The women of Afghanistan fear the worst, a repeat of what they had to endure during the Taliban's previous rule. As the Taliban return to power - what does the future hold for Afghan women?

A WION special: Women in Taliban country

Videos of women and children being beaten and whipped by the Taliban fighters have surfaced showing the brutal face of the insurgents. They have also burnt down an amusement park in the country.

Taliban unleash its wicked face: Open fire, Women and children beaten at Kabul airport

While most of the western countries have denied accepting the Taliban's rule, some have promoted reconciliation. In the latest, the Afghan embassy Tajikistan has removed the picture of former President Ashraf Ghani. WION tracks the Taliban blitz and the resistance in Kabul.

Tracking the Taliban blitz and the resistance

Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has returned to Afghanistan after decades. Baradar is the second senior-most leader in the Taliban hierarchy after Haibatullah Akhundzada.

Taliban's co-founder Mullah Baradar returns to Afghanistan after decades

As the Taliban becomes a dominant force in Afghanistan, sources say that Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are making presence in parts of the civil-war torn country Afghanistan.

Sources: Pak terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba built check posts in Kabul

The Taliban has reportedly captured Salima Mazari, one of the first women governors in Afghanistan and the woman who took up arms to fight them. Mazari has been captured by the Taliban after the insurgents gained control over the entire nation and the Afghan leadership.

Salima Mazari, who took up arms against Taliban captured in Afghanistan

In the backdrop of the Afghanistan crisis, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. The meet saw a full-fledged briefing on the current situation in Afghanistan but also focus on the evacuation of Indian nationals and vulnerable Afghans, especially the minorities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi, according to senior officials, said, "India must not only protect our citizens, but we must also provide refuge to those Sikh and Hindu minorities,&nbsp;who want to come to India, and we must also provide all possible help to our Afghan brothers and sisters,&nbsp;who are looking towards India for assistance."&nbsp;

Remember,&nbsp;India has opened emergency E visas for Afghans,&nbsp;who want to come to India. A 24x7 Special Afghanistan Cell has been brought into the function to coordinate the repatriation and requests from Afghanistan. India aims to give visas to Afghan officials,&nbsp;who worked for India, members of the civil society, and journalists.&nbsp;

Around 1,650 Indian nationals have requested for repatriation. Before Kabul fell into the hands of the Taliban on August&nbsp;15, India had got 1,500 requests from Indians wanting to come back. Since August&nbsp;15, India got 150 requests of Indians wanting to come. India is looking to get services of foreign commercial airlines, including the likes of Qatar for evacuation of its nationals.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister has instructed all "concerned officials to undertake all necessary measures to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian nationals from Afghanistan in the coming days", sources highlighted.&nbsp;

Indian mission in Kabul had issued&nbsp;four&nbsp;security advisories asking Indians to leave the country and in the latest release by MEA pointed out that, "Those already in Afghanistan were urged to return immediately while others were advised not to travel there."&nbsp;

During the meet, a detailed briefing was given to the prime minister on the current security and political situation in Afghanistan, including the recent evacuation of Indian officials, members of the Indian media, and others. The initial plan was to evacuate Indian officials from Kabul from&nbsp;August&nbsp;17 to 21 but this was preponed as the Taliban entered&nbsp;Kabul.&nbsp;

The meeting was attended by&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Other than that, senior officials including Principal Secretary to PM Dr P K Mishra, NSA Ajit Doval, and Cabinet Secretary Rajeev Gauba were also present. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan&nbsp;Shringla&nbsp;and Indian envoy to Kabul&nbsp;Rudrendra&nbsp;Tandon were also present. Important to note&nbsp;that&nbsp;Tandon had arrived on Tuesday on the C-17 flight from Kabul to&nbsp;Hindon&nbsp;via Jamnagar.&nbsp;

In the backdrop of the Afghanistan crisis, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. The meet saw a full-fledged briefing on the current situation in Afghanistan but also focus on the evacuation of Indian nationals and vulnerable Afghans, especially the minorities.

In the backdrop of the Afghanistan crisis, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. The meet saw a full-fledged briefing on the current situation in Afghanistan but also focus on the evacuation of Indian nationals and vulnerable Afghans, especially the minorities. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi, according to senior officials, said, "India must not only protect our citizens, but we must also provide refuge to those Sikh and Hindu minorities, who want to come to India, and we must also provide all possible help to our Afghan brothers and sisters, who are looking towards India for assistance." Remember, India has opened emergency E visas for Afghans, who want to come to India. A 24x7 Special Afghanistan Cell has been brought into the function to coordinate the repatriation and requests from Afghanistan. India aims to give visas to Afghan officials, who worked for India, members of the civil society, and journalists. Around 1,650 Indian nationals have requested for repatriation. Before Kabul fell into the hands of the Taliban on August 15, India had got 1,500 requests from Indians wanting to come back. Since August 15, India got 150 requests of Indians wanting to come. India is looking to get services of foreign commercial airlines, including the likes of Qatar for evacuation of its nationals. The Prime Minister has instructed all "concerned officials to undertake all necessary measures to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian nationals from Afghanistan in the coming days", sources highlighted. Indian mission in Kabul had issued four security advisories asking Indians to leave the country and in the latest release by MEA pointed out that, "Those already in Afghanistan were urged to return immediately while others were advised not to travel there." During the meet, a detailed briefing was given to the prime minister on the current security and political situation in Afghanistan, including the recent evacuation of Indian officials, members of the Indian media, and others. The initial plan was to evacuate Indian officials from Kabul from August 17 to 21 but this was preponed as the Taliban entered Kabul. The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Other than that, senior officials including Principal Secretary to PM Dr P K Mishra, NSA Ajit Doval, and Cabinet Secretary Rajeev Gauba were also present. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Indian envoy to Kabul Rudrendra Tandon were also present. Important to note that Tandon had arrived on Tuesday on the C-17 flight from Kabul to Hindon via Jamnagar.

India to provide refuge to Afghan Sikhs, Hindus & others looking for help: PM Modi

The Taliban is now gearing up to install a government. But, Amrullah Saleh wants to challenge the Taliban. The defiant Vice President has declared that he is the "legitimate caretaker President" of Afghanistan. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: A defiant Amrullah Saleh vows to fight the Taliban

The women of Afghanistan are fearing the worst under the Taliban's rule. Girls are afraid they won't be able to go back to school. Female journalists & lawmakers are fearing for their lives. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Women of Afghanistan fear the worst under Taliban

Russia says Kabul is safer under the Taliban. Pakistan says Afghans have broken the shackles of slavery. China backs the Taliban to bring peace to Afghanistan. Why are countries rushing to legitimise the Taliban? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Why are Pakistan, China & Russia legitimising Taliban

A defiant Joe Biden defended his decision to hastily pull out American troops from Afghanistan. The US president shifted blame to the Afghan leadership, saying there is no right time to withdraw. Molly Gambhir tells you what Biden got wrong in his speech.

Gravitas: Biden defends pull-out, blames Afghan army

The Taliban is beating the drum of victory by having a gala time. They were seen swirling on spinning wheels, jumping on trampolines & working out at abandoned gyms. Molly Gambhir gets you 7 videos from the new 'Islamic Emirate'.

Gravitas: 7 Videos that show life under Taliban

On the streets of Kabul, the Taliban members were seen asking people- what they thought about them taking over Kabul? This comes a day after the Taliban entered Afghanistan's capital city.

'I am really very happy and it's very peaceful' says Afghan citizen after the Taliban takes Kabul

Former US President Donald Trump called for his successor Joe Biden to resign over the swift takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban militants, as US troops withdrew from the country after nearly 20 years on the ground.

Trump calls on Biden to resign over unfolding crisis in Afghanistan

The United Nations Security Council held a meeting in New York over the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The session was called at the request of Estonia and Norway by India, which holds the presidency of the UNSC for the month of August.

UNSC holds special session on Afghanistan requested by Estonia and Norway

The Taliban addressed their first press conference since taking over Kabul on Tuesday. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid asserted that the rights of women will be protected "within the limits of Islamic law".

Committed to the rights of women within Islamic law, says Taliban in first PC after Afghan takeover

The burqa was a symbol of the Taliban's oppressive regime from 1996 to 2001. As they capture power once again, Afghan women fear they will be relegated behind the burqa again. Shopkeepers say burqa sales have shot up since the Taliban takeover. Anas Mallick reports.

WION Ground Report: As Taliban capture Kabul, burqa shops are reopening in Afghanistan

In the last 20 years, Afghan women have built a career in the news media. The Taliban's return threatens their hard-earned professional success and fame. WION's Anas Mallick visited a major news station in Kabul and interacted with female journalists there.

WION Ground Report: Afghan female journalists remain worried about their own fate

Afghanistan has witnessed a huge rise in internally displaced people- since the withdrawal of US troops. WION's Anas Mallick travelled to one of the camps in Kabul to see what the situation is like.

WION Ground Report: Internally displaced Afghan families being sheltered at refugee camps

Afghans are scrambling to leave Kabul fearing persecution by the Taliban, but there are few who decided to stay even though they know that the dark days are coming, one of them is Afghanistan's last jew Zebulon Simentov.

Afghanistan's last Jew Zebulon Simentov decides to stay on  amid humanitarian crisis

Acknowledging Afghan government collapsed more quickly than expected, US President Joe Biden suggested in a much-awaited televised address from the White House that they lacked will to stand up to the Taliban.&nbsp;

After several days of silence on the momentous developments, Biden said, "The truth is, this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated."&nbsp;

Putting the blame squarely with Afghan military and civilian leadership, Biden said, "We gave them every tool they could need. We provided close air support. What we could not provide is the will to fight for their future."&nbsp;

Biden added, "So what’s happened? Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country. The Afghan military collapsed, sometimes without trying to fight."&nbsp;

The US troops should not be fighting or dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves, said the president.&nbsp;

"We spent over a trillion dollars. We trained and equipped an Afghan military force of some 300,000 strong. Incredibly well equipped. A force larger in size than the militaries of many of our NATO allies," he emphasised. &nbsp;

"I am president of the United States of America and the buck stops with me," Biden said.&nbsp;

The president also passed scathing criticism on now-ousted Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who he said ignored his advice on greater unity among leaders and the pursuit of a diplomatic solution.&nbsp;

Commenting on the scenes of mayhem unfolding in Kabul, Biden said he was "deeply saddened" and promised to "speak out" on the rights of women under Taliban rule.&nbsp;

The US president is facing a torrent of criticism over the chaotic end to two decades of US-led military intervention.&nbsp;

Insisting he did not regret pulling out US troops, Biden said, "I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I've learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw US forces."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Acknowledging Afghan government collapsed more quickly than expected, US President Joe Biden suggested in a much-awaited televised address from the White House that they lacked will to stand up to the Taliban.

Acknowledging Afghan government collapsed more quickly than expected, US President Joe Biden suggested in a much-awaited televised address from the White House that they lacked will to stand up to the Taliban. After several days of silence on the momentous developments, Biden said, "The truth is, this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated." Putting the blame squarely with Afghan military and civilian leadership, Biden said, "We gave them every tool they could need. We provided close air support. What we could not provide is the will to fight for their future." Biden added, "So what’s happened? Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country. The Afghan military collapsed, sometimes without trying to fight." The US troops should not be fighting or dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves, said the president. "We spent over a trillion dollars. We trained and equipped an Afghan military force of some 300,000 strong. Incredibly well equipped. A force larger in size than the militaries of many of our NATO allies," he emphasised. "I am president of the United States of America and the buck stops with me," Biden said. The president also passed scathing criticism on now-ousted Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who he said ignored his advice on greater unity among leaders and the pursuit of a diplomatic solution. Commenting on the scenes of mayhem unfolding in Kabul, Biden said he was "deeply saddened" and promised to "speak out" on the rights of women under Taliban rule. The US president is facing a torrent of criticism over the chaotic end to two decades of US-led military intervention. Insisting he did not regret pulling out US troops, Biden said, "I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I've learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw US forces." (With inputs from agencies)

US president Biden pins blame for Afghanistan debacle on Ghani govt 

A total of 127 people landed in Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu on Tuesday from Afghanistan including 118 Nepalis and nine Indians. All evacuees have been taken to an isolation center in Kathmandu.

127 people, including 9 Indians, land in Kathmandu from Afghanistan

Taliban are racing to restore some form of normalcy in the capital Kabul asking the government staff to return to work. But on the streets of the Afghanistan capital, there is panic.

Afghanistan: Taliban race to restore normalcy in capital city Kabul

Kabul has fallen and most of Afghanistan is under the Taliban's control. Thousands of Afghans are making desperate attempts to leave the country. Top Afghan leaders have also fled. However, the big question is where is Ashraf Ghani? Earlier reports mentioned that Ghani had left for Tajikistan following the Taliban's capture of Kabul.

Reports: Tajikistan refused permission to Ashraf Ghani's aircraft

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that the movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from war-torn Afghanistan to India was a "difficult and complicated exercise" as he thanked those who cooperated and facilitated the efforts.

Jaishankar, who is in the US on a four-day visit to attend a number of UN Security Council events, including a briefing on terrorism that will be held under India's presidency of the powerful body, took to Twitter to share details about New Delhi's efforts to get Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon and the Embassy staff out from Kabul.

"Movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from Kabul to India was a difficult and complicated exercise. Thank all those whose cooperation and facilitation made it possible," he said in a tweet.

Jaishankar's visit to New York is taking place in the backdrop of the Taliban's rapid onslaught in Afghanistan and the issue is likely to figure in his talks with UN officials.

The C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force carrying around 150 people, including diplomats, officials, security personnel and some stranded Indians, landed at the Hindon airbase near the national capital at around 5 PM after a brief halt at Jamnagar in Gujarat, in the wake of escalating tension, fear and uncertainty gripping the Afghan capital after its take over by the Taliban two days back.

It is the second evacuation flight as another C-17 aircraft brought back around 40 people from the Hamid Karzai International (HKI) Airport in Kabul on Monday as part of India's emergency evacuation mission that was carried out following coordination with relevant authorities including US officials handling security at the airport in the Afghan capital.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that the movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from war-torn Afghanistan to India was a "difficult and complicated exercise" as he thanked those who cooperated and facilitated the efforts.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that the movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from war-torn Afghanistan to India was a "difficult and complicated exercise" as he thanked those who cooperated and facilitated the efforts. Jaishankar, who is in the US on a four-day visit to attend a number of UN Security Council events, including a briefing on terrorism that will be held under India's presidency of the powerful body, took to Twitter to share details about New Delhi's efforts to get Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon and the Embassy staff out from Kabul. "Movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from Kabul to India was a difficult and complicated exercise. Thank all those whose cooperation and facilitation made it possible," he said in a tweet. Jaishankar's visit to New York is taking place in the backdrop of the Taliban's rapid onslaught in Afghanistan and the issue is likely to figure in his talks with UN officials. The C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force carrying around 150 people, including diplomats, officials, security personnel and some stranded Indians, landed at the Hindon airbase near the national capital at around 5 PM after a brief halt at Jamnagar in Gujarat, in the wake of escalating tension, fear and uncertainty gripping the Afghan capital after its take over by the Taliban two days back. It is the second evacuation flight as another C-17 aircraft brought back around 40 people from the Hamid Karzai International (HKI) Airport in Kabul on Monday as part of India's emergency evacuation mission that was carried out following coordination with relevant authorities including US officials handling security at the airport in the Afghan capital.

Getting out Indian envoy, mission staff from Afghan was 'difficult, complicated': Dr Jaishankar says in US

Russia's embassy in Kabul said that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had fled the country with four cars and a chopper full of cash and some money was left lying on the tarmac.

Russian Embassy: Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan with four cars, chopper full of cash

Barely a day after it took over Kabul, the Taliban is controlling the streets of Afghanistan's capital. WION's Correspondent Anas Mallick captured what Kabul looks like after the Taliban takeover.

Gravitas | Kabul after Taliban Capture: Through the eyes of a WION Correspondent

Afghans are now paying for America's mistakes. In a desperate bid to flee, Afghans tried to cling to a US Air Force plane. A horrifying video shows at least two people falling from the sky after the plane took off. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas | The Afghanistan crisis: Afghans are paying for America's mistakes

The United States insists that the mission in Afghanistan was a success, even after the Taliban's blitz to Kabul. Did the US downplay the threat of Taliban invasion? Or was it disconnected from the ground reality? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: America's capitulation hands Kabul to Taliban

What security challenges does the Taliban's return pose for India? How should New Delhi deal with the Taliban? Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas: How should India deal with the Taliban?

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