dropped in August compared to July, 196 civilians were killed during August and 653 others were wounded, this shows a 16 percent decrease compared to July.
August remained a dark month for residents of capital Kabul as the city witnessed three deadly suicide attacks and a major explosion.
"The basic issue is that we have retaliatory operations, but we do not have targeted plans and a joint strategy with the NDS personnel and local governments in order to reach our targeted objectives," military analyst Jawed Kohistani said.
Based on TOLOnews survey, statistics of abductions were also high in August, at least 75 people constituting civilians, military personnel and foreign nationals were abducted by the armed opponents and unknown gun men which show 32 percent increase compared to July.
THE SURVEYfound that the National Directorate of Security had major achievements during August and arrested 356 insurgents including a number of Taliban shadow governors and masterminds of suicide attacks said to have plotted deadly attacks on Kabul. (Tolonews)