VOA News Ayaz Gul June 8, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday introduced his nominees for the posts of minister of defense and head of intelligence to parliament for approval. Masoom Stanekzai and General Abdullah Khan Habibi have been nominated to head of the National Directorate of Security or NDS and Defense Ministry respectively. A
Meri News: Afghanistan’s acting Defense Minister Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, has been appointed (May 6, 2016) chief of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Intelligence (NDS), the prime domestic and foreign intelligence agency of Afghanistan, which directly reports to the President of Afghanistan. Earlier in December 2015, the deputy head of NDS, Massoud Andarabi, was appointed as NDS’ acting
By RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan May 6, 2016 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has proposed a reshuffling of his defense and intelligence ministers in the aftermath of a massive deadly terrorist attack in Kabul. Zafar Hashemi, the president’s office spokesman, tweeted late on May 5 that Ghani had appointed acting Defense Minister Masoom Stanikzai to be
Khaama Press: The acting Minister of Defense Masoom Stanikzai has said he will resign if the control of Helmand province falls to Taliban militants. The remarks by Stanikzai comes as the Taliban group has intensified offensive in this province during the past several months in a bid to capture the province. Click here to read more (external
Tolo News: Defense Minister Masoom Stanikzai has issued an order authorizing Afghan security forces to increase the number of night raids against homes of suspected Taliban insurgents and other militants. Stanikzai also asked Afghan forces to take firm action against border violations and to defend the nation against threats without hesitation. Click here for more information (External
Khaama Press: Acting Afghan Defense Minister Masoom Stanikzai reiterated that a long term plan is required to fully equip the Afghan Air Force (AAF), admitting the presence of will by the Afghan government and it’s international allies in modernizing the air force. Welcoming the delivery of the first batch of A-29 Super Tucano Light Attack aircraft
Khaama Press December 19, 2015 The acting-Defense Minister of Afghanistan Mohammad Masoum Stanekzai says that Daesh and Taliban militants receive training at military bases in Pakistan. Pointing to Pakistan, Stanekzai has said that foreign intelligence tries to push militants into Afghanistan to show that this is the center of terrorism. Stanekzai, cited by Ariana news,