UN reports spike in security incidents in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations has noted a 55 percent spike in security-related incidents in Afghanistan, with over 2,500 incidents reported in the past three months.

However, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has spurned the claim as far from true.

In his latest report released on Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutterres highlighted that drug-related incidents increased by 97 percent.

Land disputes rose from 20 to 51 and armed clashes increased from 75 to 106 from March to June, compared to the same period last year.

“The Afghanistan Freedom Front carried out 14 attacks, all of which took place in capital Kabul, compared with the 24 confirmed attacks recorded in the previous reporting period,” the UN chief said.

“The National Resistance Front carried out 29 confirmed attacks, with 20 in Kabul, 6 in Takhar, 2 in Baghlan and 1 in Parwan,” he added.

According to the report, the Islamic State (IS) conducted at least six attacks during the period, targeting both caretaker government members and the Hazara-Shia community in Kabul and other provinces.

It said at least 25 security personnel and six civilians lost their lives. As many as 45 security personnel and 10 civilians were injured.

But Abdul Matin Qane, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI), rejected the report as far from true. He told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Security has been ensured across the country.

“Recently, we have recorded no major security incident. The UN has included operations against kidnappers and drugs in its report.”

He blamed the UN and its partners were for continually trying to misrepresent the situation in Afghanistan.

He hoped the relevant agencies would present reports based on ground realties in Afghanistan.

kk/mud