On Tuesday, the Afghan Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Sher Muhammad Karimi, blamed radical Pakistani, Chechen, Arab and Uzbek nationals for causing major security threats in the Logar, Nangarhar and Paktia provinces. A number of the foreign national insurgents were killed in an Afghan National Army (ANA) clearing operation, which was heralded as a landmark success by security officials.

"In the military operations, Chechens, Uzbeks, Punjabis and Arab militants were killed, they were based in Azer district of Logar province, looking to target Kabul," Gen. Karimi said.

After visiting units in reportedly vulnerable districts such as Azer, Hisarak and Khak-e-Jabbar, the Chief of Army Staff said on Tuesday that most of the areas have been secured and transportation routes reopened. Gen. Karimi went on to say that the operation is still in progress, however, and soon areas where insurgents are bunkered down seeking shelter will be cleared.

ANA officials were happy about the early success of the clearing operation, which is one of the first few full-scale counterinsurgent operations the Afghan security forces have spearheaded as the role of foreign troops in the country is scaled back.

"Afghan security forces conducted a military operation to clean up the insurgents in Logar and Nangarhar provinces, the operation has been fruitful and targets have been eliminated," said Muhammad Yaqoub, Khak-e-Jabbar district police chief.

The military operation also involved support from the Afghan Air Force.

As foreign forces are drawn out of the still unstable districts of Qasim Khail and Hisarak in Nangarhar, Logar and Paktia, Afghan security officials vowed to further strengthen army divisions in these areas in the coming months.