KABUL - The spokesman for Ministry of Interior on Sunday said Daesh or the Islamic State group could not find a foothold in Afghanistan, assuring that the country’s security forces were able to thwart nefarious designs of Afghanistan’s enemy.

MoI spokesman Sediq Sediqi told journalists in Kabul despite challenges police had great achievements in 2014 and this year too they would not allow insurgents to create mayhem in the country.

He said the insurgents did not have the capability to face security forces on the battle ground. “There are people who call themselves members of Daesh but they cannot enjoy safe havens in Afghanistan,” he remarked.

The spring offensive by militants has gained momentum in Kabul, Balkh, Khost, Nangarhar, Ghazni, Badakhshan and other provinces.

Sediqi said insurgents had more than 85% of casualties as security forces were already on offensive against insurgents. Police would also pay special attention to secure key highways.

Currently, at least 12 clearing operations were underway across the country, he said, adding that a major anti-militants offensive codenamed Zulfiqar in southern Helmand province resulted in killing of nearly 500 insurgents and seizing huge caches of ammunitions.(Pajhwok)