The Ministry of Defense in a statement said that the Taliban had attacked some parts of Dawlatyar district, Ghor province Wednesday night but were defeated by the national defense forces, leaving a Taliban’s shadow governor of Lalo-Sarjangal district along with nine other Taliban fighters dead.

“The security forces being actively defensive defended themselves and the residents of Dawlatyar district killing 10 Taliban fighters,” the statement added.

According to the MoD report, the Taliban killed in action are named as follows:

1-            Qari Rauf, a Taliban shadow governor for Lal-o-Sarjangal district

2-            Qari Niyatullah son of Amanullah, a mine maker of the Taliban, from Zarzughal village

3-            Mohammad Amin son Sarwar from Pushtai Noor

4-            Rabbani son of Ghulam Haidar from Pushtai Noor

5-            Jumhoor son of Khal Mohammad from Samak

6-            Hayatullah son of Noorullah from Samak

7-            Mustafa son of Amirdad from Murghab

8-            Mohammad Noor son of Dost from Pushta Naw

It’s reported that the dead, named above, belonged to Qari Rauf’s group.

The statement says that six other Taliban fighters were wounded in the combat, and some six AK47 and an 82mm rocket launcher were also seized by the Afghan forces.

The ambassadors of some foreign countries to Kabul, in their Nawroz welcoming notes, expressed their concerns regarding the ongoing tensions between the Afghan political leaders.

The new year inherits peace talks hurdles, political tensions, and more importantly, the fear of the coronavirus from the previous year.

David Martinon, the French ambassador to Afghanistan, says that being united will make Afghanistan stronger, but nowadays in Afghanistan, the leaders are not united. Martinon suggests that Afghan leaders should unite to negotiate with the Taliban.

According to him, the coming weeks are important as besides peace talks, Afghanistan and other nations are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

This comes as Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, in an interview with RTA, insisted on an agreement between the politicians, the forming a high council of reconciliation and an inclusive negotiating team.

Khalilzad said, “We want to reach Intra-Afghan talks as soon as possible. We want the negotiating team to be inclusive. There are some prisoners who are old and have sentenced time, therefore some steps should be taken.”

Khalilzad added, “This is a big danger that threatens the peace talks and fights with the coronavirus. A solution should be found that is acceptable for all.”

In the meantime, following their mediating journey, Hamid Karzai and Abdul Rab Rasool Sayaf visited Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday to resolve the tensions between him and President Ghani.

Khalilzad, the US Special Envoy for Peace in Afghanistan, says that some of the goals of the US that have been met are the Taliban’s actions against Daesh to stop them recruit and train men in eastern Afghanistan.

He says the implementation of commitments made by the US in the agreement is very much dependent on the Taliban’s actions.

In a tweet, the envoy wrote, “I welcome the Taliban's statement denouncing Daesh & committing to stop any attempts by Daesh to "recruit, fundraise, or train" inside Afghanistan. These mirror Taliban’s public commitments (in our agreement) against Al Qaeda & all other groups that threaten the US or its allies.”

Khalilzad also tweeted, “We expect the Taliban to deliver on their commitment. The fulfillment of our commitments within the agreement will depend on the Taliban delivering on their commitments. The Taliban statement on Deash and their recent operations against terrorists in Kunar are positive steps.”

Sayed Ishaq Gailani, head of Afghanistan National Solidarity, said, “Miller and Khalizad traveled to Qatar. We hope they return with good news on the releases of prisoners so that the way towards Intra-Afghan dialogue is paved.”

While the Taliban and the US are putting their commitments on the agreement into action, Kabul has not reached a single thought with the political movements on starting the Intra-Afghan talks.

In the meantime, referring to president Ghani’s comment on the Taliban’s breaking up with Pakistani, the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says that the progress made in the Afghan peace talks is the result of Pakistan’s cooperation which should be appreciated.

The PM says that in the current progress, Pakistan’s efforts should be appreciated and that it’s on the US and the government of Afghanistan to realize the 19 years of war could not bring peace to Afghanistan – now is the time to continue the path towards peace.

The UN, in a statement, has asked for preserving children’s rights in the process of peace in Afghanistan.

The statement highlights Afghanistan as the deadliest place for children and asks the parties involved not to leave any stones behind in bringing peace and putting an end to the war in the country.