KABUL - Ministry of Defense deputy spokesman, Dawlat Waziri, said that the recent Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) operations are preparing the forces for the summer offensive.

Currently, the ANSF are operating their clearing missions in the provinces of Farah, Zabul, Kandahar, Helmand, and Paktika.

Not noting the number of ANSF casualties, Waziri stated that the numbers of insurgents killed are far more than ANSF.

"In the past when we captured an area we would establish an outpost, but now we've changed our tactics and build garrisons and battalions," he said. "We have equipped each station with heavy and light weaponry to counter insurgents."

A number of provincial police chiefs from Kunduz, Baghlan, and Badakhshan have warned insurgent groups to put down their guns as they "will not be a match for the ANSF."

"A number of foreign insurgents and their families were located and have suffered heavy casualties," Badakhshan Police Chief Baba Jan said. "More than 40 to 50 insurgents have been killed in our clearing operation."

Since the ANSF have been handed the responsibility of providing security for the country and its people many have supported and asked that the security personnel protect the nation in the upcoming summer offensive. (Tolonews)