Taliban surge: on Kandahar attack

Mains Paper: 2 | IR
Prelims level: Kandahar attack
Mains level: With the Kandahar attack, the militants strike a blow to Afghan election and peace processes 

Context 

• The attack on a high-level meeting inside the Governor’s compound in southern Kandahar on Thursday, killing top security officials, is yet another reminder of the sharply deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. 
• In recent years, the Taliban had shown its capability to infiltrate official meetings and attack any government building, notwithstanding claims by the authorities of heightened security. 
• A year ago, the Kandahar Governor’s office had come under attack by militants, resulting in the death of a Deputy Governor, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and members of Parliament.
• Thursday’s assault happened at a meeting that was attended by General Austin ‘Scott’ Miller, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan. 
• U.S. troops later said he was unhurt, while Gen. Abdul Raziq, the Kandahar police chief, and Abdul Momin, the Kandahar intelligence chief, were killed. 

Consequences behind this attack 

• The Kandahar attack happened two days ahead of the much-delayed parliamentary election. 
• From the day the election dates were announced, the Taliban had warned those participating in the process. 
• The security situation is so dire in the country that one-third of the polling stations will not open on Saturday, election day.
• The Taliban has repeatedly targeted election offices and gatherings, killing at least 10 candidates and dozens of their supporters. 
• Afghan security forces will now have to deal with the fallout of the Kandahar strike. 
• The attack is a setback for the U.S. plan for direct talks with the Taliban as a way out of the 17-year-long conflict. Zalmay Khalilzad, the American special envoy to Afghanistan, recently met Taliban representatives in Qatar. 
• The push for talks comes from a realisation that the war has drifted into a stalemate and an outright military solution could be impossible. 
• The U.S. is trying to turn up pressure on the militant group through Pakistan. But this strategy will work only if the Afghan forces and their allies make some advances on the ground, and bring the Taliban under military pressure. 
• What is actually happening, as incidents such as the Kandahar attack suggest, is the opposite. 
• Both the U.S. and Afghan forces appear to be clueless about how to stop the Taliban’s advances.

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General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

UPSC Prelims Questions: 

Q.1) Which among the following sites are associated with Ashokan art and architecture/inscriptions?
1. Dhauli
2. Maski
3. Kandahar
4. Girnar
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: D

UPSC Mains Questions:
Q.1) Recent attacks in Kandahar is matter of concerns for Afghan government and to destabilize the peace process. Critically examine the statement