The NATO-led force in Afghanistan said yesterday it will halt offensive operations during this week’s presidential election, and the country’s fragile security was underscored when two mortar rounds struck near the presidential palace in Kabul.
The military alliance’s decision follows a similar order to Afghan forces by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has called for an election day truce.
Millions of Afghans are expected to vote tomorrow for president and provincial councils amid threats from the Taliban that they will disrupt the poll. US, NATO and Afghan forces will be stationed around the country to help protect the vote, but will not be carrying out offensive operations.
PHOTO: AFP
“In support of the Afghan National Security Forces [ANSF] who lead the security efforts during the electoral process, only those operations that are deemed necessary to protect the population will be conducted on that day,” the NATO-led force said in a statement.
Two mortar rounds, meanwhile, hit early yesterday near the presidential palace in Kabul, the US military said.
US spokeswoman Captain Elizabeth Mathias had no details of damage or casualties.
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