Last year bloody for security forces: Azimi

KABUL, when militant attacks drastically surged, the Ministry of Defence spokesman said on Tuesday.

Gen. Zahir Azimi told reporters in Kabul the Afghan National Army (ANA) led 97 percent of ground offensives last year, with international forces providing air support.

On average, the army lost 3-4 soldiers daily, but made tremendous achievements as well. Azimi linked the increase in ANA fatalities to growing insecurity and leading ground operations.

He said the army had carried out 1,300 offensives, including 584 special operations, search operations and patrols.

Thousands of militants were killed and wounded and huge amounts of weapons seized, the spokesman claimed.

With the delivery of M17, C-130 and drone aircraft, the army had been strengthened to a large extent and such kind of assistance from the international community would continue, he concluded.

nh/mud

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