Taliban forces have arrested dozens of criminals, kidnappers and smugglers in operations across Kabul, a spokesman said on Sunday.
The clearance operations began in the capital and neighbouring provinces two days ago, and will continue, Zabiullah Mujahid said. The aim was to collect weapons and arrest suspects, he said.
“The operation was successful,” Mr Mujahid said.
Hundreds of light and heavy weapons were confiscated, including rocket launchers and grenades, he said.
More than 60,000 rounds of ammunition were uncovered, as well as 13 armoured vehicles and 13 tonnes of gunpowder and explosives.
Mr Mujahid also welcomed a recent US decision to ease restrictions on Afghan banks.
The general licence issued by the US Treasury will allow money transfers for Afghan businessmen and others, but exclude Taliban members.
Mr Mujahid said he hoped the US would continue to ease restrictions.
Billions of dollars of Afghan assets are frozen in US banks, severely hampering state institutions in the once aid-dependent country.
The Taliban said nine kidnappers, six ISIS members and 53 thieves were arrested. Two abducted people were released.
The operations, in which Taliban went door to door, have attracted criticism amid reports of abuse suffered by civilians, including minority groups and women, at the hands of Taliban forces.
“The intimidations, house searches, arrests and violence against members of different ethnic groups and women are crimes and must stop immediately,” tweeted Andreas von Brandt, EU ambassador to Afghanistan.
Mr von Brandt has not returned to the country since the Taliban takeover in August.
Responding to criticism, Mr Mujahid said the operation was “well organised” and included female security personnel.
“All these efforts are for the benefit of the people," he said. "It was necessary for the people and the government to launch such an operation."
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
How to avoid crypto fraud
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
CONCRETE COWBOY
Directed by: Ricky Staub
Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
3.5/5 stars
Scotland v Ireland:
Scotland (15-1): Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Sean Maitland; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Josh Strauss, James Ritchie, Ryan Wilson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Simon Berghan, Stuart McInally, Allan Dell
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, D'arcy Rae, Ben Toolis, Rob Harley, Ali Price, Pete Horne, Blair Kinghorn
Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)
Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour
Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Alita: Battle Angel
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Stars: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson
Four stars