Pre-poll offensive planned in Kunduz

KUNDUZ (Pajhwok): Officials on Sunday said a cleanup operation would be launched soon to ensure security for 34 polling sites viewed prone to militant attacks in northern Kunduz province.

The polling stations under high security threats are located in Dasht-e-Archi, Imam Sahib, Chardara and Khan Abad districts of the province, Governor Ghulam Sakhi Baghlani told a press conference.

Provincial Police Spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hussaini said the offensive would be initiated on Monday which would last till coming Friday. Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police (ANP), local police and other security departments would take part in the operation.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) recently announced while citing security organs information, said that more than 184 polling sites out of 6,400 would stay closed in the runoff election due to security reasons throughout the country.

 As many as 110 polling stations would be opened along with other polling sites in runoff ballot in Kunduz, the IEC Spokesman Hamidullah Baloch added.

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