The Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) have cleared 25 kilometers of mines between Nangarhar’s Hesarak and Sherzad districts after twelve years.

Security officials in the eastern province of Afghanistan said that the security forces launched their operations two months ago and cleared the roads of landmines and other explosives.

Hesarak district is one of the key strategic districts in Nangarhar, and borders with Laghman, Kabul, Logar and Paktia provinces.

“There was no way to get supplies, we were not able to transfer our wounded officers and martyred ones,” said Rohullah, an Afghan National Police officer.

“We were witnessing at least 50 mortars attacks daily,” said Zargai Stanekzai, an officer.

Military officials in Hesarak have said that there is still the presence of Taliban fighters in the outskirts of the district.

“With God’s support and with the cooperation of the people, this area has been cleared, we will establish bases and checkpoints here to ensure security,” said Naseer Ahmad Sapai, the commander of the 4th Battalion of 201 Selab Army Corps.

A few months ago, two helicopters belonging to the Afghan National Army (ANA) crashed after they collided in flight.

They were transporting reinforcements to the area.

Two pilots and three others were killed in the incident.