New offensive in Ghazni on the cards

GHAZNI CITY (PAN): A fresh clean-up operation codenamed "Zardalo Kotal" would be launched soon to drive militants from two districts of southern Ghazni province, officials said on Tuesday.

Involving Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops, the offensive is being launched in Qarabagh and Jaghori districts, a commander of the 203^rd Military Corps said.

Col. Daud Shah Wafadar told Pajhwok Afghan News Afghan News Zardalo Kotak was an area in Qarabagh, where a join military base of Afghan National Army (ANA) and police was inaugurated on Monday.

Backed by their foreign partners, Afghan forces would keep security for the routes linking the two districts, he said.

Jaghori district chief, Zafar Sharif, said the militants harassed travelers. People commute from Jaghori to Malistan through Maqur district instead of Qarabagh district due to security concerns, he said.

Gen. Gul Nabi Ahmadzai, the 505^th Spinghar police zone commander, said the planned operation was aimed at re-opening and securing roads in the area. He hoped the offensive would also result in paving the ground for implementing development projects.

A tribal elder from Qarabagh, Amir Mohammad, said the people's economic situation was worsening day by day and so was unemployment.

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