Afghanistan: Security forces targeted in Tagab district (Kapisa province) April 2

Event

Suspected Taliban militants launched an attack on a security checkpoint in Tagab district (Kapisa province) on Thursday, April 2, killing two security force members and wounding 11 others. The clashes reportedly took place in the Shahtor Nawa area of Tagab. An unconfirmed number of militants were also reportedly killed or wounded in the assault. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Further attacks targeting security forces in the region are possible in the near term.

Context

Progress toward Afghan-Taliban negotiations, as stipulated in a US-brokered peace deal, has been hampered by a power struggle between President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, who have both recently declared themselves president in competing inauguration ceremonies.

Taliban militants launch attacks on government personnel, security forces, and civilians in Afghanistan on a near-daily basis. Such assaults are, in part, intended to undermine the perceived capacity of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), and the Afghan government more broadly, to adequately provide security in the wake of the withdrawal of most US-led NATO forces from the country.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the vicinities of the attacks, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.