In the major cities, celebrations were held in honor of Afghanistan's traditional independence day, marking the date in 1919 when Britain officially recognized the independence of the kingdom of Afghanistan. In Kandahar, 5,000 Afghan soldiers, organized and trained by Afghans as part of the national army, marched in a parade.

Two Special Forces soldiers were wounded in the leg while on a recon patrol. Four Afghans were captured in the course of the skirmish.