A group of Taliban militants launched coordinated attack on a military compound belonging to the Afghan Border Police (ABP) forces in southern Kandahar province.

The attack was launched around 7:00 pm local time in Spin Boldak district, involving at least three heavily armed suicide bombers.

According to the local government officials, heavy gun battle was triggered after the suicide bombers managed to enter the compound which continued until late on Wednesday night.

There are no reports regarding the exact casualties as a result of the incident but a local security official said all three suicide bombers were shot dead and a service member of the Afghan Border Police lost his life as well during the gun battle.

The Taliban militants group claimed responsibility behind the incident.

The Afghan national security forces launched coordinated operations-led by the First Vice President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum against the Taliban militants in Khamab district of northern Jawzjan province.

According to the local security officials, the operations are launched a day after Gen. Dostum arrived in Jawzjan province to supervise operations against the Taliban insurgents.

The officials further added at least 15 Taliban militants were killed and several have been detained during the operations which were launched earlier today.

In the meantime, sources close to Gen. Dostum said the First Vice President arrived in Khamab district this afternoon amid ongoing clashes between the security forces and the Taliban insurgents.

Gen. Dostum arrived in Sherbarghan city on Tuesday afternoon, a month after he concluded operations against the Taliban militants in northern Faryab province.

It was expected that the operations led by Gen. Dostum would kick off in Ghormach district of Faryab province which fell to Taliban control recently.

However, the operation in Khamab district was reportedly launched after receiving requests from the National Security Council, sources close to Gen. Dostum added.

Khamab is located in the outskirts of Jawzjan province which fell to Taliban control nearly three weeks ago.

Pakistan is sending wheat to civilians affected by a deadly Taliban attack in northern Kundoz province.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has directed the country's Foreign Office to send a plane-load of wheat stock to Kundoz where people face major food shortage following the 16 days long clashes between Taliban insurgents and security forces.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister House states that this measure is being taken as a goodwill gesture on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan for the returning residents of Kunduz facing severe food shortage after Taliban retreat.

Taliban stormed the key northern city at the end of September and controlled parts of it for about two days.

They were given a broken mouth response by security forces and run away from the city with heavy casualties.

Officials said that hundreds of militants were killed in air strikes and clashes with security forces.

The heavy gun battle continued for about a week but sporadic clashes continued for at least 16 days.

More than 300 civilians lost lives and sustained injuries in the fighting. Around 20,000 families which is estimated to have 100,000 people were internally displaced.

Five militants belonging to the Islamic State which is also known by its Arabic name Daesh have been killed and a vehicle loaded with weapons and ammunition seized in eastern Nangarhar province.

Colonel Hazrat Hussain Mashriqiwal, spokesman for the police HQ of Nangarhar said that the insurgents were killed in artillery fire on their hideouts in Achin District on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a statement released by the National Directorate of Security (NDS) – Afghanistan's intelligence agency on Wednesday states that a vehicle loaded with weapons and ammunition of Daesh has been seized in Nangarhar.

The statement further states that a Doshka (DSHK) heavy machinegun, 25 Kalashnikovs and 125 magazines were very professionally placed in the 'Pickup' vehicle seized in Kama District.

Daesh group that emerged in Afghanistan about a year ago tries to establish a foothold in Nangarhar province.

The National Security Council has instructed Army Corps across the country to be on high alert.

A meeting of the National Security Council was organized at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday in which the security situation of the country was discussed and necessary instructions were issued to the security organs.

At the beginning of the meeting, President Ghani was updated on the current security situation.

Later, the council passed a draft about strengthening security posts, availability of personnel, weapons and ammunition for national security and defense forces and thwarting security challenges.

Security organs were instructed to launch special security operations in the insecure district based on precise information. They were told to be extra-vigilant to prevent civilian casualties.

Security organs were also instructed to underway necessary measures to protect borders and immediately inform the Security Council if border-violation is experienced.

Minister of Interior Noor-ul-Haq Olomi, acting-Minister of Defense Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai, Directorate of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) Rahmatullah Nabil and National Security Advisor to the President Hanif Atmar were part of Tuesday’s meeting.

Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority has upgraded to 'Ministry' as per a decree by the Presidential Palace.

Mohammad Sarwar Danish, the second-Vice President of Afghanistan said in a press conference on Wednesday that ANDMA was operating out of temporarily compounds.

He said after a thorough  review the decision was taken to upgrade it to the ministry level.

Danish said that the operation of the new ministry has to be extended and that it should receive all possible support.

Wais Ahmad Barmak has been appointed as the minister for the new ministry.

He has previously served on several government posts, including Senior Advisor to the Department of Disaster Management and Preparedness in Afghanistan (ANDMA) and different posts at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD). He has also served on other posts with government and international organizations including the United Nations.

Government has launched a project to transfer electricity from Kabul to neighboring Logar province.

As per the project, power cables would be extended from Arghandi area of Kabul to the provincial capital of Logar province in a period of one year.

It includes the installation of 246 electricity pillars in the distance of 71.6 kilometers and construction of a substation in Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital. The foundation stone of the substation was laid by the province's governor.

The project is funded by the US Army Corps of Engineer which will cost them $12 million. The project is scheduled to be completed in a period of one year.

Governor of Logar province Mohammad Alim Fidayee, other high ranking government officials, members of the provincial council and community elders talked about the importance of the project during a ceremony on Monday.

Hasibullah Stanikzai, head of Logar's provincial council said that residents of Logar province are very glad to receive electricity.

He said that people would extend any possible assistance to the implementing body of the project.

MP

An Afghan who migrated to Canada with her family about 20 years ago won a seat in the parliament of Canada.

Maryam Monsef now a member of Liberal Party of Canada received the most votes among her peers from Peterborough-Kawartha District of Ontario province.

She has posted a message on her facebook account about her victory stating that: "I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude today. And then to start my day seeing that even our next generation of voters cast their student “ballots” for ‪#‎realchange? All I can say is Thank you. Thank you to each and every one of you. Now, let’s get to work–there is so much to be done."

After fleeing the terror and oppression of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Maryam Monsef and her family went to Canada.
She graduated from Trent University with a Bachelor of Science, she has worked with a number of organizations including Trent University, Fleming College, Peterborough Economic Development, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough and the New Canadian Centre on initiatives which assisted both individuals, and our community, in reaching their full potential.

She has been a member of over thirty community based action committees, served on numerous boards, and is a highly sought after speaker on topics such as leadership, youth, women and community action.
Maryam co-founded the Red Pashmina Campaign, which has raised over $150,000 for women and girls in Afghanistan, while also recognizing local women of impact.

Security forces have fended off a Taliban attack on Ghoryan District of western Herat province.

According to reports, around 200 militants launched the attack on security forces in the vicinity of Ghoryan's capital city on Tuesday evening

Sediq Sediqi, spokesman for Ministry of Interior posted a message on its twitter account last night stating that security forces have repelled the attack on Ghoryan District.

"Terrorists attack on Ghorian district repelled by Afghan security forces, Herat Police chief with special forces have reached Ghorian," the messaged stated.

This morning he posted another message stating that 15 militants were killed in last night's battle.

"15 Taliban terrorists were killed when security forces responded to Taliban attack on Ghoryan District of Herat." Sediqi stated in his message this morning.

Meanwhile, Noor Ahmad Haidarzada who is a member of Herat's provincial council says that three soldiers have also embraced martyrdom and five others wounded in the clashes.

This was second largest attack of Taliban in Herat province this week.

They attacked Shindand District on Monday but faced mouth-broken response.