Insurgents are increasing their efforts to destabilise Afghanistan's north with backing from the intelligence agencies of neighbouring countries, officials of the Afghan National Army said Saturday.
Speaking in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif at a meeting to discuss Operation Oqab in vulnerable areas of northern Afghanistan, Gen Murad Ali Murad said the security threats were growing in the country's north.
"They are making an effort to expand the current situation in the north of Afghanistan but the minds of the people of Afghanistan who cooperate with Afghan security forces are not ready to accept this matter," he said.
Operation Oqab, which aims to eradicate insurgents from the less secure areas in the north, began last week with the support of international forces.
The commander of army unit 209 Shaheen said that the intelligence of neighbouring countries were behind the increased insurgent activity.
"Some come with their masters and the intelligence of foreign countries to risk the lives of our people. This is our duty, as Afghan security forces, to provide security wherever it would be," said Zalmai Weesa, commander of national army's unit of 209 Shaheen.