The Afghan govt while it is optimistic about US Taliban talks that started over the weekend in Doha, has said that the group has to integrate in the new Afghanistan. Speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Afghanistan's Chief of mission Tahir Qadiry said Afghan govt want peace talks which are dignified and enduring peace. He also lauded Indian govt position on the peace talks and has been an all-weather friend of Afghanistan.

TALIBAN HAS TO INTEGRATE INTO NEW AFGHANISTAN SAYS AFGHAN CHIEF OF MISSION

Parisa Haidary gets behind the steering wheel of a mini-bus, kicks off her high heels and with a socked foot presses the accelerator, carefully easing the 10-seater into Kabul's ever-clogged traffic.

The Afghan mother, who works for a women-only bus service, smiles as other road-users&nbsp;all of them men&nbsp;gawp in astonishment.

"We get a lot of different reactions," she says. "Some drivers block our way, others honk at us, some even drive alongside at the same speed when the road is clear."

In an ultra-patriarchal society where it remains rare to see a woman behind the wheel, Haidary is one of four drivers working for Pink Shuttle, a pilot bus programme employing only women to ferry female passengers and their kids across the Afghan capital.&nbsp;

"I love driving and am interested in my job. The only concern we have is the security situation. We have to stay fearless," Haidary said.&nbsp;

The 36-year-old former beautician, who has also worked as a television journalist, and her colleagues were chosen from 100 candidates.

The first-of-its-kind service is helping women navigate the many challenges they face getting around Kabul, where a woeful lack of transport options is compounded by the risk of harassment if they walk on the streets.

"We have transportation problems for women. In fact, public transportation does not exist, especially for women in Kabul," project coordinator Obaidullah Amiri said.

Pink Shuttle is being run by Nove Onlus, an Italian non-governmental group that in turn is being supported by the Only The Brave Foundation, created by fashion designer Renzo Rosso.&nbsp;

Amiri said the pilot project, which started in May and also receives backing from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-us-renew-triangular-development-cooperation-in-asia-and-africa-206532">US Agency for International Development (USAID)</a>, is set to be extended.&nbsp;

While the service is currently being offered for free to a limited number of pre-approved passengers, Nove Onlus hopes it will become financially sustainable within two years.

According to&nbsp;Khan Mohammad Shinwaray, police chief at Kabul's traffic department, the number of women drivers in the capital has been steadily growing, with 275 licenses approved for the first half of the year.&nbsp;

This is quite a jump: In the years between 2012 and 2016, just 1,189 women in total got licenses in the city, according to Nove Onlus.&nbsp;

It is a "positive change to see Afghan women driving in Kabul," Shinwaray said. "There are no restrictions on women becoming drivers."&nbsp;

Navigating Kabul's traffic is no easy feat.&nbsp;Traffic can flow fast one moment, then suddenly grind to a complete standstill for hours on end.&nbsp;

Road signs are non-existent, few of the streets are named and drivers often zoom the wrong way into oncoming traffic. Usually, it is the bigger of two vehicles that win the right of way.

Congestion has only got worse in recent years as Kabul has been sliced into ever-smaller portions by new security measures and entire streets and landmarks suddenly disappear behind towering blast walls.

When extremist Taliban insurgents swept to power in 1996, women were forced to stay home, barred from most jobs, and deprived of their right to an education.&nbsp;

After the militants were toppled in late 2001 and a US-backed government took over, gender equality was enshrined in the Afghan constitution, though discrimination remains rife.

Fatima Mohammadi, a 31-year-old Kabul resident who has been driving for about four years, said she appreciated the freedom of having a car but still deals with daily harassment on the road.

"I usually don't leave the windows of the car open," she said.&nbsp;

"Sometimes when another driver or passerby smiles or says 'Well done,' it feels like harassment."

Women like Haidary and Mohammadi worry the Taliban might one day return to power, and take away their relative freedoms.&nbsp;

Negotiations between the US and the Taliban that could have paved the way to an eventual peace settlement collapsed in September, and now no one is sure what will come next.

"If the Taliban come back, I hope they are not the same group they used to be," said Haidary. "If they impose the same limitations, we will lose our jobs."&nbsp;

Parisa Haidary gets behind the steering wheel of a mini-bus, kicks off her high heels and with a socked foot presses the accelerator, carefully easing the 10-seater into Kabul's ever-clogged traffic.

Parisa Haidary gets behind the steering wheel of a mini-bus, kicks off her high heels and with a socked foot presses the accelerator, carefully easing the 10-seater into Kabul's ever-clogged traffic. The Afghan mother, who works for a women-only bus service, smiles as other road-users all of them men gawp in astonishment. "We get a lot of different reactions," she says. "Some drivers block our way, others honk at us, some even drive alongside at the same speed when the road is clear." In an ultra-patriarchal society where it remains rare to see a woman behind the wheel, Haidary is one of four drivers working for Pink Shuttle, a pilot bus programme employing only women to ferry female passengers and their kids across the Afghan capital. "I love driving and am interested in my job. The only concern we have is the security situation. We have to stay fearless," Haidary said. The 36-year-old former beautician, who has also worked as a television journalist, and her colleagues were chosen from 100 candidates. The first-of-its-kind service is helping women navigate the many challenges they face getting around Kabul, where a woeful lack of transport options is compounded by the risk of harassment if they walk on the streets. "We have transportation problems for women. In fact, public transportation does not exist, especially for women in Kabul," project coordinator Obaidullah Amiri said. Pink Shuttle is being run by Nove Onlus, an Italian non-governmental group that in turn is being supported by the Only The Brave Foundation, created by fashion designer Renzo Rosso. Amiri said the pilot project, which started in May and also receives backing from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is set to be extended. While the service is currently being offered for free to a limited number of pre-approved passengers, Nove Onlus hopes it will become financially sustainable within two years. According to Khan Mohammad Shinwaray, police chief at Kabul's traffic department, the number of women drivers in the capital has been steadily growing, with 275 licenses approved for the first half of the year. This is quite a jump: In the years between 2012 and 2016, just 1,189 women in total got licenses in the city, according to Nove Onlus. It is a "positive change to see Afghan women driving in Kabul," Shinwaray said. "There are no restrictions on women becoming drivers." Navigating Kabul's traffic is no easy feat. Traffic can flow fast one moment, then suddenly grind to a complete standstill for hours on end. Road signs are non-existent, few of the streets are named and drivers often zoom the wrong way into oncoming traffic. Usually, it is the bigger of two vehicles that win the right of way. Congestion has only got worse in recent years as Kabul has been sliced into ever-smaller portions by new security measures and entire streets and landmarks suddenly disappear behind towering blast walls. When extremist Taliban insurgents swept to power in 1996, women were forced to stay home, barred from most jobs, and deprived of their right to an education. After the militants were toppled in late 2001 and a US-backed government took over, gender equality was enshrined in the Afghan constitution, though discrimination remains rife. Fatima Mohammadi, a 31-year-old Kabul resident who has been driving for about four years, said she appreciated the freedom of having a car but still deals with daily harassment on the road. "I usually don't leave the windows of the car open," she said. "Sometimes when another driver or passerby smiles or says 'Well done,' it feels like harassment." Women like Haidary and Mohammadi worry the Taliban might one day return to power, and take away their relative freedoms. Negotiations between the US and the Taliban that could have paved the way to an eventual peace settlement collapsed in September, and now no one is sure what will come next. "If the Taliban come back, I hope they are not the same group they used to be," said Haidary. "If they impose the same limitations, we will lose our jobs."

'Pink Shuttle' buses help Afghan women navigate society

US-backed Afghan paramilitary groups operating with impunity are summarily executing civilians during botched nighttime raids and are responsible for the disappearances of suspects, a rights group said Thursday.

The secretive militias, whose support from America's Central Intelligence Agency is originally rooted in the Soviet-Afghan war of the 1980s, have long hunted the Taliban across Afghanistan and have seen increasing activity as the war against the insurgents intensifies.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented 14 cases from late 2017 to mid-2019 in which it said CIA-backed "strike groups" committed serious abuses during night raids, such as one in the southeastern province of Paktia in which a paramilitary unit killed 11 men, including eight who were home for the Eid holidays.

In many cases, the raids, usually in Taliban-controlled areas, were accompanied by airstrikes that "indiscriminately or disproportionately" killed civilians, HRW said in a report.

Sometimes, troops detained men and didn't tell families where they were being held.

Night raids, where special forces troops blast doors and rush a building under the cover of darkness, are a popular tactic that combines surprise, overwhelming firepower and night-vision equipment to stun occupants.

"In ramping up <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/11-taliban-terrorists-killed-9-wounded-in-afghanistans-jawzjan-province-258383">operations against the Taliban</a>, the CIA has enabled abusive Afghan forces to commit atrocities including extrajudicial executions and disappearances," said Patricia Gossman, the report author and HRW's associate Asia director.

"In case after case, these forces have simply shot people in their custody and consigned entire communities to the terror of abusive night raids and indiscriminate airstrikes."

Afghan authorities and US forces have increased the use of paramilitary groups to combat a resurgent Taliban that has been hammering Afghanistan's beleaguered national security forces.

Part of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), paramilitary forces do not fall under normal command chains and therefore, have less oversight.

Speaking to HRW, one diplomat referred to them as "death squads."

Afghan militias have largely been recruited, trained, equipped, and overseen by the CIA, according to the rights watchdog.

Ties date back to the 1980s, when the CIA was funnelling money and equipment to Afghan rebels and mujahideen fighting Soviet troops.

After a lull during the Taliban regime in the 1990s, the CIA re-established ties with warlords and militias fighting the insurgency following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The CIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), a US government watchdog, Afghan special forces conducted 2,531 ground operations from January–September this year, more than the total of 2,365 for all of 2018.

A<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-3000-afghan-civilians-killed-or-wounded-this-year-un-report-239373"> UN report </a>earlier this month found an unprecedented number of civilians was killed or wounded in Afghanistan from July to September this year.

The tally,1,174 deaths and 3,139 injured from July 1 until September 30, represents a 42 per cent increase over the same period last year.

US-backed Afghan paramilitary groups operating with impunity are summarily executing civilians during botched nighttime raids and are responsible for the disappearances of suspects, a rights group said Thursday.

US-backed Afghan paramilitary groups operating with impunity are summarily executing civilians during botched nighttime raids and are responsible for the disappearances of suspects, a rights group said Thursday. The secretive militias, whose support from America's Central Intelligence Agency is originally rooted in the Soviet-Afghan war of the 1980s, have long hunted the Taliban across Afghanistan and have seen increasing activity as the war against the insurgents intensifies. Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented 14 cases from late 2017 to mid-2019 in which it said CIA-backed "strike groups" committed serious abuses during night raids, such as one in the southeastern province of Paktia in which a paramilitary unit killed 11 men, including eight who were home for the Eid holidays. In many cases, the raids, usually in Taliban-controlled areas, were accompanied by airstrikes that "indiscriminately or disproportionately" killed civilians, HRW said in a report. Sometimes, troops detained men and didn't tell families where they were being held. Night raids, where special forces troops blast doors and rush a building under the cover of darkness, are a popular tactic that combines surprise, overwhelming firepower and night-vision equipment to stun occupants. "In ramping up operations against the Taliban, the CIA has enabled abusive Afghan forces to commit atrocities including extrajudicial executions and disappearances," said Patricia Gossman, the report author and HRW's associate Asia director. "In case after case, these forces have simply shot people in their custody and consigned entire communities to the terror of abusive night raids and indiscriminate airstrikes." Afghan authorities and US forces have increased the use of paramilitary groups to combat a resurgent Taliban that has been hammering Afghanistan's beleaguered national security forces. Part of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), paramilitary forces do not fall under normal command chains and therefore, have less oversight. Speaking to HRW, one diplomat referred to them as "death squads." Afghan militias have largely been recruited, trained, equipped, and overseen by the CIA, according to the rights watchdog. Ties date back to the 1980s, when the CIA was funnelling money and equipment to Afghan rebels and mujahideen fighting Soviet troops. After a lull during the Taliban regime in the 1990s, the CIA re-established ties with warlords and militias fighting the insurgency following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The CIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), a US government watchdog, Afghan special forces conducted 2,531 ground operations from January–September this year, more than the total of 2,365 for all of 2018. A UN report earlier this month found an unprecedented number of civilians was killed or wounded in Afghanistan from July to September this year. The tally,1,174 deaths and 3,139 injured from July 1 until September 30, represents a 42 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Afghan militias killing civilians with impunity: Human Rights Watch

<div class="content" itemprop="articleBody">
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday appointed Idrees Zaman as the new acting Foreign Minister (FM) a week after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-acting-foreign-minister-salahuddin-rabbani-resigns-257775">Salahuddin Rabbani</a> stepped down from his position.

Zaman was previously appointed as the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs by Ghani on October 21, 2018.

Sediq Sediqqi, Spokesperson for the President of Afghanistan confirmed Zaman's appointment as the new FM, reported TOLOnews.

Former Acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani resigned last week in a letter addressed to Ghani.

In his letter, Rabbani wrote that key institutions were pushed to the side and parallel structures had been created.

Rabbani also said that he was proud of serving his country but he had also faced serious challenges during his term.&nbsp;
</div>

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday appointed Idrees Zaman as the new acting Foreign Minister (FM) a week after Salahuddin Rabbani stepped down from his position.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday appointed Idrees Zaman as the new acting Foreign Minister (FM) a week after Salahuddin Rabbani stepped down from his position. Zaman was previously appointed as the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs by Ghani on October 21, 2018. Sediq Sediqqi, Spokesperson for the President of Afghanistan confirmed Zaman's appointment as the new FM, reported TOLOnews. Former Acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani resigned last week in a letter addressed to Ghani. In his letter, Rabbani wrote that key institutions were pushed to the side and parallel structures had been created. Rabbani also said that he was proud of serving his country but he had also faced serious challenges during his term.

Afghan President appoints Idrees Zaman as acting foreign minister

At least seven civilians sustained injuries after a bomb-laden motorbike exploded in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Wednesday, provincial police said. 
 
The incident took place at 1:11 pm (local time) in the bazaar of Spin Boldak district. The motorbike was parked in front of a hotel, Xinhua quoted provincial police spokesman Jamal Barikzai as saying. 
 
An investigation into the incident has been initiated. 
 
Further details are awaited.

At least seven civilians sustained injuries after a bomb-laden motorbike exploded in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Wednesday, provincial police said. The incident took place at 1:11 pm (local time) in the bazaar of Spin Boldak district.

At least seven civilians sustained injuries after a bomb-laden motorbike exploded in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Wednesday, provincial police said. The incident took place at 1:11 pm (local time) in the bazaar of Spin Boldak district. The motorbike was parked in front of a hotel, Xinhua quoted provincial police spokesman Jamal Barikzai as saying. An investigation into the incident has been initiated. Further details are awaited.

Seven injured as bomb-laden motorbike explodes in Afghanistan

The Taliban should call a one-month ceasefire to prove they still control their forces, Afghanistan's national security advisor said Tuesday, amid signs the US wants to rekindle talks with the insurgents.

Hamdullah Mohib, a strong critic of earlier US-Taliban negotiations that excluded his government, said the Taliban no longer operate as a cohesive body and some commanders may have joined the Islamic State group.

"If the Taliban really want peace, they should prove how much control they have over their commanders and how much they really obey their commands," Mohib said at a press conference.

"Our suggestion is for a one-month ceasefire, followed by negotiations."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/on-again-off-again-erratic-history-of-talks-with-the-taliban-248439">On again, off again: Erratic history of US talks with the Taliban</a>

Observers have sometimes questioned whether there is a disconnect between the Taliban's political wing, based in Doha, and its military commanders in Afghanistan.

The insurgents have repeatedly rebuffed previous calls for a ceasefire, but last year they downed weapons for a historic, three-day truce.

Mohib, Afghanistan's former ambassador to the US, said any future negotiations should include his government, as well as Pakistan, which has long been accused of backing the Taliban.

"Pakistan should provide a guarantee that they will not support the Taliban or other groups like them and not give them safe havens," he said.

Pakistan denies it supports the Taliban.

The US spent the past year pushing for a deal with the Taliban that would have seen the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan in return for security guarantees.&nbsp;

But President Donald Trump cancelled talks last month as Taliban attacks continued, including one that killed a US soldier.&nbsp;

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading talks for Washington, has since spoken informally with Taliban officials in Pakistan, raising the possibility Washington seeks to resume dialogue.

Khalilzad was in Kabul on Sunday and visited Islamabad again Monday, though it was unclear if he spoke to Taliban officials on that visit.

Mohib in March infuriated the Trump administration by suggesting Afghan-born Khalilzad wanted to install a caretaker government and make himself "viceroy".

Even though Trump has declared the Taliban talks "dead", Khalilzad has continued criss-crossing the globe to build international consensus on a potential deal with the Taliban and an eventual end to America's longest war.

On Monday, he welcomed a proposal from China to host a fresh meeting bringing together Afghan officials and the Taliban, and last week the US and Europe issued a joint statement saying: "Sustainable peace can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement."

The Taliban should call a one-month ceasefire to prove they still control their forces, Afghanistan's national security advisor said Tuesday, amid signs the US wants to rekindle talks with the insurgents.

The Taliban should call a one-month ceasefire to prove they still control their forces, Afghanistan's national security advisor said Tuesday, amid signs the US wants to rekindle talks with the insurgents. Hamdullah Mohib, a strong critic of earlier US-Taliban negotiations that excluded his government, said the Taliban no longer operate as a cohesive body and some commanders may have joined the Islamic State group. "If the Taliban really want peace, they should prove how much control they have over their commanders and how much they really obey their commands," Mohib said at a press conference. "Our suggestion is for a one-month ceasefire, followed by negotiations." Also read: On again, off again: Erratic history of US talks with the Taliban Observers have sometimes questioned whether there is a disconnect between the Taliban's political wing, based in Doha, and its military commanders in Afghanistan. The insurgents have repeatedly rebuffed previous calls for a ceasefire, but last year they downed weapons for a historic, three-day truce. Mohib, Afghanistan's former ambassador to the US, said any future negotiations should include his government, as well as Pakistan, which has long been accused of backing the Taliban. "Pakistan should provide a guarantee that they will not support the Taliban or other groups like them and not give them safe havens," he said. Pakistan denies it supports the Taliban. The US spent the past year pushing for a deal with the Taliban that would have seen the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. But President Donald Trump cancelled talks last month as Taliban attacks continued, including one that killed a US soldier. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading talks for Washington, has since spoken informally with Taliban officials in Pakistan, raising the possibility Washington seeks to resume dialogue. Khalilzad was in Kabul on Sunday and visited Islamabad again Monday, though it was unclear if he spoke to Taliban officials on that visit. Mohib in March infuriated the Trump administration by suggesting Afghan-born Khalilzad wanted to install a caretaker government and make himself "viceroy". Even though Trump has declared the Taliban talks "dead", Khalilzad has continued criss-crossing the globe to build international consensus on a potential deal with the Taliban and an eventual end to America's longest war. On Monday, he welcomed a proposal from China to host a fresh meeting bringing together Afghan officials and the Taliban, and last week the US and Europe issued a joint statement saying: "Sustainable peace can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement."

Taliban should call ceasefire to prove control of forces: Official

Two police personnel were injured on Saturday in a suicide bomb attack in Uruzgan province in central Afghanistan, police told Sputnik.

The suicide bomber exploded himself in the Dehrawud district of the province.

"The suicide bomber was killed in the area, commander Shah [Mohammad] and one of his guards were injured," the district`s chief, Abdul Manan Alizai said.

The attack took place around 1 p.m. local time [8:30 GMT] near a local fruit market.

Two police personnel were injured on Saturday in a suicide bomb attack in Uruzgan province in central Afghanistan, police told Sputnik. The suicide bomber exploded himself in the Dehrawud district of the province.

Two police personnel were injured on Saturday in a suicide bomb attack in Uruzgan province in central Afghanistan, police told Sputnik. The suicide bomber exploded himself in the Dehrawud district of the province. "The suicide bomber was killed in the area, commander Shah [Mohammad] and one of his guards were injured," the district`s chief, Abdul Manan Alizai said. The attack took place around 1 p.m. local time [8:30 GMT] near a local fruit market.

Two police personnel injured in suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan

Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on Wednesday resigned ahead of peace talks scheduled to be held in Moscow.

In a letter addressed to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Rabbani said he had seen parallel structures had been created and key institutions were pushed to the side.

"During my time, the working environment in the National Unity Government (NUG) wasn`t good from the start. I witnessed parallel structures being created and have seen essential institutions--key pillars of the system--pushed to the side," he said, according to Tolo News.

Rabbani wrote that he was proud of serving his country under the NUG over the past five years but he also faced serious challenges during his term.

He also thanked Ghani for the opportunity given to serve Afghanistan and said he worked responsibly to protect the country`s national interests.&nbsp;

Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on Wednesday resigned ahead of peace talks scheduled to be held in Moscow. In a letter addressed to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Rabbani said he had seen parallel structures had been created and key institutions were pushed to the side.

Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on Wednesday resigned ahead of peace talks scheduled to be held in Moscow. In a letter addressed to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Rabbani said he had seen parallel structures had been created and key institutions were pushed to the side. "During my time, the working environment in the National Unity Government (NUG) wasn`t good from the start. I witnessed parallel structures being created and have seen essential institutions--key pillars of the system--pushed to the side," he said, according to Tolo News. Rabbani wrote that he was proud of serving his country under the NUG over the past five years but he also faced serious challenges during his term. He also thanked Ghani for the opportunity given to serve Afghanistan and said he worked responsibly to protect the country`s national interests.

Afghan acting foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani resigns

Afghans should not misconstrue America's sudden and contentious withdrawal from parts of Syria as a precursor to a similar move in Afghanistan, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday.

The Pentagon chief also hinted that some sort of residual US force might remain in Syria to protect oil fields, but stressed no decision had been taken.&nbsp;

The US last week announced the withdrawal of 1,000 American troops from northeast Syria, days after Turkey launched an offensive against the previously US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers a terrorist group.

The move provoked outrage from observers and even members of President Donald Trump's Republican Party, who saw the sudden withdrawal as a betrayal of the same Kurdish fighters the US had been training and arming for years to fight Islamic State jihadists in Syria.

Speaking at NATO's Resolute Support mission headquarters in Kabul, Esper said America maintains a "longstanding commitment" to Afghanistan, which it invaded in 2001 to oust the Taliban, and noted US policy direction for the country is completely different.

"All these things should reassure our Afghan allies and others that they should not misinterpret our actions in the recent week or so with regard to Syria and contrast that with Afghanistan," he said.

Underscoring America's will to stay in Afghanistan, Esper said, was that it still faces a "virulent terrorist threat that originated in the form of Al-Qaeda and now finds itself in the Taliban and ISIS-K and other groups".&nbsp;

ISIS-K is the abbreviation for the Afghan Islamic State affiliate.

The US and the Taliban were last month on the brink of signing a deal that would have seen some American forces begin to withdraw from Afghanistan in return for various insurgent security commitments.

But negotiations collapsed at the last minute when Trump declared talks "dead" following Taliban attacks including one that killed a US soldier.

Guarding Syria oil fields&nbsp;

On Syria, Esper said the withdrawal of US forces would take "weeks not days", and raised the possibility that some troops would stay for now in towns near oil fields as a way of preventing IS and other groups seizing them.

"We have troops in towns in northeast Syria that are located next to the oil fields. The troops in those towns are not in the present phase of withdrawal," Esper said.&nbsp;

"I've made no decision with regard to various options. Those are things that we would have to present to the president in due course".

General Scott Miller, who leads US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said over the past year the US has reduced its military footprint across the war-torn country by about 2,000 troops.&nbsp;

"As we work in Afghanistan with our partners, we are always looking to optimise the force," Miller said, speaking at the same press conference as Esper.&nbsp;

"Unbeknownst to the public, as part of our optimisation over the last year we have reduced our authorised strength by 2,000 here."

That force reduction is unrelated to any prospective deal with the Taliban.

US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett said the US now has around 13,000 troops in the country.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading negotiations, has spoken informally with Taliban officials in Pakistan, raising the possibility that Washington is seeking to resume talks, and Esper has said he supports a political agreement. 
&nbsp;

Afghans should not misconstrue America's sudden and contentious withdrawal from parts of Syria as a precursor to a similar move in Afghanistan, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday.

Afghans should not misconstrue America's sudden and contentious withdrawal from parts of Syria as a precursor to a similar move in Afghanistan, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday. The Pentagon chief also hinted that some sort of residual US force might remain in Syria to protect oil fields, but stressed no decision had been taken. The US last week announced the withdrawal of 1,000 American troops from northeast Syria, days after Turkey launched an offensive against the previously US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers a terrorist group. The move provoked outrage from observers and even members of President Donald Trump's Republican Party, who saw the sudden withdrawal as a betrayal of the same Kurdish fighters the US had been training and arming for years to fight Islamic State jihadists in Syria. Speaking at NATO's Resolute Support mission headquarters in Kabul, Esper said America maintains a "longstanding commitment" to Afghanistan, which it invaded in 2001 to oust the Taliban, and noted US policy direction for the country is completely different. "All these things should reassure our Afghan allies and others that they should not misinterpret our actions in the recent week or so with regard to Syria and contrast that with Afghanistan," he said. Underscoring America's will to stay in Afghanistan, Esper said, was that it still faces a "virulent terrorist threat that originated in the form of Al-Qaeda and now finds itself in the Taliban and ISIS-K and other groups". ISIS-K is the abbreviation for the Afghan Islamic State affiliate. The US and the Taliban were last month on the brink of signing a deal that would have seen some American forces begin to withdraw from Afghanistan in return for various insurgent security commitments. But negotiations collapsed at the last minute when Trump declared talks "dead" following Taliban attacks including one that killed a US soldier. Guarding Syria oil fields On Syria, Esper said the withdrawal of US forces would take "weeks not days", and raised the possibility that some troops would stay for now in towns near oil fields as a way of preventing IS and other groups seizing them. "We have troops in towns in northeast Syria that are located next to the oil fields. The troops in those towns are not in the present phase of withdrawal," Esper said. "I've made no decision with regard to various options. Those are things that we would have to present to the president in due course". General Scott Miller, who leads US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said over the past year the US has reduced its military footprint across the war-torn country by about 2,000 troops. "As we work in Afghanistan with our partners, we are always looking to optimise the force," Miller said, speaking at the same press conference as Esper. "Unbeknownst to the public, as part of our optimisation over the last year we have reduced our authorised strength by 2,000 here." That force reduction is unrelated to any prospective deal with the Taliban. US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett said the US now has around 13,000 troops in the country. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading negotiations, has spoken informally with Taliban officials in Pakistan, raising the possibility that Washington is seeking to resume talks, and Esper has said he supports a political agreement.

No Syria-type pullout planned for Afghanistan: Pentagon chief

Afghan security forces on Wednesday night launched operations against Taliban militants in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan to clear the insurgents, Afghanistan`s Ministry of Defense said on Thursday.

The operation took place in Dand-e-Shahabuddin, Dand-e-Ghori and the Kela Gai areas of Baghlan province, reported Tolo News.

"Previously, forces launched operations in Badakhshan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces and many areas of these provinces were cleared of insurgents," Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The statement further said that dozens of Taliban insurgents, including commanders and shadow district governors, have been killed during the operations in Badakhshan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces.

However, the ministry did not provide further details on the operations carried out by the security forces.There was no comment from the Taliban on the operations so far.

Afghan security forces on Wednesday night launched operations against Taliban militants in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan to clear the insurgents, Afghanistan`s Ministry of Defense said on Thursday.

Afghan security forces on Wednesday night launched operations against Taliban militants in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan to clear the insurgents, Afghanistan`s Ministry of Defense said on Thursday. The operation took place in Dand-e-Shahabuddin, Dand-e-Ghori and the Kela Gai areas of Baghlan province, reported Tolo News. "Previously, forces launched operations in Badakhshan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces and many areas of these provinces were cleared of insurgents," Defense Ministry said in a statement. The statement further said that dozens of Taliban insurgents, including commanders and shadow district governors, have been killed during the operations in Badakhshan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces. However, the ministry did not provide further details on the operations carried out by the security forces.There was no comment from the Taliban on the operations so far.

Afghan security forces launch operations in northern Baghlan

Children of martyrs belonging to the Afghan Nationals Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) have been conferred scholarships by India. The scholarships for 125 children were initiated from the academic year 2018-19 with the students being admitted to graduate and postgraduate courses in various Indian institutions. Additionally two Mi-24V&nbsp;helicopters were handed over to Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Afghanistan on December 25, 2016, had announced 500 scholarships for the children of the martyrs of Afghan Security Forces.

Meanwhile, New Delhi has given the replacements for all four Mi-24V helicopters that it had given to Afghanistan in 2015-2016. While two helicopters were given earlier this year, two more were handed over to ANDSF on Tuesday by the Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Vinay Kumar, at a ceremony in the presence of Afghanistan's Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid.

At the event, the Indian envoy "commended the ANDSF on their stellar effort to provide an umbrella of security to achieve these shared and common values, against cross border terrorism and internal threats" and congratulated "the Afghan Air Force on the new induction, that would ensure that the ANDSF maintains an agile and robust counter-terrorism capability".

During Narendra Modi's visit to Afghanistan, New Delhi had gifted four Mi-25 helicopters to the Afghan Air Force. It was during this visit that PM Modi inaugurated the Afghan Parliament, which was built by India.

The Afghan mission in a tweet said, "We express our gratitude to the Indian govt for handing over the 2nd pair of Mi-24V helicopters to Afghan Minister of Defence Asadullah Khalid."

The helicopters are also a symbol of trilateral cooperation with Belarus as the third country, which made these available for use by ANDSF.

India is currently providing assistance to Afghan National Defence and Security forces (ANDSF) by training the personnel and in the past has trained Afghan pilots as well.

Children of martyrs belonging to the Afghan Nationals Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) have been conferred scholarships by India. The scholarships for 125 children were initiated from the academic year 2018-19 with the students being admitted to graduate and postgraduate courses in various Indian institutions.

Children of martyrs belonging to the Afghan Nationals Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) have been conferred scholarships by India. The scholarships for 125 children were initiated from the academic year 2018-19 with the students being admitted to graduate and postgraduate courses in various Indian institutions. Additionally two Mi-24V helicopters were handed over to Afghanistan. Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Afghanistan on December 25, 2016, had announced 500 scholarships for the children of the martyrs of Afghan Security Forces. Meanwhile, New Delhi has given the replacements for all four Mi-24V helicopters that it had given to Afghanistan in 2015-2016. While two helicopters were given earlier this year, two more were handed over to ANDSF on Tuesday by the Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Vinay Kumar, at a ceremony in the presence of Afghanistan's Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid. At the event, the Indian envoy "commended the ANDSF on their stellar effort to provide an umbrella of security to achieve these shared and common values, against cross border terrorism and internal threats" and congratulated "the Afghan Air Force on the new induction, that would ensure that the ANDSF maintains an agile and robust counter-terrorism capability". During Narendra Modi's visit to Afghanistan, New Delhi had gifted four Mi-25 helicopters to the Afghan Air Force. It was during this visit that PM Modi inaugurated the Afghan Parliament, which was built by India. The Afghan mission in a tweet said, "We express our gratitude to the Indian govt for handing over the 2nd pair of Mi-24V helicopters to Afghan Minister of Defence Asadullah Khalid." The helicopters are also a symbol of trilateral cooperation with Belarus as the third country, which made these available for use by ANDSF. India is currently providing assistance to Afghan National Defence and Security forces (ANDSF) by training the personnel and in the past has trained Afghan pilots as well.

India hands over 2 more Mi-24V helicopters to Afghanistan, extends scholarships to children of martyrs

Like assembling a 1,500-year-old jigsaw puzzle, conservators at the National Museum of Afghanistan are restoring the country's Buddhist history that the Taliban tried to erase.

Afghan museum recreates Buddhist history, one broken piece at a time

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote.

The claims by Asadullah Saadati, who is running beside <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-have-the-most-votes-in-this-election-abdullah-claims-victory-in-afghanistan-election-252846">Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah</a>, come as the country is in the midst of an uneasy waiting period after the September 28 election.

Election officials have called on candidates to show restraint and wait for the announcement of preliminary results in a bid to avoid a repeat of the disastrous election of 2014 which was marred by duelling claims of victory and fraud by Abdullah and his top rival Ashraf Ghani, who went on to win the presidency.

"Circles within the election commission and the palace are jointly organising systematic fraud," Saadati told a news conference, without citing any evidence.

"The result sheets that are being counted are fraudulent and their entries must stop."

Voting this year is supposed to be more secure than ever, with each voter verified through biometric machines to ensure no one can cast multiple ballots.

Saadati claimed the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was counting "fraudulent" and non-biometric votes.

The IEC has repeatedly said it would only count ballots verified biometrically.

Highlighting the challenges it faces, the commission on Saturday said unidentified hackers had unsuccessfully attempted to break into its computer servers.

On September 30, just two days after the election and before all votes had even arrived in Kabul for counting, Abdullah claimed victory in a move that international and local observers panned as premature.

Preliminary results are not due until October 19 but officials have already said that date will likely be pushed back by a few days.

The IEC has said about 2.7 million of Afghanistan's 9.6 million registered voters cast a ballot -- a record low turnout amid fears of fraud, and threats of deadly Taliban violence. However not all of those votes have been verified.

After a recent visit to the IEC, Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan Dave Metcalfe said he was "impressed" by the commission's attempts to fight voter fraud.&nbsp;

"The checks and balances implemented by the IEC represent a new standard for Afghan elections," he said in a statement.

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote.

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote. The claims by Asadullah Saadati, who is running beside Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, come as the country is in the midst of an uneasy waiting period after the September 28 election. Election officials have called on candidates to show restraint and wait for the announcement of preliminary results in a bid to avoid a repeat of the disastrous election of 2014 which was marred by duelling claims of victory and fraud by Abdullah and his top rival Ashraf Ghani, who went on to win the presidency. "Circles within the election commission and the palace are jointly organising systematic fraud," Saadati told a news conference, without citing any evidence. "The result sheets that are being counted are fraudulent and their entries must stop." Voting this year is supposed to be more secure than ever, with each voter verified through biometric machines to ensure no one can cast multiple ballots. Saadati claimed the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was counting "fraudulent" and non-biometric votes. The IEC has repeatedly said it would only count ballots verified biometrically. Highlighting the challenges it faces, the commission on Saturday said unidentified hackers had unsuccessfully attempted to break into its computer servers. On September 30, just two days after the election and before all votes had even arrived in Kabul for counting, Abdullah claimed victory in a move that international and local observers panned as premature. Preliminary results are not due until October 19 but officials have already said that date will likely be pushed back by a few days. The IEC has said about 2.7 million of Afghanistan's 9.6 million registered voters cast a ballot -- a record low turnout amid fears of fraud, and threats of deadly Taliban violence. However not all of those votes have been verified. After a recent visit to the IEC, Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan Dave Metcalfe said he was "impressed" by the commission's attempts to fight voter fraud. "The checks and balances implemented by the IEC represent a new standard for Afghan elections," he said in a statement.

Top candidate's running mate in Afghan poll alleges 'systematic fraud'

An Afghan policeman was killed and four other people were injured in a roadside bomb blast in the country`s southern province of Helmand, a local source told Sputnik on Wednesday.

The bomb exploded near a police car in the Greshak district of Helmand province.

Spokesman of the Helmand governor confirmed to Sputnik that one policeman was killed and two others were injured.

An Afghan policeman was killed and four other people were injured in a roadside bomb blast in the country`s southern province of Helmand, a local source told Sputnik on Wednesday.

An Afghan policeman was killed and four other people were injured in a roadside bomb blast in the country`s southern province of Helmand, a local source told Sputnik on Wednesday. The bomb exploded near a police car in the Greshak district of Helmand province. Spokesman of the Helmand governor confirmed to Sputnik that one policeman was killed and two others were injured.

Policeman killed, 4 others injured in bomb blast in southern Afghanistan

Gravitas: Afghan Peace Talks: U.S., Taliban Representatives Meet In Pakistan

Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's chief executive and President Ashraf Ghani's top rival, claimed victory Monday after the weekend's first round of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/old-rivals-square-up-again-as-an-uncertain-afghanistan-votes-252231">voting in the presidential election</a>, ahead of the release of any official tally.

"We have the most votes in this election," Abdullah said at a news conference.

"The results will be announced by the IEC (Independent Election Commission), but we have the most votes. The election is not going to go to a second round."

Abdullah, who is seeking the presidency for the third time after losing in 2009 and 2014, said his team would "make the new government".

Senior IEC official Habib Rahman Nang immediately slammed Abdullah's announcement as premature.

"No candidate has the right to declare himself the winner," he said.&nbsp;

"According to the law, it is the IEC that decides who is the winner."

Initial results from Saturday's poll are not expected until October 19.&nbsp;

Without giving details, Abdullah also mentioned reports of "some government officials" meddling in the election process.&nbsp;

His remarks follow the release on social media of several videos purporting to show election workers stuffing ballots.

Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November.

Despite a large pool of candidates, the election is seen as a two-horse race between Abdullah and Ghani.&nbsp;

The men are bitter rivals and fought a contested election in 2014.&nbsp;

They both claimed victory in that poll -- a vote so tainted by fraud and violence that it led to a constitutional crisis and forced the administration of then-US president Barack Obama to push for a compromise that saw Abdullah awarded the subordinate role.

Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's chief executive and President Ashraf Ghani's top rival, claimed victory Monday after the weekend's first round of voting in the presidential election, ahead of the release of any official tally.

Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's chief executive and President Ashraf Ghani's top rival, claimed victory Monday after the weekend's first round of voting in the presidential election, ahead of the release of any official tally. "We have the most votes in this election," Abdullah said at a news conference. "The results will be announced by the IEC (Independent Election Commission), but we have the most votes. The election is not going to go to a second round." Abdullah, who is seeking the presidency for the third time after losing in 2009 and 2014, said his team would "make the new government". Senior IEC official Habib Rahman Nang immediately slammed Abdullah's announcement as premature. "No candidate has the right to declare himself the winner," he said. "According to the law, it is the IEC that decides who is the winner." Initial results from Saturday's poll are not expected until October 19. Without giving details, Abdullah also mentioned reports of "some government officials" meddling in the election process. His remarks follow the release on social media of several videos purporting to show election workers stuffing ballots. Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November. Despite a large pool of candidates, the election is seen as a two-horse race between Abdullah and Ghani. The men are bitter rivals and fought a contested election in 2014. They both claimed victory in that poll -- a vote so tainted by fraud and violence that it led to a constitutional crisis and forced the administration of then-US president Barack Obama to push for a compromise that saw Abdullah awarded the subordinate role.

We have the most votes in this election: Abdullah claims victory in Afghanistan election

Voter participation in Afghanistan's presidential elections appeared Sunday to have been lower than in previous years, with turnout hit by the threat of attacks, a muted campaign and concerns of fraud.

Afghans went to the polls Saturday to vote in the first round of a presidential race that will decide whether President Ashraf Ghani will win a second five-year term.

About 9.6 million Afghans in the war-torn nation -- with an estimated population of 35 million -- had registered to vote in the election, which was held at some 4,900 polling stations.

An initial tally released early Sunday by Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission showed that with data from slightly more than half the stations, just under 1.1 million people had voted.

If that turnout trend holds, it would represent a participation level of less than 25 per cent -- lower than any of Afghanistan's three previous presidential elections.&nbsp;

In 2014, for instance, turnout was a little under 50 per cent, although direct comparisons are tough because previous polls were tainted by allegations of systemic fraud.

Authorities heralded Saturday's election as a success because the Taliban were unable to pull off a large-scale attack resulting in high casualty numbers.&nbsp;

But the insurgents nonetheless pushed their offensive on the democratic process, conducting a string of bombings at polling stations and engaging Afghan security forces in clashes across the country.

According to the Afghanistan Analysts Network, which compiled incidents through various sources, more than 400 attacks had been reported over the course of the election day.

The Taliban claimed to have conducted 531 attacks, while the interior ministry said "the enemy" had carried out 68 assaults.

The official death toll is five security forces. But in years past, authorities have suppressed information on election day only to later give larger numbers.

'Much cleaner'

In addition to security threats, turnout was hampered by scepticism about the electoral process.&nbsp;

Previous polls, including the 2014 presidential election, were undermined by widespread allegations of vote-buying, ballot stuffing and fraud.&nbsp;

And the election campaign itself seemed almost moribund during the two months of campaigning because many thought the poll -- already twice delayed while the US and the Taliban tried to negotiate a troop withdrawal deal -- would be pushed back yet again.&nbsp;

It was only after US President Donald Trump scuppered those talks on September 7 that candidates really believed the election would take place, leaving little time for them to campaign.

Turnout was low because of security threats and "the weak campaigning of the candidates" political analyst and Kabul academic Atta Noori told AFP.

"It is not because they were not interested to vote," he said.

Independent political analyst Haroun Mir said that even with a low turnout, the election could be considered a victory for the democratic process because it was "much cleaner" than previous polls.&nbsp;

Election officials have said the result would be the purest yet, with equipment such as biometric fingerprint readers and better training for poll workers ensuring the vote was fair.

Results are not expected until October 19. Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November.

Voter participation in Afghanistan's presidential elections appeared Sunday to have been lower than in previous years, with turnout hit by the threat of attacks, a muted campaign and concerns of fraud.

Voter participation in Afghanistan's presidential elections appeared Sunday to have been lower than in previous years, with turnout hit by the threat of attacks, a muted campaign and concerns of fraud. Afghans went to the polls Saturday to vote in the first round of a presidential race that will decide whether President Ashraf Ghani will win a second five-year term. About 9.6 million Afghans in the war-torn nation -- with an estimated population of 35 million -- had registered to vote in the election, which was held at some 4,900 polling stations. An initial tally released early Sunday by Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission showed that with data from slightly more than half the stations, just under 1.1 million people had voted. If that turnout trend holds, it would represent a participation level of less than 25 per cent -- lower than any of Afghanistan's three previous presidential elections. In 2014, for instance, turnout was a little under 50 per cent, although direct comparisons are tough because previous polls were tainted by allegations of systemic fraud. Authorities heralded Saturday's election as a success because the Taliban were unable to pull off a large-scale attack resulting in high casualty numbers. But the insurgents nonetheless pushed their offensive on the democratic process, conducting a string of bombings at polling stations and engaging Afghan security forces in clashes across the country. According to the Afghanistan Analysts Network, which compiled incidents through various sources, more than 400 attacks had been reported over the course of the election day. The Taliban claimed to have conducted 531 attacks, while the interior ministry said "the enemy" had carried out 68 assaults. The official death toll is five security forces. But in years past, authorities have suppressed information on election day only to later give larger numbers. 'Much cleaner' In addition to security threats, turnout was hampered by scepticism about the electoral process. Previous polls, including the 2014 presidential election, were undermined by widespread allegations of vote-buying, ballot stuffing and fraud. And the election campaign itself seemed almost moribund during the two months of campaigning because many thought the poll -- already twice delayed while the US and the Taliban tried to negotiate a troop withdrawal deal -- would be pushed back yet again. It was only after US President Donald Trump scuppered those talks on September 7 that candidates really believed the election would take place, leaving little time for them to campaign. Turnout was low because of security threats and "the weak campaigning of the candidates" political analyst and Kabul academic Atta Noori told AFP. "It is not because they were not interested to vote," he said. Independent political analyst Haroun Mir said that even with a low turnout, the election could be considered a victory for the democratic process because it was "much cleaner" than previous polls. Election officials have said the result would be the purest yet, with equipment such as biometric fingerprint readers and better training for poll workers ensuring the vote was fair. Results are not expected until October 19. Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November.

Attacks, fraud fears dampen turnout in Afghan election

Afghans go to the polls Saturday to vote in a presidential election that few expect will have much effect in bringing peace to the war-torn country.

With the Taliban threatening violence against anyone who participates and concern that the widespread fraud which blighted previous elections will resurface, analysts fear a low turnout will seriously undermine the result.

"The security threats, coupled with a trust issue in the election's transparency, may translate into a very low turnout," Afghanistan analyst Ahmad Saeedi told AFP ahead of the vote.

"That would undermine the legitimacy of the election process and any future government that may come out of it."

The stakes are high.

Whatever the turnout, Afghans are choosing a leader who will almost certainly have to negotiate with the Taliban at some point -- even though the hardline Islamist group is doing everything it can to undermine the process.

Eighteen names were originally on the ballot, but the poll is considered a two-horse race between current President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the country's chief executive.

Both claimed victory in the 2014 election -- a vote so tainted by fraud and violence that it led to a constitutional crisis and forced then-US President Barack Obama to push for a compromise that saw Abdullah awarded the subordinate role.

Five years of bitter rivalry later, the parallels are unsettling, yet nothing suggests President Donald Trump would be willing to play such a role in any fresh disputes.

In fact, analysts suggest the new Washington administration has largely undermined the Afghan government by excluding Kabul from months of talks it held with the Taliban in a bid to extract US forces from America's longest-running war.&nbsp;

Agreement seemed imminent

The Taliban have also refused to negotiate with Ghani -- whom they consider a Washington puppet -- and he was totally marginalised during negotiations.

An agreement between the Taliban and Washington seemed imminent less than a month ago and observers thought the election could be suspended yet again to allow for the implementation of the withdrawal plan, even as Ghani insisted it must go ahead.

Ultimately, Trump scuppered the deal at the last moment.

That decision boosted what has been a fairly lacklustre election campaign, strengthening Ghani's argument the winner needs a strong mandate to negotiate with the Taliban to finally achieve a lasting peace.

But a low turnout is still a more likely result.

With the Taliban controlling or influencing vast swathes of Afghanistan, it was impossible to hold rallies in many parts of the country.

Campaigning was also hampered by violence from the first day, when Ghani's running mate was targeted in a bomb-and-gun attack that left at least 20 dead.&nbsp;

More than 1,300 civilians were killed in the country in the first half of 2019, according to the UN.&nbsp;

Logistically, authorities plan to open almost 5,000 polling stations -- 500 more were abandoned because of a lack of security.

The interior ministry says 72,000 forces will help to secure polling stations.

Election officials say this will be one the cleanest election yet held, having gone the distance with equipment such as biometric fingerprint readers and better training for poll workers to ensure the vote is fair.

Still, the US embassy in Kabul has said it is "disturbed by so many complaints about security, lack of an equal playing field and fraud".

Some 9.6 million Afghans are registered to vote, but many have lost any hope that after 18 years of war that any leader can unify the fractious country and improve basic living conditions, boost the stagnating economy or bolster security.

"It is very likely that I do not vote," 29-year-old Jawad Zawulistani told AFP.&nbsp;

"I have lost hope that my vote will be of any importance and the result of election would bring any change to my life and to my people's lives."

Results are not expected until October 19. Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November. 
&nbsp;

Afghans go to the polls Saturday to vote in a presidential election that few expect will have much effect in bringing peace to the war-torn country. With the Taliban threatening violence against anyone who participates and concern that the widespread fraud which blighted previous elections will resurface, analysts fear a low turnout will seriously undermine the result.

Afghans go to the polls Saturday to vote in a presidential election that few expect will have much effect in bringing peace to the war-torn country. With the Taliban threatening violence against anyone who participates and concern that the widespread fraud which blighted previous elections will resurface, analysts fear a low turnout will seriously undermine the result. "The security threats, coupled with a trust issue in the election's transparency, may translate into a very low turnout," Afghanistan analyst Ahmad Saeedi told AFP ahead of the vote. "That would undermine the legitimacy of the election process and any future government that may come out of it." The stakes are high. Whatever the turnout, Afghans are choosing a leader who will almost certainly have to negotiate with the Taliban at some point -- even though the hardline Islamist group is doing everything it can to undermine the process. Eighteen names were originally on the ballot, but the poll is considered a two-horse race between current President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the country's chief executive. Both claimed victory in the 2014 election -- a vote so tainted by fraud and violence that it led to a constitutional crisis and forced then-US President Barack Obama to push for a compromise that saw Abdullah awarded the subordinate role. Five years of bitter rivalry later, the parallels are unsettling, yet nothing suggests President Donald Trump would be willing to play such a role in any fresh disputes. In fact, analysts suggest the new Washington administration has largely undermined the Afghan government by excluding Kabul from months of talks it held with the Taliban in a bid to extract US forces from America's longest-running war. Agreement seemed imminent The Taliban have also refused to negotiate with Ghani -- whom they consider a Washington puppet -- and he was totally marginalised during negotiations. An agreement between the Taliban and Washington seemed imminent less than a month ago and observers thought the election could be suspended yet again to allow for the implementation of the withdrawal plan, even as Ghani insisted it must go ahead. Ultimately, Trump scuppered the deal at the last moment. That decision boosted what has been a fairly lacklustre election campaign, strengthening Ghani's argument the winner needs a strong mandate to negotiate with the Taliban to finally achieve a lasting peace. But a low turnout is still a more likely result. With the Taliban controlling or influencing vast swathes of Afghanistan, it was impossible to hold rallies in many parts of the country. Campaigning was also hampered by violence from the first day, when Ghani's running mate was targeted in a bomb-and-gun attack that left at least 20 dead. More than 1,300 civilians were killed in the country in the first half of 2019, according to the UN. Logistically, authorities plan to open almost 5,000 polling stations -- 500 more were abandoned because of a lack of security. The interior ministry says 72,000 forces will help to secure polling stations. Election officials say this will be one the cleanest election yet held, having gone the distance with equipment such as biometric fingerprint readers and better training for poll workers to ensure the vote is fair. Still, the US embassy in Kabul has said it is "disturbed by so many complaints about security, lack of an equal playing field and fraud". Some 9.6 million Afghans are registered to vote, but many have lost any hope that after 18 years of war that any leader can unify the fractious country and improve basic living conditions, boost the stagnating economy or bolster security. "It is very likely that I do not vote," 29-year-old Jawad Zawulistani told AFP. "I have lost hope that my vote will be of any importance and the result of election would bring any change to my life and to my people's lives." Results are not expected until October 19. Candidates need more than 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November.

Little hope for peace as Afghans prepare for weekend vote

In the land of suicide bombings, burqas, and unending war, a group of Afghans have turned to breakdancing for stress relief and self-expression -- even as fears the Taliban could yet return to power fuel worries of a renewed crackdown on the arts. &nbsp;

At the French Cultural Centre in Kabul, the group takes turns practising the basics -- toprocking, headspins, and freezes, while watching YouTube videos on their phones of famous b-boys like Lilou and Hong Ten for inspiration.&nbsp;

"Breakdancing keeps us away from stress and war. It gives us freedom. It frees our minds from the stress of living in Kabul and we forget about the war and killings," explains Murtaza Lomani, 23, from the Top Step crew.

Still, breakdancing is a rare sight in the fiercely conservative Islamic society, where traditional folk music mostly dominates the radiowaves and dancing takes place mainly at gender-segregated weddings.

The cultural centre is one of the few places in the Afghan capital where the mixed-gender Top Step crew are able to practise and feel relatively safe, Lomani says. But even here there are risks.&nbsp;

Just five years ago, the centre was attacked by the Taliban as it hosted a play about suicide bombings, where Lomani was among the injured.

Breaking barriers

For Heja Aalia, who says she is one of just four female breakdancers in Kabul, there are other worries.

"If I train outdoors in our society, people insult you," says Aalia, adding that many young women are interested in breakdancing but are unable to get permission from their families to try it out.&nbsp;

"It's really difficult for a girl to practise breakdance, especially in Afghanistan where people think dance is against Islamic culture."

The sport first originated in New York's Bronx borough in the 1970s, where "breaking" along with rap music and graffiti art formed the pillars of hip hop culture that has gone on to dominate everything from pop music to fashion worldwide in the ensuing decades.&nbsp;

But while the rest of the world was quick to embrace that culture, decades of war and hardline Taliban rule in the 1990s prevented the phenomenon from taking root in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

"Afghan society has changed a bit in recent years, the generations have changed and people are thinking positively," says Lomani, who admits that many laughed at their dance moves when they first started in 2011. &nbsp;

"But we have convinced some youth and now it is really good that we practise," he adds.&nbsp;

Fellow Top Step member Obaidullah Koofi, 24, says he first got interested in breakdancing after seeing videos online.&nbsp;

"We learn our new moves from YouTube, and YouTube is our mentor because we do not have any trainer here to... teach us," he says.&nbsp;

However there are fears that it all may change soon.&nbsp;

Taliban shuffle

After 18 years of war, the United States spent the last year locked in negotiations with the Taliban, seeking a deal that could see a gradual withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan.

The deal was, temporarily at least, taken off the table after President Donald Trump declared the talks "dead" earlier this month.

Instead, Afghans are now gearing up for a presidential election set for Saturday, when incumbent Ashraf Ghani and main rival Abdullah Abdullah will be seeking a strong mandate to negotiate with the Taliban as they seek a lasting peace.&nbsp;

However Washington's desire to end its longest war has been made clear, and Afghans are still apprehensive that a hasty US exit -- with or without a deal -- might allow the long-feared Islamists, who have been resurgent on the battlefield in recent years, to regain some semblance of power in Kabul.&nbsp;

"If the Taliban come none of us can continue," says Aalia. &nbsp;

But despite those fears, and the backlash against female breakdancers, she has vowed to continue.&nbsp;

"One day if the Taliban comes, we can stop this publicly," she says.

"But we will practise breakdancing underground or secretly."&nbsp;

In the land of suicide bombings, burqas, and unending war, a group of Afghans have turned to breakdancing for stress relief and self-expression -- even as fears the Taliban could yet return to power fuel worries of a renewed crackdown on the arts.

In the land of suicide bombings, burqas, and unending war, a group of Afghans have turned to breakdancing for stress relief and self-expression -- even as fears the Taliban could yet return to power fuel worries of a renewed crackdown on the arts. At the French Cultural Centre in Kabul, the group takes turns practising the basics -- toprocking, headspins, and freezes, while watching YouTube videos on their phones of famous b-boys like Lilou and Hong Ten for inspiration. "Breakdancing keeps us away from stress and war. It gives us freedom. It frees our minds from the stress of living in Kabul and we forget about the war and killings," explains Murtaza Lomani, 23, from the Top Step crew. Still, breakdancing is a rare sight in the fiercely conservative Islamic society, where traditional folk music mostly dominates the radiowaves and dancing takes place mainly at gender-segregated weddings. The cultural centre is one of the few places in the Afghan capital where the mixed-gender Top Step crew are able to practise and feel relatively safe, Lomani says. But even here there are risks. Just five years ago, the centre was attacked by the Taliban as it hosted a play about suicide bombings, where Lomani was among the injured. Breaking barriers For Heja Aalia, who says she is one of just four female breakdancers in Kabul, there are other worries. "If I train outdoors in our society, people insult you," says Aalia, adding that many young women are interested in breakdancing but are unable to get permission from their families to try it out. "It's really difficult for a girl to practise breakdance, especially in Afghanistan where people think dance is against Islamic culture." The sport first originated in New York's Bronx borough in the 1970s, where "breaking" along with rap music and graffiti art formed the pillars of hip hop culture that has gone on to dominate everything from pop music to fashion worldwide in the ensuing decades. But while the rest of the world was quick to embrace that culture, decades of war and hardline Taliban rule in the 1990s prevented the phenomenon from taking root in Afghanistan. "Afghan society has changed a bit in recent years, the generations have changed and people are thinking positively," says Lomani, who admits that many laughed at their dance moves when they first started in 2011. "But we have convinced some youth and now it is really good that we practise," he adds. Fellow Top Step member Obaidullah Koofi, 24, says he first got interested in breakdancing after seeing videos online. "We learn our new moves from YouTube, and YouTube is our mentor because we do not have any trainer here to... teach us," he says. However there are fears that it all may change soon. Taliban shuffle After 18 years of war, the United States spent the last year locked in negotiations with the Taliban, seeking a deal that could see a gradual withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan. The deal was, temporarily at least, taken off the table after President Donald Trump declared the talks "dead" earlier this month. Instead, Afghans are now gearing up for a presidential election set for Saturday, when incumbent Ashraf Ghani and main rival Abdullah Abdullah will be seeking a strong mandate to negotiate with the Taliban as they seek a lasting peace. However Washington's desire to end its longest war has been made clear, and Afghans are still apprehensive that a hasty US exit -- with or without a deal -- might allow the long-feared Islamists, who have been resurgent on the battlefield in recent years, to regain some semblance of power in Kabul. "If the Taliban come none of us can continue," says Aalia. But despite those fears, and the backlash against female breakdancers, she has vowed to continue. "One day if the Taliban comes, we can stop this publicly," she says. "But we will practise breakdancing underground or secretly."

The breakdancers of Kabul: Afghan youth busting moves

Afghanistan is investigating reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-14-killed-8-injured-in-airstrike-in-helmand-251437">airstrike during a wedding celebration</a> in southern Helmand province, officials said Monday.

The allegations stem from an overnight skirmish in Musa Qala district, less than a week after a drone killed at least nine civilians in Nangarhar province east of Kabul.

Residents and local officials in Helmand said an evening wedding celebration was underway when security forces launched a ground and aerial operation against suspected militants.&nbsp;

Majeed Akhundzada, a member of the Helmand provincial council, told AFP that both Afghan and foreign forces had been involved in the fighting.&nbsp;

"Some 40 people were killed and 18 others were wounded and were brought to the hospital, all the victims were civilians," he said.&nbsp;

Sher Mohammad Akhundza, a provincial senator, also put the toll at 40 dead.&nbsp;

Defence ministry spokesman Fawad Aman later told AFP that special forces had been targeting a compound hosting Taliban and Al Qaeda militants, saying fighting lasted an hour before an insurgent detonated a suicide vest.&nbsp;

Aman said at least 22 "terrorists" were killed and 14 others injured in the incident, adding that officials were investigating claims that civilians had also been killed.&nbsp;

But he denied that airstrikes had been used during the operation.

A statement from Helmand's governor gave a different account, saying the militants were killed in "airstrikes" and ground operations.&nbsp;

While the Afghan military does have a fledgling air force, most strikes are led or supported by the United States, the only member of the international coalition in Afghanistan that provides aerial support in the conflict.

There was no immediate comment from NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.

The UN documented a sharp rise in civilian deaths from airstrikes last year, as Afghan and US forces intensified the aerial bombardment of Taliban and Islamic State group militants.&nbsp;

Afghanistan is investigating reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an airstrike during a wedding celebration in southern Helmand province, officials said Monday.

Afghanistan is investigating reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an airstrike during a wedding celebration in southern Helmand province, officials said Monday. The allegations stem from an overnight skirmish in Musa Qala district, less than a week after a drone killed at least nine civilians in Nangarhar province east of Kabul. Residents and local officials in Helmand said an evening wedding celebration was underway when security forces launched a ground and aerial operation against suspected militants. Majeed Akhundzada, a member of the Helmand provincial council, told AFP that both Afghan and foreign forces had been involved in the fighting. "Some 40 people were killed and 18 others were wounded and were brought to the hospital, all the victims were civilians," he said. Sher Mohammad Akhundza, a provincial senator, also put the toll at 40 dead. Defence ministry spokesman Fawad Aman later told AFP that special forces had been targeting a compound hosting Taliban and Al Qaeda militants, saying fighting lasted an hour before an insurgent detonated a suicide vest. Aman said at least 22 "terrorists" were killed and 14 others injured in the incident, adding that officials were investigating claims that civilians had also been killed. But he denied that airstrikes had been used during the operation. A statement from Helmand's governor gave a different account, saying the militants were killed in "airstrikes" and ground operations. While the Afghan military does have a fledgling air force, most strikes are led or supported by the United States, the only member of the international coalition in Afghanistan that provides aerial support in the conflict. There was no immediate comment from NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan. The UN documented a sharp rise in civilian deaths from airstrikes last year, as Afghan and US forces intensified the aerial bombardment of Taliban and Islamic State group militants.

Afghan officials investigate reports 40 civilians killed in airstrike

One child was killed and 11 others suffered injuries in a blast in Parwan province`s Charekar city on Saturday.

Interior Ministry`s spokesman Nusrat Rahimi has confirmed the attack and said that the Taliban was responsible for the blast, reported Tolo News.

However, the extremist outfit is yet to take responsibility for the attack, as per Pajhwok News Agency.

This comes days after the Taliban targetted an election rally of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani through a suicide attack.&nbsp;

In the attack, at least eight people were killed while 10 others were wounded.&nbsp;

One child was killed and 11 others suffered injuries in a blast in Parwan province`s Charekar city on Saturday. Interior Ministry`s spokesman Nusrat Rahimi has confirmed the attack and said that the Taliban was responsible for the blast, reported Tolo News.

One child was killed and 11 others suffered injuries in a blast in Parwan province`s Charekar city on Saturday. Interior Ministry`s spokesman Nusrat Rahimi has confirmed the attack and said that the Taliban was responsible for the blast, reported Tolo News. However, the extremist outfit is yet to take responsibility for the attack, as per Pajhwok News Agency. This comes days after the Taliban targetted an election rally of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani through a suicide attack. In the attack, at least eight people were killed while 10 others were wounded.

Afghanistan: 1 child killed, 11 others wounded in blast

The Taliban's chief negotiator has said their "doors are open" to resuming talks with Washington, hours after two attacks by the insurgents killed at least 48 people in war-weary Afghanistan.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai also defended the Taliban's role in recent bloodshed across the country after US President Donald Trump cited an attack that killed an American soldier as his reason for calling off negotiations earlier this month.

Speaking to the BBC, Stanikzai argued the Americans had also admitted to killing thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-held-talks-with-afghanistans-taliban-250312">Taliban</a> during the discussions, and that the insurgents had done nothing wrong by continuing to fight throughout the talks.

"From our side, our doors are open for negotiations," he was quoted as saying.

Taliban attack kills at least 26 in Afghanistan

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Trump had said the US was walking away from negotiations after nearly a year of grinding diplomatic efforts to strike a deal that could pave the way for an American withdrawal from Afghanistan following 18 years of war.

He declared the talks "dead" on September 10.

But his administration, which has made no secret of its wish to bring troops home, also left the door open for a new attempt, though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the Taliban must show a "significant commitment" if talks were to resume.

Tuesday's attacks left at least 26 people dead at a rally for Afghan President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-sees-his-chance-in-upcoming-elections-after-collapse-of-us-taliban-talks-250287">Ashraf Ghani</a> in the central province of Parwan, while 22 were killed in a blast in Kabul just over an hour later.

They were the bloodiest attacks to hit Afghanistan since the talks fell apart. Dozens more were wounded in the blasts, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility.

More violence is expected in the coming days as Afghans prepare for a presidential election on September 28, which the Taliban have promised to disrupt.

"We already warned people not to attend election rallies. If they suffer any losses that is their own responsibility," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement released after Tuesday's blasts.

The insurgents have said previously that the only other option is to continue fighting.

"We had two ways to end the occupation in Afghanistan, one was jihad and fighting, the other was talks and negotiations," Mujahid told AFP earlier this month.

"If Trump wants to stop talks, we will take the first way and they will soon regret it."

The Taliban's chief negotiator has said their "doors are open" to resuming talks with Washington, hours after two attacks by the insurgents killed at least 48 people in war-weary Afghanistan.

The Taliban's chief negotiator has said their "doors are open" to resuming talks with Washington, hours after two attacks by the insurgents killed at least 48 people in war-weary Afghanistan. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai also defended the Taliban's role in recent bloodshed across the country after US President Donald Trump cited an attack that killed an American soldier as his reason for calling off negotiations earlier this month. Speaking to the BBC, Stanikzai argued the Americans had also admitted to killing thousands of Taliban during the discussions, and that the insurgents had done nothing wrong by continuing to fight throughout the talks. "From our side, our doors are open for negotiations," he was quoted as saying. Taliban attack kills at least 26 in Afghanistan × Trump had said the US was walking away from negotiations after nearly a year of grinding diplomatic efforts to strike a deal that could pave the way for an American withdrawal from Afghanistan following 18 years of war. He declared the talks "dead" on September 10. But his administration, which has made no secret of its wish to bring troops home, also left the door open for a new attempt, though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the Taliban must show a "significant commitment" if talks were to resume. Tuesday's attacks left at least 26 people dead at a rally for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the central province of Parwan, while 22 were killed in a blast in Kabul just over an hour later. They were the bloodiest attacks to hit Afghanistan since the talks fell apart. Dozens more were wounded in the blasts, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility. More violence is expected in the coming days as Afghans prepare for a presidential election on September 28, which the Taliban have promised to disrupt. "We already warned people not to attend election rallies. If they suffer any losses that is their own responsibility," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement released after Tuesday's blasts. The insurgents have said previously that the only other option is to continue fighting. "We had two ways to end the occupation in Afghanistan, one was jihad and fighting, the other was talks and negotiations," Mujahid told AFP earlier this month. "If Trump wants to stop talks, we will take the first way and they will soon regret it."

'From our side, our doors are open for negotiations,' says Taliban to US

The Taliban's chief negotiator has said their "doors are open" to resuming talks with Washington, hours after two attacks by the insurgents killed at least 48 people in war-weary Afghanistan.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai also defended the Taliban's role in recent bloodshed across the country after US President Donald Trump cited an attack that killed an American soldier as his reason for calling off negotiations earlier this month.

Speaking to the BBC, Stanikzai argued the Americans had also admitted to killing thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-held-talks-with-afghanistans-taliban-250312">Taliban</a> during the discussions, and that the insurgents had done nothing wrong by continuing to fight throughout the talks.

"From our side, our doors are open for negotiations," he was quoted as saying.

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Trump had said the US was walking away from negotiations after nearly a year of grinding diplomatic efforts to strike a deal that could pave the way for an American withdrawal from Afghanistan following 18 years of war.

He declared the talks "dead" on September 10.

But his administration, which has made no secret of its wish to bring troops home, also left the door open for a new attempt, though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the Taliban must show a "significant commitment" if talks were to resume.

Tuesday's attacks left at least 26 people dead at a rally for Afghan President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-sees-his-chance-in-upcoming-elections-after-collapse-of-us-taliban-talks-250287">Ashraf Ghani</a> in the central province of Parwan, while 22 were killed in a blast in Kabul just over an hour later.

They were the bloodiest attacks to hit Afghanistan since the talks fell apart. Dozens more were wounded in the blasts, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility.

More violence is expected in the coming days as Afghans prepare for a presidential election on September 28, which the Taliban have promised to disrupt.

"We already warned people not to attend election rallies. If they suffer any losses that is their own responsibility," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement released after Tuesday's blasts.

The insurgents have said previously that the only other option is to continue fighting.

"We had two ways to end the occupation in Afghanistan, one was jihad and fighting, the other was talks and negotiations," Mujahid told AFP earlier this month.

"If Trump wants to stop talks, we will take the first way and they will soon regret it."

The Taliban's chief negotiator has said their "doors are open" to resuming talks with Washington, hours after two attacks by the insurgents killed at least 48 people in war-weary Afghanistan. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai also defended the Taliban's role in recent bloodshed across the country after US President Donald Trump cited an attack that killed an American soldier as his reason for calling off negotiations earlier this month. Speaking to the BBC, Stanikzai argued the Americans had also admitted to killing thousands of Taliban during the discussions, and that the insurgents had done nothing wrong by continuing to fight throughout the talks. "From our side, our doors are open for negotiations," he was quoted as saying. × Trump had said the US was walking away from negotiations after nearly a year of grinding diplomatic efforts to strike a deal that could pave the way for an American withdrawal from Afghanistan following 18 years of war. He declared the talks "dead" on September 10. But his administration, which has made no secret of its wish to bring troops home, also left the door open for a new attempt, though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the Taliban must show a "significant commitment" if talks were to resume. Tuesday's attacks left at least 26 people dead at a rally for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the central province of Parwan, while 22 were killed in a blast in Kabul just over an hour later. They were the bloodiest attacks to hit Afghanistan since the talks fell apart. Dozens more were wounded in the blasts, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility. More violence is expected in the coming days as Afghans prepare for a presidential election on September 28, which the Taliban have promised to disrupt. "We already warned people not to attend election rallies. If they suffer any losses that is their own responsibility," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement released after Tuesday's blasts. The insurgents have said previously that the only other option is to continue fighting. "We had two ways to end the occupation in Afghanistan, one was jihad and fighting, the other was talks and negotiations," Mujahid told AFP earlier this month. "If Trump wants to stop talks, we will take the first way and they will soon regret it."

Taliban open to new talks with United States after bloody attacks

Pakistan has summoned diplomats from Afghanistan and India after several shooting incidents along two different borders <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/4-pakistani-soldiers-killed-in-firing-by-terrorists-near-afghan-border-249714">killed four Pakistani soldiers</a> and a civilian woman.

Accusations of firing by both sides across the Afghan-Pakistani border, and by both Indian and Pakistani forces across an old ceasefire line dividing their areas in the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir are common.

The latest incidents come at an especially tense time between Pakistan and India, and as talks between the United States and the Afghan Taliban have broken down.

Pakistan's Foreign Office summoned an Afghan diplomat on Saturday to account for what it said was firing into Pakistan by militants in Afghanistan, a spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The militants shot and killed a Pakistani soldier on patrol in one incident late on Friday. In a second incident, Pakistani forces fencing a section of the border were attacked and three were killed, the ministry said on Saturday.

Both incidents occurred in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Pakistan underscored in its meeting with the Afghan diplomat that Afghanistan was responsible for securing its side of the border.

An Afghan government spokesman could not be immediately reached. Afghan officials have in recent weeks accused the Pakistani military of several incidents of heavy artillery fire into Afghanistan.

Both of the uneasy neighbours are battling militant factions along their largely porous border and each accuses the other of harbouring their militant enemies.

Pakistan also summoned an Indian diplomat on Saturday after it said firing by Indian forces across the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed territory of Kashmir killed a 40-year-old woman from the village of Balakot.

The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir.

The LoC, an old ceasefire line, is the de facto border between the parts of Kashmir that India and Pakistan administer.

Tensions between the two countries have flared since Aug. 5 when New Delhi flooded Indian Kashmir with troops to quell unrest after it revoked the region's special status.

Pakistan foreign affairs spokesman Mohammad Faisal said in a statement on Saturday that India deliberately targets civilian areas.

A spokesman for India's external affairs ministry said India "highlighted concerns" over "unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces" targeting Indian civilians and border posts.

India has long accused Pakistan of supporting militant groups fighting Indian security forces in its part of Kashmir. Pakistan denies that.

Pakistan has summoned diplomats from Afghanistan and India after several shooting incidents along two different borders killed four Pakistani soldiers and a civilian woman.

Pakistan has summoned diplomats from Afghanistan and India after several shooting incidents along two different borders killed four Pakistani soldiers and a civilian woman. Accusations of firing by both sides across the Afghan-Pakistani border, and by both Indian and Pakistani forces across an old ceasefire line dividing their areas in the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir are common. The latest incidents come at an especially tense time between Pakistan and India, and as talks between the United States and the Afghan Taliban have broken down. Pakistan's Foreign Office summoned an Afghan diplomat on Saturday to account for what it said was firing into Pakistan by militants in Afghanistan, a spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement. The militants shot and killed a Pakistani soldier on patrol in one incident late on Friday. In a second incident, Pakistani forces fencing a section of the border were attacked and three were killed, the ministry said on Saturday. Both incidents occurred in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Pakistan underscored in its meeting with the Afghan diplomat that Afghanistan was responsible for securing its side of the border. An Afghan government spokesman could not be immediately reached. Afghan officials have in recent weeks accused the Pakistani military of several incidents of heavy artillery fire into Afghanistan. Both of the uneasy neighbours are battling militant factions along their largely porous border and each accuses the other of harbouring their militant enemies. Pakistan also summoned an Indian diplomat on Saturday after it said firing by Indian forces across the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed territory of Kashmir killed a 40-year-old woman from the village of Balakot. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir. The LoC, an old ceasefire line, is the de facto border between the parts of Kashmir that India and Pakistan administer. Tensions between the two countries have flared since Aug. 5 when New Delhi flooded Indian Kashmir with troops to quell unrest after it revoked the region's special status. Pakistan foreign affairs spokesman Mohammad Faisal said in a statement on Saturday that India deliberately targets civilian areas. A spokesman for India's external affairs ministry said India "highlighted concerns" over "unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces" targeting Indian civilians and border posts. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting militant groups fighting Indian security forces in its part of Kashmir. Pakistan denies that.

Pakistan summons Afghan, Indian diplomats after soldiers, civilian killed

U.S. Fails To Learn From Its Past Mistakes.Heavy Reliance On Pakistan Has Only Hurt The Afghan Peace Process.

Gravitas: Reliance On Pakistan Hurts The U.S. Once Again

A 17-member delegation of the United States'&nbsp;Department of Defence arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to discuss the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghan-president-to-hold-talks-with-trump-september-7-in-washington-source-248013"> Afghan</a> peace process, days after the US and Taliban negotiators agreed "in principle" aimed at ending the 18-year long war.

The agreement was reached upon during the ninth round of peace talks, under which Washington would withdraw 5400 of its troops from five of its bases in Afghanistan in 135 days.

The US currently has about 14,000 service members in Afghanistan, and the move would reduce troop levels to one of the lowest points in the history of the 18-year long war.

The figure had swelled to nearly 100,000 at the highest mark in 2011 and dipped to 8,300 in 2017, according to USA Today.

Meanwhile, Islamabad is also gearing up to host Foreign Ministers of China and Afghanistan, Wang Yi and Salahuddin Rabbani respectively, for the third round of trilateral dialogue slated to be held today in Islamabad.

The trilateral dialogue will focus on the progress thus far made on the Afghan peace process and proposed expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, reported ARY news.

A 17-member delegation of the United States' Department of Defence arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to discuss the Afghan peace process, days after the US and Taliban negotiators agreed "in principle" aimed at ending the 18-year long war.

A 17-member delegation of the United States' Department of Defence arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to discuss the Afghan peace process, days after the US and Taliban negotiators agreed "in principle" aimed at ending the 18-year long war. The agreement was reached upon during the ninth round of peace talks, under which Washington would withdraw 5400 of its troops from five of its bases in Afghanistan in 135 days. The US currently has about 14,000 service members in Afghanistan, and the move would reduce troop levels to one of the lowest points in the history of the 18-year long war. The figure had swelled to nearly 100,000 at the highest mark in 2011 and dipped to 8,300 in 2017, according to USA Today. Meanwhile, Islamabad is also gearing up to host Foreign Ministers of China and Afghanistan, Wang Yi and Salahuddin Rabbani respectively, for the third round of trilateral dialogue slated to be held today in Islamabad. The trilateral dialogue will focus on the progress thus far made on the Afghan peace process and proposed expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, reported ARY news.

US delegation arrives in Pakistan to discuss Afghan peace process

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random.

A line in one missive, written in Dari and spelt out in huge letters, states simply, "We want peace," Sharifi says.

"By peace, they just mean a ceasefire, just stop this nonsense violence," he explains.

The letters are the fruit of a recent initiative by ArtLords, a not-for-profit group that Sharifi co-founded and runs, which aims to give a voice to young Afghans who feel ignored and powerless as the war rages on.

In a pilot project in Kabul, where more than 30 people were killed by blasts in the past week, ArtLords is building on the Afghan tradition of penning "dard-e-dil" -- letters of pain.

The scheme allows people living in an ultra-conservative society to find freedom by sharing their passions and emotions in written form.

Sharifi and his team have placed six large wooden letter boxes -- painted white and decorated with love hearts -- in high schools, universities and cafes around the Afghan capital and invited people to share their stories.

"Whenever you want to share your deep thoughts, you write letters," Sharifi says.&nbsp;

"So we asked the youngsters to write letters about their fears, about their solutions, about their hopes."

Within the first two weeks of the project, they had more than 300 letters, Sharifi says.

He reads from another, this one addressed to the Kabul government.

"'We are in a very bad situation,'" he quotes.

"'We need your attention because every single day we are dying from the fear of explosions and the fear that I might die today -- in the car, in the office, in the university...' He says nowhere is safe."

Watch: 'US Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan' says Donald Trump

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Angry and ignored

The project launched a few weeks ago, just as talks between the US and the Taliban seemed to be entering their final stages.

They are working on a deal that would see the Pentagon pull about 5,000 troops from Afghanistan by early next year, in return for various security guarantees from the insurgents.

But so far, the negotiations have all but excluded the Afghan government, and many Afghans -- particularly educated young people in urban cores -- feel angry and ignored.

The US says it is up to the Kabul government and Afghan society at large to forge an eventual peace deal with the Taliban that protects basic freedoms.

But many fear a jaded America is selling out their interests in its bid to quit Afghanistan after 18 years of grinding and costly war.

The young letter writers want "an inclusive peace process that takes into consideration all realities of Afghanistan," Sharif told AFP at ArtLords' colourful base in Kabul, where artworks cover the walls and where anyone can walk in and paint a picture.

The 32-year-old artist is well known around Kabul and across Afghanistan thanks to ArtLords' prolific output, which centres mainly on the painting of huge murals on the capital's labyrinth of blast walls that divide the city into militarised ghettos.

The latest mural project ArtLords has undertaken is to paint one red tulip for each and every Afghan civilian killed in the war -- some 35,000 in all since 2001.

Each "one of these tulips is a story of someone," Sharifi said. Many of the flowers will be painted at the scene of the explosion or attack that claimed an innocent life.

Sharifi hopes to expand the letter-writing campaign across Afghanistan. He said the contents of all the letters would be shared with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the US and even the Taliban.

"I know that the president has read all of the letters ... and he is aware of what the young ones are expecting of him in that whole peace process," Sharifi said

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random.

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random. A line in one missive, written in Dari and spelt out in huge letters, states simply, "We want peace," Sharifi says. "By peace, they just mean a ceasefire, just stop this nonsense violence," he explains. The letters are the fruit of a recent initiative by ArtLords, a not-for-profit group that Sharifi co-founded and runs, which aims to give a voice to young Afghans who feel ignored and powerless as the war rages on. In a pilot project in Kabul, where more than 30 people were killed by blasts in the past week, ArtLords is building on the Afghan tradition of penning "dard-e-dil" -- letters of pain. The scheme allows people living in an ultra-conservative society to find freedom by sharing their passions and emotions in written form. Sharifi and his team have placed six large wooden letter boxes -- painted white and decorated with love hearts -- in high schools, universities and cafes around the Afghan capital and invited people to share their stories. "Whenever you want to share your deep thoughts, you write letters," Sharifi says. "So we asked the youngsters to write letters about their fears, about their solutions, about their hopes." Within the first two weeks of the project, they had more than 300 letters, Sharifi says. He reads from another, this one addressed to the Kabul government. "'We are in a very bad situation,'" he quotes. "'We need your attention because every single day we are dying from the fear of explosions and the fear that I might die today -- in the car, in the office, in the university...' He says nowhere is safe." Watch: 'US Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan' says Donald Trump × Angry and ignored The project launched a few weeks ago, just as talks between the US and the Taliban seemed to be entering their final stages. They are working on a deal that would see the Pentagon pull about 5,000 troops from Afghanistan by early next year, in return for various security guarantees from the insurgents. But so far, the negotiations have all but excluded the Afghan government, and many Afghans -- particularly educated young people in urban cores -- feel angry and ignored. The US says it is up to the Kabul government and Afghan society at large to forge an eventual peace deal with the Taliban that protects basic freedoms. But many fear a jaded America is selling out their interests in its bid to quit Afghanistan after 18 years of grinding and costly war. The young letter writers want "an inclusive peace process that takes into consideration all realities of Afghanistan," Sharif told AFP at ArtLords' colourful base in Kabul, where artworks cover the walls and where anyone can walk in and paint a picture. The 32-year-old artist is well known around Kabul and across Afghanistan thanks to ArtLords' prolific output, which centres mainly on the painting of huge murals on the capital's labyrinth of blast walls that divide the city into militarised ghettos. The latest mural project ArtLords has undertaken is to paint one red tulip for each and every Afghan civilian killed in the war -- some 35,000 in all since 2001. Each "one of these tulips is a story of someone," Sharifi said. Many of the flowers will be painted at the scene of the explosion or attack that claimed an innocent life. Sharifi hopes to expand the letter-writing campaign across Afghanistan. He said the contents of all the letters would be shared with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the US and even the Taliban. "I know that the president has read all of the letters ... and he is aware of what the young ones are expecting of him in that whole peace process," Sharifi said

Sidelined young Afghans pen 'letters of pain' as war rages

A 17-member delegation of the United States Department of Defence arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to discuss the<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-host-next-round-of-afghan-peace-talks-report-191295&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwih3raX177kAhVc4nMBHXvoDEEQFjAFegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0_WQqyN8EU-G8j2lZPka8g"> Afghan</a> peace process, days after the US and Taliban negotiators agreed "in principle" aimed at ending the 18-year long war.

The agreement was reached upon during the ninth round of peace talks, under which Washington would withdraw 5400 of its troops from five of its bases in Afghanistan in 135 days.

The US currently has about 14,000 service members in Afghanistan, and the move would reduce troop levels to one of the lowest points in the history of the 18-year long war.The figure had swelled to nearly 100,000 at the highest mark in 2011 and dipped to 8,300 in 2017, according to USA Today.

(ANI)Meanwhile, Islamabad is also gearing up to host Foreign Ministers of China and Afghanistan, Wang Yi and Salahuddin Rabbani respectively, for the third round of trilateral dialogue slated to be held today in Islamabad.

The trilateral dialogue will focus on the progress thus far made on the Afghan peace process and proposed expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, reported ARY news. (ANI)

A 17-member delegation of the United States Department of Defence arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to discuss the Afghan peace process, days after the US and Taliban negotiators agreed "in principle" aimed at ending the 18-year long war.

A 17-member delegation of the United States Department of Defence arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to discuss the Afghan peace process, days after the US and Taliban negotiators agreed "in principle" aimed at ending the 18-year long war. The agreement was reached upon during the ninth round of peace talks, under which Washington would withdraw 5400 of its troops from five of its bases in Afghanistan in 135 days. The US currently has about 14,000 service members in Afghanistan, and the move would reduce troop levels to one of the lowest points in the history of the 18-year long war.The figure had swelled to nearly 100,000 at the highest mark in 2011 and dipped to 8,300 in 2017, according to USA Today. (ANI)Meanwhile, Islamabad is also gearing up to host Foreign Ministers of China and Afghanistan, Wang Yi and Salahuddin Rabbani respectively, for the third round of trilateral dialogue slated to be held today in Islamabad. The trilateral dialogue will focus on the progress thus far made on the Afghan peace process and proposed expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, reported ARY news. (ANI)

A US&nbsp;soldier killed by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan has been identified as Army Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense said on Friday.

Barreto, 34 and based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was killed on Thursday when an improvised bomb in a vehicle exploded in a suicide attack near his vehicle in the Afghan capital Kabul, the department said in a statement.

Barreto was a paratrooper and maintenance control sergeant in the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion.

A Romanian soldier also died in the attack near a neighbourhood in Kabul that housed embassy staff from the United States and other countries, the Army Times reported on its website.

The incident is under investigation, the department said.

A US soldier killed by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan has been identified as Army Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense said on Friday.

A US soldier killed by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan has been identified as Army Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense said on Friday. Barreto, 34 and based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was killed on Thursday when an improvised bomb in a vehicle exploded in a suicide attack near his vehicle in the Afghan capital Kabul, the department said in a statement. Barreto was a paratrooper and maintenance control sergeant in the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion. A Romanian soldier also died in the attack near a neighbourhood in Kabul that housed embassy staff from the United States and other countries, the Army Times reported on its website. The incident is under investigation, the department said.

United States soldier killed in Afghanistan identified

The US envoy leading efforts to forge a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-on-threshold-of-deal-us-afghan-envoy-246925">deal with the Taliban</a> has met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, an official said Monday, as a historic agreement with the insurgents appeared close.

Zalmay Khalilzad has spent about a year meeting with the Taliban in Doha in a series of talks aimed at ending America's 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.

The deal centres on a US troop withdrawal in return for several security guarantees from the Taliban, broader peace talks between the insurgents and the Afghan government, and an eventual ceasefire.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official told AFP that Khalilzad arrived in Kabul Sunday evening and met with Ghani to discuss the latest developments after a ninth round of talks wrapped up in the Qatari capital.

Consultations were expected to continue Monday with other Afghan officials, probably again including Ghani, the official said.

The discussions are significant because the Afghan government has been largely sidelined from talks until now, though any eventual deal would require the Taliban to talk to Ghani, whom they view as a US stooge.

On Sunday, Khalilzad said the US and the Taliban were at the "threshold" of a deal that would reduce violence and pave the way for "sustainable" peace.

But even as negotiations have entered their apparent final stage, violence has continued apace across Afghanistan.

On Saturday, the Taliban attempted to seize Kunduz in the north, and on Sunday, they launched an operation in the city of Pul-e Khumri, the capital of neighbouring Baghlan province.

Afghan officials Monday said Pul-e Khumri had been cleared of Taliban fighters.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has previously said he hoped a peace deal would be finalised before September 1, ahead of Afghan polls due September 28.

Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban's spokesman in Doha, said Saturday a deal was "near to finalised" but did not specify what obstacles remain.

The US envoy leading efforts to forge a deal with the Taliban has met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, an official said Monday, as a historic agreement with the insurgents appeared close.

The US envoy leading efforts to forge a deal with the Taliban has met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, an official said Monday, as a historic agreement with the insurgents appeared close. Zalmay Khalilzad has spent about a year meeting with the Taliban in Doha in a series of talks aimed at ending America's 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. The deal centres on a US troop withdrawal in return for several security guarantees from the Taliban, broader peace talks between the insurgents and the Afghan government, and an eventual ceasefire. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official told AFP that Khalilzad arrived in Kabul Sunday evening and met with Ghani to discuss the latest developments after a ninth round of talks wrapped up in the Qatari capital. Consultations were expected to continue Monday with other Afghan officials, probably again including Ghani, the official said. The discussions are significant because the Afghan government has been largely sidelined from talks until now, though any eventual deal would require the Taliban to talk to Ghani, whom they view as a US stooge. On Sunday, Khalilzad said the US and the Taliban were at the "threshold" of a deal that would reduce violence and pave the way for "sustainable" peace. But even as negotiations have entered their apparent final stage, violence has continued apace across Afghanistan. On Saturday, the Taliban attempted to seize Kunduz in the north, and on Sunday, they launched an operation in the city of Pul-e Khumri, the capital of neighbouring Baghlan province. Afghan officials Monday said Pul-e Khumri had been cleared of Taliban fighters. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has previously said he hoped a peace deal would be finalised before September 1, ahead of Afghan polls due September 28. Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban's spokesman in Doha, said Saturday a deal was "near to finalised" but did not specify what obstacles remain.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad meets Afghan president in Kabul

A total of 56 Taliban militants were killed in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-at-least-eight-killed-in-roadside-bomb-blast-in-farah-province-247017"> Afghanistan</a>'s northern city of Kunduz following<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/scores-killed-as-taliban-afghan-forces-clash-in-kunduz-despite-peace-talks-246903"> clashes between the group and government forces</a>, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.

On Saturday, the Taliban attacked Kunduz, with Afghan forces repelling the attack. After the government reclaimed control of the city later that day, it said that at least 35 Taliban fighters had been killed.

"[Afghanistan's] National Directorate of Security and Commando Force conducted joint clearance operations in Kunduz province on Saturday night. In the meantime, the city of Kunduz has been completely cleared and 56 Taliban have been killed," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that 20 Afghan security forces and five civilians were killed and 85 civilians and soldiers were injured as a result of the military operation in Kunduz.

On Sunday, the Afghan government also released information that parallel to the attack on Kunduz, the Taliban had launched an attack on the nearby city of Pul-i-Khumri, where clashes currently continue.

Conflict-struck Afghanistan has long been torn by fighting between government troops and the Taliban, who earlier on Sunday concluded the ninth round of peace negotiations with the United States.

A total of 56 Taliban militants were killed in Afghanistan's northern city of Kunduz following clashes between the group and government forces, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.

A total of 56 Taliban militants were killed in Afghanistan's northern city of Kunduz following clashes between the group and government forces, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. On Saturday, the Taliban attacked Kunduz, with Afghan forces repelling the attack. After the government reclaimed control of the city later that day, it said that at least 35 Taliban fighters had been killed. "[Afghanistan's] National Directorate of Security and Commando Force conducted joint clearance operations in Kunduz province on Saturday night. In the meantime, the city of Kunduz has been completely cleared and 56 Taliban have been killed," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry added that 20 Afghan security forces and five civilians were killed and 85 civilians and soldiers were injured as a result of the military operation in Kunduz. On Sunday, the Afghan government also released information that parallel to the attack on Kunduz, the Taliban had launched an attack on the nearby city of Pul-i-Khumri, where clashes currently continue. Conflict-struck Afghanistan has long been torn by fighting between government troops and the Taliban, who earlier on Sunday concluded the ninth round of peace negotiations with the United States.

56 Taliban militants killed in military operation in Kunduz: Afghan Interior Ministry

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