Azimi claims considerable fall in civilian deaths

KABUL): Nearly 463 Afghan National Army (ANA) officials were killed over the past six months, compared with 472 in the same period last year, a defence ministry official said on Wednesday.

Addressing a news conference in Kabul, the ministry spokesman, Gen. Zahir Azimi, said that fatalities among ANA officials decreased because of their growing capacity.

With 50,000 foreign troops having pulled out of the country, 80 percent of operations are being carried out by Afghan forces, the spokesman said, praising the army’s increasing professionalism.

Azimi said Afghan soldiers were receiving training at 20 military schools that met international standards. He claimed civilians casualties has considerably fallen during the operations conducted by ANA.

The spokesman billed Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi’s current five-day visit to Pakistan as important, saying he would talks with Pakistani officials on enhancing defence cooperation, the fight against terrorism and security in border areas.

He said Mohammadi would also confer with his interlocutors on the nagging problems being faced by Afghan traders in the neighbouring country.

mm/mud

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