Amid the bustle of beggars and patients outside the crowded hospital here, there are sellers and buyers, casting wary eyes at one another: The poor, seeking cash for their vital organs, and the gravely ill or their surrogates, looking to buy.

The illegal kidney business is booming in the western city of Herat, fueled by sprawling slums, the surrounding land’s poverty and unending war, an entrepreneurial hospital that advertises itself as the country’s first kidney transplantation center, and officials and doctors who turn a blind eye to organ trafficking.

In Afghanistan, as in most countries, the sale and purchase of organs is illegal, and so is the implanting of purchased organs by physicians. But the practice remains a worldwide problem, particularly when it comes to kidneys, since most donors can live with just one.

“These people, they need the money,” said Ahmed Zain Faqiri, a teacher seeking a kidney for his gravely ill father outside Loqman Hakim Hospital.

He was eyed uneasily by a strapping young farmer, Haleem Ahmad, 21, who had heard of the kidney market and was looking to sell after his harvest had failed.

The consequences will be grim for him. For the impoverished kidney sellers who recover in frigid, unlit Herat apartments of peeling paint and concrete floors, temporarily delivered from crushing debt but too weak to work, in pain and unable to afford medication, the deal is a portal to new misery. In one such dwelling recently, a half-sack of flour and a modest container of rice was the only food for a family with eight children.

For Loqman Hakim Hospital, transplants are big business. Officials boast it has performed more than 1,000 kidney transplants in five years, drawing in patients from all over Afghanistan and the global Afghan diaspora. It offers them bargain-basement operations at one-twentieth the cost of such procedures in the United States, in a city with a seemingly unending supply of fresh organs.

Asked if the hospital made good money from the operations, Masood Ghafoori, a senior finance manager, said: “You could say that.”

The hospital handles the removal, transplant and initial recovery of both patients, without asking questions. Sellers say their hospital fees are covered by the buyers, and after a few days in the recovery ward, they are sent home.

How the organ recipient gets the donor to agree to the procedure is not the hospital’s concern, the doctors say.

“It’s not our business,” said Dr. Farid Ahmad Ejaz, a hospital physician whose business card reads “Founder of Kidney Transplantation in Afghanistan” in English.

Ejaz at first contended that more than a dozen impoverished Herat residents were lying when they told The Times of selling their kidneys for cash. Later, he conceded that “maybe” they were not. Interviews with other health officials here followed the same arc: initial denials, followed by grudging acknowledgment.

“In Afghanistan everything has a value, except human life,” said Dr. Mahdi Hadid, a member of Herat’s provincial council.

Accounts of organ selling date to the 1980s in India, according to the United Nations, and today the practice accounts for roughly 10% of all global transplants. Iran, less than 80 miles from Herat, is the only country where selling kidneys is not illegal, as long as the parties are Iranian.

“There’s always a gap between international guidelines and what governments do in practice,” said Asif Efrat, a faculty member at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, a university in Israel, pointing out that Afghanistan is a new player compared to the countries where the organ trade is most prolific: China, Pakistan, and the Philippines. “The current international consensus is on the side of prohibiting, but governments have incentives not to follow it."

The moral scruples that keep the business underground elsewhere are hardly evident in Herat. Ejaz and health officials point to poverty’s harsh logic.

“The people of Afghanistan sell their sons and daughters for money. How can you compare that to selling kidneys?” he asked. “We have to do this because someone is dying.”

Ejaz seemed unfazed when shown the business card of a kidney “broker,” saying, “In Afghanistan you find business cards for people to assassinate others.”

On the fourth floor of the hospital, three out of four patients in recovery said they had bought their kidneys.

“I feel fine now,” said Gulabuddin, a 36-year-old imam and kidney recipient from Kabul. “No pain at all.”

He said he had paid about $3,500 for his kidney, bought from a “complete stranger,” with an $80 commission to the broker. He got a good deal: Kidneys can cost as much as $4,500.

“If there is consent, Islam has no problem with it,” Gulabuddin said.

Dr. Abdul Hakim Tamanna, Herat province’s public health director, acknowledged the rise of the kidney black market in Afghanistan but said there was little the government could do.

“Unfortunately, this is common in poor countries,” he said. “There’s a lack of rule of law, and a lack of regulation surrounding this process.”

Afghanistan’s poverty rate was expected to reach over 70% in 2020, according to the World Bank, and the country remains largely dependent on foreign aid; domestic revenues finance only about half the government budget. Without any substantive public safety net, health care is just another opportunity to exploit the country’s most vulnerable.

Deep inside the warren of sandy streets in Herat’s slums, Mir Gul Ataye, 28, regrets every second of his decision to sell his kidney. A construction worker who had earned up to $5 a day before his operation in November, he is now unable to lift more than 10 pounds, and barely that.

“I’m in pain, and weak,” he said. “I’ve been sick, and I can’t control my pee.”

Four children huddled in front of him on the concrete floor in the bare unlit room. He said he supports 13 family members in all and had accumulated some $4,000 of debt.

“It was difficult, but I had no choice. Nobody wants to give up a part of his body to someone else,” he said. “It was very shameful for me.”

For his kidney, Ataye received $3,800. That was barely three months ago. He is still in debt, unable to pay his rent or his electricity bill.

He said he feels “sadness, desperation, anger and loneliness.” One night he was in such severe pain, he banged his head against the wall and fractured his skull.

Others around Herat cited similar reasons for selling a kidney: outstanding debt, sick parents, a marriage that would otherwise have been unaffordable.

“My father would have died if we had not sold,” said Jamila Jamshidi, 25, sitting on the floor across from her brother, Omid, 18, in a frigid apartment near the city’s edge.

Both had sold their kidneys — she, five years ago, and he, one year ago — and both were weak and in pain.

At a mud-walled camp just outside Herat, a vortex of sun, wind and dust filled with war refugees from other provinces, Mohammed Zaman, a tribal elder in a white turban, spoke of the irresistible attraction of Loqman Hakim’s kidney operation. More than 20 from his village, now chased from their homes, had sold their kidneys.

“My people are hungry. We don’t have land. We can’t be shopkeepers. We’ve got no money,” he said. “I can’t stop it.”

At a local restaurant, five brothers spoke of being forced off their land in Badghis province by constant Taliban attacks. In Herat, all had sold their kidneys. The youngest was 18, the oldest 32.

“We had no choice,” said Abdul Samir, one of the brothers. “We were forced to sell. Otherwise, we would not have sold a fingernail.” 
&nbsp;

Amid the bustle of beggars and patients outside the crowded hospital here, there are sellers and buyers, casting wary eyes at one another: The poor, seeking cash for their vital organs, and the gravely ill or their surrogates, looking to buy.

Amid the bustle of beggars and patients outside the crowded hospital here, there are sellers and buyers, casting wary eyes at one another: The poor, seeking cash for their vital organs, and the gravely ill or their surrogates, looking to buy. The illegal kidney business is booming in the western city of Herat, fueled by sprawling slums, the surrounding land’s poverty and unending war, an entrepreneurial hospital that advertises itself as the country’s first kidney transplantation center, and officials and doctors who turn a blind eye to organ trafficking. In Afghanistan, as in most countries, the sale and purchase of organs is illegal, and so is the implanting of purchased organs by physicians. But the practice remains a worldwide problem, particularly when it comes to kidneys, since most donors can live with just one. “These people, they need the money,” said Ahmed Zain Faqiri, a teacher seeking a kidney for his gravely ill father outside Loqman Hakim Hospital. He was eyed uneasily by a strapping young farmer, Haleem Ahmad, 21, who had heard of the kidney market and was looking to sell after his harvest had failed. The consequences will be grim for him. For the impoverished kidney sellers who recover in frigid, unlit Herat apartments of peeling paint and concrete floors, temporarily delivered from crushing debt but too weak to work, in pain and unable to afford medication, the deal is a portal to new misery. In one such dwelling recently, a half-sack of flour and a modest container of rice was the only food for a family with eight children. For Loqman Hakim Hospital, transplants are big business. Officials boast it has performed more than 1,000 kidney transplants in five years, drawing in patients from all over Afghanistan and the global Afghan diaspora. It offers them bargain-basement operations at one-twentieth the cost of such procedures in the United States, in a city with a seemingly unending supply of fresh organs. Asked if the hospital made good money from the operations, Masood Ghafoori, a senior finance manager, said: “You could say that.” The hospital handles the removal, transplant and initial recovery of both patients, without asking questions. Sellers say their hospital fees are covered by the buyers, and after a few days in the recovery ward, they are sent home. How the organ recipient gets the donor to agree to the procedure is not the hospital’s concern, the doctors say. “It’s not our business,” said Dr. Farid Ahmad Ejaz, a hospital physician whose business card reads “Founder of Kidney Transplantation in Afghanistan” in English. Ejaz at first contended that more than a dozen impoverished Herat residents were lying when they told The Times of selling their kidneys for cash. Later, he conceded that “maybe” they were not. Interviews with other health officials here followed the same arc: initial denials, followed by grudging acknowledgment. “In Afghanistan everything has a value, except human life,” said Dr. Mahdi Hadid, a member of Herat’s provincial council. Accounts of organ selling date to the 1980s in India, according to the United Nations, and today the practice accounts for roughly 10% of all global transplants. Iran, less than 80 miles from Herat, is the only country where selling kidneys is not illegal, as long as the parties are Iranian. “There’s always a gap between international guidelines and what governments do in practice,” said Asif Efrat, a faculty member at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, a university in Israel, pointing out that Afghanistan is a new player compared to the countries where the organ trade is most prolific: China, Pakistan, and the Philippines. “The current international consensus is on the side of prohibiting, but governments have incentives not to follow it." The moral scruples that keep the business underground elsewhere are hardly evident in Herat. Ejaz and health officials point to poverty’s harsh logic. “The people of Afghanistan sell their sons and daughters for money. How can you compare that to selling kidneys?” he asked. “We have to do this because someone is dying.” Ejaz seemed unfazed when shown the business card of a kidney “broker,” saying, “In Afghanistan you find business cards for people to assassinate others.” On the fourth floor of the hospital, three out of four patients in recovery said they had bought their kidneys. “I feel fine now,” said Gulabuddin, a 36-year-old imam and kidney recipient from Kabul. “No pain at all.” He said he had paid about $3,500 for his kidney, bought from a “complete stranger,” with an $80 commission to the broker. He got a good deal: Kidneys can cost as much as $4,500. “If there is consent, Islam has no problem with it,” Gulabuddin said. Dr. Abdul Hakim Tamanna, Herat province’s public health director, acknowledged the rise of the kidney black market in Afghanistan but said there was little the government could do. “Unfortunately, this is common in poor countries,” he said. “There’s a lack of rule of law, and a lack of regulation surrounding this process.” Afghanistan’s poverty rate was expected to reach over 70% in 2020, according to the World Bank, and the country remains largely dependent on foreign aid; domestic revenues finance only about half the government budget. Without any substantive public safety net, health care is just another opportunity to exploit the country’s most vulnerable. Deep inside the warren of sandy streets in Herat’s slums, Mir Gul Ataye, 28, regrets every second of his decision to sell his kidney. A construction worker who had earned up to $5 a day before his operation in November, he is now unable to lift more than 10 pounds, and barely that. “I’m in pain, and weak,” he said. “I’ve been sick, and I can’t control my pee.” Four children huddled in front of him on the concrete floor in the bare unlit room. He said he supports 13 family members in all and had accumulated some $4,000 of debt. “It was difficult, but I had no choice. Nobody wants to give up a part of his body to someone else,” he said. “It was very shameful for me.” For his kidney, Ataye received $3,800. That was barely three months ago. He is still in debt, unable to pay his rent or his electricity bill. He said he feels “sadness, desperation, anger and loneliness.” One night he was in such severe pain, he banged his head against the wall and fractured his skull. Others around Herat cited similar reasons for selling a kidney: outstanding debt, sick parents, a marriage that would otherwise have been unaffordable. “My father would have died if we had not sold,” said Jamila Jamshidi, 25, sitting on the floor across from her brother, Omid, 18, in a frigid apartment near the city’s edge. Both had sold their kidneys — she, five years ago, and he, one year ago — and both were weak and in pain. At a mud-walled camp just outside Herat, a vortex of sun, wind and dust filled with war refugees from other provinces, Mohammed Zaman, a tribal elder in a white turban, spoke of the irresistible attraction of Loqman Hakim’s kidney operation. More than 20 from his village, now chased from their homes, had sold their kidneys. “My people are hungry. We don’t have land. We can’t be shopkeepers. We’ve got no money,” he said. “I can’t stop it.” At a local restaurant, five brothers spoke of being forced off their land in Badghis province by constant Taliban attacks. In Herat, all had sold their kidneys. The youngest was 18, the oldest 32. “We had no choice,” said Abdul Samir, one of the brothers. “We were forced to sell. Otherwise, we would not have sold a fingernail.”

In Afghanistan, a booming kidney trade preys on the poor

Five Afghan security force members who were escorting the international agency's vehicles have been killed in an attack on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway in Surobi District of Kabul on Thursday.

According to an Afghan interior ministry official, the insurgent Taliban were behind it.

Condemning the incident, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that no UN personnel were hurt or vehicle effected in an attack which hit a DPS vehicle that was escorting a UN convoy.&nbsp;

Attacks on international forces and foreign players have been rare since the Taliban signed a troop withdrawal deal with Washington almost a year ago.

However, violence against Afghans has escalated around the nation even as the Taliban and the Afghan government hold peace talks in Qatar.

On Thursday, three back-to-back blasts in eastern Kunar province left three people dead and two injured, according to a police spokesman.

At least two people were killed and five others injured in three separate blasts in eastern Nangarhar province, local officials said.

Unknown gunmen shot and injured Qotbuddin Kohi, a journalist working for Pajhwok News agency in northern Faryab province on Thursday, according to the media outlet`s director.

Almost daily deadly attacks with small, magnetic bombs attached to the undercarriages of vehicles, as well as roadside explosive devices and shootings, are unnerving Afghan officials, activists and journalists.

Officials say that peace talks have largely stalled as the violence rises and U.S. President Joe Biden`s administration reviews how to handle the peace process.

(With inputs from agencies)

Five Afghan security force members who were escorting the international agency's vehicles have been killed in an attack on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway in Surobi District of Kabul on Thursday.

Five Afghan security force members who were escorting the international agency's vehicles have been killed in an attack on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway in Surobi District of Kabul on Thursday. According to an Afghan interior ministry official, the insurgent Taliban were behind it. Condemning the incident, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that no UN personnel were hurt or vehicle effected in an attack which hit a DPS vehicle that was escorting a UN convoy. Attacks on international forces and foreign players have been rare since the Taliban signed a troop withdrawal deal with Washington almost a year ago. However, violence against Afghans has escalated around the nation even as the Taliban and the Afghan government hold peace talks in Qatar. On Thursday, three back-to-back blasts in eastern Kunar province left three people dead and two injured, according to a police spokesman. At least two people were killed and five others injured in three separate blasts in eastern Nangarhar province, local officials said. Unknown gunmen shot and injured Qotbuddin Kohi, a journalist working for Pajhwok News agency in northern Faryab province on Thursday, according to the media outlet`s director. Almost daily deadly attacks with small, magnetic bombs attached to the undercarriages of vehicles, as well as roadside explosive devices and shootings, are unnerving Afghan officials, activists and journalists. Officials say that peace talks have largely stalled as the violence rises and U.S. President Joe Biden`s administration reviews how to handle the peace process. (With inputs from agencies)

Five killed as UN convoy in Afghanistan attacked by gunmen

In a virtual meeting, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the growing violence in Afghanistan and called for an immediate ceasefire. WION'S Palki tells you how India is pushing for development in Afghanistan, despite the terror threat.

Gravitas: Prime Minister Modi calls for an immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan

Three&nbsp;blasts rocked Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday morning as per news reports. Ariana News said that an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) targetted a land cruiser in Kart-e-Parwan. There are no reports of any casualties as of now. Afghanistan's Tolo News reported that there were three&nbsp;blasts and four people were injured in total.

Reportedly, first explosion took place in&nbsp;Qala-e-Abdul Ali area in Kabul province. It targetted a police vehicle. Second blast hit Ministry of Labour vehicle on Qoway Markaz in Kabul. Third blast targetted a police vehicle in downtown Kabul.

Police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz told reporters that two people were killed and another wounded in their vehicle by a bomb in downtown Kabul.

Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told AFP that one of those killed was a district police chief in the capital.

An AFP photograph at the scene said the bomb had ripped through the rear of what was appeared to be an armoured vehicle.

Minutes earlier, another blast targeting a vehicle in the same district wounded four people, Faramarz added.

(With AFP inputs)

Three blasts rocked Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday morning as per news reports. Ariana News said that an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) targetted a land cruiser in Kart-e-Parwan.

Three blasts rocked Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday morning as per news reports. Ariana News said that an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) targetted a land cruiser in Kart-e-Parwan. There are no reports of any casualties as of now. Afghanistan's Tolo News reported that there were three blasts and four people were injured in total. Reportedly, first explosion took place in Qala-e-Abdul Ali area in Kabul province. It targetted a police vehicle. Second blast hit Ministry of Labour vehicle on Qoway Markaz in Kabul. Third blast targetted a police vehicle in downtown Kabul. Police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz told reporters that two people were killed and another wounded in their vehicle by a bomb in downtown Kabul. Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told AFP that one of those killed was a district police chief in the capital. An AFP photograph at the scene said the bomb had ripped through the rear of what was appeared to be an armoured vehicle. Minutes earlier, another blast targeting a vehicle in the same district wounded four people, Faramarz added. (With AFP inputs)

Blasts rock Kabul, IED targets land cruiser

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani held a virtual summit on Tuesday. This is the first virtual summit between the two leaders in 2021. Both India and Afghanistan share a close relationship.

First virtual summit between Indian PM Modi & Afghan Prez Ashraf Ghani in 2021

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will hold a virtual summit on Tuesday. This will be the first virtual summit between the two leaders in 2021. Both India and Afghanistan share a close relationship.

Indian PM, Afghanistan Prez to hold virtual summit

India on Sunday gifted Afghanistan 500,000 doses of made-in-India coronavirus vaccines. The vaccines will be used to vaccinate Afghan Security forces and health workers.&nbsp;

The vaccine contingent reached on an Air India plane at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International airport and was handed over by India's Cd'A Raghuram S to the country's acting minister of Public Health Waheed Majroh. India is the first country to send COVID-19 vaccines to Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-12000-covid-19-cases-reported-in-one-day-78-new-fatalities-361928" hreflang="en">Over 12,000 COVID-19 cases reported in one day, 78 new fatalities</a>

The Indian mission in a statement said, "India is the first responder to deliver covid vaccines to Afghanistan". Last year during the pandemic, India gifted 20 MT of COVID-19 vaccines to Afghanistan. It also sent 75,000 MT of wheat to the country as humanitarian aid via Chabahar port to prevent any shortage of food amid the pandemic.

With the notable exception of Pakistan, due to obvious reasons, all of India's neighbours have been gifted COVID-19 vaccines by New Delhi. In fact, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan began their vaccination programme using India-made vaccines. In contrast, Pakistan has stood out by being the only country in South Asia to begin its vaccination using the Chinese vaccine.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/25-countries-in-queue-for-made-in-india-covid-19-vaccine-jaishankar-361772" hreflang="en">25 countries in queue for 'Made in India' COVID-19 vaccine: Jaishankar</a>

So far, India has supplied vaccines to 17 countries, both as gifts and commercially. These are Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Brazil, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait, and South Africa. With Afghanistan being the 18th country to get India's vaccine. Supplies gifted amount to 56 lakh doses and commercial supplies amount to over 100 lakh doses.

In the coming weeks, Indian vaccines are scheduled to reach CARICOM countries (the Caribbean), Pacific Island States, Nicaragua, Mongolia, etc. 60 per cent of global vaccines are produced by India, and apart from COVID-19 vaccines, India is the largest supplier of DPT, BCG and measles vaccines. The world health organization sources 70 per cent of its vaccine needs from India.

India on Sunday gifted Afghanistan 500,000 doses of made-in-India coronavirus vaccines. The vaccines will be used to vaccinate Afghan Security forces and health workers.

India on Sunday gifted Afghanistan 500,000 doses of made-in-India coronavirus vaccines. The vaccines will be used to vaccinate Afghan Security forces and health workers. The vaccine contingent reached on an Air India plane at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International airport and was handed over by India's Cd'A Raghuram S to the country's acting minister of Public Health Waheed Majroh. India is the first country to send COVID-19 vaccines to Afghanistan. Also read| Over 12,000 COVID-19 cases reported in one day, 78 new fatalities The Indian mission in a statement said, "India is the first responder to deliver covid vaccines to Afghanistan". Last year during the pandemic, India gifted 20 MT of COVID-19 vaccines to Afghanistan. It also sent 75,000 MT of wheat to the country as humanitarian aid via Chabahar port to prevent any shortage of food amid the pandemic. With the notable exception of Pakistan, due to obvious reasons, all of India's neighbours have been gifted COVID-19 vaccines by New Delhi. In fact, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan began their vaccination programme using India-made vaccines. In contrast, Pakistan has stood out by being the only country in South Asia to begin its vaccination using the Chinese vaccine. Also read| 25 countries in queue for 'Made in India' COVID-19 vaccine: Jaishankar So far, India has supplied vaccines to 17 countries, both as gifts and commercially. These are Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Brazil, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait, and South Africa. With Afghanistan being the 18th country to get India's vaccine. Supplies gifted amount to 56 lakh doses and commercial supplies amount to over 100 lakh doses. In the coming weeks, Indian vaccines are scheduled to reach CARICOM countries (the Caribbean), Pacific Island States, Nicaragua, Mongolia, etc. 60 per cent of global vaccines are produced by India, and apart from COVID-19 vaccines, India is the largest supplier of DPT, BCG and measles vaccines. The world health organization sources 70 per cent of its vaccine needs from India.

Afghan security forces, health workers to be vaccinated using India-made COVID vaccines

An attack carried out by Taliban terrorists claimed lives of 16 Afghanistan securitymen and injure two others. The attack took place in Tap-e-Akhtar area in Kunduz province.

Rabbani Rabbani, member of the provincial council in Kunduz said that two security force members when taken hostage.

More details on the attack are not available so far. The attack comes amidst a sharp increase in violence in the country despite the ongoing efforts for peace.

(With ANI inputs)

An attack carried out by Taliban terrorists claimed lives of 16 Afghanistan securitymen and injure two others. The attack took place in Tap-e-Akhtar area in Kunduz province.

An attack carried out by Taliban terrorists claimed lives of 16 Afghanistan securitymen and injure two others. The attack took place in Tap-e-Akhtar area in Kunduz province. Rabbani Rabbani, member of the provincial council in Kunduz said that two security force members when taken hostage. More details on the attack are not available so far. The attack comes amidst a sharp increase in violence in the country despite the ongoing efforts for peace. (With ANI inputs)

16 Afghan security force members killed in Taliban attack

Half of Afghans need humanitarian aid but rising violence is preventing deliveries, a senior European Union humanitarian official said on Wednesday (February 3), reiterating calls for a ceasefire between the Afghan government and the insurgent Taliban.

Half of Afghans need humanitarian aid as violence rises - EU Commissioner

A member of the Afghan government's peace negotiating team has warned the Taliban they must resume talks. It said the government could recall the team before a deal is reached in case the peace talks are not resumed soon in Qatar.

Government negotiator Rasul Talib said in a news conference the team was waiting for the return of the Taliban leadership to Doha, where a second round of peace talks began this month but have made little progress. He asked the Taliban to return to the negotiating table.

The Taliban leadership has recently been in Iran and Russia for discussions on the negotiations. Also, new US President Joe Biden's administration has said it plans to review the peace agreement signed last February between the US and the Taliban.

The Pentagon said last week that the Taliban's refusal to meet commitments to reduce violence in Afghanistan is raising questions about whether all US troops will be able to leave by May as required under the peace deal.

This came after the Pentagon announced in mid-January that the US military has met its goal of reducing the number of troops in Afghanistan to about 2,500.

Talib, to this end, has asked the new US administration to withdraw its forces in a way that will prevent a security vacuum in the country and prevent the possibility of more militant attacks in Afghanistan and against the US and other countries.

A member of the Afghan government's peace negotiating team has warned the Taliban they must resume talks. It said the government could recall the team before a deal is reached in case the peace talks are not resumed soon in Qatar.

A member of the Afghan government's peace negotiating team has warned the Taliban they must resume talks. It said the government could recall the team before a deal is reached in case the peace talks are not resumed soon in Qatar. Government negotiator Rasul Talib said in a news conference the team was waiting for the return of the Taliban leadership to Doha, where a second round of peace talks began this month but have made little progress. He asked the Taliban to return to the negotiating table. The Taliban leadership has recently been in Iran and Russia for discussions on the negotiations. Also, new US President Joe Biden's administration has said it plans to review the peace agreement signed last February between the US and the Taliban. The Pentagon said last week that the Taliban's refusal to meet commitments to reduce violence in Afghanistan is raising questions about whether all US troops will be able to leave by May as required under the peace deal. This came after the Pentagon announced in mid-January that the US military has met its goal of reducing the number of troops in Afghanistan to about 2,500. Talib, to this end, has asked the new US administration to withdraw its forces in a way that will prevent a security vacuum in the country and prevent the possibility of more militant attacks in Afghanistan and against the US and other countries.

Afghan peace negotiating team warns Taliban it must resume talks

Peace talks between the Taliban and the government in Kabul have hit multiple roadblocks. With US troops withdrawing and likely to withdraw more by May 2021, the minority Hazara community in Afghanistan is extremely apprehensive about its future.

Hazaras fear for the future as foreign troops exit Afghanistan

The Taliban on Friday accused the US of bombarding civilians, rejecting Washington's accusations that it had not lived up to its promises in Afghanistan.

The US signed a landmark deal with the insurgents last year, agreeing to withdraw all of its troops from the country in return for security guarantees after a stalemate on the battlefield.&nbsp;

"They are bombarding civilians, houses and villages, and we have informed them from time to time, these are not just violations of the agreement but violations of human rights," Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban spokesman in Qatar, told AFP.

The US military has in recent months carried out air strikes against the Taliban fighters in defence of Afghan forces in some provinces.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid added on Twitter that the allegations against the group were "unfounded" and that it was "fully committed" to the agreement.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that the Biden administration remains committed to the Taliban-US deal and ending the war "in a responsible way". He, however, added "the Taliban are not meeting their commitments to reduce violence, and to renounce their ties to Al-Qaeda".

The agreement, signed in Doha last year, required the Taliban to halt attacks on US forces, sharply decrease the level of violence in the country, and advance peace talks with the government in Kabul.

In return, the United States would steadily reduce its troop levels in the country, and remove all forces by May 2021.

Kirby said the US Defence Department is comfortable with&nbsp;the current level of 2,500 US troops in the country, down from close to 13,000 a year ago.

It is enough to carry out the main US mission, to counter Islamic State and Al-Qaeda forces operating in Afghanistan. He would, however, not say if the Pentagon will complete a full withdrawal before the May deadline.

This, meanwhile, depends on whether the Taliban and the Afghan government, who launched peace talks in September, can negotiate a settlement.

(with inputs from AFP)

The Taliban on Friday accused the US of bombarding civilians, rejecting Washington's accusations that it had not lived up to its promises in Afghanistan. The US signed a landmark deal with the insurgents last year, agreeing to withdraw all of its troops from the country in return for security guarantees after a stalemate on the battlefield.

The Taliban on Friday accused the US of bombarding civilians, rejecting Washington's accusations that it had not lived up to its promises in Afghanistan. The US signed a landmark deal with the insurgents last year, agreeing to withdraw all of its troops from the country in return for security guarantees after a stalemate on the battlefield. "They are bombarding civilians, houses and villages, and we have informed them from time to time, these are not just violations of the agreement but violations of human rights," Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban spokesman in Qatar, told AFP. The US military has in recent months carried out air strikes against the Taliban fighters in defence of Afghan forces in some provinces. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid added on Twitter that the allegations against the group were "unfounded" and that it was "fully committed" to the agreement. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that the Biden administration remains committed to the Taliban-US deal and ending the war "in a responsible way". He, however, added "the Taliban are not meeting their commitments to reduce violence, and to renounce their ties to Al-Qaeda". The agreement, signed in Doha last year, required the Taliban to halt attacks on US forces, sharply decrease the level of violence in the country, and advance peace talks with the government in Kabul. In return, the United States would steadily reduce its troop levels in the country, and remove all forces by May 2021. Kirby said the US Defence Department is comfortable with the current level of 2,500 US troops in the country, down from close to 13,000 a year ago. It is enough to carry out the main US mission, to counter Islamic State and Al-Qaeda forces operating in Afghanistan. He would, however, not say if the Pentagon will complete a full withdrawal before the May deadline. This, meanwhile, depends on whether the Taliban and the Afghan government, who launched peace talks in September, can negotiate a settlement. (with inputs from AFP)

Taliban accuses US of violating Afghan deal

Taliban said that one of their top negotiator met Russian officials in Moscow and discussed Afghan peace process. This development came just a week after Biden administration said would review Washington's deal with the insurgents. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, deputy head of Taliban negotiating team met Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulo and other foreign ministry officials in Moscow.

"The ongoing situation of the intra-Afghan negotiations and subjects concerning the full implementation of the Doha agreement were discussed during the meeting," Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said on Twitter, referring to the US-Taliban deal signed in the Qatari capital in February 2020.

Taliban representatives had visited Russia several times before striking February 2020 peace deal with the USA.

The deal paved the way for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan by May this year -- in return for the insurgents offering some security guarantees and agreeing to hold peace talks with Afghan government. 
The peace talks began on September 12 but violence has surged in Afghanistan.

High-profile assassinations have increased in recent months, particularly in Kabul, where several journalists, activists, judges and politicians have been murdered in brazen daylight attacks.

Officials blame the Taliban for the killings, though the group has steadfastly denied any involvement.

During the talks in Moscow on Thursday, the Russian side "spoke in favour of the early launch of meaningful and constructive inter-Afghan negotiations, leading to an end to the bloody civil war," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Despite months of discussions, the peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government in Doha have largely stalled, according to Kabul's negotiating team.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

Taliban said that one of their top negotiator met Russian officials in Moscow and discussed Afghan peace process. This development came just a week after Biden administration said would review Washington's deal with the insurgents.

Taliban said that one of their top negotiator met Russian officials in Moscow and discussed Afghan peace process. This development came just a week after Biden administration said would review Washington's deal with the insurgents. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, deputy head of Taliban negotiating team met Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulo and other foreign ministry officials in Moscow. "The ongoing situation of the intra-Afghan negotiations and subjects concerning the full implementation of the Doha agreement were discussed during the meeting," Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said on Twitter, referring to the US-Taliban deal signed in the Qatari capital in February 2020. Taliban representatives had visited Russia several times before striking February 2020 peace deal with the USA. The deal paved the way for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan by May this year -- in return for the insurgents offering some security guarantees and agreeing to hold peace talks with Afghan government. The peace talks began on September 12 but violence has surged in Afghanistan. High-profile assassinations have increased in recent months, particularly in Kabul, where several journalists, activists, judges and politicians have been murdered in brazen daylight attacks. Officials blame the Taliban for the killings, though the group has steadfastly denied any involvement. During the talks in Moscow on Thursday, the Russian side "spoke in favour of the early launch of meaningful and constructive inter-Afghan negotiations, leading to an end to the bloody civil war," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Despite months of discussions, the peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government in Doha have largely stalled, according to Kabul's negotiating team. (With AFP inputs)

Taliban negotiator discusses Afghan peace deal with Russia

Updating its travel advisory for three South Asian countries, the US has urged its citizens to reconsider their travel to Pakistan and Bangladesh and not to visit Afghanistan.

The state department issued separate travel advisories for the three countries on Monday.

"Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to COVID-19, terrorism and sectarian violence," it said.

It also asked its citizens not to travel to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces due to terrorism and kidnapping.

The advisory also warned Americans against travelling to "the immediate vicinity of the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict".

"Do not travel to the India-Pakistan border. Militant groups are known to operate in the area. India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on both sides of the border. Indian and Pakistani military forces periodically exchange gunfire and artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC)," it said.

Urging its citizens to reconsider travel to Bangladesh due to COVID-19, the state department asked them to "exercise increased caution" in the country due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping.

"Travel is dangerous to Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban hill tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) due to occasional communal violence and other security risks," it said in an advisory.

In another advisory, the state department asked Americans not to travel to Afghanistan due to COVID-19, crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and armed conflict.

"Travel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe because of critical levels of kidnappings, hostage taking, suicide bombings, widespread military combat operations, landmines and terrorist and insurgent attacks, including attacks using vehicle-borne, magnetic, or other improvised explosive devices (IEDs), suicide vests and grenades," it said.

Updating its travel advisory for three South Asian countries, the US has urged its citizens to reconsider their travel to Pakistan and Bangladesh and not to visit Afghanistan.

Updating its travel advisory for three South Asian countries, the US has urged its citizens to reconsider their travel to Pakistan and Bangladesh and not to visit Afghanistan. The state department issued separate travel advisories for the three countries on Monday. "Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to COVID-19, terrorism and sectarian violence," it said. It also asked its citizens not to travel to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces due to terrorism and kidnapping. The advisory also warned Americans against travelling to "the immediate vicinity of the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict". "Do not travel to the India-Pakistan border. Militant groups are known to operate in the area. India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on both sides of the border. Indian and Pakistani military forces periodically exchange gunfire and artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC)," it said. Urging its citizens to reconsider travel to Bangladesh due to COVID-19, the state department asked them to "exercise increased caution" in the country due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping. "Travel is dangerous to Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban hill tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) due to occasional communal violence and other security risks," it said in an advisory. In another advisory, the state department asked Americans not to travel to Afghanistan due to COVID-19, crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and armed conflict. "Travel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe because of critical levels of kidnappings, hostage taking, suicide bombings, widespread military combat operations, landmines and terrorist and insurgent attacks, including attacks using vehicle-borne, magnetic, or other improvised explosive devices (IEDs), suicide vests and grenades," it said.

US updates travel advisory to citizens for Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan

In Kabul’s uncertain present, fear and dread intertwine in a vise. Fear has become a way of life.

“When you’re in the car you feel fear, when you are walking you feel fear, and when you are in the shop you feel fear,” said Shamsullah Amini, a 22-year-old shopkeeper, while watching over his vats of dried grains and beans in the Taimani neighborhood. “If there was any security at all, we wouldn’t all be thinking about leaving the country.”

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/radio-station-run-by-women-for-women-in-afghanistan-349666/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

“Fear is omnipresent,” said Muqaddesa Yourish, an executive at a leading communications firm. “It’s gone from a state of fear to a state of being.”

Fear has long been part of life in Kabul, with the possibility of sudden death from a Taliban strike. But these days — even as the Afghan government tries to negotiate peace with the Taliban — there is a heightened sense that life is fragile here. With the Taliban active in most of the country and almost daily reports of government forces beaten back, there are new questions about whether a grim return to extremist rule is on the near horizon.

On Sunday morning, gunmen killed two female judges on a street in a central Kabul neighborhood. The women worked for Afghanistan’s Supreme Court. Shaharzad Akbar, the chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, wrote on Twitter afterward that the country is suffering “what seems to be a systematic massacre &amp; the world seems to be just watching.”

In the first two weeks of January, bombs went off in several Kabul neighborhoods; a car bomb killed a government spokesman and two others; and a police officer, a military pilot, a soldier and a member of Afghanistan’s intelligence agency were all gunned down, according to a New York Times report. The list is not exhaustive.

“Right now, I can’t be sure of my own security,” said Omar Sadr, a political scientist at the American University of Afghanistan. “But it’s not just about being targeted. It’s about an atmosphere of fear. If it continues, you won’t have the space needed for a democracy.”

The assassination campaign, aimed mostly at government workers, activists, journalists and members of the military, is thought to be the Taliban’s attempt to pressure the Afghan government during the halting peace talks, though the group has denied responsibility for the attacks.

It is also a means of silencing critical voices, now and in the future. More than 300 people were killed in targeted attacks last year, including at least six journalists over the last seven months, according to a New York Times tally.

Some who are able to get visas have left.

“It is pretty morose,” said Farahnaz Forotan, a leading television journalist, who fled to Paris in November after her name turned up on a hit list.

In the capital, a veneer of normality masks the dread. In the early evening, storefronts are brightly lit against the darkened streets, and a frenetic bustle of shoppers and street vendors, darting through the perpetual traffic jam, is undamped by the coronavirus.

But even these last shreds of routine could disappear if the Taliban return or Afghanistan descends again into civil war.

The latest wave of violence evokes memories of the early 1990s strife that destroyed the capital. The internal war has already begun, some here say; the near-daily bombings and shootings, many unclaimed, foreshadow it. At night, the occasional burst of automatic gunfire has become familiar.

“There is no safe area,” said Mina Rezaee, who runs the Simple Café in the bustling Karte Seh neighborhood, packed with inexpensive clothing stores. “People are killed at the mosque, they are killed in the street, they are killed at work. And this is something that’s always with me.”

Portraits of Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt and Virginia Woolf hang on one of the cafe’s walls next to a quotation from Michel Foucault about love and sensuality.

How many explosions has Rezaee witnessed up close? “It’s common for me,” she shrugged, noting that she was near a massive truck bombing outside the German Embassy that killed 90 in 2017. In a photograph on her Facebook page, taken after the 2016 Islamic State bombing in Kabul that killed over 80, she clutches her hands to a face contorted with anguish.

“Nobody wants to die young,” said Saib Nissar, 25, who runs one of the glassed-in storefront bakeries that dot the capital. “But here in Afghanistan, no one can think of anything but the insecurity.”

The most banal aspects of daily life have become a torment.

“Every morning on the way to work I’m waiting for an explosion,” said Zahra Fayazi, a customer at the Simple Café and a former top national women’s volleyball player who now works at the state electricity company. “If it doesn’t happen in this square, it will happen in the next one.”

“When we get to the office, everyone is talking about the latest explosions,” she said. “I can only breathe again when my daughters return home from school.”

The consequences of the violence are both psychological and practical — especially for the government workers, academics and activists who are the biggest targets.

Akbar, the chair of the country’s human rights commission, said, “If you are spending your mental energy thinking about how to survive, inevitably all your days are tense and stressful.”

Sadr, the political scientist, said he sold his car, worried it would be a target. “I’m trying to use taxis instead,” he said. “I’m trying to be cautious and move less.”

He also said he worried about whether something he said would attract unwanted notice from the Taliban. “We’re all cautious about speaking, about the implications of speaking,” he said.

Yourish, the communications executive, who is also a former deputy minister, said she no longer has a routine. “I change my routes, I change vehicles,” she said. “I need to be on extra alert about my surroundings. You do get these thoughts of, ‘What if this is my last moment?’ It’s like, taking every day as it comes.”

“But I can’t,” she added.

There is little confidence that the government can hold out against the Taliban, either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. Some here who have met with them say Taliban negotiators do not hide their contempt for the Afghan government, regarding it as a puppet of the Americans. There is deep unease about what will happen when the last U.S. troops withdraw, tentatively scheduled for May.

“What will they think of our rights, our women’s rights?” said Rezaee, the cafe owner, who has all the more reason to fear as a member of the ethnic minority most persecuted by the Taliban, the Hazara, like many of her customers.

An Afghan rapper and his musician friends, sitting together at the cafe, were not optimistic. “I sing of a life that doesn’t exist,” Mustafa Saher, 27, raps in his music video.

Saher put his tattooed arm on the table. “If they see this, they will cut my arm off,” he said. “They say, this is the opposite of Islam.”

After he posted his video online, he received a threatening phone call saying: “What you are doing? It is against Islam. You are an infidel!”

“I am scared of my own people,” Saher said. “This fear is depressing people and forcing them to isolate themselves,” he said, adding that it had become impossible, already, to hold concerts in many parts of Kabul.

“All we want is freedom, and justice, and maybe a little bit of peace,” he said.

In Kabul’s uncertain present, fear and dread intertwine in a vise. Fear has become a way of life. “When you’re in the car you feel fear, when you are walking you feel fear, and when you are in the shop you feel fear,” said Shamsullah Amini, a 22-year-old shopkeeper, while watching over his vats of dried grains and beans in the Taimani neighborhood.

In Kabul’s uncertain present, fear and dread intertwine in a vise. Fear has become a way of life. “When you’re in the car you feel fear, when you are walking you feel fear, and when you are in the shop you feel fear,” said Shamsullah Amini, a 22-year-old shopkeeper, while watching over his vats of dried grains and beans in the Taimani neighborhood. “If there was any security at all, we wouldn’t all be thinking about leaving the country.” Watch | “Fear is omnipresent,” said Muqaddesa Yourish, an executive at a leading communications firm. “It’s gone from a state of fear to a state of being.” Fear has long been part of life in Kabul, with the possibility of sudden death from a Taliban strike. But these days — even as the Afghan government tries to negotiate peace with the Taliban — there is a heightened sense that life is fragile here. With the Taliban active in most of the country and almost daily reports of government forces beaten back, there are new questions about whether a grim return to extremist rule is on the near horizon. On Sunday morning, gunmen killed two female judges on a street in a central Kabul neighborhood. The women worked for Afghanistan’s Supreme Court. Shaharzad Akbar, the chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, wrote on Twitter afterward that the country is suffering “what seems to be a systematic massacre & the world seems to be just watching.” In the first two weeks of January, bombs went off in several Kabul neighborhoods; a car bomb killed a government spokesman and two others; and a police officer, a military pilot, a soldier and a member of Afghanistan’s intelligence agency were all gunned down, according to a New York Times report. The list is not exhaustive. “Right now, I can’t be sure of my own security,” said Omar Sadr, a political scientist at the American University of Afghanistan. “But it’s not just about being targeted. It’s about an atmosphere of fear. If it continues, you won’t have the space needed for a democracy.” The assassination campaign, aimed mostly at government workers, activists, journalists and members of the military, is thought to be the Taliban’s attempt to pressure the Afghan government during the halting peace talks, though the group has denied responsibility for the attacks. It is also a means of silencing critical voices, now and in the future. More than 300 people were killed in targeted attacks last year, including at least six journalists over the last seven months, according to a New York Times tally. Some who are able to get visas have left. “It is pretty morose,” said Farahnaz Forotan, a leading television journalist, who fled to Paris in November after her name turned up on a hit list. In the capital, a veneer of normality masks the dread. In the early evening, storefronts are brightly lit against the darkened streets, and a frenetic bustle of shoppers and street vendors, darting through the perpetual traffic jam, is undamped by the coronavirus. But even these last shreds of routine could disappear if the Taliban return or Afghanistan descends again into civil war. The latest wave of violence evokes memories of the early 1990s strife that destroyed the capital. The internal war has already begun, some here say; the near-daily bombings and shootings, many unclaimed, foreshadow it. At night, the occasional burst of automatic gunfire has become familiar. “There is no safe area,” said Mina Rezaee, who runs the Simple Café in the bustling Karte Seh neighborhood, packed with inexpensive clothing stores. “People are killed at the mosque, they are killed in the street, they are killed at work. And this is something that’s always with me.” Portraits of Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt and Virginia Woolf hang on one of the cafe’s walls next to a quotation from Michel Foucault about love and sensuality. How many explosions has Rezaee witnessed up close? “It’s common for me,” she shrugged, noting that she was near a massive truck bombing outside the German Embassy that killed 90 in 2017. In a photograph on her Facebook page, taken after the 2016 Islamic State bombing in Kabul that killed over 80, she clutches her hands to a face contorted with anguish. “Nobody wants to die young,” said Saib Nissar, 25, who runs one of the glassed-in storefront bakeries that dot the capital. “But here in Afghanistan, no one can think of anything but the insecurity.” The most banal aspects of daily life have become a torment. “Every morning on the way to work I’m waiting for an explosion,” said Zahra Fayazi, a customer at the Simple Café and a former top national women’s volleyball player who now works at the state electricity company. “If it doesn’t happen in this square, it will happen in the next one.” “When we get to the office, everyone is talking about the latest explosions,” she said. “I can only breathe again when my daughters return home from school.” The consequences of the violence are both psychological and practical — especially for the government workers, academics and activists who are the biggest targets. Akbar, the chair of the country’s human rights commission, said, “If you are spending your mental energy thinking about how to survive, inevitably all your days are tense and stressful.” Sadr, the political scientist, said he sold his car, worried it would be a target. “I’m trying to use taxis instead,” he said. “I’m trying to be cautious and move less.” He also said he worried about whether something he said would attract unwanted notice from the Taliban. “We’re all cautious about speaking, about the implications of speaking,” he said. Yourish, the communications executive, who is also a former deputy minister, said she no longer has a routine. “I change my routes, I change vehicles,” she said. “I need to be on extra alert about my surroundings. You do get these thoughts of, ‘What if this is my last moment?’ It’s like, taking every day as it comes.” “But I can’t,” she added. There is little confidence that the government can hold out against the Taliban, either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. Some here who have met with them say Taliban negotiators do not hide their contempt for the Afghan government, regarding it as a puppet of the Americans. There is deep unease about what will happen when the last U.S. troops withdraw, tentatively scheduled for May. “What will they think of our rights, our women’s rights?” said Rezaee, the cafe owner, who has all the more reason to fear as a member of the ethnic minority most persecuted by the Taliban, the Hazara, like many of her customers. An Afghan rapper and his musician friends, sitting together at the cafe, were not optimistic. “I sing of a life that doesn’t exist,” Mustafa Saher, 27, raps in his music video. Saher put his tattooed arm on the table. “If they see this, they will cut my arm off,” he said. “They say, this is the opposite of Islam.” After he posted his video online, he received a threatening phone call saying: “What you are doing? It is against Islam. You are an infidel!” “I am scared of my own people,” Saher said. “This fear is depressing people and forcing them to isolate themselves,” he said, adding that it had become impossible, already, to hold concerts in many parts of Kabul. “All we want is freedom, and justice, and maybe a little bit of peace,” he said.

'There is no safe area': In Kabul, fear has taken over

Two Taliban terrorists killed 12 pro-government Afghan militiamen, as per officials. The attack came at night in Ghorian District in Herat on Friday.

"Twelve pro-government militiamen were killed in the Taliban attack in Ghorian district last night," said Farhad Khademi, ditrict governor. He was quoted by AFP. 
Herat provincial council member Mohammad Sardar Bahaduri confirmed the attack and said it was carried out by two Taliban fighters who had infiltrated the base.

"The militiamen were dining when the attack happened," he said.

In a separate incident, a vehicle carrying policemen was struck by a roadside bomb in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul, police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz told reporters.

Two policemen were killed and one wounded in the attack, he said.

Violence has surged across Afghanistan in recent months, especially in Kabul, which has been rocked by a new trend of targeted killings.

The bloodshed comes even as the Taliban and government negotiators engage in peace talks to end the nearly two-decades-long war in the country.

Representatives from two warring sides are currently in the Qatari capital Doha discussing the agenda for the talks.

Two Taliban terrorists killed 12 pro-government Afghan militiamen, as per officials. The attack came at night in Ghorian District in Herat on Friday. "Twelve pro-government militiamen were killed in the Taliban attack in Ghorian district last night," said Farhad Khademi, ditrict governor.

Two Taliban terrorists killed 12 pro-government Afghan militiamen, as per officials. The attack came at night in Ghorian District in Herat on Friday. "Twelve pro-government militiamen were killed in the Taliban attack in Ghorian district last night," said Farhad Khademi, ditrict governor. He was quoted by AFP. Herat provincial council member Mohammad Sardar Bahaduri confirmed the attack and said it was carried out by two Taliban fighters who had infiltrated the base. "The militiamen were dining when the attack happened," he said. In a separate incident, a vehicle carrying policemen was struck by a roadside bomb in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul, police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz told reporters. Two policemen were killed and one wounded in the attack, he said. Violence has surged across Afghanistan in recent months, especially in Kabul, which has been rocked by a new trend of targeted killings. The bloodshed comes even as the Taliban and government negotiators engage in peace talks to end the nearly two-decades-long war in the country. Representatives from two warring sides are currently in the Qatari capital Doha discussing the agenda for the talks.

Two Taliban terrorists kill 12 pro-government Afghan militiamen

The US military troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are at its lowest with 2,500 each in about two decades since the war started, the Pentagon announced on Friday.&nbsp;

"Today, the United States is closer than ever to ending nearly two decades of war and welcoming in an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process to achieve a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller was quoted as saying in a statement reported by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-military-releases-13-civilians-policeman-from-taliban-prison-356661">Afghan military releases 13 civilians, policeman from Taliban prison</a>

Miller said that a path to peace in both the nations means&nbsp;the cuts of troop without compromising with the security for Americans and its allies.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-forces-foil-is-plan-to-assassinate-top-us-envoy-356264">Afghan forces foil IS plan to assassinate top US envoy</a>

He added that further reduction will depend on the progress of peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban.&nbsp;

"Moving forward, while the (Defense) Department continues with planning capable of further reducing US troop levels to zero by May of 2021, any such future drawdowns remain conditions-based," Miller said.

Miller said that troop reduction in Iraq reflects the "the increased capabilities" of Iraqi security personnel, adding that this does not mean a "change in the US policy".&nbsp;

"US and Coalition forces remain in Iraq to ensure the enduring defeat of (the Islamic State group)," he said, adding that counterterrorism operations will continue in Iraq with sharing "airpower" and "intelligence". 
&nbsp;

The US military troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are at its lowest with 2,500 each in about two decades since the war started, the Pentagon announced on Friday. "Today, the United States is closer than ever to ending nearly two decades of war and welcoming in an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process to achieve a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller was quoted as saying in a statement reported by news agency AFP.

The US military troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are at its lowest with 2,500 each in about two decades since the war started, the Pentagon announced on Friday. "Today, the United States is closer than ever to ending nearly two decades of war and welcoming in an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process to achieve a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller was quoted as saying in a statement reported by news agency AFP. Also read | Afghan military releases 13 civilians, policeman from Taliban prison Miller said that a path to peace in both the nations means the cuts of troop without compromising with the security for Americans and its allies. Also read | Afghan forces foil IS plan to assassinate top US envoy He added that further reduction will depend on the progress of peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban. "Moving forward, while the (Defense) Department continues with planning capable of further reducing US troop levels to zero by May of 2021, any such future drawdowns remain conditions-based," Miller said. Miller said that troop reduction in Iraq reflects the "the increased capabilities" of Iraqi security personnel, adding that this does not mean a "change in the US policy". "US and Coalition forces remain in Iraq to ensure the enduring defeat of (the Islamic State group)," he said, adding that counterterrorism operations will continue in Iraq with sharing "airpower" and "intelligence".

With 2,500 each, US says lowest troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan in about two decades

Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have inaugurated new transport, power and communications links, Turkmenistan said Thursday, as the ex-Soviet republic touts its role rebuilding Afghanistan's conflict-torn economy.&nbsp;

A trio of Turkmen foreign ministry statements said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov had participated via teleconference in opening ceremonies for a new branch of the railway connecting the two countries, a new power transmission line and a fibre optic line.

The 500 kilovolt, 153-kilometre (95-mile) power transmission line connecting Kerki in Turkmenistan to Sheberghan in Afghanistan is the first leg of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan&nbsp;(TAP) power project part-financed by the Asian Development Bank.&nbsp;

Afghanistan's fourth-largest city, Mazar-i-Sharif, is among the cities slated to receive Turkmen electricity, according to the foreign ministry readout.

Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have been connected by rail since late 2016, and the latest branch extends the line down from the Afghan border settlement of Akina (also spelled Aqina) to Andkhoy, another Afghan town 30 kilometres south.&nbsp;

According to the Turkmen foreign ministry readout, the opening was "marked by the solemn dispatch from the Akina station towards the city of Andkhoy of a train consisting of 20 cars loaded with export products from Turkmenistan".

A readout on the new fibre optic line said Afghanistan's communications minister Masoumeh Khavari had praised the project as boosting Afghanistan's "e-government" and internet connectivity drive.&nbsp;

The cables connect the customs point of Imamnazar in Turkmenistan to Akina in Afghanistan, and&nbsp;Serhetabat in Turkmenistan to Torghundi in Afghanistan.

Turkmen foreign minister Rashid Meredov said in November that Turkmenistan had spent $1.25 billion on projects aimed at integration with Afghanistan. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meredov also said Turkmenistan planned to begin this year construction of the Afghan section of a gas pipeline linking both countries with the large consumer markets of&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;and India.&nbsp;

The pipeline link known as TAPI -- long delayed amid questions over financing and security -- would be more than 1,800 kilometres long and transport more than 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Turkmenistan's giant Galkynysh gas field.

Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have inaugurated new transport, power and communications links, Turkmenistan said Thursday, as the ex-Soviet republic touts its role rebuilding Afghanistan's conflict-torn economy.

Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have inaugurated new transport, power and communications links, Turkmenistan said Thursday, as the ex-Soviet republic touts its role rebuilding Afghanistan's conflict-torn economy. A trio of Turkmen foreign ministry statements said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov had participated via teleconference in opening ceremonies for a new branch of the railway connecting the two countries, a new power transmission line and a fibre optic line. The 500 kilovolt, 153-kilometre (95-mile) power transmission line connecting Kerki in Turkmenistan to Sheberghan in Afghanistan is the first leg of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) power project part-financed by the Asian Development Bank. Afghanistan's fourth-largest city, Mazar-i-Sharif, is among the cities slated to receive Turkmen electricity, according to the foreign ministry readout. Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have been connected by rail since late 2016, and the latest branch extends the line down from the Afghan border settlement of Akina (also spelled Aqina) to Andkhoy, another Afghan town 30 kilometres south. According to the Turkmen foreign ministry readout, the opening was "marked by the solemn dispatch from the Akina station towards the city of Andkhoy of a train consisting of 20 cars loaded with export products from Turkmenistan". A readout on the new fibre optic line said Afghanistan's communications minister Masoumeh Khavari had praised the project as boosting Afghanistan's "e-government" and internet connectivity drive. The cables connect the customs point of Imamnazar in Turkmenistan to Akina in Afghanistan, and Serhetabat in Turkmenistan to Torghundi in Afghanistan. Turkmen foreign minister Rashid Meredov said in November that Turkmenistan had spent $1.25 billion on projects aimed at integration with Afghanistan. Meredov also said Turkmenistan planned to begin this year construction of the Afghan section of a gas pipeline linking both countries with the large consumer markets of Pakistan and India. The pipeline link known as TAPI -- long delayed amid questions over financing and security -- would be more than 1,800 kilometres long and transport more than 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Turkmenistan's giant Galkynysh gas field.

Turkmenistan, Afghanistan open new rail and power links

Three Pakistani soldiers were killed Thursday in an exchange of fire with militants in a northwestern tribal region near the Afghan border, the military said.

North Waziristan was once a focal point in the global war on terror, but attacks have decreased in recent years following a series of army offensives against homegrown and foreign militants.

As well as the soldiers, three militants were killed on Thursday during two separate intelligence-based operations on militant hideouts.

"During an exchange of fire, three soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom), while two terrorists and a bomb-making expert were also killed,"&nbsp;Pakistan's military said in a statement.

In 2014, the army launched a massive operation to wipe out militant bases in the region, to end a near decade-long insurgency that cost thousands of lives.

Two years later, the army claimed to have cleared the last militant stronghold there after a three-month long operation.

Three Pakistani soldiers were killed Thursday in an exchange of fire with militants in a northwestern tribal region near the Afghan border, the military said. North Waziristan was once a focal point in the global war on terror, but attacks have decreased in recent years following a series of army offensives against homegrown and foreign militants.

Three Pakistani soldiers were killed Thursday in an exchange of fire with militants in a northwestern tribal region near the Afghan border, the military said. North Waziristan was once a focal point in the global war on terror, but attacks have decreased in recent years following a series of army offensives against homegrown and foreign militants. As well as the soldiers, three militants were killed on Thursday during two separate intelligence-based operations on militant hideouts. "During an exchange of fire, three soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom), while two terrorists and a bomb-making expert were also killed," Pakistan's military said in a statement. In 2014, the army launched a massive operation to wipe out militant bases in the region, to end a near decade-long insurgency that cost thousands of lives. Two years later, the army claimed to have cleared the last militant stronghold there after a three-month long operation.

Three Pakistani soldiers killed in shootout near Afghan border

Afghan commando forces released 13 civilians and one policeman from a Taliban prison in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the Afghan defense ministry said on Thursday.

"13 #civilians and a police officer were released from #Taliban prison as a result of commando forces` operations in Washir district of #Helmand province last night. Also, several Taliban`s vehicles were seized during the operation," the ministry wrote on its Twitter account.

The ministry added that the Afghan national army (ANA) killed seven Taliban militants who planned to blow up a car bomb among civilians in the northern province of Faryab.

"ANA prevented a car bomb attack in Qaisar district of #Faryab province yesterday. 7 #suicide attackers who were in the car loaded with explosives were killed as a result of the #ANA attack before they could reach their target. TB [the Taliban] had planned to blow up the car among civilians," the ministry said.

Afghanistan is still plagued by long-lasting violence that claims the lives of Afghan civilians and security personnel, despite the ongoing intra-Afghan peace negotiations that began in the Qatari capital of Doha on September 12.

In early December, Kabul and the Taliban took a three-week break in their talks for consultations on a negotiation framework. The sides resumed negotiations on January 6 in Qatar`s capital Doha. However, the resumption of talks has so far failed to improve the security situation in Afghanistan.

Afghan commando forces released 13 civilians and one policeman from a Taliban prison in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the Afghan defense ministry said on Thursday.

Afghan commando forces released 13 civilians and one policeman from a Taliban prison in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the Afghan defense ministry said on Thursday. "13 #civilians and a police officer were released from #Taliban prison as a result of commando forces` operations in Washir district of #Helmand province last night. Also, several Taliban`s vehicles were seized during the operation," the ministry wrote on its Twitter account. The ministry added that the Afghan national army (ANA) killed seven Taliban militants who planned to blow up a car bomb among civilians in the northern province of Faryab. "ANA prevented a car bomb attack in Qaisar district of #Faryab province yesterday. 7 #suicide attackers who were in the car loaded with explosives were killed as a result of the #ANA attack before they could reach their target. TB [the Taliban] had planned to blow up the car among civilians," the ministry said. Afghanistan is still plagued by long-lasting violence that claims the lives of Afghan civilians and security personnel, despite the ongoing intra-Afghan peace negotiations that began in the Qatari capital of Doha on September 12. In early December, Kabul and the Taliban took a three-week break in their talks for consultations on a negotiation framework. The sides resumed negotiations on January 6 in Qatar`s capital Doha. However, the resumption of talks has so far failed to improve the security situation in Afghanistan.

Afghan military releases 13 civilians, policeman from Taliban prison

Indian Army Chief&nbsp;MM Naravane has ruled out any plans of sending troops on the ground in Afghanistan, reaffirming New Delhi's long-standing policy of "no boots on the ground". 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-china-together-form-a-potent-threat-says-indian-army-chief-general-naravane-356184">Also read | Pakistan, China together form a potent threat, says Indian Army chief General Naravane</a> 
 
In response to a question at his annual presser,&nbsp;General&nbsp;Naravane&nbsp;said, "as far as Afghanistan is concerned, there are no plans whatsoever to commit boots on the ground and neither do we envisage such a scenario developing in the near future". 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-standoff-as-winter-sets-over-lac-indias-army-chief-general-naravane-visits-eastern-ladakh-351819">Also read | India-China standoff: As winter sets over LAC, India's Army chief General Naravane visits eastern Ladakh</a> 
 
This is not the first time such statement has come from India. In 2017, the then Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ruled out Indian troops on the ground. At that time, the Trump administration was keen India sent its forces.&nbsp;&nbsp;

India has been Afghanistan's biggest development partner in the region.

From mega infrastructure projects like the India Afghanistan friendship dam to the Afghan parliament to capacity building, India has been providing the country support since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.&nbsp;

Both sides are soon expected to sign an agreement on the building of the Shatoot dam that will provide safe drinking water to 2 million residents of Kabul city.

Indian Army Chief MM Naravane has ruled out any plans of sending troops on the ground in Afghanistan, reaffirming New Delhi's long-standing policy of "no boots on the ground".

Indian Army Chief MM Naravane has ruled out any plans of sending troops on the ground in Afghanistan, reaffirming New Delhi's long-standing policy of "no boots on the ground". Also read | Pakistan, China together form a potent threat, says Indian Army chief General Naravane In response to a question at his annual presser, General Naravane said, "as far as Afghanistan is concerned, there are no plans whatsoever to commit boots on the ground and neither do we envisage such a scenario developing in the near future". Also read | India-China standoff: As winter sets over LAC, India's Army chief General Naravane visits eastern Ladakh This is not the first time such statement has come from India. In 2017, the then Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ruled out Indian troops on the ground. At that time, the Trump administration was keen India sent its forces. India has been Afghanistan's biggest development partner in the region. From mega infrastructure projects like the India Afghanistan friendship dam to the Afghan parliament to capacity building, India has been providing the country support since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Both sides are soon expected to sign an agreement on the building of the Shatoot dam that will provide safe drinking water to 2 million residents of Kabul city.

Won't send boots on the ground in Afghanistan says Indian Army Chief Naravane

India has continued its focus on Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) even as China once again played games at the top UN body.

China, which is one of the Permanent Five or P5 members of the body, prevented India from heading the UNSC 1267 (ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida) Sanctions committee that lists international terrorists.&nbsp;

The same list, that has on its roll Pakistani terrorist nationals including Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. Many of them responsible for terror attacks in India, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks for which Islamabad has yet to take action.

Last week it was announced that India will be heading 3 crucial committees--the Taliban sanctions committee, the counter-terrorism committee for the year 2022, and the Libya sanctions committee.

Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee was split in 2011, creating the new Taliban Sanctions Committee to separately deal with the Taliban.

By being at the Taliban sanctions committee, India gets a crucial multilateral foothold in the Afghan peace process. The Taliban need approval from this grouping to travel, and an increased level of violence in Afghanistan could impact future approvals. In fact, Taliban leadership had a few weeks back visited Pakistan to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister SM Qureshi.&nbsp; 
What raised the eyebrows and drew the ire of Kabul was Taliban leadership meeting cadres in the country.

New Delhi also chairs the Counter-terror body of UNSC in 2022 and can see India taking special initiatives. The committee was formed after the 9/11 attacks in New York and bolsters the ability of United Nations Member States to prevent terrorist acts both within their borders and across regions.

It is not the first time China has created problems for India at UNSC. In 2019, in the aftermath of India removing special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, China at the behest of Pakistan tried to rake the issue at the body. Ultimately the attempt was thwarted, given most members saw it as India's internal matter and the issue was never put on UNSC records.

In fact, French President Macron's top diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne extended his country's support to India at the body last week and said, "I mean the direct threats to India, we have always been very clear. Whether on Kashmir we have been very supportive of India in the Security Council, we have not let the Chinese play any kind of procedural games."

Interestingly, the actions of China in Hong Kong were raised at UNSC last year by member countries, much to the embarrassment of Beijing which could not stop it.

India has continued its focus on Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) even as China once again played games at the top UN body. China, which is one of the Permanent Five or P5 members of the body, prevented India from heading the UNSC 1267 (ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida) Sanctions committee that lists international terrorists.

India has continued its focus on Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) even as China once again played games at the top UN body. China, which is one of the Permanent Five or P5 members of the body, prevented India from heading the UNSC 1267 (ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida) Sanctions committee that lists international terrorists. The same list, that has on its roll Pakistani terrorist nationals including Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. Many of them responsible for terror attacks in India, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks for which Islamabad has yet to take action. Last week it was announced that India will be heading 3 crucial committees--the Taliban sanctions committee, the counter-terrorism committee for the year 2022, and the Libya sanctions committee. Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee was split in 2011, creating the new Taliban Sanctions Committee to separately deal with the Taliban. By being at the Taliban sanctions committee, India gets a crucial multilateral foothold in the Afghan peace process. The Taliban need approval from this grouping to travel, and an increased level of violence in Afghanistan could impact future approvals. In fact, Taliban leadership had a few weeks back visited Pakistan to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister SM Qureshi. What raised the eyebrows and drew the ire of Kabul was Taliban leadership meeting cadres in the country. New Delhi also chairs the Counter-terror body of UNSC in 2022 and can see India taking special initiatives. The committee was formed after the 9/11 attacks in New York and bolsters the ability of United Nations Member States to prevent terrorist acts both within their borders and across regions. It is not the first time China has created problems for India at UNSC. In 2019, in the aftermath of India removing special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, China at the behest of Pakistan tried to rake the issue at the body. Ultimately the attempt was thwarted, given most members saw it as India's internal matter and the issue was never put on UNSC records. In fact, French President Macron's top diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne extended his country's support to India at the body last week and said, "I mean the direct threats to India, we have always been very clear. Whether on Kashmir we have been very supportive of India in the Security Council, we have not let the Chinese play any kind of procedural games." Interestingly, the actions of China in Hong Kong were raised at UNSC last year by member countries, much to the embarrassment of Beijing which could not stop it.

India puts focus on Afghanistan, as China plays games at UNSC by blocking entry at key sanctions committee

Doing business in a civil war-hit country can be a new challenge. Which side does peace? Who do you pay taxes to? A dairy entrepreneur in Afghanistan is facing all these challenges. WION brings you a report.

'Milko' a popular dairy brand in Afghanistan addresses both, the govt & Taliban

Amid rapidly growing Sino- Pakistan relations and Pakistan’s belligerent moves to derail Afghanistan initiatives to warm up to India, the recent busting of a robust Chinese spy syndicate in Kabul&nbsp;raises many questions.&nbsp;

Such questions further threaten the fragile polity in Afghanistan impinging on the security status of this country which is still struggling to come to terms with some semblance of peace. The condemnable presence of undercover Chinese intelligence operatives on the Afghan soil also calls for the Indian agencies to further reinforce its counterintelligence resources to combat a joint enterprise by Pakistan and China to damage Indian and Afghan geopolitical interests.&nbsp;

But before this recommendation, it seems important to examine how things unfolded leading the Chinese intelligence personnel to capitalise on Afghanistan to garner intelligence or execute some covert operations as a collaborator of Pakistan.

According to the sources placed in Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) which also oversees intelligence, a full-fledged Chinese ring of intelligence active in Kabul was busted last month.&nbsp;

It was a group of ten, and most significantly, two out of these ten were in touch with the Haqqani Network which remains in contact with Pakistan’s ISI and seeks guidance and all forms of assistance from this notorious Pak intelligence outfit.&nbsp;

It’s intriguing that the NDS or the Afghan government had initially kept the activities of this spy syndicate a secret and the NDS disclosed only after the Wolesi Sirga, the Afghan House of Representatives, questioned their security organisation about the news appearing in a section of Indian media about the Chinese covert activities. It would be naive to think that Afghan authorities had kept it under the wrap apprehending it could impair Sino-Afghan relations.

It’s further baffling that only after keeping the ten Chinese spies in detention for 23 days, they were let off without any charge or criminal case and were given a safe passage to China in a special chartered plane.&nbsp;

This seems more suspicious as dependable sources say that under express plans of the Chinese Intelligence headquarters, these spies were wanting to set up a fake module in the name of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). China is under international pressure from the international community for the continued Chinese high handedness among&nbsp;the Uighurs.&nbsp;

And, Afghanistan has borders with Xinjiang province of China. Hence, it could be possible it was trying to use the fake module to contain the so-called menace of the Uighurs whom the Chinese describe as "terrorists".

This apart, the Chinese complicity with Pakistan to gather hard human intelligence as well as technological, to aid the Haqqani terror network to harm Indian and Afghan interests through collective collaboration is a strong possibility.&nbsp;

This theory seems plausible as two arrested Chinese spies, Li Yang and Sha Hung were in very active touch with the Haqqani activists and Sha Hung was running a restaurant in Kabul for his espionage activities, so reminiscent of the high voltage dramas seen in a film thriller.&nbsp;

Further, a large cache of arms and narcotics were seized from the apprehended Chinese spies which speak about their undesirable designs. It’s also a million-dollar question as to who supplied them arms and contraband items? By deduction, it could be assumed they came from the ISI through their conduits in Kabul who mastermind&nbsp;the terror strikes.

Now that the spies have been flown away silently and no proper interrogation was carried out, mystery would remain about the real Chinese intentions. Most likely, they in coordination with the Pakistani agencies may have already planned or left behind a blueprint for offensive operations.

Chinese have already earned infamy for training and sheltering Indian North-East insurgents including ULFA cadres from Assam, PLA of Manipur and of course the Nagas (both the I/M and Khaplang factions ). ULFA head Paresh Barua is still believed to be hiding in China.&nbsp;

With this track record, and closeness to Pakistan to pinprick Indian security interests, Chinese footprints in Afghanistan calls for a serious reading by the experts watching Pakistan and Afghanistan with India thrown in.&nbsp;

Within Pakistan, Baluchistan, in particular, has been up in arms against China for the CPEC project. Ongoing projects in upgrading Gwadar Port and the railways do not augur well with all. The $62 billion project as part of the Belt and Road Initiative( BRI) being vulnerable from the security point of view, needed fencing all around but the plans were shelved under local pressure.&nbsp;

The situation is not completely to the satisfaction of the Sino-Pak plans. The Chinese consulate was violently attacked in Karachi and Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar came under assault. It could be possible that&nbsp;Chinese intelligence is expanding its network of activities on the Afghan soil as part of its third country operations. It’s therefore, not only worth a watch but merits an aggressive, well thought out counter move to nullify its moves to subvert Indian and Afghan interests.

(Writer is a retired IPS officer, a security analyst and a former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mauritius. Views are personal)

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Amid rapidly growing Sino- Pakistan relations and Pakistan’s belligerent moves to derail Afghanistan initiatives to warm up to India, the recent busting of a robust Chinese spy syndicate in Kabul raises many questions.

Amid rapidly growing Sino- Pakistan relations and Pakistan’s belligerent moves to derail Afghanistan initiatives to warm up to India, the recent busting of a robust Chinese spy syndicate in Kabul raises many questions. Such questions further threaten the fragile polity in Afghanistan impinging on the security status of this country which is still struggling to come to terms with some semblance of peace. The condemnable presence of undercover Chinese intelligence operatives on the Afghan soil also calls for the Indian agencies to further reinforce its counterintelligence resources to combat a joint enterprise by Pakistan and China to damage Indian and Afghan geopolitical interests. But before this recommendation, it seems important to examine how things unfolded leading the Chinese intelligence personnel to capitalise on Afghanistan to garner intelligence or execute some covert operations as a collaborator of Pakistan. According to the sources placed in Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) which also oversees intelligence, a full-fledged Chinese ring of intelligence active in Kabul was busted last month. It was a group of ten, and most significantly, two out of these ten were in touch with the Haqqani Network which remains in contact with Pakistan’s ISI and seeks guidance and all forms of assistance from this notorious Pak intelligence outfit. It’s intriguing that the NDS or the Afghan government had initially kept the activities of this spy syndicate a secret and the NDS disclosed only after the Wolesi Sirga, the Afghan House of Representatives, questioned their security organisation about the news appearing in a section of Indian media about the Chinese covert activities. It would be naive to think that Afghan authorities had kept it under the wrap apprehending it could impair Sino-Afghan relations. It’s further baffling that only after keeping the ten Chinese spies in detention for 23 days, they were let off without any charge or criminal case and were given a safe passage to China in a special chartered plane. This seems more suspicious as dependable sources say that under express plans of the Chinese Intelligence headquarters, these spies were wanting to set up a fake module in the name of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). China is under international pressure from the international community for the continued Chinese high handedness among the Uighurs. And, Afghanistan has borders with Xinjiang province of China. Hence, it could be possible it was trying to use the fake module to contain the so-called menace of the Uighurs whom the Chinese describe as "terrorists". This apart, the Chinese complicity with Pakistan to gather hard human intelligence as well as technological, to aid the Haqqani terror network to harm Indian and Afghan interests through collective collaboration is a strong possibility. This theory seems plausible as two arrested Chinese spies, Li Yang and Sha Hung were in very active touch with the Haqqani activists and Sha Hung was running a restaurant in Kabul for his espionage activities, so reminiscent of the high voltage dramas seen in a film thriller. Further, a large cache of arms and narcotics were seized from the apprehended Chinese spies which speak about their undesirable designs. It’s also a million-dollar question as to who supplied them arms and contraband items? By deduction, it could be assumed they came from the ISI through their conduits in Kabul who mastermind the terror strikes. Now that the spies have been flown away silently and no proper interrogation was carried out, mystery would remain about the real Chinese intentions. Most likely, they in coordination with the Pakistani agencies may have already planned or left behind a blueprint for offensive operations. Chinese have already earned infamy for training and sheltering Indian North-East insurgents including ULFA cadres from Assam, PLA of Manipur and of course the Nagas (both the I/M and Khaplang factions ). ULFA head Paresh Barua is still believed to be hiding in China. With this track record, and closeness to Pakistan to pinprick Indian security interests, Chinese footprints in Afghanistan calls for a serious reading by the experts watching Pakistan and Afghanistan with India thrown in. Within Pakistan, Baluchistan, in particular, has been up in arms against China for the CPEC project. Ongoing projects in upgrading Gwadar Port and the railways do not augur well with all. The $62 billion project as part of the Belt and Road Initiative( BRI) being vulnerable from the security point of view, needed fencing all around but the plans were shelved under local pressure. The situation is not completely to the satisfaction of the Sino-Pak plans. The Chinese consulate was violently attacked in Karachi and Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar came under assault. It could be possible that Chinese intelligence is expanding its network of activities on the Afghan soil as part of its third country operations. It’s therefore, not only worth a watch but merits an aggressive, well thought out counter move to nullify its moves to subvert Indian and Afghan interests. (Writer is a retired IPS officer, a security analyst and a former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mauritius. Views are personal) (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Active presence of Chinese intelligence in Afghanistan

An Afghan journalist-turned spokesman for the country's public protection force was killed along with two colleagues Sunday by a bomb targeting their vehicle, the interior ministry said.

The murder of Zia Wadan, who previously worked for several media networks in Afghanistan, appeared to be the latest in a series of targeted killings that have rocked Afghanistan, especially Kabul.

Wadan and his colleagues were killed in morning rush-hour traffic in an eastern part of the capital, ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told reporters.

"A vehicle carrying Zia Wadan was targeted with an IED... as a result Wadan and two of his colleagues were killed," Arian said, adding that another person was wounded.&nbsp;

No group has claimed the attack so far.

Wadan was spokesman for the National Public Protection Force (NPPF), a security service under the interior ministry that deploys guards to international organisations across Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Deadly violence has surged across the country in recent months, and a new trend of targeted killings has sowed fear, especially in Kabul.

High-profile figures including journalists, politicians and rights activists have increasingly been targeted despite peace talks between the government and Taliban.

Since November, five journalists have been killed in targeted killings along with several other prominent figures.

An Afghan journalist-turned spokesman for the country's public protection force was killed along with two colleagues Sunday by a bomb targeting their vehicle, the interior ministry said.

An Afghan journalist-turned spokesman for the country's public protection force was killed along with two colleagues Sunday by a bomb targeting their vehicle, the interior ministry said. The murder of Zia Wadan, who previously worked for several media networks in Afghanistan, appeared to be the latest in a series of targeted killings that have rocked Afghanistan, especially Kabul. Wadan and his colleagues were killed in morning rush-hour traffic in an eastern part of the capital, ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told reporters. "A vehicle carrying Zia Wadan was targeted with an IED... as a result Wadan and two of his colleagues were killed," Arian said, adding that another person was wounded. No group has claimed the attack so far. Wadan was spokesman for the National Public Protection Force (NPPF), a security service under the interior ministry that deploys guards to international organisations across Afghanistan. Deadly violence has surged across the country in recent months, and a new trend of targeted killings has sowed fear, especially in Kabul. High-profile figures including journalists, politicians and rights activists have increasingly been targeted despite peace talks between the government and Taliban. Since November, five journalists have been killed in targeted killings along with several other prominent figures.

Bomb kills three in Afghan capital

The Afghan government is investigating an air strike by its military in the southern province of Nimroz that local officials say resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians, as local residents brought their bodies to the provincial capital in protest. 
 
Government officials confirmed the Saturday night strike but said on Sunday that initial information showed the deaths were all of Taliban insurgents fighting Afghan security forces. 
 
The clashes came just as representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban kicked off the second round of peace talks in the Qatari capital Doha on Saturday.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bomb-kills-three-in-afghan-capital-355739" hreflang="en">Bomb kills three in Afghan capital</a> 
 
"An air strike in Khashrod district has resulted in heavy casualties for the Taliban, and investigations into allegations that civilians have been killed are ongoing," the Afghan Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Sunday. 
 
A local government official told Reuters, on condition of anonymity, that the Afghan air force targeted a residential house where it suspected Taliban were present. 
 
The official said the 14 killed were all from one family.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/three-arrested-for-murder-of-afghan-election-activist-355582" hreflang="en">Three arrested for murder of Afghan election activist</a> 
 
Local residents told Reuters by phone that people from the area where the strike took place had brought the bodies to the centre of Nimroz`s capital, Zaranj, to prove that the deceased were not Taliban fighters. 
 
Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi also denied those killed were its own combatants, saying they were civilians, all members of one family, and included women and children. 
 
Continued violence has hastened international calls for a ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, whose representatives met on Saturday for a first session in a second round of peace talks, where contentious issues such as a ceasefire and power-sharing are expected to be discussed. 
 
Both sides, in separate statements on Saturday, said they discussed the agenda and that the meeting took place in a positive and amicable atmosphere.

The Afghan government is investigating an air strike by its military in the southern province of Nimroz that local officials say resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians, as local residents brought their bodies to the provincial capital in protest.

The Afghan government is investigating an air strike by its military in the southern province of Nimroz that local officials say resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians, as local residents brought their bodies to the provincial capital in protest. Government officials confirmed the Saturday night strike but said on Sunday that initial information showed the deaths were all of Taliban insurgents fighting Afghan security forces. The clashes came just as representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban kicked off the second round of peace talks in the Qatari capital Doha on Saturday. Also read| Bomb kills three in Afghan capital "An air strike in Khashrod district has resulted in heavy casualties for the Taliban, and investigations into allegations that civilians have been killed are ongoing," the Afghan Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Sunday. A local government official told Reuters, on condition of anonymity, that the Afghan air force targeted a residential house where it suspected Taliban were present. The official said the 14 killed were all from one family. Also read| Three arrested for murder of Afghan election activist Local residents told Reuters by phone that people from the area where the strike took place had brought the bodies to the centre of Nimroz`s capital, Zaranj, to prove that the deceased were not Taliban fighters. Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi also denied those killed were its own combatants, saying they were civilians, all members of one family, and included women and children. Continued violence has hastened international calls for a ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, whose representatives met on Saturday for a first session in a second round of peace talks, where contentious issues such as a ceasefire and power-sharing are expected to be discussed. Both sides, in separate statements on Saturday, said they discussed the agenda and that the meeting took place in a positive and amicable atmosphere.

Afghanistan investigating if civilians killed in strike against Taliban

Afghan forces have arrested three people in connection with last month's murder of a prominent election activist, police said Saturday.

High-profile figures including journalists, politicians and rights activists have increasingly been targeted in recent months as violence surges in Afghanistan despite peace talks between the government and the Taliban.

"Three people have been arrested for the killing of Mohammad Yousuf Rasheed," Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz told reporters.

He did not immediately specify when the three were arrested or if they belonged to any group.

On December 23, gunmen ambushed Rasheed, who led an independent election monitoring organisation, in a southern suburb of the capital as he drove to work.

He and his driver died from their wounds later at a city hospital.

Rasheed was head of the Free and Fair Election Forum of Afghanistan (FEFA) which, according to its website, has worked since 2004 to promote democracy, good governance, and human resource management in the conflict-wracked country.

His murder followed a similar pattern of recent months, where prominent Afghans have been ambushed during the often-chaotic morning traffic, especially in Kabul.

His murder drew condemnation from Afghan and foreign officials.

Violence has surged across Afghanistan, particularly since peace talks commenced in September, with the Taliban carrying out near-daily attacks targeting Afghan forces.

The insurgents however deny carrying out targeted killings, some of which have been claimed by the jihadist Islamic State organisation.

Since November, five Afghan journalists have been assassinated along with some other activists and professionals.

These assassinations have sowed fear and chaos across the country, including in Kabul.

The killings come even as the Taliban and Afghan government negotiators are engaged in the second round of peace talks in the Qatari capital of Doha.

Afghan forces have arrested three people in connection with last month's murder of a prominent election activist, police said Saturday. High-profile figures including journalists, politicians and rights activists have increasingly been targeted in recent months as violence surges in Afghanistan despite peace talks between the government and the Taliban.

Afghan forces have arrested three people in connection with last month's murder of a prominent election activist, police said Saturday. High-profile figures including journalists, politicians and rights activists have increasingly been targeted in recent months as violence surges in Afghanistan despite peace talks between the government and the Taliban. "Three people have been arrested for the killing of Mohammad Yousuf Rasheed," Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz told reporters. He did not immediately specify when the three were arrested or if they belonged to any group. On December 23, gunmen ambushed Rasheed, who led an independent election monitoring organisation, in a southern suburb of the capital as he drove to work. He and his driver died from their wounds later at a city hospital. Rasheed was head of the Free and Fair Election Forum of Afghanistan (FEFA) which, according to its website, has worked since 2004 to promote democracy, good governance, and human resource management in the conflict-wracked country. His murder followed a similar pattern of recent months, where prominent Afghans have been ambushed during the often-chaotic morning traffic, especially in Kabul. His murder drew condemnation from Afghan and foreign officials. Violence has surged across Afghanistan, particularly since peace talks commenced in September, with the Taliban carrying out near-daily attacks targeting Afghan forces. The insurgents however deny carrying out targeted killings, some of which have been claimed by the jihadist Islamic State organisation. Since November, five Afghan journalists have been assassinated along with some other activists and professionals. These assassinations have sowed fear and chaos across the country, including in Kabul. The killings come even as the Taliban and Afghan government negotiators are engaged in the second round of peace talks in the Qatari capital of Doha.

Three arrested for murder of Afghan election activist

Separate attacks in southern Afghanistan left at least 11 civilians and security forces dead on Thursday.

This happened despite the presence of Afghan negotiators in Qatar. They resumed talks with the Taliban aimed at finding an end to decades of conflict.

In southern Uruzgan province, a suicide car bomber detonated a vehicle full of explosives early Thursday near a military base, killing six security forces.

It's said the explosion was so strong it sent shock waves through the city.

In southern Helmand province, at least five civilians were killed and five others wounded in a suspected airstrike late Wednesday on the outskirts. The casualties included children and women.

Abdul Nabi Elham, provincial governor, said officials were investigating to determine whether the assault was an airstrike or some other type of attack.

An Afghan negotiating team is in Qatar's capital of Doha to resume talks aimed at finding an end to decades of relentless conflict even as violence has spiked across the country.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;talks come amid growing doubt over a US-Taliban peace deal brokered by outgoing President Donald Trump.

Separate attacks in southern Afghanistan left at least 11 civilians and security forces dead on Thursday. This happened despite the presence of Afghan negotiators in Qatar.

Separate attacks in southern Afghanistan left at least 11 civilians and security forces dead on Thursday. This happened despite the presence of Afghan negotiators in Qatar. They resumed talks with the Taliban aimed at finding an end to decades of conflict. In southern Uruzgan province, a suicide car bomber detonated a vehicle full of explosives early Thursday near a military base, killing six security forces. It's said the explosion was so strong it sent shock waves through the city. In southern Helmand province, at least five civilians were killed and five others wounded in a suspected airstrike late Wednesday on the outskirts. The casualties included children and women. Abdul Nabi Elham, provincial governor, said officials were investigating to determine whether the assault was an airstrike or some other type of attack. An Afghan negotiating team is in Qatar's capital of Doha to resume talks aimed at finding an end to decades of relentless conflict even as violence has spiked across the country. The talks come amid growing doubt over a US-Taliban peace deal brokered by outgoing President Donald Trump.

Attacks in southern Afghanistan kill at least 11

The Afghanistan once was the heart of the silk route in Asia. Merchants use to come from far-off lands to get their hands in Afghanistan's silk. Back then, silk production was a booming industry, but centuries later silk producers disappear!

5,000 families left in silk production in Afghanistan, war diminishes demand for silk

KABUL, Afghanistan — A military prosecutor who thought upholding the law was the highest honor, a doctor who inspired her family to study medicine, a journalist who wanted to hold those in power to account and a human rights activist who sought to combat poverty in her home province: all murdered within weeks by unknown attackers as winter settled over Afghanistan.

Their deaths offer a glimpse into the targeted killings of community leaders and off-duty security forces that have wracked Afghanistan for months — the frequent echo of explosions and gunshots serving as reminders for those in cities and towns across the country and especially in Kabul, the capital, that a generation of Afghans is being methodically cut down.

The Afghan Interior Ministry would not provide the exact number of assassinations recorded in Afghanistan last year, but The New York Times has documented the deaths of at least 136 civilians and 168 security force members in such killings — worse than nearly any other year of the war.

The attacks — directed at civil servants, members of the media, human rights workers and former and current security force members — represent a shift from targeted assaults on high-profile officials by the Taliban and other groups operating in the country toward civil society’s rank-and-file and security forces who are at home with their families, with responsibility for the deaths often unclaimed.

The killings are a worrying sign of how much remains unsettled as the U.S. military prepares to withdraw from Afghanistan, after nearly two decades of fighting, and have added to fears that more violence and chaos will follow.

The timing makes most officials believe that the Taliban are using the assassinations as a complement to their coordinated assaults on security posts and government-controlled territory to strike fear and increase the government’s desperation at the negotiating table.

But some officials believe that at least some of the killings have a different source: political factions outside the Taliban that are beginning to use chaos as a cover as the country starts breaking down under pressure, settling scores in a troubling pattern reminiscent of Afghanistan’s disastrous civil war a generation ago.

This new chapter of intimidation and violence first opened following the Feb. 29 peace agreement between the Taliban and the United States, and it continued through the negotiations between Afghan and Taliban representatives in Qatar that paused last month. The next phase of discussions, set to reconvene Tuesday, will focus on solidifying the agenda for the negotiations, with the ultimate goal of creating a political road map for a future government.

The purpose of these current killings appears to be to terrorize Afghan society into submitting to whatever terms emerge from the talks, whether that is a peace agreement or civil war.

In the first half of the year, the targeted killings were mostly limited to religious scholars and civilians in outlying districts and provinces, according to the Times’ data. The pattern of bloodshed next emerged in cities, leaving a trail of slain judges, prosecutors, civil-society activists and journalists.

Sometimes victims received threats to pressure them to stop working; other times, there was no warning before they were killed, according to family members. The Interior Ministry has advised news organizations to either arm or better protect their staffs or close their doors. Several Afghan journalists have fled the country, and local journalism associations have called on reporters to boycott government news for three days to protest the attacks, spurred by the assassination of a radio station manager in Ghor province on New Year’s Day.

“When he told me about the threats a month before he got killed, I was worried, but he calmed me, saying, ‘I haven’t hurt anyone; why would anyone hurt me?’” said Nargis Noorzai Faizan, the widow of Pamir Faizan, a military prosecutor shot by gunmen in Kabul on Dec. 6. “I was a 4-year-old when my father got killed by mujahedeen insurgents. He was an officer in the army and thought that he didn’t make trouble for anyone, so he won’t be targeted. He was assassinated. Now I am 30, and I lost my husband to another insurgency.”

These targeted killings have been primarily carried out in two ways: gunfire and homemade bombs, typically assembled using plastic high explosives and powerful magnets, a government intelligence official recently told the Times, speaking on condition of anonymity. The magnet allows the attacker to easily and quickly attach the bomb to a car.

Abdul Qayoom — the brother of Dr. Nazifa Ibrahimi, the acting head of the health department of the prisons administration who, with four others, was killed by a bomb targeting their vehicle in Kabul on Dec. 22 — had warned his sister just weeks earlier that security in their neighborhood was worsening.

“She told me, ‘Brother, I am the head doctor, and I am not dealing directly with patients, so no one will try to hurt me,’” Qayoom said. “She dedicated herself to her job. She promised to serve her people, and she fulfilled that promise.”

While no group has taken credit for the bombing that killed Ibrahimi, U.S. and Afghan security officials say the Taliban have established a network of third-party criminals to carry out assassinations around the country.

Ahmad Zia Saraj, head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, recently told parliament that his agency had arrested 270 Taliban members who were part of a special unit called Obaida Karwan that has been linked to the killings.

For the Taliban, the aim of these attacks is likely twofold: to degrade public trust in the government and to eliminate those who might oppose the group’s interpretation of justice and virtue, especially if a version of their hard-line Islamic government — known for human rights violations during its rule in the 1990s — returns to power following any peace deal.

Still, the group continues to deny accusations of its involvement.

“Civil employees of government, civil institutions, civil organizations and civil-society activists and independent people were never in our target list. Our mujahedeen are not involved in their killing,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban. “We have condemned these killings, and we reject any involvement in these killings.”

Despite the Taliban’s presumed role in many of the unclaimed attacks, some Afghans are pointing fingers at government-linked factions that could also benefit from the targeted killings, along with the Islamic State group affiliate operating in the country.

“Drug smugglers, land grabbers, corrupt officials and those against government reform plans are also behind these attacks,” said Dawlat Waziri, a former Afghan general and military analyst. “They want the peace talks to collapse and even support a civil war because the more chaos and war in this country, the more they will benefit.”

For now the killings continue, with the Afghan government seemingly incapable of stopping or slowing them, despite repeated promises to hold those responsible to account.

Rahmatullah Nikzad, a freelance journalist who worked for The Associated Press and Al-Jazeera, was gunned down in Ghazni province Dec. 21; as was Freshta Kohistani, a human rights activist who was shot, alongside her brother, on Dec. 24 near her home in Kapisa province. Kohistani had recently posted on Facebook that security officials were ignoring death threats that she had received.

“She was raising the problems of people,” said Rooyin Habibi, another of Kohistani’s brothers. “She was fighting for the rights of her people, and she wanted a better future for Afghanistan.”

This type of violence is reminiscent of the killings and disappearances of Afghans working in Peshawar, Pakistan, in the late 1980s and early 1990s as Afghanistan cascaded into a civil war across the border. Women, intellectuals and political and religious figures — many of whom who were opposed to the policies of the Islamist insurgent groups that rose to power following the defeat of the Soviets in 1989 — were detained or killed. And the abductions and killings of the thousands who spoke out against Afghanistan’s communist regime in the years before were well documented.

Today, what Shaharzad Akbar, chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, fears — aside from being killed — is that these deaths will become white noise for the international community more so than they already have. Afghan lives, she said, do not seem to be valued by much of the world.

“We die, there is a tweet, and people move on,” Akbar said. “The only tangible thing that has happened to Afghans under the peace process is that they used to know who their killers are, and now they don’t.” 
&nbsp;

KABUL, Afghanistan — A military prosecutor who thought upholding the law was the highest honor, a doctor who inspired her family to study medicine, a journalist who wanted to hold those in power to account and a human rights activist who sought to combat poverty in her home province: all murdered within weeks by unknown attackers as winter settled over Afghanistan.

KABUL, Afghanistan — A military prosecutor who thought upholding the law was the highest honor, a doctor who inspired her family to study medicine, a journalist who wanted to hold those in power to account and a human rights activist who sought to combat poverty in her home province: all murdered within weeks by unknown attackers as winter settled over Afghanistan. Their deaths offer a glimpse into the targeted killings of community leaders and off-duty security forces that have wracked Afghanistan for months — the frequent echo of explosions and gunshots serving as reminders for those in cities and towns across the country and especially in Kabul, the capital, that a generation of Afghans is being methodically cut down. The Afghan Interior Ministry would not provide the exact number of assassinations recorded in Afghanistan last year, but The New York Times has documented the deaths of at least 136 civilians and 168 security force members in such killings — worse than nearly any other year of the war. The attacks — directed at civil servants, members of the media, human rights workers and former and current security force members — represent a shift from targeted assaults on high-profile officials by the Taliban and other groups operating in the country toward civil society’s rank-and-file and security forces who are at home with their families, with responsibility for the deaths often unclaimed. The killings are a worrying sign of how much remains unsettled as the U.S. military prepares to withdraw from Afghanistan, after nearly two decades of fighting, and have added to fears that more violence and chaos will follow. The timing makes most officials believe that the Taliban are using the assassinations as a complement to their coordinated assaults on security posts and government-controlled territory to strike fear and increase the government’s desperation at the negotiating table. But some officials believe that at least some of the killings have a different source: political factions outside the Taliban that are beginning to use chaos as a cover as the country starts breaking down under pressure, settling scores in a troubling pattern reminiscent of Afghanistan’s disastrous civil war a generation ago. This new chapter of intimidation and violence first opened following the Feb. 29 peace agreement between the Taliban and the United States, and it continued through the negotiations between Afghan and Taliban representatives in Qatar that paused last month. The next phase of discussions, set to reconvene Tuesday, will focus on solidifying the agenda for the negotiations, with the ultimate goal of creating a political road map for a future government. The purpose of these current killings appears to be to terrorize Afghan society into submitting to whatever terms emerge from the talks, whether that is a peace agreement or civil war. In the first half of the year, the targeted killings were mostly limited to religious scholars and civilians in outlying districts and provinces, according to the Times’ data. The pattern of bloodshed next emerged in cities, leaving a trail of slain judges, prosecutors, civil-society activists and journalists. Sometimes victims received threats to pressure them to stop working; other times, there was no warning before they were killed, according to family members. The Interior Ministry has advised news organizations to either arm or better protect their staffs or close their doors. Several Afghan journalists have fled the country, and local journalism associations have called on reporters to boycott government news for three days to protest the attacks, spurred by the assassination of a radio station manager in Ghor province on New Year’s Day. “When he told me about the threats a month before he got killed, I was worried, but he calmed me, saying, ‘I haven’t hurt anyone; why would anyone hurt me?’” said Nargis Noorzai Faizan, the widow of Pamir Faizan, a military prosecutor shot by gunmen in Kabul on Dec. 6. “I was a 4-year-old when my father got killed by mujahedeen insurgents. He was an officer in the army and thought that he didn’t make trouble for anyone, so he won’t be targeted. He was assassinated. Now I am 30, and I lost my husband to another insurgency.” These targeted killings have been primarily carried out in two ways: gunfire and homemade bombs, typically assembled using plastic high explosives and powerful magnets, a government intelligence official recently told the Times, speaking on condition of anonymity. The magnet allows the attacker to easily and quickly attach the bomb to a car. Abdul Qayoom — the brother of Dr. Nazifa Ibrahimi, the acting head of the health department of the prisons administration who, with four others, was killed by a bomb targeting their vehicle in Kabul on Dec. 22 — had warned his sister just weeks earlier that security in their neighborhood was worsening. “She told me, ‘Brother, I am the head doctor, and I am not dealing directly with patients, so no one will try to hurt me,’” Qayoom said. “She dedicated herself to her job. She promised to serve her people, and she fulfilled that promise.” While no group has taken credit for the bombing that killed Ibrahimi, U.S. and Afghan security officials say the Taliban have established a network of third-party criminals to carry out assassinations around the country. Ahmad Zia Saraj, head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, recently told parliament that his agency had arrested 270 Taliban members who were part of a special unit called Obaida Karwan that has been linked to the killings. For the Taliban, the aim of these attacks is likely twofold: to degrade public trust in the government and to eliminate those who might oppose the group’s interpretation of justice and virtue, especially if a version of their hard-line Islamic government — known for human rights violations during its rule in the 1990s — returns to power following any peace deal. Still, the group continues to deny accusations of its involvement. “Civil employees of government, civil institutions, civil organizations and civil-society activists and independent people were never in our target list. Our mujahedeen are not involved in their killing,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban. “We have condemned these killings, and we reject any involvement in these killings.” Despite the Taliban’s presumed role in many of the unclaimed attacks, some Afghans are pointing fingers at government-linked factions that could also benefit from the targeted killings, along with the Islamic State group affiliate operating in the country. “Drug smugglers, land grabbers, corrupt officials and those against government reform plans are also behind these attacks,” said Dawlat Waziri, a former Afghan general and military analyst. “They want the peace talks to collapse and even support a civil war because the more chaos and war in this country, the more they will benefit.” For now the killings continue, with the Afghan government seemingly incapable of stopping or slowing them, despite repeated promises to hold those responsible to account. Rahmatullah Nikzad, a freelance journalist who worked for The Associated Press and Al-Jazeera, was gunned down in Ghazni province Dec. 21; as was Freshta Kohistani, a human rights activist who was shot, alongside her brother, on Dec. 24 near her home in Kapisa province. Kohistani had recently posted on Facebook that security officials were ignoring death threats that she had received. “She was raising the problems of people,” said Rooyin Habibi, another of Kohistani’s brothers. “She was fighting for the rights of her people, and she wanted a better future for Afghanistan.” This type of violence is reminiscent of the killings and disappearances of Afghans working in Peshawar, Pakistan, in the late 1980s and early 1990s as Afghanistan cascaded into a civil war across the border. Women, intellectuals and political and religious figures — many of whom who were opposed to the policies of the Islamist insurgent groups that rose to power following the defeat of the Soviets in 1989 — were detained or killed. And the abductions and killings of the thousands who spoke out against Afghanistan’s communist regime in the years before were well documented. Today, what Shaharzad Akbar, chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, fears — aside from being killed — is that these deaths will become white noise for the international community more so than they already have. Afghan lives, she said, do not seem to be valued by much of the world. “We die, there is a tweet, and people move on,” Akbar said. “The only tangible thing that has happened to Afghans under the peace process is that they used to know who their killers are, and now they don’t.”

Targeted killings are terrorizing Afghans. And no one Is claiming them.

A string of assassinations has sowed fear and chaos across Afghanistan as a fresh round of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban begin in Qatar Tuesday.&nbsp;

Months of deliberations between the two sides have yielded little so far, but both parties made something of a breakthrough last year when they finally agreed at least on what to discuss in the next round.&nbsp;

Afghan government negotiators will push for a permanent ceasefire and to protect the existing system of governance, in place since the ouster of the Taliban in 2001 by a US-led invasion in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

"The talks are going to be very complicated and time-consuming," Ghulam Farooq Majroh, a government negotiator told AFP.

"But we are hopeful to arrive at a result as soon as possible as people are tired of this bloody war."

The Taliban did not offer any comment.

The first direct talks between the warring sides opened in September after months of delays, but quickly became bogged down by disputes on the basic framework of discussions and religious interpretations.

A concerted diplomatic effort from Washington finally led to a consensus.

The negotiations follow a landmark troop withdrawal deal signed in February by the Taliban and Washington, which saw the US pledge to pull out all foreign forces from Afghanistan by May 2021.

- Violence increases -

The talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban have been marred by an increase in violence from the start, but a new trend is a wave of high-profile targeted killings of officials, activists, and journalists.&nbsp;

The deputy governor for Kabul province, five journalists, and a prominent election activist have been among those assassinated in Kabul and other cities since November.

Officials blame the Taliban for the mayhem, although the jihadist Islamic State group has claimed some of the assaults.

"The Taliban aim to divide the people and trigger criticism and frustration against the government's security institutions with these assassinations," Javid Faisal, an adviser to the National Security Council, told AFP.

"But the killings are uniting people."

Nishank Motwani, deputy director of the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit think tank, said the Taliban would not formally claim responsibility for the political assassinations, but nevertheless wanted to demonstrate "to its cadre that the Taliban are who they are and have not changed".

The Taliban carried out more than 18,000 attacks across the country in 2020, Afghanistan's spy chief Ahmad Zia Siraj told lawmakers this week.

The first nine months of last year saw 2,177 civilians killed and 3,822 wounded, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

Ordinary Afghans long for better security but hold little hope for an immediate improvement despite the talks.

"We have no security at all in Kabul. For how long will we need to keep burying our loved ones?" said Jamshid Mohammad, a resident of Kabul.

A string of assassinations has sowed fear and chaos across Afghanistan as a fresh round of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban begin in Qatar Tuesday.

A string of assassinations has sowed fear and chaos across Afghanistan as a fresh round of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban begin in Qatar Tuesday. Months of deliberations between the two sides have yielded little so far, but both parties made something of a breakthrough last year when they finally agreed at least on what to discuss in the next round. Afghan government negotiators will push for a permanent ceasefire and to protect the existing system of governance, in place since the ouster of the Taliban in 2001 by a US-led invasion in the wake of the September 11 attacks. "The talks are going to be very complicated and time-consuming," Ghulam Farooq Majroh, a government negotiator told AFP. "But we are hopeful to arrive at a result as soon as possible as people are tired of this bloody war." The Taliban did not offer any comment. The first direct talks between the warring sides opened in September after months of delays, but quickly became bogged down by disputes on the basic framework of discussions and religious interpretations. A concerted diplomatic effort from Washington finally led to a consensus. The negotiations follow a landmark troop withdrawal deal signed in February by the Taliban and Washington, which saw the US pledge to pull out all foreign forces from Afghanistan by May 2021. - Violence increases - The talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban have been marred by an increase in violence from the start, but a new trend is a wave of high-profile targeted killings of officials, activists, and journalists. The deputy governor for Kabul province, five journalists, and a prominent election activist have been among those assassinated in Kabul and other cities since November. Officials blame the Taliban for the mayhem, although the jihadist Islamic State group has claimed some of the assaults. "The Taliban aim to divide the people and trigger criticism and frustration against the government's security institutions with these assassinations," Javid Faisal, an adviser to the National Security Council, told AFP. "But the killings are uniting people." Nishank Motwani, deputy director of the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit think tank, said the Taliban would not formally claim responsibility for the political assassinations, but nevertheless wanted to demonstrate "to its cadre that the Taliban are who they are and have not changed". The Taliban carried out more than 18,000 attacks across the country in 2020, Afghanistan's spy chief Ahmad Zia Siraj told lawmakers this week. The first nine months of last year saw 2,177 civilians killed and 3,822 wounded, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Ordinary Afghans long for better security but hold little hope for an immediate improvement despite the talks. "We have no security at all in Kabul. For how long will we need to keep burying our loved ones?" said Jamshid Mohammad, a resident of Kabul.

Afghan peace talks resume as bloodshed continues

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