Afghan army forces have launched a major military operation against Daesh-linked militants, who have been expanding their presence in the eastern province of Nangarhar.
Security officials said Saturday that Special Forces with the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) carried out initial raids against the militants in the Kot district of Nangarhar early Friday, local news outlets reported.
Afghan authorities further said the army and US forces are providing air support for the ground operation.
The development comes following a visit to Nangarhar by Defense Minister General Abdullah Habibi earlier in the week, where he met with local authorities to discuss the military offensive against Daesh.
The operations take place days after President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani ordered an offensive meant to completely root out the TDaesh militants from Nangarhar.
The difficult days of Afghanistan have passed, said Ghani, cautioning, however, that enemies are still plotting against the nation.
The Afghan president also met with residents of Kot district and hailed their resistance against the Daesh-affiliated extremist elements.
Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan, has been the main area where Daesh has managed to carry out high-profile attacks.
Daesh has reportedly managed to establish connections with the Taliban’s splinter groups, especially those believed to be discontent with changes in the militant group’s leadership.
The Takfiri group has also enjoyed defections from al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan remains gripped by insecurity 15 years after a massive US-led military invasion of the country as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror.
The war removed the Taliban from power, but instability is still rampant in the Asian nation despite the presence of thousands of foreign troops.
