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 key districts in Afghanistan, 300 military troops flee to Tajikistan

The US&nbsp;military appears just days away from completing its withdrawal from Afghanistan, well ahead of the September&nbsp;11 deadline set by President Joe Biden to end America's longest war, US&nbsp;officials told Reuters on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity. 
 
The withdrawal of troops and equipment from Afghanistan would not include forces that will remain to protect diplomats at the US&nbsp;embassy and potentially assist securing Kabul airport. 
 
US&nbsp;officials have told Reuters that embassy presence could be around 650 troops. 
 
The US military stopped publicly detailing the pace of its withdrawal after it was more than 50 per cent complete earlier in June. 
 
The disclosure of the brisk pace of the US&nbsp;withdrawal comes as the Taliban insurgency ramps up its offensive throughout the country. The Pentagon now estimates the Taliban control 81 of the country's 419 district centers. 
 
Peace talks in Qatar, meanwhile, have failed to make significant progress. 
 
The Pentagon said earlier on Tuesday that the US&nbsp;withdrawal would not necessarily signify the end of NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, but referred further queries to NATO. 
 
The withdraw of US-led NATO forces has raised concerns that the country could erupt in full-scale civil war, potentially providing al Qaeda space in which to rebuild and plan new attacks on US&nbsp;and other targets. 
 
A United Nations report in January said there were as many as 500 al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and that the Taliban maintained a close relationship with the Islamist extremist group. The Taliban denies al Qaeda has a presence in Afghanistan. 
 
US&nbsp;Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected on Wednesday to meet his Germany counterpart at the Pentagon. Germany, which had the second largest contingent of troops after the United States in Afghanistan, announced on Tuesday that it had concluded its withdrawal from Afghanistan. 
 
It was unclear if the pace of the US&nbsp;withdrawal would still allow first for a planned evacuation of thousands of vulnerable Afghan interpreters and their families, something that had been expected before the US&nbsp;pullout.

The US military appears just days away from completing its withdrawal from Afghanistan, well ahead of the September 11 deadline set by President Joe Biden to end America's longest war, US officials told Reuters on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The US military appears just days away from completing its withdrawal from Afghanistan, well ahead of the September 11 deadline set by President Joe Biden to end America's longest war, US officials told Reuters on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity. The withdrawal of troops and equipment from Afghanistan would not include forces that will remain to protect diplomats at the US embassy and potentially assist securing Kabul airport. US officials have told Reuters that embassy presence could be around 650 troops. The US military stopped publicly detailing the pace of its withdrawal after it was more than 50 per cent complete earlier in June. The disclosure of the brisk pace of the US withdrawal comes as the Taliban insurgency ramps up its offensive throughout the country. The Pentagon now estimates the Taliban control 81 of the country's 419 district centers. Peace talks in Qatar, meanwhile, have failed to make significant progress. The Pentagon said earlier on Tuesday that the US withdrawal would not necessarily signify the end of NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, but referred further queries to NATO. The withdraw of US-led NATO forces has raised concerns that the country could erupt in full-scale civil war, potentially providing al Qaeda space in which to rebuild and plan new attacks on US and other targets. A United Nations report in January said there were as many as 500 al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and that the Taliban maintained a close relationship with the Islamist extremist group. The Taliban denies al Qaeda has a presence in Afghanistan. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected on Wednesday to meet his Germany counterpart at the Pentagon. Germany, which had the second largest contingent of troops after the United States in Afghanistan, announced on Tuesday that it had concluded its withdrawal from Afghanistan. It was unclear if the pace of the US withdrawal would still allow first for a planned evacuation of thousands of vulnerable Afghan interpreters and their families, something that had been expected before the US pullout.

US military days away from completing Afghan withdrawal: Sources

A press videographer who was traveling with President Ashraf Ghani's&nbsp;delegation&nbsp;tested&nbsp;positive&nbsp;for&nbsp;COVID-19, claims the Congress's Office of Attending Physician on Friday. Ghani is in Washington this week for a round of meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden and congressional leaders, as the last US&nbsp;troops prepare to leave&nbsp;Afghanistan.

The videographer was not inside the meeting with congressional leaders, but had attended a photo op by Ghani and the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a source familiar with the situation said.

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"It was our understanding that everybody in the&nbsp;delegation&nbsp;was vaccinated," the source said. The US military has completed more than half of its withdrawal from&nbsp;Afghanistan and is set to finish within weeks.

Fighting between US&nbsp;troops and the Taliban have escalated since April when Biden announced the withdrawal. The Pentagon estimates the Taliban now controls 81 of&nbsp;Afghanistan's 419&nbsp;district centres.

Lawmakers have expressed concern about how women will be treated if the Taliban seizes control after the US&nbsp;troop withdrawal. "We look forward to having a conversation about how we strengthen our relationship through humanitarian assistance," US&nbsp;House of Representatives" Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in remarks before the meeting.

Between 600 and 700 troops are likely to remain in the country to provide security for diplomats, officials say.

A press videographer who was traveling with President Ashraf Ghani's delegation tested positive for COVID-19, claims the Congress's Office of Attending Physician on Friday.

A press videographer who was traveling with President Ashraf Ghani's delegation tested positive for COVID-19, claims the Congress's Office of Attending Physician on Friday. Ghani is in Washington this week for a round of meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden and congressional leaders, as the last US troops prepare to leave Afghanistan. The videographer was not inside the meeting with congressional leaders, but had attended a photo op by Ghani and the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a source familiar with the situation said. Also Read | Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd's death "It was our understanding that everybody in the delegation was vaccinated," the source said. The US military has completed more than half of its withdrawal from Afghanistan and is set to finish within weeks. Fighting between US troops and the Taliban have escalated since April when Biden announced the withdrawal. The Pentagon estimates the Taliban now controls 81 of Afghanistan's 419 district centres. Lawmakers have expressed concern about how women will be treated if the Taliban seizes control after the US troop withdrawal. "We look forward to having a conversation about how we strengthen our relationship through humanitarian assistance," US House of Representatives" Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in remarks before the meeting. Between 600 and 700 troops are likely to remain in the country to provide security for diplomats, officials say.

Afghan journalist in presidential delegation tests positive for COVID-19

Afghan leader Ashraf Ghani faces the cold reality of the end of US military presence in Afghanistan Friday when he meets with President Joe Biden in the White House.

With his government under increasing threat from an emboldened Taliban insurgency, Ghani will be hoping for a significant commitment of US aid for his government, which will be without the on-the-ground support of US forces for the first time in nearly two decades.

But any hopes for a delay in America's exit from its longest war are likely to be snuffed.

Biden has ordered the departure of all US forces from Afghanistan by this year's 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that triggered the invasion, saying he believes that no more can be achieved.

The final pullout, announced in April, has moved fast and some speculate the exit of some 2,500 US troops and 16,000 civilian contractors could be mostly completed in July.

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"This visit is first about our ongoing commitment and support to the Afghan people and to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday.

"The president will emphasize the need for unity, cohesion, and for the Afghan government to focus on key challenges Afghanistan faces."

Deep uncertainty as Taliban gain&nbsp;

Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, who is in charge of stalled negotiations with the Taliban on a power-sharing deal, arrived in Washington on Thursday as the rebels continued to gain ground in the country, both physically and propaganda-wise.

The looming US exit has left the country in a deep state of uncertainty, with many worried about the return to power of extremists who applied a brutal version of Islam to the population when they ruled from 1996-2001.

The Wall Street Journal reported that a new US intelligence report assesses that the Taliban could possibly capture Kabul within six months -- though other experts downplay that scenario, at least in the short-term.

Still, the situation is being compared to the US withdrawal from Vietnam in 1973.&nbsp;

Two years later, the South Vietnamese government that Washington had backed and then abandoned fell to North Vietnamese troops.

Enduring commitment

Still apparently hoping to slow the US pullout, Ghani and Abdullah met Thursday with members of Congress, many of whom criticize Biden's decision to leave -- even though the withdrawal actually began under his predecessor Donald Trump last year.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell urged Biden to delay the withdrawal after talks with the Afghan leaders.

"President Biden's decision to withdraw US forces leaves our Afghan partners alone to confront threats that his own top advisors acknowledge are&nbsp;grave&nbsp;and growing worse," McConnell said.

On Friday, Ghani and Abdullah will meet with Biden in the White House and, separately, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon.

"One of the things that we will certainly be talking with President Ghani about tomorrow is what the enduring commitment of the United States to his government is going to look like," said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

Biden is expected to reaffirm billions of dollars in US aid for the country, and possibly make arrangements for US civilian contractors -- essential to keep the Afghan air force flying -- to remain there.

The United States will also provide three million doses of the Johnson &amp; Johnson coronavirus vaccine to Afghanistan to be shipped as soon as next week, according to Jean-Pierre.

Andrew Watkins, an Afghanistan expert at the International Crisis Group, said Ghani wants to show he has US support as the country's leader.

"Ghani doesn't have a lot of domestic legitimacy. His legitimacy comes maybe more than from any other source or any other factor from international recognition and support," Watkins said.

The US side, meanwhile, is likely to pressure Ghani and Abdullah to strike a power-sharing deal with the Taliban sooner rather than later.

"We believe that a negotiated political settlement is the best way to end the conflict," Jean-Pierre told journalists.&nbsp;

Possibly underscoring how uncomfortable the situation is for both sides, no press conference was planned.

Afghan leader Ashraf Ghani faces the cold reality of the end of US military presence in Afghanistan Friday when he meets with President Joe Biden in the White House.

Afghan leader Ashraf Ghani faces the cold reality of the end of US military presence in Afghanistan Friday when he meets with President Joe Biden in the White House. With his government under increasing threat from an emboldened Taliban insurgency, Ghani will be hoping for a significant commitment of US aid for his government, which will be without the on-the-ground support of US forces for the first time in nearly two decades. But any hopes for a delay in America's exit from its longest war are likely to be snuffed. Biden has ordered the departure of all US forces from Afghanistan by this year's 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that triggered the invasion, saying he believes that no more can be achieved. The final pullout, announced in April, has moved fast and some speculate the exit of some 2,500 US troops and 16,000 civilian contractors could be mostly completed in July. Also Read | Deaths outnumber births in Britain for the first time since 1976 "This visit is first about our ongoing commitment and support to the Afghan people and to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday. "The president will emphasize the need for unity, cohesion, and for the Afghan government to focus on key challenges Afghanistan faces." Deep uncertainty as Taliban gain Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, who is in charge of stalled negotiations with the Taliban on a power-sharing deal, arrived in Washington on Thursday as the rebels continued to gain ground in the country, both physically and propaganda-wise. The looming US exit has left the country in a deep state of uncertainty, with many worried about the return to power of extremists who applied a brutal version of Islam to the population when they ruled from 1996-2001. The Wall Street Journal reported that a new US intelligence report assesses that the Taliban could possibly capture Kabul within six months -- though other experts downplay that scenario, at least in the short-term. Still, the situation is being compared to the US withdrawal from Vietnam in 1973. Two years later, the South Vietnamese government that Washington had backed and then abandoned fell to North Vietnamese troops. Enduring commitment Still apparently hoping to slow the US pullout, Ghani and Abdullah met Thursday with members of Congress, many of whom criticize Biden's decision to leave -- even though the withdrawal actually began under his predecessor Donald Trump last year. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell urged Biden to delay the withdrawal after talks with the Afghan leaders. "President Biden's decision to withdraw US forces leaves our Afghan partners alone to confront threats that his own top advisors acknowledge are grave and growing worse," McConnell said. On Friday, Ghani and Abdullah will meet with Biden in the White House and, separately, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon. "One of the things that we will certainly be talking with President Ghani about tomorrow is what the enduring commitment of the United States to his government is going to look like," said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. Biden is expected to reaffirm billions of dollars in US aid for the country, and possibly make arrangements for US civilian contractors -- essential to keep the Afghan air force flying -- to remain there. The United States will also provide three million doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine to Afghanistan to be shipped as soon as next week, according to Jean-Pierre. Andrew Watkins, an Afghanistan expert at the International Crisis Group, said Ghani wants to show he has US support as the country's leader. "Ghani doesn't have a lot of domestic legitimacy. His legitimacy comes maybe more than from any other source or any other factor from international recognition and support," Watkins said. The US side, meanwhile, is likely to pressure Ghani and Abdullah to strike a power-sharing deal with the Taliban sooner rather than later. "We believe that a negotiated political settlement is the best way to end the conflict," Jean-Pierre told journalists. Possibly underscoring how uncomfortable the situation is for both sides, no press conference was planned.

Afghan leader Ashraf Ghani  to meet Joe Biden as US troop exit looms

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ahead of meeting President Joe Biden. Biden’s first meeting as president with Ghani will focus on Washington’s support for Afghanistan after troops withdrawal.

Afghan President Ghani met US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

US intelligence has said that the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul will fall to the resurgent Taliban group within six months of the departure of US and international troops, ahead of a White House meeting between President Joe Biden and top Afghan leaders Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah.

US Intel: Kabul could fall in 6 months after troops pullout | WION VOA Co-Production

According to reports, the Biden administration is preparing to relocate thousands of Afghan coalition aides to third nations to keep them safe from the Taliban while they wait for the US to approve visas for them and their families.

US to relocate Afghan coalition aides as they fear reprisal from Taliban

Districts in Afghanistan are falling without a fight. The Taliban is taking control of more territory, while Afghan soldiers on the ground are surrendering. Palki Sharma brings you five videos that show how the Taliban is taking control of Afghanistan.

Gravitas: 5 videos that show how the Taliban is taking control of Afghanistan

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will be visiting the United States to meet President Joe Biden this week, as uncertainty mounts over Afghanistan's future after the American military withdrawal.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to visit US amid military drawdown

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will meet US President Joe Biden on June 25, the White House said on Sunday. Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation will also be present. The meeting comes at a time when fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces has surged.

Biden has already announced that all US troops in Afghanistan would be withdrawn before September 11 this year

"The visit by President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah will highlight the enduring partnership between the United States and Afghanistan as the military drawdown continues," the White House said in a statement.

The statement added that Washington was committed to supporting Afghan people by providing diplomatic, economic and humanitarian assistance.

"The United States will remain deeply engaged with the Government of Afghanistan to ensure the country never again becomes a safe haven for terrorist groups who pose a threat to the US homeland," it said.

However, the Taliban is taking steps to expand its influence across Afghanistan.

Since the United States announced plans in April to pull out all of troops, at least 30 districts have been seized by the Taliban.

(With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will meet US President Joe Biden on June 25, the White House said on Sunday. Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation will also be present.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will meet US President Joe Biden on June 25, the White House said on Sunday. Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation will also be present. The meeting comes at a time when fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces has surged. Biden has already announced that all US troops in Afghanistan would be withdrawn before September 11 this year "The visit by President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah will highlight the enduring partnership between the United States and Afghanistan as the military drawdown continues," the White House said in a statement. The statement added that Washington was committed to supporting Afghan people by providing diplomatic, economic and humanitarian assistance. "The United States will remain deeply engaged with the Government of Afghanistan to ensure the country never again becomes a safe haven for terrorist groups who pose a threat to the US homeland," it said. However, the Taliban is taking steps to expand its influence across Afghanistan. Since the United States announced plans in April to pull out all of troops, at least 30 districts have been seized by the Taliban. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to meet Joe Biden next week

Fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban in northern region of the country led to at least 23 casualties for the troops, TOLO news reported on Thursday. The hostilities erupted as the security forces on Wednesday carried out a clearing operation in the Dawlat Abad district.

"At least 23 commandos were killed and six policemen were wounded in the clashes," a source was quoted by TOLO news as saying.

After the unrest, the military relocated from district center to another area,&nbsp;as per the report.

Sohrab Azimi, a retired general, and son of the former spokesman for the defence ministry, was among the deceased.

According to the media outlet, the district center has been taken over by Taliban militants a week ago.&nbsp;

Afghanistan has been beset with violence in spite of the peace talks as international forces withdraw from the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

Fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban in northern region of the country led to at least 23 casualties for the troops, TOLO news reported on Thursday. The hostilities erupted as the security forces on Wednesday carried out a clearing operation in the Dawlat Abad district.

Fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban in northern region of the country led to at least 23 casualties for the troops, TOLO news reported on Thursday. The hostilities erupted as the security forces on Wednesday carried out a clearing operation in the Dawlat Abad district. "At least 23 commandos were killed and six policemen were wounded in the clashes," a source was quoted by TOLO news as saying. After the unrest, the military relocated from district center to another area, as per the report. Sohrab Azimi, a retired general, and son of the former spokesman for the defence ministry, was among the deceased. According to the media outlet, the district center has been taken over by Taliban militants a week ago. Afghanistan has been beset with violence in spite of the peace talks as international forces withdraw from the country. (With inputs from agencies)

23 Afghan troops killed in clashes with Taliban: Report

Afghan interpreters fear reprisal from the Taliban as foreign troops prepare for departure. Will the western coalition be able to relocate all interpreters before the September deadline? Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary: Afghan interpreters fear Taliban reprisal

The US has had constructive discussions in the military intelligence and diplomatic channels with Pakistan on terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and the Afghan peace process, the White House has said.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also said that the peace process would be an important issued in the upcoming NATO meeting next week.

"We have only had constructive discussions in the military intelligence and diplomatic channels with Pakistan about the future of America's capabilities to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a base from which Al Qaida or ISIS or any other terrorist group can attack the United States," he told a White House news conference.

Sullivan was responding to a question on talks with Pakistan on the Afghan peace process, which would be an important topic of discussion at the NATO summit. However, he refrained from giving specifics of the discussions with Pakistan.

President Joe Biden departs on his maiden official overseas trip to Europe on Wednesday during which he will attend the G-7 summit, the NATO meetings, and finally the US-Russia Summit.

"In terms of the specifics of what that will look that will have to remain in those private channels as we work through them. What I will say that we are talking to a wide range of countries about how we build effective over the horizon capability both from an intelligence and from a defence perspective to be able to suppress the terrorism threat in Afghanistan on a going forward basis," Sullivan said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US has had constructive discussions in the military intelligence and diplomatic channels with Pakistan on terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and the Afghan peace process, the White House has said.

The US has had constructive discussions in the military intelligence and diplomatic channels with Pakistan on terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and the Afghan peace process, the White House has said. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also said that the peace process would be an important issued in the upcoming NATO meeting next week. "We have only had constructive discussions in the military intelligence and diplomatic channels with Pakistan about the future of America's capabilities to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a base from which Al Qaida or ISIS or any other terrorist group can attack the United States," he told a White House news conference. Sullivan was responding to a question on talks with Pakistan on the Afghan peace process, which would be an important topic of discussion at the NATO summit. However, he refrained from giving specifics of the discussions with Pakistan. President Joe Biden departs on his maiden official overseas trip to Europe on Wednesday during which he will attend the G-7 summit, the NATO meetings, and finally the US-Russia Summit. "In terms of the specifics of what that will look that will have to remain in those private channels as we work through them. What I will say that we are talking to a wide range of countries about how we build effective over the horizon capability both from an intelligence and from a defence perspective to be able to suppress the terrorism threat in Afghanistan on a going forward basis," Sullivan said. (With inputs from agencies)

US had constructive discussions with Pak on Afghanistan issue: Sullivan

Teenager Fatima Noori and her fellow pupils hug and pray as they gather in their Kabul classroom, just weeks after bombs exploded right outside the school gates, killing scores of their classmates. 
 
The Sayed Ul-Shuhada High School in the west of the city has remained closed since the May 8 bombings, but a local NGO and the Ministry of Public Health have been holding psychotherapy classes there for girls to help with any trauma. 
 
"When I first entered the school (after the blast) to attend the psychotherapy class, I was very scared and worried that the same incident might happen again," 15-year-old Fatima said last month. "I even fainted near the school gate." 
 
But Fatima said her resolve had grown since then and she was determined to return to school, even with the potential threat of another explosion. 
 
"I want to come back to school even more strongly than before and continue my studies," she said. "I want to continue the path of those who were martyred." 
 
Girls and boys at the high school study in three shifts. The May 8 attack targeted the second shift, which is for female students, Najiba Arian, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education, said. 
 
Fatima was in the school corridor getting ready to go home when the first bomb exploded outside the school gate. Two more bombs detonated as people rushed to escape. At least 80 people were killed and 160 injured, most of them schoolgirls. 
 
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and the Taliban denied responsibility. But the minority Hazara neighbourhood where the school is located has repeatedly been targeted by militants. 
 
The United States and many other Western nations have touted girls' education as one of the key successes of years of foreign presence in Afghanistan. 
 
More than 3.5 million girls are now enrolled in school in the country, according to USAID, compared to none during the Taliban's rule from 1996 to 2001. But an estimated 3.7 million children remain out of school, 60% of them girls, according to UNICEF. 
 
Security is deteriorating as foreign forces prepare to leave Afghanistan later this year, emboldening some hardline Islamist groups to threaten the progress made in girls' education. 
 
Fatima's father, 36-year-old Taqi Noori, said he thought about, but decided against, leaving the country. 
 
"There is always war in Afghanistan, but what can we do? This is our country ... if we go somewhere else, my children would be deprived of education," he said from their hillside home, about a 10-minute walk from Fatima's school.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Fatima has continued her studies at home as she waits for the school to reopen, the timing of which remains uncertain. 
 
"I am interested in medical science, and I want to become a good doctor in the future to treat our security forces injured while defending our people, land, and our borders." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Teenager Fatima Noori and her fellow pupils hug and pray as they gather in their Kabul classroom, just weeks after bombs exploded right outside the school gates, killing scores of their classmates.

Teenager Fatima Noori and her fellow pupils hug and pray as they gather in their Kabul classroom, just weeks after bombs exploded right outside the school gates, killing scores of their classmates. The Sayed Ul-Shuhada High School in the west of the city has remained closed since the May 8 bombings, but a local NGO and the Ministry of Public Health have been holding psychotherapy classes there for girls to help with any trauma. "When I first entered the school (after the blast) to attend the psychotherapy class, I was very scared and worried that the same incident might happen again," 15-year-old Fatima said last month. "I even fainted near the school gate." But Fatima said her resolve had grown since then and she was determined to return to school, even with the potential threat of another explosion. "I want to come back to school even more strongly than before and continue my studies," she said. "I want to continue the path of those who were martyred." Girls and boys at the high school study in three shifts. The May 8 attack targeted the second shift, which is for female students, Najiba Arian, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education, said. Fatima was in the school corridor getting ready to go home when the first bomb exploded outside the school gate. Two more bombs detonated as people rushed to escape. At least 80 people were killed and 160 injured, most of them schoolgirls. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and the Taliban denied responsibility. But the minority Hazara neighbourhood where the school is located has repeatedly been targeted by militants. The United States and many other Western nations have touted girls' education as one of the key successes of years of foreign presence in Afghanistan. More than 3.5 million girls are now enrolled in school in the country, according to USAID, compared to none during the Taliban's rule from 1996 to 2001. But an estimated 3.7 million children remain out of school, 60% of them girls, according to UNICEF. Security is deteriorating as foreign forces prepare to leave Afghanistan later this year, emboldening some hardline Islamist groups to threaten the progress made in girls' education. Fatima's father, 36-year-old Taqi Noori, said he thought about, but decided against, leaving the country. "There is always war in Afghanistan, but what can we do? This is our country ... if we go somewhere else, my children would be deprived of education," he said from their hillside home, about a 10-minute walk from Fatima's school. Fatima has continued her studies at home as she waits for the school to reopen, the timing of which remains uncertain. "I am interested in medical science, and I want to become a good doctor in the future to treat our security forces injured while defending our people, land, and our borders." (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan girl determined to return to school after deadly blast

At least six Afghan civilians were killed and several more were wounded when a mortar shell hit a house during a wedding ceremony in northern Kapisa province, security officials said on Sunday. 
 
The explosion on Saturday evening was in the Tagab district, which has seen fighting between the Afghan government forces and the Taliban insurgents. 
 
Shayeq Shoresh, a spokesman for the provincial police, blamed the Taliban for firing the mortar and added that at least six civilians, including women and children, were killed and four more wounded. 
 
But a senior security official in Kabul put the death toll at at least 10 and the number of wounded at 18. 
 
A Taliban spokesman dismissed the allegation and said the mortar was fired by Afghan security forces. 
 
Afghan civilians often bear the brunt of the attacks as they are&nbsp;caught in the crossfire. 
 
Violence has sharply increased across the country since Washington announced plans last month to pull out all US&nbsp;troops out of Afghanistan by September&nbsp;11. 
 
Nearly 1,800 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in the first three months of 2021 during fighting between government forces and Taliban insurgents despite efforts to find peace, the United Nations said last month. 
 
According to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission’s annual report last year, there were 8,500 civilian casualties in 2020, including 2,958 deaths.

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

At least six Afghan civilians were killed and several more were wounded when a mortar shell hit a house during a wedding ceremony in northern Kapisa province, security officials said on Sunday.

At least six Afghan civilians were killed and several more were wounded when a mortar shell hit a house during a wedding ceremony in northern Kapisa province, security officials said on Sunday. The explosion on Saturday evening was in the Tagab district, which has seen fighting between the Afghan government forces and the Taliban insurgents. Shayeq Shoresh, a spokesman for the provincial police, blamed the Taliban for firing the mortar and added that at least six civilians, including women and children, were killed and four more wounded. But a senior security official in Kabul put the death toll at at least 10 and the number of wounded at 18. A Taliban spokesman dismissed the allegation and said the mortar was fired by Afghan security forces. Afghan civilians often bear the brunt of the attacks as they are caught in the crossfire. Violence has sharply increased across the country since Washington announced plans last month to pull out all US troops out of Afghanistan by September 11. Nearly 1,800 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in the first three months of 2021 during fighting between government forces and Taliban insurgents despite efforts to find peace, the United Nations said last month. According to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission’s annual report last year, there were 8,500 civilian casualties in 2020, including 2,958 deaths. (With inputs from agencies)

Mortar shell hits Afghan wedding, kills at least six

American troops are trashing valuable military equipment ahead of their Afghan pullout. They fear strategic assets may fall into the wrong hands. But for local scrap dealers, it means a lot of unsellable junk. Mariam Wardak gets you the story.

South Asia Diary: US trashes unwanted military gear in Afghanistan

China, which has stepped up its diplomacy between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the wake of the US troops withdrawal from the war-torn country, has offered to host peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.&nbsp;

Significantly, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who in the last two-days held telephone talks with his Pakistani and Afghan counterparts, said that China will back the Afghan government headed by Ashraf Ghani in playing a leading role.&nbsp;

The offer to facilitate peace talks was made during Wang's phone talks with his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Haneef Atmar on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Asked to elaborate, Zhao said, "China is ready to facilitate intra-Afghan talks and will provide necessary conditions for negotiation in China."&nbsp;

The US had announced its plans to withdraw its troops completely from Afghanistan by September.&nbsp;

The US troop pull-out has raised concerns in Beijing that it may lead to the regrouping of Xinjiang province's Uygur Muslim militants in Afghanistan, which shares borders with China.&nbsp;

During their telephonic conversation, Wang told Atmar that "China will continue to support the Afghan government in playing a leading role in the country's peace and reconciliation process," state-run Xinhua news agency reported.&nbsp;

Wang also called on all parties to support and implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions to promote a smooth transition of the Afghanistan situation, to avoid in particular a resurgence of terrorist forces, it said.&nbsp;

In a comment that may not go down well with the Taliban, Wang, according to the report, expressed his hope that Afghanistan's future leadership will pursue a moderate Muslim policy, promote a foreign policy of peace, maintain friendship with neighbouring countries, and firmly combat all forms of terrorism.&nbsp;

Wang's talks with Atmar came a day after he held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi during which he called on the UN to play its 'due role' to fill the void being left by the US troops withdrawal.&nbsp;

Wang told Qureshi that the 'hasty withdrawal' of the US troops from Afghanistan has severely impacted the Afghan domestic peace process and negatively affected regional stability.&nbsp;

China, which has stepped up its diplomacy between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the wake of the US troops withdrawal from the war-torn country, has offered to host peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

China, which has stepped up its diplomacy between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the wake of the US troops withdrawal from the war-torn country, has offered to host peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Significantly, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who in the last two-days held telephone talks with his Pakistani and Afghan counterparts, said that China will back the Afghan government headed by Ashraf Ghani in playing a leading role. The offer to facilitate peace talks was made during Wang's phone talks with his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Haneef Atmar on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here on Tuesday. Asked to elaborate, Zhao said, "China is ready to facilitate intra-Afghan talks and will provide necessary conditions for negotiation in China." The US had announced its plans to withdraw its troops completely from Afghanistan by September. The US troop pull-out has raised concerns in Beijing that it may lead to the regrouping of Xinjiang province's Uygur Muslim militants in Afghanistan, which shares borders with China. During their telephonic conversation, Wang told Atmar that "China will continue to support the Afghan government in playing a leading role in the country's peace and reconciliation process," state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Wang also called on all parties to support and implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions to promote a smooth transition of the Afghanistan situation, to avoid in particular a resurgence of terrorist forces, it said. In a comment that may not go down well with the Taliban, Wang, according to the report, expressed his hope that Afghanistan's future leadership will pursue a moderate Muslim policy, promote a foreign policy of peace, maintain friendship with neighbouring countries, and firmly combat all forms of terrorism. Wang's talks with Atmar came a day after he held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi during which he called on the UN to play its 'due role' to fill the void being left by the US troops withdrawal. Wang told Qureshi that the 'hasty withdrawal' of the US troops from Afghanistan has severely impacted the Afghan domestic peace process and negatively affected regional stability.

China offers to host Afghan peace talks, backs leading role for Ghani-led govt  

After an agreed ceasefire of three days, violent clashes resumed between the Taliban and the Afghanistan security forces on Sunday.

A few days ago, the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire for three days with respect to the Eid al-Fitr holiday. However, immediately after the ceasefire period ended, the Taliban group started shooting in the early hours of Sunday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/warring-afghan-sides-discuss-peace-talks-as-deadly-blast-hits-mosque-385282">Warring Afghan sides discuss peace talks as deadly blast hits mosque</a>

"The fighting started early today and is still ongoing," Attaullah Afghan, head of the Helmand provincial council was quoted by the news agency, AFP. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Taliban fighters attacked security checkpoints towards the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, towards the south of the country.

As per local reports, nearly 21 Taliban fighters have been killed till now, Helmand governor's office confirmed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/blast-in-kabul-mosque-kills-12-worshippers-shattering-eid-ceasefire-calm-385004" hreflang="en">Blast in Kabul mosque kills 12 worshippers, shattering Eid ceasefire calm</a>

However, Taliban claims it was the Afghan security forces that started the attack. "They (Afghan forces) started the operation... do not put the blame on us," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP.

Although the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire, a deadly mosque blast had jolted the country, killing 12 people who had gathered to offer their prayers.

The violence in the country has increased since the US started recalling its forces as part of an agreement with the Taliban group.

After an agreed ceasefire of three days, violent clashes resumed between the Taliban and the Afghanistan security forces on Sunday. A few days ago, the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire for three days with respect to the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

After an agreed ceasefire of three days, violent clashes resumed between the Taliban and the Afghanistan security forces on Sunday. A few days ago, the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire for three days with respect to the Eid al-Fitr holiday. However, immediately after the ceasefire period ended, the Taliban group started shooting in the early hours of Sunday. Also read | Warring Afghan sides discuss peace talks as deadly blast hits mosque "The fighting started early today and is still ongoing," Attaullah Afghan, head of the Helmand provincial council was quoted by the news agency, AFP. Taliban fighters attacked security checkpoints towards the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, towards the south of the country. As per local reports, nearly 21 Taliban fighters have been killed till now, Helmand governor's office confirmed. Also read | Blast in Kabul mosque kills 12 worshippers, shattering Eid ceasefire calm However, Taliban claims it was the Afghan security forces that started the attack. "They (Afghan forces) started the operation... do not put the blame on us," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP. Although the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire, a deadly mosque blast had jolted the country, killing 12 people who had gathered to offer their prayers. The violence in the country has increased since the US started recalling its forces as part of an agreement with the Taliban group.

Afghanistan: Taliban resumes shooting as ceasefire ends

Negotiators from the Afghan government and Taliban teams met Friday to discuss speeding up stalled peace talks, officials from both sides said, as a deadly mosque blast shattered the calm of a holiday ceasefire in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Despite unprecedented talks opening in September in Doha, the two warring sides have struggled to make headway, with violence escalating in Afghanistan as the United States pulls out the last of its troops.

"Today a meeting was held in Doha between the delegations of both negotiating sides," the Afghan government's peace team tweeted.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/blast-in-kabul-mosque-kills-12-worshippers-shattering-eid-ceasefire-calm-385004" hreflang="en">Blast in Kabul mosque kills 12 worshippers, shattering Eid ceasefire calm</a>

The parties "emphasized speeding up the peace talks in Doha", it added.

In a similar statement posted to Twitter, the Taliban said "both sides agreed to continue the talks after (Eid al-Fitr)", which ends on Saturday.

A three-day ceasefire agreed by the warring sides came into force on Thursday to mark the Muslim holiday, after weeks of deadly violence.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-army-leaves-kandahar-airfield-as-the-drawdown-continues-in-afghanistan-384977" hreflang="en">US army leaves Kandahar Airfield as the drawdown continues in Afghanistan</a>

But the calm was broken by a blast at a mosque on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, which killed 12 people including the imam leading Friday prayers.&nbsp;

No group has so far claimed the attack and the Taliban denied responsibility.

A spokesman for the interior ministry said the explosives were placed in the mosque ahead of the prayers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bombings-kill-11-afghans-on-first-day-of-ceasefire-384816" hreflang="en">Bombings kill 11 Afghans on first day of ceasefire</a>

Afghans have been cautiously enjoying the rare respite from violence, only the fourth such truce in the two decades-long conflict. &nbsp;

Ceasefires in the past have largely held, in what is widely thought to be an exercise by the Taliban leadership to prove it has control over the myriad factions across the country that make up the hardline movement.

US exit from key airfield base

As violence has soared, including a wave of targeted killings on Afghanistan’s educated class, international efforts have been made to jump start the talks -- &nbsp;including a one day conference in Moscow in March attended by representatives on both sides, as well as Russia, the United States, China and Pakistan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/afghanistan-envoy-to-india-thanks-sikh-ngo-for-providing-relief-to-afghan-refugees-384810" hreflang="en">Afghanistan envoy to India thanks Sikh NGO for providing relief to Afghan refugees</a>

Turkey was also scheduled to hold an Afghanistan conference in late April but it was postponed indefinitely because the Taliban declined to attend.

The United States, Russia and other mediators want to see some form of transitional government take power in Afghanistan involving the Taliban, but President Ashraf Ghani has insisted leaders can only be chosen at the ballot box.

Having made enormous gains on the battleground, the Taliban appear to have little to gain from either strategy.

Washington has vowed to end America's longest war but missed a deadline earlier this month to withdraw all of its troops, as agreed with the Taliban in return for security guarantees and a promise to launch talks with the Afghan government, who were cut out of the deal.

President Joe Biden pushed back the date to September 11,&nbsp;20 years after the US invaded Afghanistan and ousted the hardline Taliban.

US and Afghan officials on Friday said Washington had pulled out completely from a major southern air base in the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, just a week after US airstrikes were launched from the airfield to push back a Taliban offensive.&nbsp;

An Afghan army officer at Kandahar Airfield, who asked not to be named, told AFP that government forces would be left exposed by the pullout.

"It is now going to be very difficult for us to conduct operations," he said. "Our aircraft can't fly at night so the night operations are going to be difficult."

Kandahar was the birthplace of the Taliban and has in recent months seen intense clashes between the resurgent militants and Afghan forces.&nbsp;

Despite the withdrawal, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a telephone call to President Ashraf Ghani promised "steadfast support" for Afghan forces, the State Department said, adding that he condemned the recent attacks, including a series of blasts outside a girls' school in Kabul which killed more than 50 people, mostly teenage girls.

Negotiators from the Afghan government and Taliban teams met Friday to discuss speeding up stalled peace talks, officials from both sides said, as a deadly mosque blast shattered the calm of a holiday ceasefire in Afghanistan.

Negotiators from the Afghan government and Taliban teams met Friday to discuss speeding up stalled peace talks, officials from both sides said, as a deadly mosque blast shattered the calm of a holiday ceasefire in Afghanistan. Despite unprecedented talks opening in September in Doha, the two warring sides have struggled to make headway, with violence escalating in Afghanistan as the United States pulls out the last of its troops. "Today a meeting was held in Doha between the delegations of both negotiating sides," the Afghan government's peace team tweeted. Also read | Blast in Kabul mosque kills 12 worshippers, shattering Eid ceasefire calm The parties "emphasized speeding up the peace talks in Doha", it added. In a similar statement posted to Twitter, the Taliban said "both sides agreed to continue the talks after (Eid al-Fitr)", which ends on Saturday. A three-day ceasefire agreed by the warring sides came into force on Thursday to mark the Muslim holiday, after weeks of deadly violence. Also read | US army leaves Kandahar Airfield as the drawdown continues in Afghanistan But the calm was broken by a blast at a mosque on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, which killed 12 people including the imam leading Friday prayers. No group has so far claimed the attack and the Taliban denied responsibility. A spokesman for the interior ministry said the explosives were placed in the mosque ahead of the prayers. Also read | Bombings kill 11 Afghans on first day of ceasefire Afghans have been cautiously enjoying the rare respite from violence, only the fourth such truce in the two decades-long conflict. Ceasefires in the past have largely held, in what is widely thought to be an exercise by the Taliban leadership to prove it has control over the myriad factions across the country that make up the hardline movement. US exit from key airfield base As violence has soared, including a wave of targeted killings on Afghanistan’s educated class, international efforts have been made to jump start the talks -- including a one day conference in Moscow in March attended by representatives on both sides, as well as Russia, the United States, China and Pakistan. Also read | Afghanistan envoy to India thanks Sikh NGO for providing relief to Afghan refugees Turkey was also scheduled to hold an Afghanistan conference in late April but it was postponed indefinitely because the Taliban declined to attend. The United States, Russia and other mediators want to see some form of transitional government take power in Afghanistan involving the Taliban, but President Ashraf Ghani has insisted leaders can only be chosen at the ballot box. Having made enormous gains on the battleground, the Taliban appear to have little to gain from either strategy. Washington has vowed to end America's longest war but missed a deadline earlier this month to withdraw all of its troops, as agreed with the Taliban in return for security guarantees and a promise to launch talks with the Afghan government, who were cut out of the deal. President Joe Biden pushed back the date to September 11, 20 years after the US invaded Afghanistan and ousted the hardline Taliban. US and Afghan officials on Friday said Washington had pulled out completely from a major southern air base in the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, just a week after US airstrikes were launched from the airfield to push back a Taliban offensive. An Afghan army officer at Kandahar Airfield, who asked not to be named, told AFP that government forces would be left exposed by the pullout. "It is now going to be very difficult for us to conduct operations," he said. "Our aircraft can't fly at night so the night operations are going to be difficult." Kandahar was the birthplace of the Taliban and has in recent months seen intense clashes between the resurgent militants and Afghan forces. Despite the withdrawal, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a telephone call to President Ashraf Ghani promised "steadfast support" for Afghan forces, the State Department said, adding that he condemned the recent attacks, including a series of blasts outside a girls' school in Kabul which killed more than 50 people, mostly teenage girls.

Warring Afghan sides discuss peace talks as deadly blast hits mosque

After months of stalled negotiations, the Afghan government's negotiating team and the Taliban leadership met in Doha, Qatar on Friday to discuss speeding up peace talks.&nbsp;

"Today a meeting was held in Doha between the delegations of both negotiating sides," the Afghan government's peace team said in a tweet. Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen also confirmed the news on his Twitter account.&nbsp;

"Besides Eid greetings, the two sides discussed the status quo and the speeding up of the intra-Afghan negotiations. They emphasised to continue negotiations after Eid," Taliban Spokesperson tweeted.&nbsp;

This comes as at least 12 people were killed in an explosion inside a mosque in Kabul on Friday afternoon despite a three-day ceasefire, TOLO news reported. So far, no group has taken responsibility. Taliban in a statement had denied involvement in the attack.&nbsp;

A three-day ceasefire agreed by both sides came to mark the Eid holidays, following the surge in violence in recent weeks.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Istanbul conference was scheduled to take place on the issue of Afghan peace in April end but it was postponed indefinitely after the Taliban declined to attend. US withdrawal from Afghanistan is underway and set to complete till September 11. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

After months of stalled negotiations, the Afghan government's negotiating team and the Taliban leadership met in Doha, Qatar on Friday to discuss speeding up peace talks.

After months of stalled negotiations, the Afghan government's negotiating team and the Taliban leadership met in Doha, Qatar on Friday to discuss speeding up peace talks. "Today a meeting was held in Doha between the delegations of both negotiating sides," the Afghan government's peace team said in a tweet. Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen also confirmed the news on his Twitter account. "Besides Eid greetings, the two sides discussed the status quo and the speeding up of the intra-Afghan negotiations. They emphasised to continue negotiations after Eid," Taliban Spokesperson tweeted. This comes as at least 12 people were killed in an explosion inside a mosque in Kabul on Friday afternoon despite a three-day ceasefire, TOLO news reported. So far, no group has taken responsibility. Taliban in a statement had denied involvement in the attack. A three-day ceasefire agreed by both sides came to mark the Eid holidays, following the surge in violence in recent weeks. Earlier, the Istanbul conference was scheduled to take place on the issue of Afghan peace in April end but it was postponed indefinitely after the Taliban declined to attend. US withdrawal from Afghanistan is underway and set to complete till September 11. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan govt delegation, Taliban discuss peace talks in Qatar 

Afghanistan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay expressed his gratitude for Sikh Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which provided food material to Afghan refugees in New Delhi after a call from the ambassador. The NGO, Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust sent first tranche of relief material that included Wheat, Sugar, oil and other food materials. This will be helpful to 4000 Afghan refuge families in the city amid the Covid pandemic.

Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Mamundzay said that he was "grateful for the support provided by the host community, the Indian community, both in New Delhi and elsewhere.".&nbsp;

The envoy even posted a tweet in this regard

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Afghan refugees living in New Delhi are among one of the worst affected groups in India due to recent covid surge. Life was already a struggle for many of the 20,000 Afghans &amp; pandemic has made their survival even more precarious. We have taken a number of initiatives aiming 1/2 <a href="https://t.co/j0wGL9Wdmp">pic.twitter.com/j0wGL9Wdmp</a>
— Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید ماموندزی (@FMamundzay) <a href="https://twitter.com/FMamundzay/status/1389119774303522823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The envoy also paid homage to India's Consul General in Afghan city Mazar-e-Sharif Vinesh Kalra.

Kalra passed away due to Covid.&nbsp;

Afghan ambassador said CG Kalra was a "patriot, a very noble diplomat" who represented "India with great passion."

Here is the interaction between Ambassador Farid Mamundzay and WION's Sidhant Sibbal

WION: Your reaction to the outreach by Indian Sikh NGO for the Afghan refugees by providing them relief amid the Covid crisis?

Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: Afghan Refugees have received support from Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust in Amritsar. It came at a time when this community was suffering from the crisis as a result of the pandemic. They required food, medical and relief assistance. Dr Oberoi (Managing Trustee of Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust), came forward fulfilling our request. He said he would help us with the required food supply, required medical and humanitarian assistance. The relief provided to the refugees on a day before Eid brought joy to them. They will receive the support will be there for 3 months. We are grateful for the support provided by the host community, the Indian community, both in New Delhi and elsewhere.&nbsp;

WION: What is the situation in Afghanistan when it comes to Covid?

Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: We are seeing a surge in covid cases across the country in major cities like Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif but it is by no comparison what we have in India, thankfully. We hope that we would learn from the first surge in Afghanistan and we would be able to manage the crisis to the limit possible. So far there have been many cases that have recovered in recent days. [There have been] a number of deaths across the country and we are looking at all possible options to see if we can minimize the infection rate and deal with this deadly variant.&nbsp;

WION: India's Consul General in Afghan city Mazar-e-Sharif Vinesh Kalra passed away due to Covid. The Afghan foreign ministry issued a statement paying tributes to him.

Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: CG Kalra was a patriot, a very noble diplomat who served with great dignity in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in the province of Balkh. He represented India with great passion. He helped deepen the ties between our countries. He would be dearly missed, we lost a great friend but since Covid knows no border, no caste, no religion. This has a negative impact on everybody and sadly we lost a beautiful soul.

Afghanistan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay expressed his gratitude for Sikh Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which provided food material to Afghan refugees in New Delhi after a call from the ambassador.

Afghanistan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay expressed his gratitude for Sikh Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which provided food material to Afghan refugees in New Delhi after a call from the ambassador. The NGO, Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust sent first tranche of relief material that included Wheat, Sugar, oil and other food materials. This will be helpful to 4000 Afghan refuge families in the city amid the Covid pandemic. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Mamundzay said that he was "grateful for the support provided by the host community, the Indian community, both in New Delhi and elsewhere.". The envoy even posted a tweet in this regard Afghan refugees living in New Delhi are among one of the worst affected groups in India due to recent covid surge. Life was already a struggle for many of the 20,000 Afghans & pandemic has made their survival even more precarious. We have taken a number of initiatives aiming 1/2 pic.twitter.com/j0wGL9Wdmp — Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید ماموندزی (@FMamundzay) May 3, 2021 × The envoy also paid homage to India's Consul General in Afghan city Mazar-e-Sharif Vinesh Kalra. Kalra passed away due to Covid. Afghan ambassador said CG Kalra was a "patriot, a very noble diplomat" who represented "India with great passion." Here is the interaction between Ambassador Farid Mamundzay and WION's Sidhant Sibbal WION: Your reaction to the outreach by Indian Sikh NGO for the Afghan refugees by providing them relief amid the Covid crisis? Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: Afghan Refugees have received support from Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust in Amritsar. It came at a time when this community was suffering from the crisis as a result of the pandemic. They required food, medical and relief assistance. Dr Oberoi (Managing Trustee of Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust), came forward fulfilling our request. He said he would help us with the required food supply, required medical and humanitarian assistance. The relief provided to the refugees on a day before Eid brought joy to them. They will receive the support will be there for 3 months. We are grateful for the support provided by the host community, the Indian community, both in New Delhi and elsewhere. WION: What is the situation in Afghanistan when it comes to Covid? Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: We are seeing a surge in covid cases across the country in major cities like Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif but it is by no comparison what we have in India, thankfully. We hope that we would learn from the first surge in Afghanistan and we would be able to manage the crisis to the limit possible. So far there have been many cases that have recovered in recent days. [There have been] a number of deaths across the country and we are looking at all possible options to see if we can minimize the infection rate and deal with this deadly variant. WION: India's Consul General in Afghan city Mazar-e-Sharif Vinesh Kalra passed away due to Covid. The Afghan foreign ministry issued a statement paying tributes to him. Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: CG Kalra was a patriot, a very noble diplomat who served with great dignity in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in the province of Balkh. He represented India with great passion. He helped deepen the ties between our countries. He would be dearly missed, we lost a great friend but since Covid knows no border, no caste, no religion. This has a negative impact on everybody and sadly we lost a beautiful soul.

Afghanistan envoy to India thanks Sikh NGO for providing relief to Afghan refugees

Pakistan on Monday urged the Taliban to remain engaged in the Afghan peace process after the armed group said it would now shun summits about Afghanistan until all foreign forces leave.&nbsp;

The decision was taken after the United States said last week it would withdraw all troops by September 11 this year, later than a May 1 deadline set out by the previous administration.&nbsp;

"They take their own decisions but we will do whatever we can to convince them that it is in their national interest to remain engaged," Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said of the Taliban in an interview with Reuters in Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;

The refusal has thrown the peace process into disarray with Turkey scheduled for Saturday to host a summit that diplomats had hoped could create new momentum towards a political settlement between the Taliban and Afghan government.&nbsp;

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 when they were ousted by US-led forces, but they still control wide areas.&nbsp;

Qureshi said withdrawal delays were always a possibility due to logistics but that the Taliban had largely succeeded in their objective for foreign troops to withdraw and so should show flexibility towards the new September 11 deadline.&nbsp;

"The troops will be out and a date has been given and the process starts on the 1st of May and goes on until the 11th of September so there is a definite time frame," Qureshi said.&nbsp;

Sources have told Reuters, Pakistan was putting pressure on the militants to come back to the table.&nbsp;

Qureshi said he believed the Taliban would benefit from staying involved but said, he had no contact with the group.&nbsp;

Pakistan, which helped facilitate US-Taliban negotiations in Doha that resulted in the initial May 1 withdrawal deal, wields considerable influence with the Taliban.&nbsp;

The insurgents have sanctuaries in Pakistan, whose main military-run intelligence service gives them support, according to US and Afghan officials. Pakistan denies the allegation.&nbsp;

Qureshi said he feared violence could escalate if the peace process remains deadlocked, plunging Afghanistan into civil war and leading to an exodus of Afghans. &nbsp;

Pakistan on Monday urged the Taliban to remain engaged in the Afghan peace process after the armed group said it would now shun summits about Afghanistan until all foreign forces leave.

Pakistan on Monday urged the Taliban to remain engaged in the Afghan peace process after the armed group said it would now shun summits about Afghanistan until all foreign forces leave. The decision was taken after the United States said last week it would withdraw all troops by September 11 this year, later than a May 1 deadline set out by the previous administration. "They take their own decisions but we will do whatever we can to convince them that it is in their national interest to remain engaged," Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said of the Taliban in an interview with Reuters in Abu Dhabi. The refusal has thrown the peace process into disarray with Turkey scheduled for Saturday to host a summit that diplomats had hoped could create new momentum towards a political settlement between the Taliban and Afghan government. The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 when they were ousted by US-led forces, but they still control wide areas. Qureshi said withdrawal delays were always a possibility due to logistics but that the Taliban had largely succeeded in their objective for foreign troops to withdraw and so should show flexibility towards the new September 11 deadline. "The troops will be out and a date has been given and the process starts on the 1st of May and goes on until the 11th of September so there is a definite time frame," Qureshi said. Sources have told Reuters, Pakistan was putting pressure on the militants to come back to the table. Qureshi said he believed the Taliban would benefit from staying involved but said, he had no contact with the group. Pakistan, which helped facilitate US-Taliban negotiations in Doha that resulted in the initial May 1 withdrawal deal, wields considerable influence with the Taliban. The insurgents have sanctuaries in Pakistan, whose main military-run intelligence service gives them support, according to US and Afghan officials. Pakistan denies the allegation. Qureshi said he feared violence could escalate if the peace process remains deadlocked, plunging Afghanistan into civil war and leading to an exodus of Afghans.

Pakistan urges Taliban to stay engaged in Afghan peace process 

The United States continues to have a dialogue with Pakistan on issues related to terrorism along the border with Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said.&nbsp;

"We continue to have a dialogue with Pakistan about terrorist issues along that border with Afghanistan. I think it's helpful to remind that they too have suffered from terrorist attacks inside their country," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news conference here.&nbsp;

Responding to a question, Kirby said President Joe Biden is clear on withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan by September 22.&nbsp;

"The president was clear. We are removing US forces from Afghanistan and will maintain the sufficient counter terrorism capabilities we need to detect and prevent threats to our homeland that could emanate from Afghanistan,” Kirby said.&nbsp;

Once the US leaves Afghanistan, he said, they expect the sovereignty of Afghanistan to be respected.&nbsp;

He was responding to a question on reports that Beijing is considering sending a peacekeeping force to Afghanistan once the US pulls out, which will be deployed at the neighbouring province it has with Afghanistan across that 44-mile border.&nbsp;

"We certainly wouldn't speak for another nation and obviously, we would call on all of Afghanistan's neighbours to respect its sovereignty and to respect its territory integrity as well," he said.&nbsp;

"If there's a legitimate terrorism threat that's emanating from Afghanistan to work in accordance with international law and with the Afghan government to address that, but we want Afghanistan's sovereignty to be respected," he asserted.&nbsp;

The US, he said, is removing all military personnel from Afghanistan.&nbsp;

"We will remove them by early September. All of them with the exception of what's going to be required to protect the diplomatic mission in Afghanistan," he said.&nbsp;

"So I know of no discussions with government in Kabul about reinserting counterterrorism forces inside Afghanistan. As the (Defence) Secretary made clear in Brussels last week, we will maintain a sufficient counterterrorism capability in the region to deal with emanating threats from Afghanistan, threats to our homeland from terrorist groups, but the president's direction was crystal clear."&nbsp;

"All US military personnel with that exception are going to be leaving Afghanistan by the early fall," he said.&nbsp;

Kirby insisted that there's no plans to reintroduce American boots on the ground in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

"We have robust counterterrorism capabilities all around the world, and I think as he also - you heard him say in Brussels there's not a part of the Earth that we can't hit if we need to hit it, but there are no plans and no discussions about reintroducing American combat forces on the ground in Afghanistan," he said. &nbsp;

The United States continues to have a dialogue with Pakistan on issues related to terrorism along the border with Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said. "We continue to have a dialogue with Pakistan about terrorist issues along that border with Afghanistan.

The United States continues to have a dialogue with Pakistan on issues related to terrorism along the border with Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said. "We continue to have a dialogue with Pakistan about terrorist issues along that border with Afghanistan. I think it's helpful to remind that they too have suffered from terrorist attacks inside their country," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news conference here. Responding to a question, Kirby said President Joe Biden is clear on withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan by September 22. "The president was clear. We are removing US forces from Afghanistan and will maintain the sufficient counter terrorism capabilities we need to detect and prevent threats to our homeland that could emanate from Afghanistan,” Kirby said. Once the US leaves Afghanistan, he said, they expect the sovereignty of Afghanistan to be respected. He was responding to a question on reports that Beijing is considering sending a peacekeeping force to Afghanistan once the US pulls out, which will be deployed at the neighbouring province it has with Afghanistan across that 44-mile border. "We certainly wouldn't speak for another nation and obviously, we would call on all of Afghanistan's neighbours to respect its sovereignty and to respect its territory integrity as well," he said. "If there's a legitimate terrorism threat that's emanating from Afghanistan to work in accordance with international law and with the Afghan government to address that, but we want Afghanistan's sovereignty to be respected," he asserted. The US, he said, is removing all military personnel from Afghanistan. "We will remove them by early September. All of them with the exception of what's going to be required to protect the diplomatic mission in Afghanistan," he said. "So I know of no discussions with government in Kabul about reinserting counterterrorism forces inside Afghanistan. As the (Defence) Secretary made clear in Brussels last week, we will maintain a sufficient counterterrorism capability in the region to deal with emanating threats from Afghanistan, threats to our homeland from terrorist groups, but the president's direction was crystal clear." "All US military personnel with that exception are going to be leaving Afghanistan by the early fall," he said. Kirby insisted that there's no plans to reintroduce American boots on the ground in Afghanistan. "We have robust counterterrorism capabilities all around the world, and I think as he also - you heard him say in Brussels there's not a part of the Earth that we can't hit if we need to hit it, but there are no plans and no discussions about reintroducing American combat forces on the ground in Afghanistan," he said.

US continues to have dialogue with Pakistan on terrorism along Afghanistan border: Pentagon  

The Taliban and Afghanistan's government will attend peace talks in Istanbul from April 24 to May 4 meant to jump-start a peace process and sketch out a possible political settlement, host Turkey said on Tuesday. &nbsp;

The 10-day summit includes the United Nations and Qatar as part of a US-backed push to jump-start talks ahead of a May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. &nbsp;

On Monday, the Taliban said it was unwilling, based on timing, to attend talks in Turkey initially scheduled for April 16. &nbsp;

"Participation in the conference and its agenda have been the subject of extensive consultations with the Afghan parties," Turkey's foreign ministry said. &nbsp;

The talks are meant to end the conflict, pave the way to a 'just a durable' political settlement and 'accelerate and complement' ongoing intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha, it said. &nbsp;

It is an "opportunity for all partners to reiterate support for the people of Afghanistan on their path toward inclusive peace, stability, and prosperity," the ministry added in a statement.&nbsp;

Officials worry that violence in the country will surge if an agreement is not reached soon.&nbsp;

The US envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has been travelling the region to drum up support for a ceasefire and peace settlement that could include an interim government ahead of the May 1 deadline.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden has said it would be 'hard' to withdraw troops by then, but that it was unlikely they would remain in Afghanistan next year.&nbsp;

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has held a series of calls with counterparts including the United States and some Gulf Arab nations over the past week to invite them to the talks and drum up support. &nbsp;

The Taliban and Afghanistan's government will attend peace talks in Istanbul from April 24 to May 4 meant to jump-start a peace process and sketch out a possible political settlement, host Turkey said on Tuesday.

The Taliban and Afghanistan's government will attend peace talks in Istanbul from April 24 to May 4 meant to jump-start a peace process and sketch out a possible political settlement, host Turkey said on Tuesday. The 10-day summit includes the United Nations and Qatar as part of a US-backed push to jump-start talks ahead of a May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. On Monday, the Taliban said it was unwilling, based on timing, to attend talks in Turkey initially scheduled for April 16. "Participation in the conference and its agenda have been the subject of extensive consultations with the Afghan parties," Turkey's foreign ministry said. The talks are meant to end the conflict, pave the way to a 'just a durable' political settlement and 'accelerate and complement' ongoing intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha, it said. It is an "opportunity for all partners to reiterate support for the people of Afghanistan on their path toward inclusive peace, stability, and prosperity," the ministry added in a statement. Officials worry that violence in the country will surge if an agreement is not reached soon. The US envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has been travelling the region to drum up support for a ceasefire and peace settlement that could include an interim government ahead of the May 1 deadline. US President Joe Biden has said it would be 'hard' to withdraw troops by then, but that it was unlikely they would remain in Afghanistan next year. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has held a series of calls with counterparts including the United States and some Gulf Arab nations over the past week to invite them to the talks and drum up support.

Turkey says Taliban, Afghan govt to attend peace talks on April 24 

Nearly 82 terrorists have been killed in airstrikes in the Arghandab district of southern Kandahar province on Sunday.

"Besides the killing of 82 armed insurgents including the Taliban’s key commander Sarhadi, two tanks and several vehicles of the insurgents have also been destroyed, reported Xinhua, quoting police spokesman, Jamal Barakzai.

Earlier in the day, Fawad Aman, Deputy Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said in a tweet that the air force launched airstrikes on the Taliban at around 1:52 am in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, Khaama Press reported.

"Their hideouts and strongholds were targeted when they were preparing to conduct the operation," Aman also added in his tweet.

Taliban terrorists who are active in parts of Kandahar province have yet to make comment on the airstrikes.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will put forward a three-phase peace roadmap for Afghanistan during a proposed meeting in Turkey, seeking an agreement with the Taliban and a ceasefire before elections, a document shows.

Washington is pushing for a conference to be hosted by Turkey, with UN involvement, this month to finalise a peace deal between the government and the Taliban as a May 1 deadline looms for the withdrawal of all foreign troops.

Ghani’s plan will be presented as a counter to proposals put forward by Washington, rejected by the Afghan government, that envisage immediately drawing up a new legal system for an interim administration to include Taliban representatives.&nbsp;

The document shows Ghani’s ‘Reaching an Endstate’ proposal will include, in the first phase, a consensus on a political settlement and an internationally monitored ceasefire.

The second phase will be holding a presidential election and the establishment of a ‘government of peace’ and implementation arrangements for moving towards the new political system.

The third phase will involve building a ‘constitutional framework, reintegration of refugees and development’ for Afghanistan moving forward.

A senior government official said Ghani has already shared his roadmap with foreign capitals.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Nearly 82 terrorists have been killed in airstrikes in the Arghandab district of southern Kandahar province on Sunday. "Besides the killing of 82 armed insurgents including the Taliban’s key commander Sarhadi, two tanks and several vehicles of the insurgents have also been destroyed, reported Xinhua, quoting police spokesman, Jamal Barakzai.

Nearly 82 terrorists have been killed in airstrikes in the Arghandab district of southern Kandahar province on Sunday. "Besides the killing of 82 armed insurgents including the Taliban’s key commander Sarhadi, two tanks and several vehicles of the insurgents have also been destroyed, reported Xinhua, quoting police spokesman, Jamal Barakzai. Earlier in the day, Fawad Aman, Deputy Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said in a tweet that the air force launched airstrikes on the Taliban at around 1:52 am in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, Khaama Press reported. "Their hideouts and strongholds were targeted when they were preparing to conduct the operation," Aman also added in his tweet. Taliban terrorists who are active in parts of Kandahar province have yet to make comment on the airstrikes. Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will put forward a three-phase peace roadmap for Afghanistan during a proposed meeting in Turkey, seeking an agreement with the Taliban and a ceasefire before elections, a document shows. Washington is pushing for a conference to be hosted by Turkey, with UN involvement, this month to finalise a peace deal between the government and the Taliban as a May 1 deadline looms for the withdrawal of all foreign troops. Ghani’s plan will be presented as a counter to proposals put forward by Washington, rejected by the Afghan government, that envisage immediately drawing up a new legal system for an interim administration to include Taliban representatives. The document shows Ghani’s ‘Reaching an Endstate’ proposal will include, in the first phase, a consensus on a political settlement and an internationally monitored ceasefire. The second phase will be holding a presidential election and the establishment of a ‘government of peace’ and implementation arrangements for moving towards the new political system. The third phase will involve building a ‘constitutional framework, reintegration of refugees and development’ for Afghanistan moving forward. A senior government official said Ghani has already shared his roadmap with foreign capitals. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan airstrikes kill over 80 terrorists in Kandahar

The Afghan envoy to India, Farid Mamundzay in his first-ever interview to any media has batted for India's inclusion in all Afghan related peace process--like the troika, UN-facilitated, or Turkey process, calling "Delhi an important capital". Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Mamundzay said, "we want India's involvement in almost every peace fora....We hope India would be given its rightful place in all those talks, in all those meetings".

Exclusive: New Afghan Envoy Farid Mamundzay speaks to WION

The 'Peace Cup' Karate competition in Afghanistan urges the Taliban and the Government to lay down arms and pursue peace. Mariam Wardak brings you the story of these defiant Karate fighters.

South Asia Diary: Afghan Karate tournament for peace

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington stood united with NATO allies in efforts to bring a 'responsible' end to the conflict in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

"Tactical decisions aside, we are united with our NATO allies in seeking to bring a responsible end to this conflict and to remove our troops from harm's way, just as we are collectively determined to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists, who could threaten the United States or our allies," Blinken said at a press conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.&nbsp;

The foreign ministers of NATO member states on Tuesday convened for a two-day in-person meeting in Brussels, for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Last week, the Taliban movement urged the US to complete the pullout of its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 as agreed last year. &nbsp;

Suhail Shaheen, a member of the movement's negotiating team, said at recent talks in Moscow that the US forces would violate the February 2020 agreement with the Taliban by staying in Afghanistan beyond the May deadline.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden, in turn, told ABC News earlier in March that it would be 'tough' for all US servicemen to leave Afghanistan by May 1. &nbsp;

The US president also said that the final decision on the pullout of troops was yet to be made and Washington was consulting with its allies on the matter. &nbsp;

The NBC News reported last week, citing sources, that the Biden administration was considering extending the US troop deployment in Afghanistan until November. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington stood united with NATO allies in efforts to bring a 'responsible' end to the conflict in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington stood united with NATO allies in efforts to bring a 'responsible' end to the conflict in Afghanistan. "Tactical decisions aside, we are united with our NATO allies in seeking to bring a responsible end to this conflict and to remove our troops from harm's way, just as we are collectively determined to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists, who could threaten the United States or our allies," Blinken said at a press conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. The foreign ministers of NATO member states on Tuesday convened for a two-day in-person meeting in Brussels, for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, the Taliban movement urged the US to complete the pullout of its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 as agreed last year. Suhail Shaheen, a member of the movement's negotiating team, said at recent talks in Moscow that the US forces would violate the February 2020 agreement with the Taliban by staying in Afghanistan beyond the May deadline. US President Joe Biden, in turn, told ABC News earlier in March that it would be 'tough' for all US servicemen to leave Afghanistan by May 1. The US president also said that the final decision on the pullout of troops was yet to be made and Washington was consulting with its allies on the matter. The NBC News reported last week, citing sources, that the Biden administration was considering extending the US troop deployment in Afghanistan until November. (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken: US united with NATO allies for a 'responsible' end to Afghan conflict 

A powerful car bomb near a police station on Friday night killed at least seven people and wounded more than 50 others in Afghanistan's western Herat province, officials said.

Car bomb kills at least 7, injures 50 in Afghan Herat provinc

The Afghan government said on Saturday it would participate in two separate US- and Russian-backed peace conferences in the coming weeks.&nbsp;

The Russian-backed conference is scheduled for March 18, while the US-sponsored one will take place in Turkey next month, officials said.&nbsp;

Peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the insurgent Taliban in Qatar's capital Doha have largely stalled.&nbsp;

"The Afghan government will take part in both the Moscow and Turkey conferences," Hamdullah Mohib, the country's national security council advisor told reporters in Kabul.&nbsp;

Mohammed Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban, said it had received an invitation from Moscow, but had not yet decided whether to attend or not. The Taliban has not made any comment about the proposed meeting in Turkey.&nbsp;

It comes at a crunch time for the peace process as a May 1 deadline for foreign troops to withdraw from Afghanistan looms and the United States reviews its military commitments.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a letter to President Ashraf Ghani earlier this month made a new urgent push for a United Nations-led peace effort and asked Turkey to host a senior-level meeting of 'both sides in the coming weeks to finalise a peace agreement'.&nbsp;

Blinken wrote to Afghan leaders that the United States is 'considering the full withdrawal of forces by May 1 as we consider other options'.&nbsp;

Russia plans to hold a conference on Afghanistan in Moscow on March 18 and has invited several regional players, including Afghan government and politicians to jumpstart the peace process as Washington's diplomacy ramps up.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Afghan government said on Saturday it would participate in two separate US- and Russian-backed peace conferences in the coming weeks. The Russian-backed conference is scheduled for March 18, while the US-sponsored one will take place in Turkey next month, officials said.

The Afghan government said on Saturday it would participate in two separate US- and Russian-backed peace conferences in the coming weeks. The Russian-backed conference is scheduled for March 18, while the US-sponsored one will take place in Turkey next month, officials said. Peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the insurgent Taliban in Qatar's capital Doha have largely stalled. "The Afghan government will take part in both the Moscow and Turkey conferences," Hamdullah Mohib, the country's national security council advisor told reporters in Kabul. Mohammed Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban, said it had received an invitation from Moscow, but had not yet decided whether to attend or not. The Taliban has not made any comment about the proposed meeting in Turkey. It comes at a crunch time for the peace process as a May 1 deadline for foreign troops to withdraw from Afghanistan looms and the United States reviews its military commitments. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a letter to President Ashraf Ghani earlier this month made a new urgent push for a United Nations-led peace effort and asked Turkey to host a senior-level meeting of 'both sides in the coming weeks to finalise a peace agreement'. Blinken wrote to Afghan leaders that the United States is 'considering the full withdrawal of forces by May 1 as we consider other options'. Russia plans to hold a conference on Afghanistan in Moscow on March 18 and has invited several regional players, including Afghan government and politicians to jumpstart the peace process as Washington's diplomacy ramps up. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan government to attend both US, Russia-backed peace conferences 

Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, has expressed shock at the decision by the country's education ministry to ban girls aged 12 and above from singing the national anthem or other songs, equating the move with opening gates for the Taliban.

"I am shocked and amazed on this decision by the Afghanistan Ministry of Education. I don't know how it is possible for the Ministry to take such a decision especially in the case of women. This kind of decision means opening the gate for Taliban," Ghafari, mayor of Maidan Shahr, capital city of the Wardak province, told WION.

The Ministry of Education on Wednesday announced to the ban on girls aged 12 and above from singing the national anthem or other songs. However, girls will be allowed to sing at women-only events. All government and private schools have to implement this ban.

The announcement received a backlash among social media users.

"People are making fun of it on Twitter and Facebook. How can you decide what a woman wants? If a girl wants to sing the national anthem, how can you stop them? Who are you to stop them?," said the 29-year-old human rights activist in an exclusive interview to WION.

This is not the first time that the education ministry has come under fire. The country's Education Minister Rangina Hamidi last year had sought to shift school classes from one to three to mosques, stating it would “strengthen the Islamic identity of the students,” and bring Afghanistan’s religious schools, or madrassas, into the mainstream.

Referring to this, Zafari said, "First we had an announcement by the ministry to shift some schools inside mosques. With these mosques and maulvi, we know how the education will be. And now this amazing announcement."

"National anthem is a thing that I feel every child, every girl, every woman, every boy, every man needs to know. I don't know how they (Ministry of Education) can think and form these decisions," she added.

Zafari, whose father was killed and has survived several attempts on her own life for bringing reforms in the province where Taliban has a strong influence, said the government should work towards empowering&nbsp; women instead of passing such orders which will add to their oppression.

"For upcoming generation, it is important to have an education system which is more qualified...and most importantly, there should be no gender extremism in it. This way, we will be able to empower women&nbsp;who are able to come out and gain education," she said.

Zafari, one of the youngest and first female mayors in the country, added , "As a free human being, girls should have the right to choose what they love and want. No rules should be made to stop them from doing whatever they love. Rules, laws and policies are formed by the government for the betterment of its people. But this law is forcing women to stop."

"When people are thinking of living at Mars, Afghanistan is rolling backwards. I feel like we are in 1919 because whatever is happening here is worse than it was in the past. Situation in Afghanistan today is very grim. There is no guarantee what will happen today or in future. I wish things would get better&nbsp;so that at least my sister could have a better future than me," she said.

Zafari urged the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani to review the order.

"I will wish his excellency first lady and Mr President himself look into this more wisely, as it takes a lot of courage for women to step out and risk everything like me. Not many women can pay the cost I paid including my father's murder by the Taliban."

Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, has expressed shock at the decision by the country's education ministry to ban girls aged 12 and above from singing the national anthem or other songs, equating the move with opening gates for the Taliban.

Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, has expressed shock at the decision by the country's education ministry to ban girls aged 12 and above from singing the national anthem or other songs, equating the move with opening gates for the Taliban. "I am shocked and amazed on this decision by the Afghanistan Ministry of Education. I don't know how it is possible for the Ministry to take such a decision especially in the case of women. This kind of decision means opening the gate for Taliban," Ghafari, mayor of Maidan Shahr, capital city of the Wardak province, told WION. The Ministry of Education on Wednesday announced to the ban on girls aged 12 and above from singing the national anthem or other songs. However, girls will be allowed to sing at women-only events. All government and private schools have to implement this ban. The announcement received a backlash among social media users. "People are making fun of it on Twitter and Facebook. How can you decide what a woman wants? If a girl wants to sing the national anthem, how can you stop them? Who are you to stop them?," said the 29-year-old human rights activist in an exclusive interview to WION. This is not the first time that the education ministry has come under fire. The country's Education Minister Rangina Hamidi last year had sought to shift school classes from one to three to mosques, stating it would “strengthen the Islamic identity of the students,” and bring Afghanistan’s religious schools, or madrassas, into the mainstream. Referring to this, Zafari said, "First we had an announcement by the ministry to shift some schools inside mosques. With these mosques and maulvi, we know how the education will be. And now this amazing announcement." "National anthem is a thing that I feel every child, every girl, every woman, every boy, every man needs to know. I don't know how they (Ministry of Education) can think and form these decisions," she added. Zafari, whose father was killed and has survived several attempts on her own life for bringing reforms in the province where Taliban has a strong influence, said the government should work towards empowering women instead of passing such orders which will add to their oppression. "For upcoming generation, it is important to have an education system which is more qualified...and most importantly, there should be no gender extremism in it. This way, we will be able to empower women who are able to come out and gain education," she said. Zafari, one of the youngest and first female mayors in the country, added , "As a free human being, girls should have the right to choose what they love and want. No rules should be made to stop them from doing whatever they love. Rules, laws and policies are formed by the government for the betterment of its people. But this law is forcing women to stop." "When people are thinking of living at Mars, Afghanistan is rolling backwards. I feel like we are in 1919 because whatever is happening here is worse than it was in the past. Situation in Afghanistan today is very grim. There is no guarantee what will happen today or in future. I wish things would get better so that at least my sister could have a better future than me," she said. Zafari urged the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani to review the order. "I will wish his excellency first lady and Mr President himself look into this more wisely, as it takes a lot of courage for women to step out and risk everything like me. Not many women can pay the cost I paid including my father's murder by the Taliban."

Afghanistan opened gates for Taliban: Mayor hits out at ban on girls' public singing

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