KABUL - An annual report by TOLOnews reveals that insurgent activities increased considerably in the last year with at least 10,000 security and terrorist incidents recorded in 2015.
The report was compiled by TOLOnews and based on its monthly reports as well as press statements issued by security agencies and relative government offices and assessments of reports by other media outlets in the country.
The report found 9,996 security and terrorist incidents occurred during last year.
According to the report, the 'Azm' operation – this last summer's offensive - by the Taliban that started on 24 April 2015 added to the conflict and resulted in May becoming the most volatile month for Afghanistan during the year, with 1,026 security and terrorist incidents being reported.
The report stated that after the fall of Kunduz city to the Taliban in September the security forces acted more aggressively against insurgents. Terrorist groups struggled to take control of other cities in the country – after the three-day siege.
In addition, the report reveals that militant activities dropped considerably in the last two months of 2015, but militants focused more on major cities such as the capital city, Kabul. Among such incidents, Kabul witnessed a heavy blast in Shah Shaheed area in August which left 15 dead and 400 wounded, the report adds.
Security officials termed 2015 as "a year for survival" but the TOLOnews report argues that it was the resistance and sacrifices of the Afghan security forces that helped the country survive the year and gain success to some extent.
Meanwhile, a former military official Atiqullah Amarkhel blamed the security forces' management for security challenges last year.
"No doubt, the war will be successful if it is managed and commanded well," said Amarkhel, a former senior military official.
The report says that Daesh was another threat that emerged last year in Afghanistan. Though the terrorist group had few activities in parts of the country at first they later developed into a problem for security forces.
According to the report, the first fighting between Daesh and Taliban fighters took place in Kajaki district in southern Helmand province in January and later the alleged Daesh fighters emerged in Zabul and Farah provinces.
The report states that kidnappings and increasing violence against civilians were other incidents that raised concerns among Afghans last year – where militants kidnapped more than 650 people – including the abduction of 31 bus passengers in Zabul.
"Civilians have always been victims of violence and conflict by militants – particularly the Taliban that always hide among the people," said Iqbal Safi, a member of Internal Security Commission in the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament).
The report said that after the announcement of the death of the Taliban's former leader Mullah Omar infighting among the group surged, which was mostly due to differences in their leadership.
This split and infighting escalated in September. Supporters of Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour fought another faction of the Taliban that supported Mullah Mansour Dadullah. Among these conflicts, a new individual, Mullah Rassoul, was introduced as the leader of the Taliban's faction that supports Mullah Mansour Dadullah, the report states.
Going into details on kidnappings last year, the report says that at least 665 civilians and 241 military men were kidnaped by insurgents last year – most of them were released.
As per the report, Helmand, Nangarhar and Faryab witnessed the most security incidents last year while Panjshir experienced only two such incidents during 2015.
"Helmand was really in a bad security situation last year. The security forces struggled a lot to repel their attacks but despite that civilian casualties were very high," said Karim Atal, the head of Helmand provincial council.
The report says that Afghan security forces launched 5,481 ground operations, 242 air raids and 1,650 arrest and recovery operations last year.
"No doubt, 2015 was a difficult year, but this has a reason: The reason is the withdrawal of foreign troops and delivering the military operations' responsibly to Afghan troops," said Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri.
According to the report Afghanistan's eastern and southern parts were not secure last year but militants drove their attention towards northern and northeastern parts. (Tolonews)