Afghan press calls for clear cut stance against Taliban

Following the murder of 20 Afghan soldiers by Taliban militants in the eastern province of Kunar on Sunday, local newspapers on Monday urged the government to take clear-cut stance against the hardline insurgent group. "Taliban blatant attack on a border outpost and killing of at least 20 soldiers on Sunday morning in Kunar province once again demonstrated that the Taliban militants have no intention to resolve the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan through peace talks," the English newspaper Daily Outlook said in an editorial. "Meeting Taliban secretly at the Presidential Palace or in Dubai and passing Taliban-favorite statements have bolstered the morale of insurgents and have put the Afghan security forces in a complete state of ambiguity,"it added. Another newspaper Etilaatroz also denounced the killing of 20 soldiers by Taliban, saying the government's unrealistic policy towards peace with Taliban had encouraged the armed militants. "The government instead of begging peace should strengthen armed struggle against Taliban and take the fight against them wherever they are," the editorial observed. "In defending the country, the constitution and the establishment, 20 personnel of the national army lost their lives in a Taliban brutal attack on an outpost in Kunar province on Sunday, but unfortunately those at the helm pay little attention to the sacrifices of the security personnel," another newspaper Hasht-e-Subh said in its editorial. "Security personnel who are mostly from poor families sacrifice their lives to support their families and safeguard the establishment but the sons of ministers, lawmakers and generals enjoy scholarships and after graduation assume government offices to earn money," said the editorial, adding the next government from the April 5 presidential elections should have programs to ensure justice in society.