A meeting between Afghan National Security Adviser (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib and former Pakistan PM and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has led to a turmoil in the political circles of the country.&nbsp;

The pictures of the meeting were shared on Twitter by the National Security Council of Afghanistan on Saturday, along with a statement a day after the meeting was held in London.&nbsp;

The news of the meeting seems to have spread on social media like a wild fire. It also led some senior government figures to criticise the PML-N leader.&nbsp;

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NSA <a href="https://twitter.com/hmohib?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hmohib</a> and State Minister for Peace Sayed Sadat Naderi called on Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in London to discuss matters of mutual interest. <a href="https://t.co/bOs1PmwdmJ">pic.twitter.com/bOs1PmwdmJ</a>
— NSC Afghanistan (@NSCAfghan) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSCAfghan/status/1418648084515598336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
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At a press conference later, several leaders also demanded an explanation. They asked Nawaz, why he met a hostile Afghan official whom Islamabad had cut off all contacts with after he made controversial remarks against Pakistan earlier this year.&nbsp;

The meeting took place during the Afghan NSA’s two-day visit to the UK. In the visit, Hamdullah Mohib met senior UK government and military officials, politicians and journalists.&nbsp;

After the meeting, a statement was released, where the Afghan NSC said, the participants discussed “matters of mutual interest”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A meeting between Afghan National Security Adviser (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib and former Pakistan PM and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has led to a turmoil in the political circles of the country.

A meeting between Afghan National Security Adviser (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib and former Pakistan PM and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has led to a turmoil in the political circles of the country. The pictures of the meeting were shared on Twitter by the National Security Council of Afghanistan on Saturday, along with a statement a day after the meeting was held in London. The news of the meeting seems to have spread on social media like a wild fire. It also led some senior government figures to criticise the PML-N leader. NSA @hmohib and State Minister for Peace Sayed Sadat Naderi called on Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in London to discuss matters of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/bOs1PmwdmJ — NSC Afghanistan (@NSCAfghan) July 23, 2021 × At a press conference later, several leaders also demanded an explanation. They asked Nawaz, why he met a hostile Afghan official whom Islamabad had cut off all contacts with after he made controversial remarks against Pakistan earlier this year. The meeting took place during the Afghan NSA’s two-day visit to the UK. In the visit, Hamdullah Mohib met senior UK government and military officials, politicians and journalists. After the meeting, a statement was released, where the Afghan NSC said, the participants discussed “matters of mutual interest”. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan NSA, Sharif’s London meeting kicks off political storm in Pakistan 

All Afghan stakeholders&nbsp;should&nbsp;agree on a comprehensive ceasefire and&nbsp;look to&nbsp;work together to achieve a broad-based, inclusive and negotiated political settlement&nbsp;in the country, said&nbsp;Pakistan and China leaders in a joint statement&nbsp;on Saturday.&nbsp;

Pakistan&nbsp;Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi made the call after&nbsp;holding the third session of the foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue&nbsp;in Chengdu, Sichuan province’s capital, China, a Dawn report said.&nbsp;

The two leaders also&nbsp;reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate and support an “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” peace and reconciliation process for the early&nbsp;realisation&nbsp;of a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghan­istan, which would firmly combat terrorism and live in harmony with its&nbsp;neighbours,&nbsp;a joint statement issued later said.&nbsp;

Earlier, a spokesperson of US State Department said, the world will not accept the imposition by force of a government in Afghanistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After the Taliban insisted it will not agree on ceasefire and peace unless there is an agreement on a new government in Afghanistan, the United States has called on the group “to engage in serious negotiations”.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

US State Department’s deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter said, “We call on the Taliban to engage in serious negotiations to determine a political roadmap for Afghanistan's future that leads to a just and durable settlement.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;&nbsp;

All Afghan stakeholders should agree on a comprehensive ceasefire and look to work together to achieve a broad-based, inclusive and negotiated political settlement in the country, said Pakistan and China leaders in a joint statement on Saturday.

All Afghan stakeholders should agree on a comprehensive ceasefire and look to work together to achieve a broad-based, inclusive and negotiated political settlement in the country, said Pakistan and China leaders in a joint statement on Saturday. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi made the call after holding the third session of the foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue in Chengdu, Sichuan province’s capital, China, a Dawn report said. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate and support an “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” peace and reconciliation process for the early realisation of a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan, which would firmly combat terrorism and live in harmony with its neighbours, a joint statement issued later said. Earlier, a spokesperson of US State Department said, the world will not accept the imposition by force of a government in Afghanistan. After the Taliban insisted it will not agree on ceasefire and peace unless there is an agreement on a new government in Afghanistan, the United States has called on the group “to engage in serious negotiations”. US State Department’s deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter said, “We call on the Taliban to engage in serious negotiations to determine a political roadmap for Afghanistan's future that leads to a just and durable settlement.” (With inputs from agencies)

All stakeholders in Afghanistan should agree on a comprehensive ceasefire, say Pak, China leaders  

Top Afghan officials met with former Pak PM Nawaz Sharif in London on Friday. They discussed matters of regional security and stability. Both sides agreed that they would benefit from policies of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Top Afghan officials meet former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif

During the virtual talks this week with the US Congress, an Afghan delegation said that it appealed for a quick action on aircraft maintenance and munitions supplies as President Joe Biden prepares to end America's longest-ever war by the end of next month.

As per a statement by the White House, Biden raised the issue during a phone conversation with his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani.

The US president affirmed his country's continued military support of Kabul, with spending for Afghanistan prioritised in the 2022 defence budget, currently under negotiation in Congress.

"The security situation is really getting terrible," said senior Afghan MP Haji Ajmal Rahmani, referring to a Taliban offensive during the virtual talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-dont-have-such-a-picture-in-our-history-afghan-vp-amrullah-saleh-slams-pakistani-trolls-with-an-image-of-1971-pak-army-surrender-399582">Also read |&nbsp;'We don’t have such a picture in our history': Afghan VP Amrullah Saleh slams Pakistani trolls with an image of 1971 Pak Army surrender</a>

Rahmani further said that one-third of the 150-strong fleet has already been grounded due to maintenance issues.

He further said that the Afghans had also run out of laser-guided munitions, as the United States and NATO allies had handled 80 to 90 per cent of the armaments and did not leave a supply during hasty pullouts of air assets.

"The feedback was that it will take some more time because they have to make the orders and it will take time to produce and ship to Afghanistan," he told a roundtable of the State Department Correspondents' Association.

He added, "They are talking of around one year, more or less, until it will reach Afghanistan. This is something very much needed at this critical time."

Meanwhile, Biden on Friday authorised the use of up to $100 million to address migration emergencies related to the situation in Afghanistan, the White House said.

The statement said the money would come from the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund "for the purpose of meeting unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs, victims of conflict, and other persons at risk as a result of the situation in Afghanistan."

The funds will also support those applying to the State Department program of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), under which some 20,000 Afghans who worked as interpreters for the United States during its war in the country and now fear retribution from Taliban insurgents have applied for evacuation.

During the virtual talks this week with the US Congress, an Afghan delegation said that it appealed for a quick action on aircraft maintenance and munitions supplies as President Joe Biden prepares to end America's longest-ever war by the end of next month.

During the virtual talks this week with the US Congress, an Afghan delegation said that it appealed for a quick action on aircraft maintenance and munitions supplies as President Joe Biden prepares to end America's longest-ever war by the end of next month. As per a statement by the White House, Biden raised the issue during a phone conversation with his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani. The US president affirmed his country's continued military support of Kabul, with spending for Afghanistan prioritised in the 2022 defence budget, currently under negotiation in Congress. "The security situation is really getting terrible," said senior Afghan MP Haji Ajmal Rahmani, referring to a Taliban offensive during the virtual talks. Also read | 'We don’t have such a picture in our history': Afghan VP Amrullah Saleh slams Pakistani trolls with an image of 1971 Pak Army surrender Rahmani further said that one-third of the 150-strong fleet has already been grounded due to maintenance issues. He further said that the Afghans had also run out of laser-guided munitions, as the United States and NATO allies had handled 80 to 90 per cent of the armaments and did not leave a supply during hasty pullouts of air assets. "The feedback was that it will take some more time because they have to make the orders and it will take time to produce and ship to Afghanistan," he told a roundtable of the State Department Correspondents' Association. He added, "They are talking of around one year, more or less, until it will reach Afghanistan. This is something very much needed at this critical time." Meanwhile, Biden on Friday authorised the use of up to $100 million to address migration emergencies related to the situation in Afghanistan, the White House said. The statement said the money would come from the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund "for the purpose of meeting unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs, victims of conflict, and other persons at risk as a result of the situation in Afghanistan." The funds will also support those applying to the State Department program of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), under which some 20,000 Afghans who worked as interpreters for the United States during its war in the country and now fear retribution from Taliban insurgents have applied for evacuation.

Afghan lawmakers voice alarm on air force as US withdrawal comes closer

Canada said on Friday that it would resettle Afghan interpreters, embassy stayy and their families as situation in Afghanistan was "dynamic and deteriorating".&nbsp;

"Canada is here to support those who supported us," said Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, adding that "several thousand" people would be eligible and the first arrivals would be landing in Canada very shortly.

"We appreciate that there is a need to act quickly and decisively but that we must also do so safely given the very dynamic and deteriorating situation," Mendicino told a televised news conference in Ottawa.

He did not give a specific number of people who would be admitted or say when exactly they would arrive.

"Many Afghan citizens put themselves at risk to assist Canada ... now they face even greater threats from the Taliban," he said.

Taliban is on the offensive in Afghanistan and capturing more and more territory from overstretched Afghan forces. They have control or sizeable presence in half of Afghanistan's districts. Taliban claims that they have control of 90 per cent of Afghanistan's border with other countries. The claim is vehemently disputed by Afghan government.

As Taliban advanse, their is fear among Afghans who worked for the international coalition. They fear that there will be reprisal from the Taliban.

Canadian officials are identifying eligible Afghans, focusing on those who worked for Canada as interpreters or who provided "critical support," embassy staff and their families, Mendicino said.

Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan ended a decade ago, after which the country resettled about 800 Afghans who had worked for the country as interpreters or in other roles.

"The pace of the Taliban's advances over the course of the past month is troubling," Foreign Minister Marc Garneau told the news conference.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada said on Friday that it would resettle Afghan interpreters, embassy stayy and their families as situation in Afghanistan was "dynamic and deteriorating". "Canada is here to support those who supported us," said Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, adding that "several thousand" people would be eligible and the first arrivals would be landing in Canada very shortly.

Canada said on Friday that it would resettle Afghan interpreters, embassy stayy and their families as situation in Afghanistan was "dynamic and deteriorating". "Canada is here to support those who supported us," said Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, adding that "several thousand" people would be eligible and the first arrivals would be landing in Canada very shortly. "We appreciate that there is a need to act quickly and decisively but that we must also do so safely given the very dynamic and deteriorating situation," Mendicino told a televised news conference in Ottawa. He did not give a specific number of people who would be admitted or say when exactly they would arrive. "Many Afghan citizens put themselves at risk to assist Canada ... now they face even greater threats from the Taliban," he said. Taliban is on the offensive in Afghanistan and capturing more and more territory from overstretched Afghan forces. They have control or sizeable presence in half of Afghanistan's districts. Taliban claims that they have control of 90 per cent of Afghanistan's border with other countries. The claim is vehemently disputed by Afghan government. As Taliban advanse, their is fear among Afghans who worked for the international coalition. They fear that there will be reprisal from the Taliban. Canadian officials are identifying eligible Afghans, focusing on those who worked for Canada as interpreters or who provided "critical support," embassy staff and their families, Mendicino said. Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan ended a decade ago, after which the country resettled about 800 Afghans who had worked for the country as interpreters or in other roles. "The pace of the Taliban's advances over the course of the past month is troubling," Foreign Minister Marc Garneau told the news conference. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada to resettle Afghan interpreters who fear reprisal from Taliban

Reeling from a surge in battlefield losses, Afghanistan's military is overhauling its war strategy against the Taliban to concentrate forces around the most critical areas like Kabul and other cities, border crossings and vital infrastructure, Afghan and US&nbsp;officials say. 
 
The politically perilous strategy will inevitably cede territory to Taliban insurgents. But officials say it appears to be a military necessity as over-stretched Afghan troops try to prevent the loss of provincial capitals, which could deeply fracture the country. 
 
The consolidation of forces, which has been publicly acknowledged but not reported in such detail before, coincides with the US&nbsp;military withdrawal ahead of a formal end to the military mission on August&nbsp;31, on orders from President Joe Biden. 
 
Taliban insurgents are gaining control of more and more territory, which the Pentagon estimated on Wednesday now extends to over half of half Afghanistan's district centers. The Taliban are also putting pressure on the outskirts of half of the provincial capitals, trying to isolate them. 
 
US&nbsp;intelligence assessments have warned that the Afghan government could fall in as little as six months, US&nbsp;officials told Reuters. 
 
One Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the "reorientation" of troops would help Kabul hold strategic territory and defend infrastructure, including a dam built with India's assistance, and major highways. 
 
But consolidating troops also means leaving other areas unguarded, a hard sell to Afghan communities or ethnic groups who will feel they are being abandoned to the Taliban. 
 
"How do you communicate this to a public that has been jittery - and understandably so - over the past few weeks in which the Taliban have been taking over districts?" the Afghan official asked. 
 
"Because a major part of this reorientation would entail, at least in the short term, the Taliban filling in the vacuum that we're leaving behind." 
 
US&nbsp;Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the strategy would involve "giving up district centers" to protect larger population centers, like the capital Kabul. He said the Taliban appeared to have "strategic momentum." 
 
"There's a possibility of a complete Taliban takeover or a possibility of any number of other scenarios," Milley told a news conference on Wednesday, adding: "I don't think the endgame is yet written." 
 
US&nbsp;Marine General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of US&nbsp;Central Command, which oversees US&nbsp;forces in Afghanistan and support to Afghan troops, said after being briefed on the plan this month the Afghans knew they had to pick their battles. 
 
"You can't defend everything. If you defend everywhere, you defend nowhere. So I think the Afghans realize they need to consolidate," McKenzie said, without offering details. 
 
He noted years-old US&nbsp;concerns about how Afghan forces were manning checkpoints, including in remote or hostile areas that are particularly vulnerable or serve little strategic value. 
 
"So, I think now they're now in the process of recognizing you got to pull back, you got to consolidate, you got to defend those areas that are absolutely critical," McKenzie said. 
 
The Afghan ministry of defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
 
The Taliban's swift territorial gains are rattling Afghans just as the United States withdraws from a war that succeeded in punishing al Qaeda following its September&nbsp;11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington but failed to deliver anything close to peace for Afghanistan. 
 
Biden has promised to provide financial assistance to Afghan forces and to redouble diplomatic efforts to revive stalled peace talks. 
 
But the Taliban have not responded to calls from 15 diplomatic missions and the NATO representative in Afghanistan on Monday to halt their military offensives. The insurgents and the Afghan government also failed to agree on a ceasefire at talks in Doha for this week's Eid holidays. 
 
In the past, the Taliban have called short ceasefires for Eid, saying they wanted to let Afghans spend them in peace. 
 
US&nbsp;military officials believe the Taliban are seeking to end the war with a battlefield victory, instead of at the negotiating table.

Reeling from a surge in battlefield losses, Afghanistan's military is overhauling its war strategy against the Taliban to concentrate forces around the most critical areas like Kabul and other cities, border crossings and vital infrastructure, Afghan and US officials say.

Reeling from a surge in battlefield losses, Afghanistan's military is overhauling its war strategy against the Taliban to concentrate forces around the most critical areas like Kabul and other cities, border crossings and vital infrastructure, Afghan and US officials say. The politically perilous strategy will inevitably cede territory to Taliban insurgents. But officials say it appears to be a military necessity as over-stretched Afghan troops try to prevent the loss of provincial capitals, which could deeply fracture the country. The consolidation of forces, which has been publicly acknowledged but not reported in such detail before, coincides with the US military withdrawal ahead of a formal end to the military mission on August 31, on orders from President Joe Biden. Taliban insurgents are gaining control of more and more territory, which the Pentagon estimated on Wednesday now extends to over half of half Afghanistan's district centers. The Taliban are also putting pressure on the outskirts of half of the provincial capitals, trying to isolate them. US intelligence assessments have warned that the Afghan government could fall in as little as six months, US officials told Reuters. One Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the "reorientation" of troops would help Kabul hold strategic territory and defend infrastructure, including a dam built with India's assistance, and major highways. But consolidating troops also means leaving other areas unguarded, a hard sell to Afghan communities or ethnic groups who will feel they are being abandoned to the Taliban. "How do you communicate this to a public that has been jittery - and understandably so - over the past few weeks in which the Taliban have been taking over districts?" the Afghan official asked. "Because a major part of this reorientation would entail, at least in the short term, the Taliban filling in the vacuum that we're leaving behind." US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the strategy would involve "giving up district centers" to protect larger population centers, like the capital Kabul. He said the Taliban appeared to have "strategic momentum." "There's a possibility of a complete Taliban takeover or a possibility of any number of other scenarios," Milley told a news conference on Wednesday, adding: "I don't think the endgame is yet written." US Marine General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of US Central Command, which oversees US forces in Afghanistan and support to Afghan troops, said after being briefed on the plan this month the Afghans knew they had to pick their battles. "You can't defend everything. If you defend everywhere, you defend nowhere. So I think the Afghans realize they need to consolidate," McKenzie said, without offering details. He noted years-old US concerns about how Afghan forces were manning checkpoints, including in remote or hostile areas that are particularly vulnerable or serve little strategic value. "So, I think now they're now in the process of recognizing you got to pull back, you got to consolidate, you got to defend those areas that are absolutely critical," McKenzie said. The Afghan ministry of defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Taliban's swift territorial gains are rattling Afghans just as the United States withdraws from a war that succeeded in punishing al Qaeda following its September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington but failed to deliver anything close to peace for Afghanistan. Biden has promised to provide financial assistance to Afghan forces and to redouble diplomatic efforts to revive stalled peace talks. But the Taliban have not responded to calls from 15 diplomatic missions and the NATO representative in Afghanistan on Monday to halt their military offensives. The insurgents and the Afghan government also failed to agree on a ceasefire at talks in Doha for this week's Eid holidays. In the past, the Taliban have called short ceasefires for Eid, saying they wanted to let Afghans spend them in peace. US military officials believe the Taliban are seeking to end the war with a battlefield victory, instead of at the negotiating table.

As Taliban advances, Afghan military overhauls war strategy to limit losses

The Taliban claims that it now controls 90 percent of Afghanistan's borders. The country shares its borders with Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Pakistan.

Taliban claims to control 90% of Afghanistan's borders

In support of the Afghan National&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;and Security Forces (ANDSF) in their fight against the Taliban,&nbsp;the United&nbsp;States&nbsp;carried out airstrikes&nbsp;across Afghanistan in the last several days, says Pentagon spokesman&nbsp;on Thursday.&nbsp;

In an off-camera press briefing,&nbsp;Pentagon spokesman John Kirby refused to provide details about the airstrikes.&nbsp;Kirby said,&nbsp;“Without&nbsp;going into specifics, I can say that in the last several days, we have acted through airstrikes to support the ANDSF.&nbsp;But I won't get into tactical details of those strikes.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

The spokesman added,&nbsp;“But we continue to be able to and we continue to, as the Secretary said yesterday, conduct airstrikes in support of the ANDSF. General McKenzie has those authorities.”&nbsp;

In a statement on Friday,&nbsp;the Afghan&nbsp;defence&nbsp;ministry said 17 Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike by Afghan Air Force on Thursday night.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Around 10 Taliban fighters were also killed in another airstrike conducted in&nbsp;Nijrab&nbsp;district,&nbsp;Kapisa province on Thursday night, the&nbsp;defence&nbsp;Ministry&nbsp;added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Although the Taliban has rejected the Ministry of&nbsp;Defence’s&nbsp;figures,&nbsp;the ministry has&nbsp;also&nbsp;not mentioned anything in its statements about US airstrikes on Taliban targets.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In support of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) in their fight against the Taliban, the United States carried out airstrikes across Afghanistan in the last several days, says Pentagon spokesman on Thursday.

In support of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) in their fight against the Taliban, the United States carried out airstrikes across Afghanistan in the last several days, says Pentagon spokesman on Thursday. In an off-camera press briefing, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby refused to provide details about the airstrikes. Kirby said, “Without going into specifics, I can say that in the last several days, we have acted through airstrikes to support the ANDSF. But I won't get into tactical details of those strikes.” The spokesman added, “But we continue to be able to and we continue to, as the Secretary said yesterday, conduct airstrikes in support of the ANDSF. General McKenzie has those authorities.” In a statement on Friday, the Afghan defence ministry said 17 Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike by Afghan Air Force on Thursday night. Around 10 Taliban fighters were also killed in another airstrike conducted in Nijrab district, Kapisa province on Thursday night, the defence Ministry added. Although the Taliban has rejected the Ministry of Defence’s figures, the ministry has also not mentioned anything in its statements about US airstrikes on Taliban targets. (With inputs from agencies)

US holds airstrikes to support Afghan security forces against Taliban, says Pentagon

In a recent interview,&nbsp;Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen&nbsp;said the group is ready to&nbsp;lay down&nbsp;arms&nbsp;after&nbsp;a negotiated government acceptable to all sides&nbsp;of&nbsp;the conflict is installed in Kabul and President Ashraf Ghani is removed.

Shaheen, who is also a member of the group’s negotiating team,&nbsp;gave interview to&nbsp;The Associated Press news agency.&nbsp;The&nbsp;spokesman&nbsp;said,&nbsp;“I want to make it clear that we do not believe in the monopoly of power because any governments,&nbsp;who (sought) to&nbsp;monopolise&nbsp;power in Afghanistan in the past, were not successful governments.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

He also&nbsp;apparently included&nbsp;the Taliban’s own five-year rule in the&nbsp;assessment, and added,&nbsp;“So,&nbsp;we do not want to repeat that same formula.”&nbsp;He&nbsp;laid out the group’s stance on what should come next in the&nbsp;war-torn&nbsp;country.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, after reeling from a surge in battlefield losses, Afghanistan's military is overhauling its war strategy against the Taliban to concentrate forces around the most critical areas like Kabul and other cities, border crossings and vital infrastructure, Afghan and US officials say.&nbsp;

The politically perilous strategy will inevitably cede territory to Taliban insurgents. But officials say it appears to be a military necessity as over-stretched Afghan troops try to prevent the loss of provincial capitals, which could deeply fracture the country.&nbsp;

The consolidation of forces, which has been publicly acknowledged but not reported in such detail before, coincides with the US military withdrawal ahead of a formal end to the military mission on August 31, on orders from President Joe Biden.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a recent interview, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the group is ready to lay down arms after a negotiated government acceptable to all sides of the conflict is installed in Kabul and President Ashraf Ghani is removed.

In a recent interview, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the group is ready to lay down arms after a negotiated government acceptable to all sides of the conflict is installed in Kabul and President Ashraf Ghani is removed. Shaheen, who is also a member of the group’s negotiating team, gave interview to The Associated Press news agency. The spokesman said, “I want to make it clear that we do not believe in the monopoly of power because any governments, who (sought) to monopolise power in Afghanistan in the past, were not successful governments.” He also apparently included the Taliban’s own five-year rule in the assessment, and added, “So, we do not want to repeat that same formula.” He laid out the group’s stance on what should come next in the war-torn country. Meanwhile, after reeling from a surge in battlefield losses, Afghanistan's military is overhauling its war strategy against the Taliban to concentrate forces around the most critical areas like Kabul and other cities, border crossings and vital infrastructure, Afghan and US officials say. The politically perilous strategy will inevitably cede territory to Taliban insurgents. But officials say it appears to be a military necessity as over-stretched Afghan troops try to prevent the loss of provincial capitals, which could deeply fracture the country. The consolidation of forces, which has been publicly acknowledged but not reported in such detail before, coincides with the US military withdrawal ahead of a formal end to the military mission on August 31, on orders from President Joe Biden. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban offer peace deal, but want Afghan President removed 

Delegations from the Afghan government and the Taliban said that they will meet again and plan to expedite peace negotiations after two days of inconclusive talks in Doha.

Afghanistan leaders, Taliban to meet again after inconclusive Doha talks

The growing number of terror attacks on security forces in the country are linked with the developing political situation in Afghanistan, said&nbsp;Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ISPR chief was asked if the&nbsp;recent attacks were connected with the situation in Afghanistan or whether local outfits, such as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and&nbsp;Balochistan&nbsp;Liberation Army, were behind it in an interview with TV channel 92 News.&nbsp;

Iftikhar said,&nbsp;"These recent events definitely have a relation with the situation developing on the other side&nbsp;(in Afghanistan). As a result of our operations, there is no&nbsp;organised&nbsp;terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and the leadership of all these networks is sitting across in Afghanistan and they have had the support of&nbsp;(Indian intelligence agency)&nbsp;RAW and India.&nbsp;So,&nbsp;the recent events you saw show their (terrorists') desperation."&nbsp;&nbsp;

The statement comes two days after&nbsp;two&nbsp;Pakistan Army&nbsp;soldiers were&nbsp;killed in a terrorist attack in Khuda Baksh Bazaar near the coastal town of&nbsp;Pasni&nbsp;in&nbsp;Balochistan.&nbsp;

Prior to that,&nbsp;two security persons, including an officer,&nbsp;died&nbsp;while three others&nbsp;were hurt&nbsp;in&nbsp;clashes with militants in&nbsp;Zewa&nbsp;area of Kurram tribal district.&nbsp;

The growing number of terror attacks on security forces in the country are linked with the developing political situation in Afghanistan, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Saturday.

The growing number of terror attacks on security forces in the country are linked with the developing political situation in Afghanistan, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Saturday. ISPR chief was asked if the recent attacks were connected with the situation in Afghanistan or whether local outfits, such as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Balochistan Liberation Army, were behind it in an interview with TV channel 92 News. Iftikhar said, "These recent events definitely have a relation with the situation developing on the other side (in Afghanistan). As a result of our operations, there is no organised terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and the leadership of all these networks is sitting across in Afghanistan and they have had the support of (Indian intelligence agency) RAW and India. So, the recent events you saw show their (terrorists') desperation." The statement comes two days after two Pakistan Army soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in Khuda Baksh Bazaar near the coastal town of Pasni in Balochistan. Prior to that, two security persons, including an officer, died while three others were hurt in clashes with militants in Zewa area of Kurram tribal district.

Pakistan’s DG ISPR says recent terror wave linked with Afghan situation 

The Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Sunday said that he "strenuously favours" a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The announcement comes after the representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents sat down for a new round of talks in Doha over the weekend, stirring hopes that the long-stalled peace talks were being resuscitated.

In a message released ahead of next week's Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adham, &nbsp;Akhundzada said, "In spite of the military gains and advances, the Islamic Emirate strenuously favours a political settlement in the country".

He added, "Every opportunity for the establishment of an Islamic system, peace and security that presents itself will be made use of by the Islamic Emirate," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-taliban-says-it-doesnt-have-ties-with-pak-based-terror-groups-like-let-jem-398814">Also read |&nbsp;Exclusive:&nbsp;Taliban says it doesn't have ties with Pak-based terror groups like&nbsp;LeT,&nbsp;JeM&nbsp;</a>

The two sides were due to talk again on Sunday.

The Taliban leader said his group remained committed to forging a solution to end the war but slammed "the opposition parties" for "wasting time".

"Our message remains that instead of relying on foreigners, let us resolve our issues among ourselves and rescue our homeland from the prevailing crisis," he added.

Taliban has capitalised on the last stages of the withdrawal of US and other foreign troops from Afghanistan to launch a series of lightning offensives. The group is now believed to control roughly half of the nation's 400 districts. Also, it is controlling several important border crossings, and have laid siege to a string of vital provincial capitals.&nbsp;

The Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Sunday said that he "strenuously favours" a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan. The announcement comes after the representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents sat down for a new round of talks in Doha over the weekend, stirring hopes that the long-stalled peace talks were being resuscitated.

The Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Sunday said that he "strenuously favours" a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan. The announcement comes after the representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents sat down for a new round of talks in Doha over the weekend, stirring hopes that the long-stalled peace talks were being resuscitated. In a message released ahead of next week's Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adham, Akhundzada said, "In spite of the military gains and advances, the Islamic Emirate strenuously favours a political settlement in the country". He added, "Every opportunity for the establishment of an Islamic system, peace and security that presents itself will be made use of by the Islamic Emirate," he added. Also read | Exclusive: Taliban says it doesn't have ties with Pak-based terror groups like LeT, JeM The two sides were due to talk again on Sunday. The Taliban leader said his group remained committed to forging a solution to end the war but slammed "the opposition parties" for "wasting time". "Our message remains that instead of relying on foreigners, let us resolve our issues among ourselves and rescue our homeland from the prevailing crisis," he added. Taliban has capitalised on the last stages of the withdrawal of US and other foreign troops from Afghanistan to launch a series of lightning offensives. The group is now believed to control roughly half of the nation's 400 districts. Also, it is controlling several important border crossings, and have laid siege to a string of vital provincial capitals.

Taliban leader 'favours political settlement' to Afghan conflict

Government officials in a western Afghan province said that they had negotiated "an indefinite ceasefire" with the Taliban to prevent further attacks on the capital of the province. A spokesman for the Taliban however denied any ceasefire agreement and said that they have left the city to avoid civilian casualties.

Officials, Taliban strike ceasefire deal in western Afghan province

Afghanistan's Defence Ministry has said that airstrikes in the Badakhshan province have killed at least 20 Taliban insurgence. This comes as the Taliban has been gaining ground across the country, taking control of numerous districts and border crossings.

Afghan defence: 20 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrikes in Badakhshan province

Senior Afghan leaders will be arriving in Doha for talks with the Taliban on Friday (16 June) as the insurgent group takes a hard stance on negotiations. The renewed push to reach a peace deal comes as the United States winds down its military presence in Afghanistan.

Senior Afghan leaders to meet in Doha for talks with Taliban

The Biden administration has announced the plan to evacuate Afghan interpreters and translators who aided the US military effort in the nearly 20 years war. Evacuation will begin during the last week of July that will be available first for special immigrant visa applicants.

Evacuation of Afghan interpreters to begin in late July

An Afghan government negotiator said that the Taliban has offered a three-month ceasefire in exchange for the release of 7,000 insurgent prisoners. He also added that the insurgents have also demanded the removal of the Taliban's leaders from a United Nations blacklist.

Afghanistan: Taliban offer three-month ceasefire in return for release of 7,000 insurgents

Afghanistan's Ambassador to India Farid Mamundzay speaks to WION's Molly Gambhir on the Afghan security situation and India's role in the peace process.

'Very problematic and difficult time for Afghanistan', says Farid Mamundzay

Without taking any names, Afghan envoy&nbsp;Farid&nbsp;Mamundzay&nbsp;has said&nbsp;'without the support of the countries in the region', the Taliban's&nbsp;'existence may have not been possible'. Pakistan's support for the Taliban has been well-known, and the envoy's comments come even as the group is making rapid territorial gains.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal,&nbsp;Farid&nbsp;Mamundzay&nbsp;called India&nbsp;'very critical'&nbsp;for&nbsp;his country&nbsp;even as he highlighted that the Indian mission's "services remain&nbsp;uninterrupted&nbsp;and as open and active&nbsp;as it should have been'&nbsp;in the country. India has&nbsp;shifted&nbsp;its diplomats from the southern city of Kandahar&nbsp;to Kabul&nbsp;as violence escalates.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp;What is&nbsp;the security situation in your country?&nbsp;

Farid&nbsp;Mamundzay:&nbsp;There is an intense fight going on in several provinces, many districts as&nbsp;much as&nbsp;150. The attacks came as a surprise when the Taliban had attacked several of our districts at a time when we were busy with the withdrawal of the international forces. Sadly,&nbsp;we lost a number of districts. The past few days have been good in terms of recapturing, retaking some of those districts back. We have been able to recapture 10 plus districts in the past 3-4 days. There have been gains on their part as well, there have been gains or regains our part.&nbsp;We were not as prepared as we should have been, we were thinking the Taliban will give peace a chance. They would believe in a process that will put an end to the violence. Sadly,&nbsp;and contrary to what our beliefs were, they chose the path of the violence and continued to inflict harm and continue with the bloodshed of the innocents.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp;How far are external forces, particularly,&nbsp;one of your&nbsp;neighbours,&nbsp;responsible for the current situation?&nbsp;

Farid&nbsp;Mamundzay:&nbsp;If you look at the number of Taliban supporters in terms of terrorist entities, terrorist groups that help them, you will be amazed to see 20 plus terrorist groups supporting the Taliban and of course,&nbsp;without the support of the countries in the region their existence may have not been possible. They would have not been in a position today if they were no support infrastructure. So yes, support infrastructure has been there to which we&nbsp;have been&nbsp;raising&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;time and&nbsp;again&nbsp;for the past 20 years.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: Has India taken back its diplomats from Kandahar?&nbsp;

Farid&nbsp;Mamundzay:&nbsp;We were concerned about the safety and security of diplomats across our country and we respect the decision of the Indian government to temporarily suspend services in Kandahar and Herat. We support their decision&nbsp;and ensure&nbsp;security of the diplomatic mission of important countries. India is very&nbsp;important for&nbsp;us. We want their&nbsp;missions across the country&nbsp;as&nbsp;people want it but given the security realities in the country,&nbsp;we think it is in everyone's interest to suspend the services for time being. As things&nbsp;normalise&nbsp;in the future, we will see the reopening of the consulates. What is important is the services provided by the Indian mission in Afghanistan.&nbsp;These services remain uninterrupted and as open and active&nbsp;as it&nbsp;should have been.&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;patients seek medical treatment in India.&nbsp;They still&nbsp;go&nbsp;on a regular basis.&nbsp;Our Hindu and Sikh Afghan community&nbsp;also visit.&nbsp;So,&nbsp;the services&nbsp;should&nbsp;remain uninterrupted. Yes, they may have not been serving a particular province, or particular region but the presence of Indian diplomatic consular and economic service and assistance is there that is what the government and people of Afghanistan want.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: What next for Afghanistan? How do you see the situation panning out?&nbsp;

Farid&nbsp;Mamundzay:&nbsp;Sadly,&nbsp;we would be seeing&nbsp;more difficult days as things stand today, we don't see any reduction or cessation of violence on part of the Taliban, they have chosen a path that will continue to bleed our people. The next&nbsp;two&nbsp;months are very difficult months as the international forces would complete their full withdrawal. Ideally, we would want peace to be given a chance but that seems to be a distant reality at this stage.&nbsp;

Without taking any names, Afghan envoy Farid Mamundzay has said 'without the support of the countries in the region', the Taliban's 'existence may have not been possible'.

Without taking any names, Afghan envoy Farid Mamundzay has said 'without the support of the countries in the region', the Taliban's 'existence may have not been possible'. Pakistan's support for the Taliban has been well-known, and the envoy's comments come even as the group is making rapid territorial gains. Speaking to WION diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Farid Mamundzay called India 'very critical' for his country even as he highlighted that the Indian mission's "services remain uninterrupted and as open and active as it should have been' in the country. India has shifted its diplomats from the southern city of Kandahar to Kabul as violence escalates. Sidhant Sibal: What is the security situation in your country? Farid Mamundzay: There is an intense fight going on in several provinces, many districts as much as 150. The attacks came as a surprise when the Taliban had attacked several of our districts at a time when we were busy with the withdrawal of the international forces. Sadly, we lost a number of districts. The past few days have been good in terms of recapturing, retaking some of those districts back. We have been able to recapture 10 plus districts in the past 3-4 days. There have been gains on their part as well, there have been gains or regains our part. We were not as prepared as we should have been, we were thinking the Taliban will give peace a chance. They would believe in a process that will put an end to the violence. Sadly, and contrary to what our beliefs were, they chose the path of the violence and continued to inflict harm and continue with the bloodshed of the innocents. Sidhant Sibal: How far are external forces, particularly, one of your neighbours, responsible for the current situation? Farid Mamundzay: If you look at the number of Taliban supporters in terms of terrorist entities, terrorist groups that help them, you will be amazed to see 20 plus terrorist groups supporting the Taliban and of course, without the support of the countries in the region their existence may have not been possible. They would have not been in a position today if they were no support infrastructure. So yes, support infrastructure has been there to which we have been raising concerns time and again for the past 20 years. Sidhant Sibal: Has India taken back its diplomats from Kandahar? Farid Mamundzay: We were concerned about the safety and security of diplomats across our country and we respect the decision of the Indian government to temporarily suspend services in Kandahar and Herat. We support their decision and ensure security of the diplomatic mission of important countries. India is very important for us. We want their missions across the country as people want it but given the security realities in the country, we think it is in everyone's interest to suspend the services for time being. As things normalise in the future, we will see the reopening of the consulates. What is important is the services provided by the Indian mission in Afghanistan. These services remain uninterrupted and as open and active as it should have been. Afghan patients seek medical treatment in India. They still go on a regular basis. Our Hindu and Sikh Afghan community also visit. So, the services should remain uninterrupted. Yes, they may have not been serving a particular province, or particular region but the presence of Indian diplomatic consular and economic service and assistance is there that is what the government and people of Afghanistan want. Sidhant Sibal: What next for Afghanistan? How do you see the situation panning out? Farid Mamundzay: Sadly, we would be seeing more difficult days as things stand today, we don't see any reduction or cessation of violence on part of the Taliban, they have chosen a path that will continue to bleed our people. The next two months are very difficult months as the international forces would complete their full withdrawal. Ideally, we would want peace to be given a chance but that seems to be a distant reality at this stage.

Taliban's existence not possible without support of countries in the region, says Afghan envoy to India Farid 

Taliban said on Wednesday claimed it had captured a key border crossing&nbsp;along the Pakistan frontier with US troops set to pull out&nbsp;completely in a few weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The checkpoint Spin Boldak was reportedly seized by the Taliban, however, the Afghan government said its security forces had repelled the attack.

"The Mujahideen have captured an important border town called Wesh in Kandahar," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.

Watch:

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"With this, the important road between (Spin) Boldak and Chaman and Kandahar customs have come under Mujahideen control," it added.

Taliban had earlier captured areas in Herat, Farah and Kunduz provinces as it continues to make major headway in the country as US and NATO forces leave the country.

President Ashraf Ghani travelled to the northern province of Balkh on Tuesday to assess security and meet civilians.&nbsp;

Taliban had&nbsp;earlier taken control of&nbsp;checkpoints along Turkemenstein and Iran border areas&nbsp;including near Tajikistan as several Afghan soldiers poured into the country as the militant group made rapid inroads.

Taliban had earlier declared that it controls 85 per cent of territory in Afghanistan, however, it was&nbsp;dismissed by the government. Meanwhile, Russia's senior Afghanistan official Zamir Kabulov who is President Putin's special representative on Afghanistan asked the Afghan government to open proper negotiations with the Taliban.

A report in the British media said the UK will work with the Taliban if they become part of the government. The report quoted British defence minister Ben Wallace saying that it will review the relationship if they(Taliban) "behave in a way that is seriously against human rights".

(With inputs from Agencies)

Taliban said on Wednesday claimed it had captured a key border crossing along the Pakistan frontier with US troops set to pull out completely in a few weeks. The checkpoint Spin Boldak was reportedly seized by the Taliban, however, the Afghan government said its security forces had repelled the attack.

Taliban said on Wednesday claimed it had captured a key border crossing along the Pakistan frontier with US troops set to pull out completely in a few weeks. The checkpoint Spin Boldak was reportedly seized by the Taliban, however, the Afghan government said its security forces had repelled the attack. "The Mujahideen have captured an important border town called Wesh in Kandahar," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. Watch: "With this, the important road between (Spin) Boldak and Chaman and Kandahar customs have come under Mujahideen control," it added. Taliban had earlier captured areas in Herat, Farah and Kunduz provinces as it continues to make major headway in the country as US and NATO forces leave the country. President Ashraf Ghani travelled to the northern province of Balkh on Tuesday to assess security and meet civilians. Taliban had earlier taken control of checkpoints along Turkemenstein and Iran border areas including near Tajikistan as several Afghan soldiers poured into the country as the militant group made rapid inroads. Taliban had earlier declared that it controls 85 per cent of territory in Afghanistan, however, it was dismissed by the government. Meanwhile, Russia's senior Afghanistan official Zamir Kabulov who is President Putin's special representative on Afghanistan asked the Afghan government to open proper negotiations with the Taliban. A report in the British media said the UK will work with the Taliban if they become part of the government. The report quoted British defence minister Ben Wallace saying that it will review the relationship if they(Taliban) "behave in a way that is seriously against human rights". (With inputs from Agencies)

Taliban claim control over key border crossing with Pakistan

Amid the worry over the Taliban making territorial gains in Afghanistan, afghan envoy Farid Mamundzay has said, attacks came as a surprise, and the group is not giving "peace a chance". speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Farid said, "we will see more difficult days as things stand today. We don't see the reduction of violence on part of the Taliban." Here is this exclusive conversation.

Exclusive: Afghan envoy to India Farid Mamundzay says Taliban continues to unleash violence

According to a CNN report, Taliban fighters have executed&nbsp;22 Afghan commandos.&nbsp;Several videos have come up, apparently&nbsp;of the incident.&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;clear but unsteady video,&nbsp;several commandos&nbsp;of&nbsp;Afghan Special Forces unit&nbsp;can be seen asked to surrender before they are&nbsp;shot to death amid cries of 'Allahu&nbsp;Akbar'.&nbsp;

The killings&nbsp;were carried out on&nbsp;June 16 in Dawlat Abad&nbsp;town,&nbsp;Faryab province,&nbsp;which is&nbsp;close to Afghanistan's border with Turkmenistan.&nbsp;The CNN report said&nbsp;it&nbsp;has obtained and verified several videos of the incident and has&nbsp;also&nbsp;spoken with witnesses.&nbsp;

The Red Cross has also confirmed that the bodies of 22 commandos were retrieved.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;commandos were forced to surrender when&nbsp;they ran out of ammunition after being surrounded by the Taliban fighters in&nbsp;a fierce battle to hold the town, witnesses said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Taliban attacks on security outposts in&nbsp;Gazni&nbsp;city were repelled by Afghan security forces on Sunday, TOLOnews reported, citing a police official.&nbsp;

The Taliban attacked security outposts in PD3, PD6, PD1 and PD5 in the early hours of Sunday morning, the provincial police statement said, adding "the Taliban faced a response from the joint security forces, and their attacks were pushed back."&nbsp;

Provincial police chief Fazel Ahmad assured people that security sources will defend the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The Taliban escaped from the areas after the arrival of the reinforcements. Several Taliban were killed and wounded in the clashes," he said.&nbsp;

There was no mention in the statement about possible casualties among the security forces, said TOLOnews.&nbsp;

General Shir Mohammad&nbsp;Andewal, a military commander in&nbsp;Ghazni, pledged that the security forces will "bravely" defend the city. The Taliban has not yet commented on the attacks.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

According to a CNN report, Taliban fighters have executed 22 Afghan commandos. Several videos have come up, apparently of the incident. In a clear but unsteady video, several commandos of Afghan Special Forces unit can be seen asked to surrender before they are shot to death amid cries of 'Allahu Akbar'.

According to a CNN report, Taliban fighters have executed 22 Afghan commandos. Several videos have come up, apparently of the incident. In a clear but unsteady video, several commandos of Afghan Special Forces unit can be seen asked to surrender before they are shot to death amid cries of 'Allahu Akbar'. The killings were carried out on June 16 in Dawlat Abad town, Faryab province, which is close to Afghanistan's border with Turkmenistan. The CNN report said it has obtained and verified several videos of the incident and has also spoken with witnesses. The Red Cross has also confirmed that the bodies of 22 commandos were retrieved. The commandos were forced to surrender when they ran out of ammunition after being surrounded by the Taliban fighters in a fierce battle to hold the town, witnesses said. Meanwhile, Taliban attacks on security outposts in Gazni city were repelled by Afghan security forces on Sunday, TOLOnews reported, citing a police official. The Taliban attacked security outposts in PD3, PD6, PD1 and PD5 in the early hours of Sunday morning, the provincial police statement said, adding "the Taliban faced a response from the joint security forces, and their attacks were pushed back." Provincial police chief Fazel Ahmad assured people that security sources will defend the city. "The Taliban escaped from the areas after the arrival of the reinforcements. Several Taliban were killed and wounded in the clashes," he said. There was no mention in the statement about possible casualties among the security forces, said TOLOnews. General Shir Mohammad Andewal, a military commander in Ghazni, pledged that the security forces will "bravely" defend the city. The Taliban has not yet commented on the attacks. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban kills 22 Afghan commandos after they try to surrender: Report 

The top US general in Afghanistan stepped down as the United States military withdrawal from the country nears completion. General Austin Scott Miller transferred his command authorities to General Kenneth McKenzie, the leader of US Central Command, in a ceremony in Kabul.

Top US general in Afghanistan steps down as troops withdrawal nears completion

Afghan Air Force Major Dastagir Zamaray had grown so fearful of Taliban assassinations of off-duty forces in Kabul that he decided to sell his home to move to a safer pocket of Afghanistan's sprawling capital.

Instead of being greeted by a prospective buyer at his realtor's office earlier this year, the 41-year-old pilot was confronted by a gunman, who walked inside and, without a word, fatally shot the real estate agent in the mouth.

Zamaray reached for his sidearm but the gunman shot him in the head. The father of seven collapsed dead on his 14-year-old son, who had tagged along. The boy was spared, but barely speaks anymore, his family says.

Zamaray “only went there because he personally knew the realtor and thought it was safe," Samiullah Darman, his brother-in-law, told Reuters. "We didn’t know that he would never come back."

At least seven Afghan pilots, including Zamaray, have been assassinated off base in recent months, according to two senior Afghan government officials. This series of targeted killings, which haven't been previously reported, illustrate what US&nbsp;and Afghan officials believe is a deliberate Taliban effort to destroy one of Afghanistan's most valuable military assets: its corps of US- and NATO-trained military pilots.

In so doing, the Taliban, who have no air force, are looking to level the playing field as they press major ground offensives. The militants are quickly seizing territory once controlled by the US-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani, raising fears they could eventually try to topple Kabul.

Reuters confirmed the identities of two of the slain pilots through family members. It could not independently verify the names of the other five who were allegedly targeted.

In response to questions from Reuters, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the group had killed Zamaray, and that it had started a programme that will see Afghan Air Force pilots 'targeted and eliminated because all of them do bombardment against their people'.

Afghanistan's government has not publicly disclosed the number of pilots assassinated in targeted killings. The nation's Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon said it was aware of the deaths of several Afghan pilots in killings claimed by the Taliban, but declined comment on US&nbsp;intelligence and investigations.

Afghan military pilots are particularly attractive assassination targets, current and former US&nbsp;and Afghan officials say. They can strike Taliban forces massing for major attacks, shuttle commandos to missions and provide life-saving air cover for Afghan ground troops. Pilots take years to train and are hard to replace, representing an outsized blow to the country's defences with every loss.

Shoot-downs and accidents are ever-present risks. Yet these pilots often are most vulnerable in the streets of their own neighborhoods, where attackers can come from anywhere, said retired US&nbsp;Brigadier General David Hicks, who commanded the training effort for the Afghan Air Force from 2016 to 2017.

"Their lives were at much greater risk during that time (off base) than they were while they were flying combat missions," Hicks said.

Afghan Air Force Major Dastagir Zamaray had grown so fearful of Taliban assassinations of off-duty forces in Kabul that he decided to sell his home to move to a safer pocket of Afghanistan's sprawling capital.

Afghan Air Force Major Dastagir Zamaray had grown so fearful of Taliban assassinations of off-duty forces in Kabul that he decided to sell his home to move to a safer pocket of Afghanistan's sprawling capital. Instead of being greeted by a prospective buyer at his realtor's office earlier this year, the 41-year-old pilot was confronted by a gunman, who walked inside and, without a word, fatally shot the real estate agent in the mouth. Zamaray reached for his sidearm but the gunman shot him in the head. The father of seven collapsed dead on his 14-year-old son, who had tagged along. The boy was spared, but barely speaks anymore, his family says. Zamaray “only went there because he personally knew the realtor and thought it was safe," Samiullah Darman, his brother-in-law, told Reuters. "We didn’t know that he would never come back." At least seven Afghan pilots, including Zamaray, have been assassinated off base in recent months, according to two senior Afghan government officials. This series of targeted killings, which haven't been previously reported, illustrate what US and Afghan officials believe is a deliberate Taliban effort to destroy one of Afghanistan's most valuable military assets: its corps of US- and NATO-trained military pilots. In so doing, the Taliban, who have no air force, are looking to level the playing field as they press major ground offensives. The militants are quickly seizing territory once controlled by the US-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani, raising fears they could eventually try to topple Kabul. Reuters confirmed the identities of two of the slain pilots through family members. It could not independently verify the names of the other five who were allegedly targeted. In response to questions from Reuters, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the group had killed Zamaray, and that it had started a programme that will see Afghan Air Force pilots 'targeted and eliminated because all of them do bombardment against their people'. Afghanistan's government has not publicly disclosed the number of pilots assassinated in targeted killings. The nation's Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon said it was aware of the deaths of several Afghan pilots in killings claimed by the Taliban, but declined comment on US intelligence and investigations. Afghan military pilots are particularly attractive assassination targets, current and former US and Afghan officials say. They can strike Taliban forces massing for major attacks, shuttle commandos to missions and provide life-saving air cover for Afghan ground troops. Pilots take years to train and are hard to replace, representing an outsized blow to the country's defences with every loss. Shoot-downs and accidents are ever-present risks. Yet these pilots often are most vulnerable in the streets of their own neighborhoods, where attackers can come from anywhere, said retired US Brigadier General David Hicks, who commanded the training effort for the Afghan Air Force from 2016 to 2017. "Their lives were at much greater risk during that time (off base) than they were while they were flying combat missions," Hicks said.

Afghan pilots assassinated by Taliban as US withdraws

Joe Biden administration is considering an expedited visa path for vulnerable Afghans including women journalists, activists and politicians who may be targeted by the Taliban.

US to consider visas for vulnerable Afghan women after military exit

Afghanistan government delegation held a meeting with Taliban representatives in Tehran. The highly anticipated talks come as Afghanistan faces the domino effect of American troops exit from the country.

Taliban and Afghan delegation hold meeting in Tehran

Government forces plan a counteroffensive in Afghanistan's northern provinces after losing ground to the Taliban. The Taliban now control roughly a third of all 421 districts and district centers in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan army plan counteroffensive against Taliban in northern provinces

The Afghanistan army has vowed to secure major cities and highways amid a rise in Taliban attacks. The newly appointed Afghan army chief General Wali Mohammad has said that the forces' top priority was to safeguard the major cities, border towns, and highways.

Afghan army vows to safeguard major cities, border towns & highways

The Taliban's march through northern Afghanistan gained momentum overnight with the capture of several districts from fleeing Afghan forces, several hundred of whom fled across the border into Tajikistan.

Taliban captures several districts in Afghanistan, forces flee to Tajikistan

Militants killed three Pakistani soldiers close to the border with Afghanistan in the North Waziristan tribal region, where Pakistani Taliban fighters have been targeting the Pakistan military, security sources told Reuters. 
 
The militants fired on a checkpost in Spinwam district, in the latest of a spate of attacks on security forces, government officials and suspected collaborators in North Waziristan. The Pakistani military said it was looking into the report. 
 
The rash of violence in Pakistan's tribal lands has coincided with the Afghan Taliban's offensive against the government in Kabul, as the United States hastens its departure from Afghanistan. 
 
Afghanistan's government has regularly accused Pakistan's military of providing covert support for the Afghan Taliban, which the Pakistani government denies. 
 
The Pakistan government has said any peace deal with the Afghan Taliban should ensure groups, like the Pakistan Taliban, do not use Afghanistan as a safe haven for attacks on Pakistan once Western forces withdraw. 
 
On June 30, two soldiers were killed in the Dwatoi district of North Waziristan, after militants opened fire from across the Afghanistan border, Pakistan's military said. 
 
On June 20, a Pakistan soldier was killed in another attack in Spinwam district. In May, militants ambushed and killed four Pakistani soldiers fencing the disputed border with Afghanistan in the southwest province of Balochistan. 
 
In April, a car bomb at a luxury hotel in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, killed four people in an attack later claimed by the Pakistani Taliban that was meant to target the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan. 
 
And in March, a blast killed three Pakistani soldiers near the Chaman border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Militants killed three Pakistani soldiers close to the border with Afghanistan in the North Waziristan tribal region, where Pakistani Taliban fighters have been targeting the Pakistan military, security sources told Reuters.

Militants killed three Pakistani soldiers close to the border with Afghanistan in the North Waziristan tribal region, where Pakistani Taliban fighters have been targeting the Pakistan military, security sources told Reuters. The militants fired on a checkpost in Spinwam district, in the latest of a spate of attacks on security forces, government officials and suspected collaborators in North Waziristan. The Pakistani military said it was looking into the report. The rash of violence in Pakistan's tribal lands has coincided with the Afghan Taliban's offensive against the government in Kabul, as the United States hastens its departure from Afghanistan. Afghanistan's government has regularly accused Pakistan's military of providing covert support for the Afghan Taliban, which the Pakistani government denies. The Pakistan government has said any peace deal with the Afghan Taliban should ensure groups, like the Pakistan Taliban, do not use Afghanistan as a safe haven for attacks on Pakistan once Western forces withdraw. On June 30, two soldiers were killed in the Dwatoi district of North Waziristan, after militants opened fire from across the Afghanistan border, Pakistan's military said. On June 20, a Pakistan soldier was killed in another attack in Spinwam district. In May, militants ambushed and killed four Pakistani soldiers fencing the disputed border with Afghanistan in the southwest province of Balochistan. In April, a car bomb at a luxury hotel in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, killed four people in an attack later claimed by the Pakistani Taliban that was meant to target the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan. And in March, a blast killed three Pakistani soldiers near the Chaman border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Militants kill three Pakistani soldiers near Afghan border

Government forces plan a counteroffensive in Afghanistan's northern provinces after losing ground to the Taliban, Russia's RIA news agency quoted an adviser to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as saying on Monday. 
 
National security adviser Hamdullah Mohib, who was in Moscow on Monday for talks with senior security officials, told RIA in an interview that government forces had not expected the Taliban offensive but would 'absolutely, definitely' counterattack. 
 
Russia operates a military base in Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic bordering Afghanistan. 
 
Russia's foreign ministry said separately on Monday that the Russian consulate in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan was suspending its work because of security concerns, TASS news agency reported.

Earlier, the Taliban's march through northern Afghanistan gained momentum overnight with the capture of several districts from fleeing Afghan forces, several hundred of whom fled across the border into Tajikistan, officials said Sunday.

More than 300 Afghan military personnel crossed from Afghanistan's Badakhshan province as Taliban fighters advanced toward the border, Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security said in a statement.&nbsp;

The Afghan troops crossed over at about 6:30 pm local time on Saturday 'Guided by the principles of humanism and good neighbourliness,' the Tajik authorities allowed the retreating Afghan National Defence and Security Forces to cross into Tajikistan, said the statement.&nbsp;

Since mid-April, when US President Joe Biden announced the end to Afghanistan's 'forever war,'&nbsp;the Taliban have made strides throughout the country. But their most significant gains have been in the northern half of the country, a traditional stronghold of the US-allied warlords, who helped defeat them in 2001.

The Taliban now control roughly a third of all 421 districts and district centres in Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

Government forces plan a counteroffensive in Afghanistan's northern provinces after losing ground to the Taliban, Russia's RIA news agency quoted an adviser to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as saying on Monday.

Government forces plan a counteroffensive in Afghanistan's northern provinces after losing ground to the Taliban, Russia's RIA news agency quoted an adviser to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as saying on Monday. National security adviser Hamdullah Mohib, who was in Moscow on Monday for talks with senior security officials, told RIA in an interview that government forces had not expected the Taliban offensive but would 'absolutely, definitely' counterattack. Russia operates a military base in Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic bordering Afghanistan. Russia's foreign ministry said separately on Monday that the Russian consulate in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan was suspending its work because of security concerns, TASS news agency reported. Earlier, the Taliban's march through northern Afghanistan gained momentum overnight with the capture of several districts from fleeing Afghan forces, several hundred of whom fled across the border into Tajikistan, officials said Sunday. More than 300 Afghan military personnel crossed from Afghanistan's Badakhshan province as Taliban fighters advanced toward the border, Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security said in a statement. The Afghan troops crossed over at about 6:30 pm local time on Saturday 'Guided by the principles of humanism and good neighbourliness,' the Tajik authorities allowed the retreating Afghan National Defence and Security Forces to cross into Tajikistan, said the statement. Since mid-April, when US President Joe Biden announced the end to Afghanistan's 'forever war,' the Taliban have made strides throughout the country. But their most significant gains have been in the northern half of the country, a traditional stronghold of the US-allied warlords, who helped defeat them in 2001. The Taliban now control roughly a third of all 421 districts and district centres in Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan forces plan counteroffensive in northern provinces: Adviser

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