At least 80 Afghan policemen die every week in militant attacks in the fighting season from April to November in Afghanistan.

Kabul, Oct 29/Nationalturk-  In a grim reminder of the days ahead for security forces in strife-torn Afghanistan, at least 80 Afghan policemen die every week in militant attacks in the fighting season from April to November.

“In the ongoing fighting season since April this year,  Taliban militants have launched over 6600 attacks across the country. These include  50 suicide bombings, 1704  attacks on police,” said General Salim Ehsas, Afghanistan’s deputy interior minister in conference in Kabul.

‘Over 2000 Afghan policemen  died this year’

The minister said over  1273 national police personnel, 779 local policemen and 858 civilians have lost their lives in the militant attacks in the country from April this year.

Ehsas said over 5500 police men and civilians have been wounded in the attacks.

As per the statistics available, at least 80 policemen die in Taliban militant attacks in every week in the war ravaged Afghanistan.

The figure does not include the Afghan army men, who die in militant attacks. Afghanistan’s  defence ministry and army have not  released figures about Afghan army men and officers, who have died fighting militancy this year. However, officials say the figure would be higher than last year.

‘Sharp rise in casualties’

The figures reflect a sharp rise in casualties at a time when US-led NATO forces are stepping back from the frontline and would withdraw 87,000 troops by the end of 2014. In June this year, Afghan forces took control of security across the country, marking a major milestone as US-led combat troops prepare to end more than a decade of war.

It remains to be seen how Afghan forces deal with the situation after complete withdrawal of international forces from the country.

According to military analysts, Afghanistan’s fighting season begins in April or May as snow melts in mountains, and slows in November, when winter sets in.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Afghanistan News