In Afghanistan, Afghan and NATO-led forces kicked off a civilian-military operation to ensure peace and uproot the hardcore Taliban insurgents in the country. Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman, General Zahir Azimi today said the operation dubbed “Omid” which means “hope” is kicked off just days ago with a special operational plan to cover all over the country. Azimi told newsmen in a weekly press conference that in fact, this is a civilian-military operation which besides targeting insurgents and ensuring security also includes launching development projects to win the hearts and minds of people. He said, Operation Omid is scheduled for 18 months to stabilize security throughout the country. The newly launched operation is similar to the one that Afghan and NATO-led forces had carried out in southern Kandahar province last summer in which they had cleared several districts and re-established government control there. Azimi stressed, the Afghan National Army will be on the lead in the operation that would pave the way for reconstruction, good governance and will further protect civilians. He made this comment while Afghan security forces are getting ready to begin gradual takeover of security responsibility from NATO-led troops in the coming months.