Afghan troops kick off operation in remote district

Xinhua News Agency

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The Afghan security forces on Tuesday launched a wide-scale operation in a remote district, the latest in a campaign against insurgency and its supply lines, according to a military statement.

"A joint military operation codenamed Tofan-62 was launched in Wata Pur District, (eastern) Kunar province early Tuesday morning," said the statement released by army's 201 Corps Selab based in the region.

The statement added that the joint operation by the army, police and intelligence agency personnel started in Shingam village and will cover all unclear pockets of the district in the province, bordering Pakistan.

The raid was aimed at improving security for the locals and ensuring rule of law and good governance in the district, according to the statement.

"The operation will continue until the district is cleared of militants' presence. The militants' bunkers and strongholds will be targeted and the achievements of the raid will be shared with the media soon," the statement noted.

The mountainous Kunar and neighboring Nuristan provinces have been the scene of heavy clashes between Taliban militants and security forces over the past couple of months.

The Taliban has been on rampage since the beginning of 2015 when the Afghan security forces assumed the full responsibility of security from the U.S. and NATO forces.