ANA loses 1,183 soldiers in a year

 KABUL, but insurgents suffered much higher fatalities.

A spokesman for the ministry said 841 soldiers had been killed during the previous year, linking the higher fatalities to the army’s growing numbers

Currently the ANA strength stood at more than 195,000, Gen. Azimi told a news conference in Kabul. With the transition process continuing, the army is presently providing security for 76 percent of the population.

He said 85 percent of ANA fatalities resulted from roadside bombings. However, the spokesman did not put a specific figure on Taliban’s causalities, saying they were far more than the army’s.

In response to a query, Gen. Azimi said 84 percent of counterinsurgency operations were being conducted by the Afghan army.

ml/mud

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