A number of MPs have said despite Operation Shafaq 2 being in its second month, many cities, where the operation is underway, are still overrun by insurgents. 

The MPs said the operation is just symbolic and has failed in its objective to retake these areas under insurgent control. 

“The operation has not achieved anything so far and I am not happy with it. We will soon call on government to expand the operation,” said Obaidullah Barekzai, an MP.

The operation was launched across a number of regions but insurgents are still active in some of these areas including the suburbs of Kunduz, Pul-e-Khumri, Lashkargah, Trinkot, Mehtarlam and Farah cities.

Residents of Lashkargah city are afraid that insurgents once again will take the city under their control. Security departments in the province however said they will eliminate Taliban by next spring.

“You will see that by next spring, we will retake control of the regions that have been fallen to Taliban,” said Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, commander of 215 Maiwand Military Corps.

Taliban has also been active in Pul-e-Alam, capital city of Logar, which is close to Kabul city. Logar police chief meanwhile said Taliban will not reach their goals.

“Logar is one of the main doors to Kabul and insurgents are trying to position their men in the province and build safe havens. But they will not reach their goals,” said Esmatullah Alizai, Logar police chief.

In Kunduz province however security forces say they will eliminate the insurgents, although the city is under serious threat.

“If the weather was good and in favor of security forces, the enemy will not exist anymore in Kunduz province and next year will be different from this year,” said Assadullah Omarkhil, Kunduz governor. 
 
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) meanwhile counted Operation Shafaq 2 a successful one.

“The achievements of Operation Shafaq 2 will help people to experience a better life in 2017 than in 2016,” said Mohammad Radmanesh, deputy spokesman of MoD.