Offensives stepped up against militants ahead of polls

The ministry said the main goal of these operations was to hit the enemies in various parts of the country in an attempt to ensure the security of voters during the elections.
Addressing a press conference at the Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), MoD spokesman Sayed Ghafoor Ahmad Javed, said: “There are some elements who want to harm the peace process and elections by orchestrating attacks against civilians in several cities.”
However, he said the Afghan defense and security forces would not allow the enemies and these groups to continue their maneuvers and disturb the democratic process in the country.
According to Javed, the increase in offensive operations resulted in the killing of 294 Taliban militants and injuring of another 109 others by ground and air strikes of Afghan Air Forces during the last three days.
“We assure the people of Afghanistan that Afghan forces will do their utmost to protect the population and defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. ANDSF will never stop their efforts in this way even if it costs their lives.”