Afghan insurgency rises in peaceful northern provinces

(Xinhua)_ Two policemen were killed in Samangan Province of North when insurgents attacked their vehicle patrolling in the area of Aibak city on Thursday.
Such incidents are very rare in Samangan, a peaceful province of northern Afghanistan.
Thursday's attack was claimed by Taliban spokesman Zabihulla Mujahid saying militants killed four policemen.
The attacks have increased since last week, particularly after launching the major U.S.-led military offensive Khanjar (Strike with sword) against Taliban in the insurgency-hit heartland of Taliban stronghold, Helmand province on July 2.
The past two weeks proved deadliest for foreign troops in Afghanistan as some 12 soldiers of U.S. and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed in the post-Taliban nation.
What make the situation worsening are the consecutive militants' attacks in the northern parts of the country, that's relatively considered peaceful.
On Monday, four U.S. troops and two Afghan civilians were killed when a roadside bomb went off in Kunduz, another peaceful province of North. Prior to this, three German troops were killed on June 23 in Chardara district of Kunduz. There have been several attacks on German forces over the last couple of weeks.
This increases the alarming threat of an expanding insurgency in the peaceful northern part of Afghanistan. It is getting more serious at a time when the massive U.S.-led military operation Khanjar is going on in Helmand, where Taliban insurgents didn't resist as expected.
Some analysts believe the increasing attacks in some northern and eastern provinces show the capability of insurgents, who can expand the war to the places of their choice.
Taliban militants in a strike against a civilian convoy of oil tankers in the northern Kunduz province on Friday according to Mahbobullah Saydi one driver's helper and destroyed two oil tankers.
However, Zabihullah Mujahid who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit in talks with media from undisclosed location claimed responsibility, saying inflicted to convoy supplied oil to foreign forces in the province. There are contradicting numbers of casualties from both sides. Taliban spokesman claimed 12 German soldiers were killed in the attack.
The rise in attacks shows the capability of insurgents to expand the war to northern provinces.
With electoral process at peak with full bloom, the Afghan officials and the Independent Election Commission (IEC) had been shocked last week when an employee of the body was shot dead in Chamtal district of the northern Balkh Province.
Muhammad Azam, member of the Independent Election Commission and his guard were killed on their way from office. It marks the first incident of violence against the staff of IEC which is responsible for conduction of the Presidential and Provincial Councils elections in the country.
Polls are set for Aug. 20. The Commission has increased security measures of its staff after the unexpected incident in the exemplary peaceful Balkh province.
Besides, it will also put an impact on the electoral campaign gatherings. Due to fear, the campaigns mostly are already held in surrounded walled compounds and hotels.
A provincial council candidate in Balkh province Hajji Jamsheed escaped a life attempt the previous week as unknown gunmen opened fire on him injuring his guard.
Also in the northern region, campaign manager of incumbent President Hamid Karzai's top rival, Ashraf Ghani Ahmedzai was attacked last week.
The rising attacks in the peaceful northern provinces of Afghanistan increases concerns of the Afghan government and the people. The U.S.-led Coalition forces and the NATO-led peacekeeping force ISAF are facing the rising militancy at a time when maintaining security for peaceful elections is a challenge for them.