Published May 6, 2021 | Updated June 3, 2021 | By Fatima Faizi, Fahim Abed and Najim Rahim
At least 405 pro-government forces and 260 civilians were killed in Afghanistan in May, the highest total death toll in a single month since July 2019.
The following report compiles all significant security incidents confirmed by New York Times reporters throughout Afghanistan for the month. It is necessarily incomplete as many local officials refuse to confirm casualty information. The report includes government claims of insurgent casualty figures, but in most cases, these cannot be independently verified by The Times. Similarly, the reports do not include Taliban claims for their attacks on the government unless they can be verified. Both sides routinely inflate casualty totals for their opponents.
May 28-31, 2021
At least 46 pro-government forces and 29 civilians were killed in Afghanistan in the final four days of the month, giving May the highest total death toll in a single month since July 2019. The deadliest attack occurred in Jowzjan Province, where the Taliban attacked a security outpost in Faizabad district, killing five pro-government militia members and three police officers and a civilian. The outpost was overrun by the Taliban. In Helmand, a car bomb attributed to the Taliban targeted a security base in Gereshk district, killing three commandos and four soldiers and wounding 52 others.
May 31 Herat Province: two civilians killed
During a firefight between the Taliban and Afghan security forces in Ghoryan district, two civilians were killed and five others were wounded.
May 31 Kabul Province: one police officer killed
A police officer was gunned down by unknown armed men in the 12th Police District of Kabul city, the capital. The attackers managed to escape the area. An investigation is underway.
May 31 Baghlan Province: one police officer killed
The Taliban attacked a security checkpoint in Khost district, killing one police officer. After a five-hour clash, the Taliban were pushed back from the area.
May 31 Balkh Province: one civilian killed
Unknown armed men shot and killed a civilian inside his shop in the Eighth Police District of Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital. May 31 Jowzjan Province: six civilians killed
A rickshaw was hit by a rocket in Faizabad district during a firefight between the Taliban and Afghan security forces. Six civilians, including two children, were killed and one child was wounded.
May 31 Ghazni Province: one civilian killed
A tribal elder was shot to death by unknown gunmen in Ghazni city, the provincial capital. The attackers then fled the scene.
May 31 Faryab Province: one pro-government militia member killed
In an insider attack, a pro-government militia commander was killed in his outpost in Qurghan district. The attacker then joined the Taliban, which confirmed they were behind the attack.
May 31 Baghlan Province: seven security forces killed
A Humvee packed with explosives targeted a police headquarters in Baghlan-e-Markazi district, killing four police officers, two soldiers and one commando and wounding 12 security forces and 16 civilians.
May 30 Badghis Province: one soldier killed
The Taliban attacked Jawand district center, killing one soldier and wounding one more. The fighting continued for two hours, but the Taliban were pushed back.
May 30 Badghis Province: one N.D.S. killed
During a Taliban attack on a security outpost in Ab-Kamari district, an officer of the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, was killed.
May 30 Parwan Province: one civilian killed
A civilian was killed and one more was wounded by unknown armed men in Charikar, the provincial capital. The attackers fled the area.
May 30 Parwan Province: one police officer killed
The deputy police chief of Kapisa Province was gunned down by unknown armed men in Charikar while he was returning to his office.
May 30 Parwan Province: one police officer killed
The Taliban ambushed a convoy of Afghan security forces in Shinwari district while they were driving to Daikundi Province. During the attack, one police officer was killed and two others were wounded.
May 30 Jowzjan Province: eight security forces and one civilian killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in Faizabad district, killing five pro-government militia members and three police officers and a civilian. The outpost was overrun by the Taliban.
May 29 Herat Province: six soldiers killed
A military vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Ghoryan district, killing six soldiers.
May 29 Kapisa Province: seven civilians killed
A mortar round fired by the Taliban during a firefight between the insurgents and Afghan security forces hit a wedding party in Tagab district, killing seven civilians and wounding six others.
May 29 Parwan Province: four civilians killed
Four civilians were killed and 11 more were wounded in an explosion that targeted a vehicle carrying Alberoni University professors and students in Charikar. They were traveling from Kabul to Kapisa province.
May 29 Paktika Province: one police officer killed
A police officer was killed and two others were wounded by a roadside bomb explosion in Sarhawaza district.
May 29 Badghis Province: one N.D.S. officer killed
A roadside bomb exploded in Moqor district, killing an N.D.S. officer.
May 28 Badghis Province: one N.D.S. officer killed
The Taliban shot and killed an N.D.S. officer in Moqor district.
May 28 Badghis Province: two civilians killed
Two civilians driving up to a checkpoint in Ab-Kamari district were shot and killed by Afghan security forces when they didn’t pay attention to the warning to stop.
May 28 Zabul Province: five police officers killed
The Taliban attacked security outposts in Qalat, the provincial capital, killing five police officers and wounding three others.
May 28 Faryab Province: two police officers killed
In Khwaja Sabz Posh district, two police officers were killed and an outpost fell to the Taliban, who were retaliating after an operation by Afghan police forces.
May 28 Kunduz Province: one pro-government militia member killed
One pro-government militia member was killed during an operation by the Afghan security forces against the Taliban in Imam Sahib district.
May 28 Daikundi Province: one civilian killed
A roadside bomb exploded in Pato district, killing one child and wounding three more.
May 28 Helmand Province: three civilians killed
A Taliban mortar round hit a house in Gereshk district, killing three civilians, including two women, and wounding five others.
May 28 Helmand Province: seven security forces killed
A car bomb attributed to the Taliban targeted a security base in Gereshk district, killing three commandos and four soldiers and wounding 52 others.
May 21-27, 2021
At least 72 pro-government forces and 27 civilians were killed in Afghanistan the past week. The deadliest incident occurred in Baghlan Province, where the Taliban attacked a security outpost in Gozargah-e-Noor district, killing eight territorial army soldiers and wounding 10 others. In Badakhshan, the Taliban attacked a pro-government militia commander’s house in Darayem district, killing six pro-government militia members, including the commander.
Since May 1, at least 26 outposts and bases in just four provinces — Laghman, Baghlan, Wardak and Ghazni — have surrendered after negotiations with the Taliban, according to village elders and government officials. With morale diving as American troops leave, and the Taliban seizing on each surrender as a propaganda victory, each collapse feeds the next in the Afghan countryside.
May 27 Kapisa Province: three civilians killed
Three civilians, including a tribal elder, were killed in a bomb explosion in Mahmoud Raqi, the provincial capital. No group has claimed responsibility.
May 26 Farah Province: one civilian killed
A female employee of Farah prison was killed by the Taliban in Farah city, the provincial capital, while she was traveling in their controlled area.
May 26 Takhar Province: one militia member killed
During a Taliban attack on security outposts in Taliqan, the provincial capital, a pro-government militia member was killed and one more was wounded. The Taliban retreated from the area.
May 26 Balkh Province: one soldier killed
The Taliban attacked Sholgara district’s center, killing one soldier and wounding one other. The Taliban were pushed back from the district.
May 26 Faryab Province: four civilians killed
Four civilians were killed and six civilians and two security forces were wounded by a mortar round fired by the Taliban in Qaisar district.
May 26 Kabul Province: two N.D.S. officers killed
Unknown gunmen shot and killed two officers of the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, in the Fifth Police District of Kabul, the capital. The attackers managed to flee the scene.
May 26 Takhar Province: three pro-government militia member killed
The Taliban ambushed security forces in the center of Yangi Qala district while they were on a patrol, killing three pro-government militia members.
May 26 Badghis Province: five N.D.S. forces killed
Five N.D.S. officers were killed in a Taliban ambush in Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital.
May 25 Kabul Province: one civilian killed
A civilian was shot to death by unknown armed men in Bagrami district. The attackers escaped the area.
May 25 Logar Province: four civilians killed
A mortar fired by an unknown group hit a house in Baraki Barak district, killing four civilians.
May 25 Jowzjan Province: six pro-government militia members killed
Six pro-government militia members were killed in a Taliban attack on Aqcha district. An outpost fell to the Taliban and the fighting went on for more 24 hours. The district is under the siege and the Taliban placed roadside bombs along the highway.
May 25 Parwan Province: one civilian and one police officer killed
Unknown armed men shot and killed a civilian and a police officer in Sayed Khel district and escaped the area.
May 24 Nangarhar Province: five security forces killed
The Taliban attacked security outposts in Achin district, killing four territorial army and one border soldier and wounding six others.
May 24 Logar Province: one security force killed
A security guard of Afghanistan’s National Bank was gunned down in Puli-e-Alam, the provincial capital. The attacker fled the scene.
May 24 Baghlan Province: three soldiers killed
During a Taliban attack on security outposts in Baghlan-e-Markazi district, three soldiers were killed. The outposts fell to the Taliban and the Afghan security forces retreated from the area.
May 24 Badakhshan Province: two militia members killed
Two pro-government militia members were killed and seven others, including three civilians, were wounded during a Taliban attack in Yaftal-e-Bala district.
May 24 Kabul Province: one soldier killed
A magnetic bomb attached to a police vehicle exploded in Bagrami district, killing one police officer and wounding one more.
May 23 Baghlan Province: three civilians killed
Three civilians, including two women, were killed in an airstrike in Pul-e-Khumri, the provincial capital.
May 23 Kunduz Province: one soldier killed
A soldier was killed and two others were wounded in a Taliban ambush in Imam Sahib district. The fighting continued for a few hours, but the security forces managed to get out.
May 23 Badakhshan Province: two security forces killed
The Taliban attacked security outposts in Wardoj district center, killing two territorial army soldiers and wounding six others. The Taliban were pushed back from the district.
May 23 Helmand Province: two civilians killed
Two Hazara civilians were shot to death by unknown gunmen after evening prayer in Greshk district. The attackers managed to escape.
May 23 Takhar Province: one N.D.S. officer killed
An N.D.S. officer was killed by the Taliban in Hazar Smuch district while he was on his way home.
May 23 Logar Province: two N.D.S. officers killed
The Taliban attacked and killed two N.D.S. officers while they were patrolling in Mohammad Agha district.
May 23 Laghman Province: one police officer killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in Mehtarlam, the provincial capital, killing a police officer.
May 23 Kunduz Province: four civilians killed
Unknown armed men attacked a house in Khanabad district, killing four civilians, including a woman, and wounding three others. The attackers fled the area. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. An investigation is underway.
May 23 Kandahar Province: one police officer killed
Armed men on a motorcycle shot and killed a police officer in Kandahar city, the provincial capital. The attacker escaped the scene.
May 23 Badakhshan Province: six security forces killed
The Taliban attacked a pro-government militia commander’s house in Darayem district. During the clash, six pro-government militia members, including the commander, were killed, and the Taliban seized their equipment.
May 23 Parwan Province: one civilian killed
A religious scholar was shot dead by unknown armed men in Sayed Khel district. No group has claimed responsibility so far.
May 23 Herat Province: two militia members killed
Two pro-government militia members were killed and one more was wounded by Taliban snipers in Chesht-e-Sharif district. Two Taliban attackers were killed in response and others fled the area.
May 22 Baghlan Province: eight pro-government militia members killed
During a Taliban attack on a security outpost in Gozargah-e-Noor district, eight territorial army soldiers were killed, and 10 others were wounded.
May 22 Helmand Province: three civilians killed
A rocket hit a house in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, killing three children and wounding two others.
May 22 Badghis Province: one soldier killed
The Taliban attacked an army outpost in Qadis district. During two hours of fighting, one soldier was killed.
May 22 Kabul Province: one civilian killed
A former pro-government militia commander from Wardak was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Kabul’s Fifth Police District.
May 22 Faryab Province: four security forces killed
A Humvee was targeted by a roadside bomb in Almar district. Three soldiers and a pro-government militia member were killed.
May 22 Baghlan Province: two civilians killed
A mortar round fired by the Taliban hit a market in Nahrin district, killing two civilians and wounding four others.
May 22 Jowzjan Province: one militia member killed
A pro-government militia commander was killed by his bodyguard in Aqcha district center. The attacker managed to flee the area.
May 21 Takhar Province: one civilian killed
A Taliban mortar round hit a house in Taliqan, the provincial capital, killing an 8-year-old child and wounding another child and a woman.
May 21 Zabul Province: five police officers killed
During a clash between the Taliban and Afghan security forces in Shar-e-Safa district, five police officers were killed.
May 21 Kapisa Province: two militia members killed
Two pro-government militia members were killed and four others were wounded in a Taliban attack in Tagab district.
May 14-20, 2021
At least 40 pro-government forces and 34 civilians were killed in Afghanistan the past week. In Kabul Province, a bomb exploded in a mosque in Shakardara district during Friday prayer, killing 12 civilians, including the imam, and wounding 15 others. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. In Zabul Province, during a Taliban attack on security checkpoints in Qalat, the provincial capital, six police officers, including a commander, were killed and three others were wounded.
May 20 Herat Province: one police officer killed
Unknown gunmen shot and killed a police officer in the 13th Police District of Herat city, the provincial capital. The shooter managed to escape the scene.
May 20 Logar Province: one police officer killed
A police officer was gunned down and one more was wounded in the Taliban attack in the provincial capital, Pul-e-Alam.
May 20 Jowzjan: one civilian killed
A military prosecutor was killed when a magnetic bomb attached to a private vehicle exploded in the provincial capital, Sheberghan.
May 20 Ghor Province: three civilians killed
Three civilians, including two children, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in the provincial capital, Firoz Koh.
May 19 Zabul Province: six police officers killed
During a Taliban attack on security checkpoints in Qalat, the provincial capital, six police officers, including a commander, were killed and three others were wounded.
May 19 Ghor Province: two civilians killed
A roadside bomb went off in Firoz Koh, killing two civilians and wounding one more.
May 19 Ghor Province: three civilians killed
Three Hazara civilians were killed by the Taliban while they were traveling from Ghor to Herat province in Firoz Koh.
May 19 Helmand Province: one civilian killed
A mortar hit a civilian house in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, killing a civilian. It is unclear who fired the mortar.
May 19 Herat Province: one police officer
A police officer was shot dead by an unknown gunman in Herat city, the provincial capital, in front of former Herat governor Ismail Khan’s house. The attacker was killed by Mr. Khan’s bodyguards.
May 19 Herat Province: one police officer
A police officer was gunned down by the Taliban in the center of Obey district.
May 18 Logar Province: one police officer killed
Unknown gunmen shot and killed a police officer in Pul-e-Alam.
May 18 Khost Province: one N.D.S. officer killed
A magnetic bomb attached to a N.D.S. vehicle exploded in Zazai Maidan district, killing one N.D.S. officer.
May 18 Jowzjan Province: three police officers killed
The Taliban attacked the center of Faizabad district. During the fighting, three police officers were killed and four others were wounded, but the Taliban were pushed back from the area.
May 18 Kunduz Province: two soldiers killed
Two soldiers were killed by the Taliban in Chardara district outside of their military base.
May 18 Kunduz Province: two security forces killed
The Taliban attacked a police chief’s house in Imam Sahib district, killing one N.D.S. officer and a police officer. Nine security forces were wounded. The Taliban also blew up two bridges in the area.
May 18 Herat Province: one civilian killed
A mortar hit a civilian house in Obey district, killing a 16-year-old boy. The family claims that the mortar was fired by Afghan security forces, but provincial officials blame the Taliban for the incident.
May 18 Baghlan Province: three security forces killed
A soldier, a police officer and a pro-government militia member were killed and four others were wounded during clashes with the Taliban in Baghlan-e-Markazi district. During the attack the Afghan security forces bombed a clinic, wounding four health workers. Provincial officials claimed that the clinic provides health care to wounded Taliban fighters.
May 18 Ghor Province: two police officers killed
Two police officers, including a police commander, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Firoz Koh.
May 18 Nangarhar Province: one police officer killed
A police vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, killing one police officer and wounding one other.
May 18 Herat Province: one police officer killed
A police officer was killed by the Taliban in Koshk-e-Robatsnagi district. The attacker fled the area.
May 17 Khost Province: four civilians killed
Four civilians including a child were killed by unknown gunmen in Khost city, the provincial capital, while they were on their way back home from a religious ceremony. The government is investigating the incident.
May 17 Faryab Province: one police officer killed
The Taliban attacked security outposts in Pashton Kot District, killing one police officer. The Taliban were pushed back.
May 16 Khost Province: three civilians killed
A rocket landed in a residential area in Baraki Barak district, killing three civilians and wounding six others. An investigation is underway into the incident as it is unclear who fired the munition.
May 16 Khost Province: five pro-government militia members killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in Mohammad Agha district. The fighting continued for hours, and during the clash five pro-government militia members were killed. The Taliban were pushed back from the district.
May 16 Badghis Province: one police officer killed
The Taliban sniper shot and killed a police officer in Moqor district.
May 16 Baghlan Province: two police officers killed
A mortar fired by the Afghan security forces hit a police headquarters in Dawlat Shah district, killing two police officers, including the district police chief.
May 16 Ghazni Province: three civilians killed
Three civilians were killed and three others were wounded while a roadside bomb targeted their vehicle in Khwaja Omiri district.
May 16 Baghlan Province: a police officer killed
A police outpost commander in Baghlan-e-Markazi district was wounded fighting the Taliban and succumbed to his injuries.
May 15 Herat Province: one civilian killed
A woman was shot to death by the Taliban in Adraskan district because she had allegedly committed adultery.
May 15 Kabul Province: one police officer killed
A traffic police officer was killed when a bomb targeted his vehicle in Sarobi district. Two civilians were also wounded in the blast.
May 14 Balkh Province: two soldiers killed
A roadside bomb exploded and killed two soldiers while they were defusing it in Balkh district.
May 14 Kapisa Province: one soldier killed
The Taliban ambushed an army convoy in Tagab district while they were heading to Mohamoud Raqi city. A soldier was killed and three others were wounded.
May 14 Kabul Province: 12 civilians killed
A bomb exploded in a mosque in Shakardara District during Friday prayer, killing 12 civilians, including the imam, and wounding 15 others. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
May 7-13, 2021
At least 107 pro-government forces and 126 civilians were killed in Afghanistan the past week, as attacks continue to worsen around the country while the United States withdraws. On Saturday, a triple bombing targeted a school in a Hazara neighborhood in the 13th Police District of Kabul city, the capital, killing at least 86 civilians and wounding 150 more. Most of the casualties were high school girls. The government blamed the Taliban for the attack, but the group denied responsibility. The Taliban and the government declared a three-day beginning Thursday, May 13, cease-fire to commemorate Eid.
May 13 Kunduz Province: two civilians killed
Two civilians including a child were killed and 14 others were wounded when a bomb exploded in the Fourth Police District of Kunduz city, the provincial capital.
May 13 Kandahar Province: Five civilians killed
Five civilians, including three children, were killed and four others were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded in Maiwand district.
May 12 Nangarhar Province: three civilians killed
A civilian vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Shirzad district, killing three civilians and wounding three others.
May 12 Herat Province: one civilian killed
An Islam Qala customs employee was shot dead by unknown gunmen on the border while going to his office. The attackers escaped the scene.
May 11 Kunduz Province: five civilians killed
A mortar fired by Afghan security forces hit a house in Imam Sahib district, killing five civilians, including two women, and two others were wounded.
May 11 Wardak Province: one civilian killed
One civilian was killed during clashes between the Taliban and Afghan security forces in Nirkh district. The Afghan security forces surrendered to the Taliban and the district collapsed to the insurgents.
May 11 Badghis Province: one police officer killed
A police officer was gunned down by Taliban fighters in Ab-Kamari district.
May 11 Khost Province: four service forces killed
A former Khost Protection Force commander and three others were killed while their vehicle was ambushed by unknown gunmen in Tani district. The attackers fled the area.
May 11 Parwan Province: one civilian killed
The communication manager of the provincial Hajj and Religious Affairs Ministry was assassinated by unknown gunmen in Salang district.
May 11 Kandahar Province: one security force killed
Gunmen attacked criminal investigation department employees in Kandahar city, the provincial capital, killing one officer and wounding one another. During the shooting, the attacker was also killed.
May 11 Badakhshan Province: six pro-government militia members killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in Jurm district, killing six pro-government militia members and wounding three others. The fighting went on for three hours and the Taliban overran the outpost.
May 11 Takhar Province: one pro-government militia member and one civilian killed
A pro-government militia commander and his daughter were killed when the Taliban attacked their house Rustaq district.
May 10 Jowzjan Province: two pro-government militia members killed
During the Taliban attack on a security outpost in Aqcha district, two pro-government militia members were killed and another one was wounded.
May 10 Logar Province: two police officers killed
Shapoor Ahmadzai, former spokesman of Logar police, was killed along with a police officer in Pul-e-Alam, the provincial capital, by unknown gunmen. Mr. Ahmadzai served as the head of the First Police District in the city.
May 10 Ghor Province: four police officers killed
A police officer opened fire and killed four of his colleagues at an outpost in Firoz Koh, the provincial capital. The attacker seized weapons, escaped the scene and joined the Taliban.
May 10 Zabul Province: 11 civilians killed
A bus was hit by twin bombs in Shahr-e-Safa, killing 11 civilians and wounding 25 others.
May 10 Parwan Province: two civilians killed
A minivan was hit by a roadside bomb in Jabal Saraj district, killing two civilians and wounding nine others. A second bomb exploded when people gathered to transfer victims. In the blast, five people were wounded.
May 9 Paktia Province: one civilian killed
A civil society activist was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Gardez, the provincial capital. No groups took responsibility for the killing.
May 9 Herat Province: one police officer killed
A police officer was shot dead by the Taliban in Golran district. The shooter managed to flee the area.
May 9 Herat Province: one civilian and one militia member killed
A civilian and a militia member were killed and five others were wounded during clashes between two militia groups in 13th Police District of Herat city, the provincial capital.
May 9 Baghlan Province: one police officer killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in Baghlan-e-Markazi district, killing a police officer and wounding two others. The Taliban were pushed back from the area.
May 9 Farah Province: two soldiers killed
Two soldiers were killed and five others were wounded when a car bomb exploded at their checkpoint in Farah city, the provincial capital.
May 9 Baghlan Province: six security forces killed
Three soldiers and three police officers were killed and 20 others were wounded during a Taliban attack on a police headquarters and government building in Dahana-e-Ghori district. Elite forces were deployed to the district to push back the Taliban, yet the district remains under siege.
May 9 Faryab Province: five soldiers killed
A Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb in Almar district, killing five soldiers and wounding two others.
May 9 Ghazni Province: one police officer killed
A police chief’s vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Khwaja Omari district, killing the police chief.
May 9 Logar Province: four N.D.S. officers killed
Four officers with the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, were killed in Pul-e-Alam when their vehicle was ambushed by the Taliban.
May 9 Logar Province: one civilian killed
A branch manager of Da Afghanistan Bank was shot dead by the Taliban in Pul-e-Alam while he was at a gas station.
May 9 Khost Province: one N.D.S. officer killed
An N.D.S. officer was gunned down by armed men in Khost city, the provincial capital. Police arrested a man with a pistol, and his affiliation with any armed groups is under investigation.
May 9 Khost Province: one police officer killed
A police officer was shot and killed by gunmen on a motorcycle in Ismail Khel district. The perpetrators were arrested by the police.
May 9 Herat Province: one soldier killed
The Taliban attacked Obeh district center, killing one soldier.
May 9 Logar Province: one civilian killed
The head of the province’s economy ministry was killed in a Taliban ambush in Pul-e-Alam.
May 8 Kabul Province: 90 civilians killed
A triple bombing targeted a school in a Hazara neighborhood in the 13th Police District of Kabul city, the capital, killing at least 90 civilians and wounding 240 more. Most of the casualties were high school girls. The government blamed the Taliban for the attack, but the group denied responsibility.
May 8 Baghlan Province: six soldiers killed
In an insider attack in Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital, six soldiers were killed. The attackers seized guns and joined the Taliban.
May 8 Logar Province: six pro-government militia members killed
A vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Mohammad Agha district, killing six pro-government militia members.
May 8 Sar-i-Pul Province: three soldiers killed
A Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb in Sar-i-Pul city, provincial capital. Three soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.
May 8 Wardak Province: 12 soldiers killed
A Taliban car bomb targeted a military base in Sayedabad district, killing 12 soldiers and wounding eight others.
May 8 Herat Province: Five territorial army soldiers killed
The Taliban attacked Pashton Zarghoon district, killing five territorial soldiers and wounding four others. The fighting continued for hours, but no enforcements were sent to the area.
May 8 Baghlan Province: one police officer killed
A police officer was killed and four others were wounded when the Taliban attacked Nahrin district center. The Taliban were pushed back from the district.
May 8 Faryab Province: three security forces killed
A Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb in Pashtun Kot district, killing two public protection forces. Meanwhile, one more security force member was killed during an attack by the Taliban in the district.
May 8 Samangan Province: three security forces killed
During the Taliban’s major offensive attacks on outposts in Dara-e-Suf Bala district, two police officers and a member of the territorial army were killed and four others were wounded. The Taliban were pushed back from the area.
May 8 Herat Province: one soldier killed
One soldier was killed and four police officers and two soldiers were wounded in clashes between the Taliban and security forces in Obeh district.
May 7 Faryab Province: one territorial soldier killed
A territorial army member was assassinated in Gorziwan district. The government blamed the Taliban, who did not take responsibility for the killing.
May 7 Ghazni Province: 11 soldiers killed
The Taliban surrounded a military base and killed 11 soldiers in the Third Police District of Ghazni city, the provincial capital. The soldiers had surrendered to the Taliban hoping to be spared, but the insurgents still killed them.
May 7 Takhar Province: one pro-government militia member killed
A convoy of pro-government militia members was ambushed by gunmen in Rustaq district. During the clash, a pro-government militia commander was killed.
May 7 Baghlan Province: one police officer killed
During a firefight with the Taliban in the Second Police District of Pul-i-Khumri city, one police officer was killed.
May 7 Baghlan Province: two police officers killed
The Taliban attacked Dahana-e-Ghori district center from several directions three times. During the clashes, security forces retreated from four security outposts. Two police officers were killed, three were wounded and two others were taken prisoners. The insurgents were eventually pushed back from the area.
May 7 Herat Province: two pro-government militia members killed
Two pro-government militia members were killed during an attack by the Taliban on a pro-government militia outpost in Gozara district.
May 7 Takhar Province: two pro-government militia members killed
Two pro-government militia members were abducted and killed by the Taliban in Khwaja Bahahuddin district.
May 7 Faryab Province: two police officers killed
The Taliban attacked security outposts in Pashtun Kot district, killing two police officers and wounding two others.
April 30-May 6, 2021
At least 140 pro-government forces and 44 civilians were killed in Afghanistan the past week, the highest death toll in a single week since October. The Taliban intensified their attacks all over the country beginning May 1, the former deadline for withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, according to the deal signed in February 2020 between the insurgent group and the United States. Some of the worst fighting took place in Baghlan, Farah, Kunduz, Herat, Takhar, Helmand, Ghazni and Badakhshan provinces. The deadliest attack took place in Logar Province, where a truck bomb exploded in front of a guesthouse in which a group of students were preparing for university entrance exams, killing 27 civilians and wounding 107 civilians and three security forces. The explosion was massive, the regional hospital, the guesthouse and many other buildings in the area were damaged. In Badakhshan Province, the Taliban attacked a security outpost in the center of Warduj district, burning down a wooden bridge in the area to block the movements of security forces. Eight members of the territorial army were killed and the Taliban eventually captured the outpost after four hours of fighting. An additional four members of security forces were wounded. Security forces went to extinguish the bridge fire, but they were ambushed, and four territorial army members were killed.
May 6 Logar Province: one police officer killed
The district police chief of Kharwar district was shot and killed by the Taliban in the Umer Abad area of Pul-e-Alam, the provincial capital, while he was assessing security outposts.
May 6 Jowzjan Province: five soldiers killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in the Jarqoduq area of Qosh Tepa district, killing five soldiers and wounding three others.
May 6 Wardak Province: one soldier killed
The commander of a support battalion was shot and killed by a Taliban marksman in the Durani Bazaar area of Nerkh district.
May 6 Takhar Province: one soldier killed
The Taliban attacked the center of Darqad district, killing one soldier and wounding four others.
May 6 Helmand Province: two civilians killed
A rocket hit a house in Bolan area of Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, killing two civilians and wounding three others.
May 6 Ghor Province: one police officer killed
One police officer was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in the village of Jar-e-Kandiwas of Firoz Koh, the provincial capital.
May 6 Ghazni Province: six security forces killed
The Taliban attacked and captured a security outpost and a military base in the Arzo area of Ghazni city, the provincial capital. Eight soldiers surrendered to the Taliban from one outpost. At another military base, there were 24 soldiers and police officers, but during the clashes, six soldiers were killed, 12 security forces were taken prisoner and six others were wounded.
May 6 Kunduz Province: one security force killed
The Taliban ambushed security forces as they were patrolling in the Tot Mazar area of Imam Sahib district, killing one pro-government militia member and wounding two others.
May 6 Kunduz Province: eight soldiers killed
The Taliban attacked a battalion headquarters in the Bagh-e-Shirkat area in the Third Police District of Kunduz city, the provincial capital, killing eight soldiers and wounding two others. Local officials claimed that 13 Taliban fighters were killed in the clashes.
May 6 Kunduz Province: one police officer killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in the First Police District of Kunduz city, killing one police officer.
May 6 Kandahar Province: one journalist killed
Niamat Rawan, a Finance Ministry employee and former journalist with Tolo News, a national television station, was shot and killed in the 14th Police District of Kandahar city, the provincial capital.
May 6 Herat Province: one soldier killed
One soldier was killed and two others were wounded in a Taliban attack in the center of Farsi district.
May 6 Baghlan Province: one security force killed, 100 others surrendered
Six military bases and seven outposts collapsed in Shahr-e-Kohna area of Baghlan-e-Markazi district. Around 100 security forces, including 70 soldiers, surrendered to the Taliban in the area. One pro-government militia member was killed and two others were wounded in the clashes.
May 6 Ghazni Province: six security forces killed
The Taliban attacked three security outposts in the Noh Borja and Char Borja villages of Khwaja Omari district, killing four police officers and two pro-government militia members.
May 6 Faryab Province: three police officers killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in Pashtun Kot district, killing three police officers, including a father and his son. Two officers were also wounded in the battle.
May 5 Ghazni Province: two civilians killed
A civilian vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in the Tormai village of Khwaja Omari district, killing two civilians who were members of the same family.
May 5 Logar Province: one security force killed
Two members of the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, came under Taliban attack while they were on patrol in the Joi Yak area of Pul-e-Alam. One member of the directorate was killed and another was wounded.
May 5 Takhar Province: eight security forces killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in the entrance of Taliqan, the provincial capital, killing eight pro-government militia members and taking one prisoner. The Taliban eventually captured the outpost.
May 5 Takhar Province: three security forces killed
The Taliban attacked the center of Darqad district, killing two commandos and one soldier. Three security forces were also wounded in the attack.
May 5 Kabul Province: one civilian killed
A bus was hit by a roadside bomb carrying a medical team from Panjshir province in Pul-e-Daryay-e-Kalakan area of Kalakan district, killing one civilian and wounding three others. The Taliban denied any involvement in the incident.
May 5 Kabul Province: one police officer killed
Mohammad Tahir, a company commander in the security department of Afghan Parliament, was shot and killed in the First Police District of Kabul City, the capital.
May 5 Paktika Province: one police officer killed
The Taliban attacked security outposts in the Dewana baba area of Sarawza district. When police forces moved in, a district police chief was killed in a roadside bomb explosion and three of his bodyguards were wounded.
May 4 Zabul Province: one civilian killed
Unknown gunmen on a motorcycle shot and killed one civilian in the center of Qalat, the provincial capital.
May 4 Jowzjan Province: four security forces killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in the Kokaldash village of Faizabad district, killing four pro-government militia members and wounding three others. The Taliban eventually captured the outpost.
May 4 Takhar Province: one civilian killed
Unknown gunmen shot and killed a tribal elder in the Naw Abad area of Khwaja Bahauddin district. The incident took place in the Taliban-controlled area and the gunmen threw the victim’s body to a river.
May 4 Ghazni Province: one civilian killed
One civilian was killed and the chief of the provincial justice department was wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on the chief’s vehicle in Ghazni city.
May 4 Uruzgan Province: one police officer killed
A magnetic bomb attached to a police vehicle exploded in Tarin Kot, the provincial capital, in a market, killing a police officer and wounding one civilian.
May 4 Helmand Province: four soldiers killed
The Taliban attacked and captured a military base and a security outpost in Greshk district, killing four soldiers and seizing a large amount of weapons and ammunition.
May 4 Kapisa Province: one police officer killed
A police officer who was visiting his family was killed by the Taliban in his house in the Second Police District of Mahmood Raqi, the provincial capital.
May 4 Baghlan Province: nine soldiers killed
The Taliban attacked a company headquarters in the Jar-e-Khoshk area of Baghlan-e-Markazi district, killing nine soldiers. Sixteen soldiers were taken prisoner, and only one of the soldiers was able to escape. The Taliban burned seven Humvees, seized weapons and a large amount of ammunition.
May 3 Jowzjan Province: one security force killed
A Taliban marksman shot and killed a pro-government militia commander in the center of Murdian district.
May 3 Paktia Province: five security forces killed
The Taliban attacked security outposts in the Chawni area of Gardez, the provincial capital, killing four pro-government militia members and one police officer. An additional 12 security forces were wounded in the battle.
May 3 Helmand Province: four police officers killed
The Taliban attacked security outposts between Nawa district and Lashkar Gah, killing four police officers. Police abandoned the posts after the attack. A commando unit in Nawa district managed to drive through Taliban territory due to their armored vehicles and reach Lashkar Gah.
May 3 Farah Province: 20 security forces killed
The Taliban attacked a military base in the Shiwan area of Balaboluk district, killing 20 soldiers. Insurgents dug a tunnel under the base and then placed explosives, blowing it up. A group of insurgents attacked after the explosion and seized equipment and weapons there.
May 3 Baghlan Province: four soldiers killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in the center of Nahring district, killing four soldiers and taking four other prisoners. The Taliban captured the outpost and seized all weapons and equipment.
May 3 Herat Province: eight security forces killed
Seven police officers and one soldier were killed and four were wounded in a Taliban attack in the center of the Farsi district. Two car bombs were also used during six hours of fighting by the Taliban.
May 3 Kabul Province: three security forces killed
A police officer and two N.D.S. officers were assassinated by unknown gunmen in the Shorbazar area of the First Police District of Kabul city.
May 3 Helmand Province: 18 security forces killed or wounded
At least 18 security outposts were captured by the Taliban around the city of Lashkar Gah, forcing all forces to retreat into the city. An air campaign carried out by Afghan and American Air Force blocked the Taliban’s advances. At least 18 security forces were killed and wounded in the fighting. Officials didn’t provide exact figures of casualties.
May 3 Takhar Province: one civilian killed
Habibullah, a schoolteacher, was assassinated by unknown gunmen in the Nahr-e-Chaman area of Taliqan.
May 3 Takhar Province: a pro-government militia commander killed
A bomb planted in the operation center of a pro-government militia commander in the Qala-e-Gord Aab area of Rustaq district exploded, killing Piram Qul Ziyaee, a powerful pro-government militia commander. Two militia members were wounded in the explosion. Mr. Ziyaee was a former member of Afghan parliament member and a former jihadi commander. He was a powerful ally to Ahmad Massoud, the son of the late Northern Alliance commander Ahmad Shah Massoud. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the killing.
May 2 Takhar Province: one civilian killed
Unknown gunmen assassinated Mohammad Rahim, a tribal elder, in the Quldary village of Khwaja Bahauddin district while he was on his way to the mosque.
May 2 Faryab Province: two civilians killed
The Taliban killed two construction workers while they were on their way home in the Sarchakan area of Gorziwan district. The reason for their killing was not clear.
May 2 Badghis Province: one soldier and one civilian killed
One soldier and one civilian were killed and one civilian was wounded by a Taliban marksman in the center of Jawand district. All those killed were part of a group who were working on a development project in the area.
May 2 Kabul Province: one soldier killed
The deputy of an army company in Bagram prison was assassinated in the Khaldar village of Paghman district. The attack was carried out by the Taliban fighters who managed to flee from the area.
May 2 Baghlan Province: three police officers killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in the Bagh-e-Shamal area of Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital, killing three members of a police special forces unit and wounding another in three hours of fighting. The Taliban seized one Humvee and a few weapons and destroyed another Humvee.
May 2 Baghlan Province: two police officers and one civilian killed
The Taliban stopped a vehicle carrying two police officers and one civilian in the First Police District of Pul-i-Khumri, and killed everyone inside. The insurgent seized two guns and the vehicle and escaped from the area.
May 2 Badakhshan Province: 12 security forces killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in Chakaran area, the district center of Warduj district, burning down a wooden bridge in the area to block the movements of security forces. Eight members of the territorial army were killed in the outpost and the Taliban eventually captured the outpost after four hours of fighting. An additional four security forces were wounded. A group of security forces went to extinguish the bridge fire, but they were ambushed and four were killed.
May 2 Herat Province: one soldier killed
A border soldier was killed when a magnetic bomb attached to his vehicle exploded in front of the Islam Qala Customs building in Kohsan district.
May 1 Kunduz Province: two soldiers killed
A roadside bomb hit a Humvee while it was driving to the Nasiriha village of Imam Sahib district, killing a battalion commander and one of his bodyguards, and wounding three others.
May 1 Baghlan Province: two security forces killed
The Taliban attacked a security outpost in the Second Police District of Pul-i-Khumri, killing a police officer and a pro-government militia member and wounding two others.
May 1 Kabul Province: one civilian killed
A university processor was shot and killed by known gunmen in the 19th Police District of Kabul City, the capital. An investigation was launched into the incident.
April 30 Parwan Province: one soldier killed
A bomb planted in a mosque of a military division inside Bagram Air Base exploded during evening prayer, killing one Afghan soldier and wounding 25 others.
April 30 Ghazni Province: 25 soldiers surrendered
An army base was overrun by the Taliban in the Arzo village of Ghazni city. The insurgents took 25 prisoners and four soldiers were wounded in clashes with the Taliban. The base was surrounded for 15 days, and despite many calls for support, reinforcements never arrived.
April 30 Herat Province: one civilian killed
One civilian was killed and four others were wounded, when a mortar fired by the Taliban hit a house in the center of Shindand district.
April 30 Logar Province: 27 civilians killed
A truck bomb exploded in front of a guesthouse in Pul-e Alam, where a group of students were preparing for university entrance exams, killing 27 civilians and wounding 107 civilians and three security forces. The explosion was massive, the regional hospital, the guesthouse and many other buildings in the area were damaged.
Reporting was contributed by Fatima Faizi from Kabul, Zabihullah Ghazi from Jalalabad, Farooq Jan Mangal from Khost, Taimoor Shah from Kandahar and Asadullah Timory from Herat.
© 2021 The New York Times Company