Study Finds Sharp Rise in Attacks by Taliban

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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/20/world/asia/study-finds-sharp-rise-in-attacks-by-afghan-taliban.html?ref=world&_r=0



Afghanistan Army soldiers with American soldiers in Paktia Province last Sunday. Afghan forces are taking over security duties.

Study Finds Sharp Rise in Attacks by Taliban
By ROD NORDLAND
Published: April 19, 2013

KABUL, Afghanistan — One of the closest-kept secrets in Afghanistan these days is data about how active the insurgents have become in their spring offensive this year.

No one doubts that the Taliban have stepped up their attacks, but what is less clear is whether they are trying — or able — to mount an all-out attempt to test the Afghan security forces as they begin to take over completely from withdrawing foreign forces. By early summer, Afghan forces plan to be in charge throughout the country, with American and other allies in a supporting role.

The American military, which last year publicized data on enemy attacks with meticulous bar graphs, now has nothing to say. “We’re just not giving out statistics anymore,” said a spokesman, Col. Thomas W. Collins, suggesting that the Afghan Ministry of Defense might do so.

At the ministry, Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi, asked if he could divulge the number of enemy attacks that had occurred this spring, had only one word to say: “No.”