Afghanistan: Foreign spies planned Kunar attack

Sunday’s deadly attack on the Afghan National Army (ANA) organised by the Taliban, their foreign accomplices and the intelligence network of a certain country, the Ministry of Defence alleged on Monday. At least 20 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed and eight others kidnapped early on Sunday morning when militants stormed their check-post in the Ghaziabad district eastern Kunar province. A group of Afghan and foreign insurgents mounted the attack on ANA's Sher Ghashi check-post in Tunk area. Governor Shujaul Mulk Jalala said 20 soldiers were killed. A large number of government officials, lawmakers and residents attended a ceremony for delivery of the soldiers’ bodies to their families at the Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan Hospital in Kabul. National anthem was played as their bodies were wrapped up in national flag. Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi denounced the attack as a “cowardly act”, saying it was planned by the Taliban, their backers and the intelligence service of a certain country.” He added the attack was planned across the border and the soldiers sacrificed their lives while defending their motherland. “This is not the first or last attack; the enemies of Afghans have long been carrying out such attacks with the help of a specific country...” He added: “As elections are drawing closer, Taliban and their supporters are striving to erode people’s confidence in their security forces, but such attacks will not deter us from ensuring security for the polls.” Also present on the occasion was presidential runner, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, who strongly condemned the attack. The people and government should stand united against the armed opposition, he stressed. “We hope the government will make its policy clear in this respect. Those martyred are our heroes and sons,” he remarked. Abdul Amin, whose family member was killed in the attack, asked the government not to soften its stance against the Taliban and those arrested by security forces should be awarded exemplary punishment.