In a strong statement India has slammed Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for destabilising Afghanistan, saying, "terror flow across Durand Line should stop".

India slams Pakistan at the UNSC for destabilising Afghanistan

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet on Saturday Taliban and the Afghanistan negotiators of the intra-Afghan deal, the State Department said on Friday. &nbsp;

Pompeo will meet teams of both the sides separately in the Qatari capital Doha.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-welcome-us-troop-drawdown-from-afghanistan-as-good-step-343943">Taliban welcome US troop drawdown from Afghanistan as 'good step'</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

He will also meet Qatar's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the foreign minister during the Doha visit.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-taliban-was-involved-in-helmand-attacks-afghan-interior-minister-spokesperson-to-wion-343535">Pakistani Taliban was involved in Helmand attacks: Afghan Interior Minister spokesperson to WION</a>

Earlier this week, the Pentagon said it would soon withdraw 2,000 American troops from Afghanistan, ramping up the commitments with Taliban agreed in February.&nbsp;

It said the US would pull out 2,000 of its troops by mid-January that will leave only 2,500 in the region.&nbsp;

Donald Trump has repeatedly called for ending "foreign wars", including the one in Afghanistan which began after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

President-elect Joe Biden, also in a rare consensus supports pulling out troops from the region, however, experts say he will not look for a fast withdrawal as was aimed by Trump.&nbsp;

The talks between Taliban and Afghanistan have shown little sign of progress, but news agency AFP has said several sources confirmed that a key sticking point between the two sides has been resolved.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet on Saturday Taliban and the Afghanistan negotiators of the intra-Afghan deal, the State Department said on Friday. Pompeo will meet teams of both the sides separately in the Qatari capital Doha.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet on Saturday Taliban and the Afghanistan negotiators of the intra-Afghan deal, the State Department said on Friday. Pompeo will meet teams of both the sides separately in the Qatari capital Doha. Also read | Taliban welcome US troop drawdown from Afghanistan as 'good step' He will also meet Qatar's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the foreign minister during the Doha visit. Also read | Pakistani Taliban was involved in Helmand attacks: Afghan Interior Minister spokesperson to WION Earlier this week, the Pentagon said it would soon withdraw 2,000 American troops from Afghanistan, ramping up the commitments with Taliban agreed in February. It said the US would pull out 2,000 of its troops by mid-January that will leave only 2,500 in the region. Donald Trump has repeatedly called for ending "foreign wars", including the one in Afghanistan which began after the September 11, 2001 attacks. President-elect Joe Biden, also in a rare consensus supports pulling out troops from the region, however, experts say he will not look for a fast withdrawal as was aimed by Trump. The talks between Taliban and Afghanistan have shown little sign of progress, but news agency AFP has said several sources confirmed that a key sticking point between the two sides has been resolved.

Mike Pompeo to meet Taliban, Afghan negotiators in Doha

Islamic State accepted responsibility for terrorist attack in Kabul, reported AFP. The terror attack has claimed at least 8 lives. The terrorist attack was earlier blamed on Taliban. The terrorist attack in Kabul took place in densely populated part of the city including near heavily fortified Green Zone. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for Kabul attack through its Telegram channels.

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&nbsp;

Islamic State&nbsp;said 28 Katyusha rockets fired by "soldiers of the caliphate" hit Kabul's heavily fortified Green Zone that houses "the presidential palace, embassies of Crusader states, and the headquarters of Afghan forces".&nbsp;

The Afghan government initially blamed Taliban but it denied responsibility of the attack.

"The terrorists fired 23 rockets on the city of Kabul. Based on the initial information, eight people were martyred, and 31 others were wounded," said interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian earlier, as quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-kabul-rocked-by-several-rocket-explosions-344461">Afghanistan rocket explosions: Death toll jumps to 8; govt blames Taliban</a> 
 
The terrorist attack in Kabul took place around 0430 hours (GMT) on Saturday.&nbsp;

Green Zone, the heavily fortified area in Kabul that houses embassies was also affected.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mike-pompeo-to-meet-taliban-afghan-negotiators-in-doha-344444">Mike Pompeo to meet Taliban, Afghan negotiators in Doha</a> 
 
At least one rocket landed in an office inside the Green Zone, but did not explode.

The Iranian embassy said on Twitter that its main building had been hit by rocket fragments after one landed on the premises. No one in the compound, located just outside the Green Zone, was wounded.

The terror attack in Kabul took place on the day when US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mike-pompeo-to-meet-taliban-afghan-negotiators-in-doha-344444">travelling to Qatar</a> to hold discussions with Taliban delegation on the&nbsp;Afghan peace process.

Islamic State accepted responsibility for terrorist attack in Kabul, reported AFP. The terror attack has claimed at least 8 lives. The terrorist attack was earlier blamed on Taliban.

Islamic State accepted responsibility for terrorist attack in Kabul, reported AFP. The terror attack has claimed at least 8 lives. The terrorist attack was earlier blamed on Taliban. The terrorist attack in Kabul took place in densely populated part of the city including near heavily fortified Green Zone. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for Kabul attack through its Telegram channels. × Islamic State said 28 Katyusha rockets fired by "soldiers of the caliphate" hit Kabul's heavily fortified Green Zone that houses "the presidential palace, embassies of Crusader states, and the headquarters of Afghan forces". The Afghan government initially blamed Taliban but it denied responsibility of the attack. "The terrorists fired 23 rockets on the city of Kabul. Based on the initial information, eight people were martyred, and 31 others were wounded," said interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian earlier, as quoted by news agency AFP. Also Read | Afghanistan rocket explosions: Death toll jumps to 8; govt blames Taliban The terrorist attack in Kabul took place around 0430 hours (GMT) on Saturday. Green Zone, the heavily fortified area in Kabul that houses embassies was also affected. Also Read | Mike Pompeo to meet Taliban, Afghan negotiators in Doha At least one rocket landed in an office inside the Green Zone, but did not explode. The Iranian embassy said on Twitter that its main building had been hit by rocket fragments after one landed on the premises. No one in the compound, located just outside the Green Zone, was wounded. The terror attack in Kabul took place on the day when US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was travelling to Qatar to hold discussions with Taliban delegation on the Afghan peace process.

Kabul terror attack: Islamic State claims responsibility

Commenting for the first time publicly on the report that found that Australia's special forces killed 39 civilians in Afghanistan illegally, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said the findings are "terribly disturbing".&nbsp;

"This is a terrible, terribly disturbing and distressing report," Morrison said, as quoted by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-troops-unlawfully-killed-39-civilians-and-prisoners-in-afghanistan-says-top-official-343987#:~:text=On%20Thursday%2C%20Australia's%20top%20military,rules%20and%20unlawfully%20killed%20civilians.">Australian troops 'unlawfully killed' 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan, says top official</a>

However, he said that Australia knows how to "deal with it", adding that action will be taken "under our law, under our systems, and our justice system."

A years-long internal probe found shocking revelations, including coercion of newly recruited military personnel to shoot, engaging in "body count competitions", among others.&nbsp;

The military's own inspector general released the 465-page official inquiry into events that took place between 2005 and 2016.&nbsp;

Morrison had also called his Afghan counterpart on Wednesday where he underscored "some disturbing allegations" and added that the government taking them "very seriously".

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's office said the Australian PM had "expressed his deepest sorrow over the misconduct".

Kabul has described the findings of the report as "unforgivable" but appreciated its release as an "important step towards justice".

There has been widespread criticism post the release of the report by the Australians, who greatly admire and take pride in their nation's military. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Commenting for the first time publicly on the report that found that Australia's special forces killed 39 civilians in Afghanistan illegally, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said the findings are "terribly disturbing".

Commenting for the first time publicly on the report that found that Australia's special forces killed 39 civilians in Afghanistan illegally, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said the findings are "terribly disturbing". "This is a terrible, terribly disturbing and distressing report," Morrison said, as quoted by news agency Reuters. Also read | Australian troops 'unlawfully killed' 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan, says top official However, he said that Australia knows how to "deal with it", adding that action will be taken "under our law, under our systems, and our justice system." A years-long internal probe found shocking revelations, including coercion of newly recruited military personnel to shoot, engaging in "body count competitions", among others. The military's own inspector general released the 465-page official inquiry into events that took place between 2005 and 2016. Morrison had also called his Afghan counterpart on Wednesday where he underscored "some disturbing allegations" and added that the government taking them "very seriously". Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's office said the Australian PM had "expressed his deepest sorrow over the misconduct". Kabul has described the findings of the report as "unforgivable" but appreciated its release as an "important step towards justice". There has been widespread criticism post the release of the report by the Australians, who greatly admire and take pride in their nation's military.

'Terribly disturbing': Australian PM reacts publicly on 'unlawful' killings report

Series of loud explosions shook Central Kabul, Afghanistan. According to the Ministry of Interiors 14 rockets hit different parts of Kabul killing 3 peoples & injuring 11 others.

Afghanistan: 3 dead, 11 injured after 14 rockets hit different parts of Kabul

The death toll in the rockets fired at Afghan capital early on Saturday jumped to eight.&nbsp;

"The terrorists fired 23 rockets on the city of Kabul. Based on the initial information, eight people were martyred, and 31 others were wounded," said interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian, as quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

He has also blamed the Taliban for the attack, however, the terror group immediately released a statement, denying any wrongdoing.&nbsp;

The blasts occurred in densely populated regions of Kabul, including centrally located Green Zone and at an area in the north.

Earlier, the Interior Affairs Ministry said at least three people died and 11 more wounded in the rocket attacks.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mike-pompeo-to-meet-taliban-afghan-negotiators-in-doha-344444">Mike Pompeo to meet Taliban, Afghan negotiators in Doha</a>

Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz confirmed "multiple rockets" had been struck,&nbsp;

Several photos were shared on social media that showed damage to an external wall at a large medical complex.&nbsp;

The rocket explosions took place in a few minutes after blasts in Chehel Sutoon and Arzaan Qeemat areas.

The interior ministry said two small "sticky bomb" blasts had been reported this morning, including one that hit a police car, killing one policeman and injuring three others.

So far, no group has taken the responsibility for the blasts.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The death toll in the rockets fired at Afghan capital early on Saturday jumped to eight. "The terrorists fired 23 rockets on the city of Kabul. Based on the initial information, eight people were martyred, and 31 others were wounded," said interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian, as quoted by news agency AFP.

The death toll in the rockets fired at Afghan capital early on Saturday jumped to eight. "The terrorists fired 23 rockets on the city of Kabul. Based on the initial information, eight people were martyred, and 31 others were wounded," said interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian, as quoted by news agency AFP. He has also blamed the Taliban for the attack, however, the terror group immediately released a statement, denying any wrongdoing. The blasts occurred in densely populated regions of Kabul, including centrally located Green Zone and at an area in the north. Earlier, the Interior Affairs Ministry said at least three people died and 11 more wounded in the rocket attacks. Also read | Mike Pompeo to meet Taliban, Afghan negotiators in Doha Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz confirmed "multiple rockets" had been struck, Several photos were shared on social media that showed damage to an external wall at a large medical complex. The rocket explosions took place in a few minutes after blasts in Chehel Sutoon and Arzaan Qeemat areas. The interior ministry said two small "sticky bomb" blasts had been reported this morning, including one that hit a police car, killing one policeman and injuring three others. So far, no group has taken the responsibility for the blasts.

Afghanistan rocket explosions: Death toll jumps to 8; govt blames Taliban

21-year-old Marzia Panahi, set up the Namad Gallery at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in Kabul, Afghanistan. WION brings you a report.

Your Story: 21-year-old student begins a start up company in Kabul

Speaking in Kabul, Imran Khan promised to 'reduce violence' in Afghanistan. WION's Molly Gambhir asks: Will Pakistan reduce violence in Kashmir as well? Is it trying to fool the European Union with such tall promises?

Gravitas: Pak PM promises to reduce violence in Afghanistan

The Chief of Australia's Defence Force General Angus Campbell has apologised to Afghanistan for War Crimes committed by Australian troops. WION's Molly Gambhir gets you a report on the shocking revelations.

Gravitas: Australia's 'war crimes' in Afghanistan

In a strongly-worded statement, India has slammed Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for destabilizing Afghanistan, saying, "terror flow across Durand line should stop". Durand Line is the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.&nbsp;

India's envoy to United Nations, TS Tirumurti speaking at Arria Formula Meeting of United Nations Security Council said, "There needs to be zero tolerance of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations....It is important to ensure that no one provides sanctuary to terrorists who threaten Afghanistan or any other country in the region. Those who do so must be held accountable."

The number of terror attacks in Afghanistan has had links in Pakistan, and the long, porous border has helped the easy movement of terrorists. Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team under the Al-Qaeda/Da’esh Sanctions Committee of UN has pointed out the presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan, many of which include Pakistani nationals.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/al-qaeda-chief-ayman-al-zawahiri-may-have-died-in-afghanistan-report-344314">Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri may have died in Afghanistan: Report</a>

Tirumurti also pointed out, how Pakistan has not allowed "full transit rights to Afghanistan", hindering trade and connectivity between India and Afghanistan. He explained, how it is being used by "States to extract a political price from Afghanistan" and "the international community should discourage medieval mentalities and work towards removal of artificial transit barriers imposed on Afghanistan."

To increase connectivity, India has started an air corridor with Afghanistan and also via Chabahar port in Iran. In fact, amidst the COVID pandemic, New Delhi sent 75000 MT of wheat to the country to deal with the crisis.&nbsp;

On the Afghan peace process, the envoy reiterated India's stance that the process must be "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" and "solutions must come from the Afghans themselves, in line with the wishes and aspirations of the all sections of Afghan society."

He also said, "gains of the last two decades" especially rights of women and minorities should be "strongly protected" and "safeguarded."&nbsp;

This year saw the US-Taliban pact and the start of the intra-Afghan ties between the Afghan govt and Taliban, but the violence level remains high in the country. America plans to substantially reduce troops level in Afghanistan by January, even hostilities on the ground continue.&nbsp;

India has played an important role in the development of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. It has helped build mega infrastructure projects like Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam in Herat, the Afghan National Parliament building in Kabul, and the electricity supply grid between Kabul and northern Afghanistan and capacity building.

As the envoy had put, "India and Afghanistan are contiguous neighbors. We are connected together by centuries of historical, people-to-people, and cultural relations. India has stood resolutely behind the Government and people of Afghanistan and has supported the development of Afghanistan."

New Delhi has also been involved in over 400 high impact community development projects spread across 34 provinces of Afghanistan.

In a strongly-worded statement, India has slammed Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for destabilizing Afghanistan, saying, "terror flow across Durand line should stop".

In a strongly-worded statement, India has slammed Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for destabilizing Afghanistan, saying, "terror flow across Durand line should stop". Durand Line is the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. India's envoy to United Nations, TS Tirumurti speaking at Arria Formula Meeting of United Nations Security Council said, "There needs to be zero tolerance of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations....It is important to ensure that no one provides sanctuary to terrorists who threaten Afghanistan or any other country in the region. Those who do so must be held accountable." The number of terror attacks in Afghanistan has had links in Pakistan, and the long, porous border has helped the easy movement of terrorists. Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team under the Al-Qaeda/Da’esh Sanctions Committee of UN has pointed out the presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan, many of which include Pakistani nationals. Also Read | Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri may have died in Afghanistan: Report Tirumurti also pointed out, how Pakistan has not allowed "full transit rights to Afghanistan", hindering trade and connectivity between India and Afghanistan. He explained, how it is being used by "States to extract a political price from Afghanistan" and "the international community should discourage medieval mentalities and work towards removal of artificial transit barriers imposed on Afghanistan." To increase connectivity, India has started an air corridor with Afghanistan and also via Chabahar port in Iran. In fact, amidst the COVID pandemic, New Delhi sent 75000 MT of wheat to the country to deal with the crisis. On the Afghan peace process, the envoy reiterated India's stance that the process must be "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" and "solutions must come from the Afghans themselves, in line with the wishes and aspirations of the all sections of Afghan society." He also said, "gains of the last two decades" especially rights of women and minorities should be "strongly protected" and "safeguarded." This year saw the US-Taliban pact and the start of the intra-Afghan ties between the Afghan govt and Taliban, but the violence level remains high in the country. America plans to substantially reduce troops level in Afghanistan by January, even hostilities on the ground continue. India has played an important role in the development of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. It has helped build mega infrastructure projects like Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam in Herat, the Afghan National Parliament building in Kabul, and the electricity supply grid between Kabul and northern Afghanistan and capacity building. As the envoy had put, "India and Afghanistan are contiguous neighbors. We are connected together by centuries of historical, people-to-people, and cultural relations. India has stood resolutely behind the Government and people of Afghanistan and has supported the development of Afghanistan." New Delhi has also been involved in over 400 high impact community development projects spread across 34 provinces of Afghanistan.

India slams Pakistan at UNSC for destabilising Afghanistan; says 'terror flow across Durand Line should stop'

On Thursday, Australia's top military officer made a revealing admission of having unlawfully killed at least 39 civilians and prisoners from Afghanistan.

The&nbsp;Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell said there is credible evidence that the Australian special forces broke rules and unlawfully killed civilians.

"Some patrols took the law into their own hands, rules were broken, stories concocted, lies told and prisoners killed," he said. This admission has come as a result of an investigation that has been going on for the past few years and concentrated on the military's behaviour in Afghanistan. He has further advised the authorities to let a prosecutor investigating alleged war crimes handle the case.

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He also told the tale of the rituals of 'blooding' and how the young soldiers were forced and pressured into making their first kill. "This shameful record includes alleged instances in which new patrol members were coerced to shoot a prisoner in order to achieve that soldier's first kill, in an appalling practice known as 'blooding'," he explained.

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With guilt in his heart for these kills, Campbell he apologises "sincerely and unreservedly" to the people of Afghanistan and especially to the victims' families. He regretted the killings and said the 25 Australian special forces who have been accused of wrongdoing in 23 incidents have bought a "stain" on the regiment and their country.

After the admission, he also called for revoking of several distinguished service medals that were awarded to few selected special operations forces who had served in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2013.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-troops-are-packing-up-ready-or-not-343892">US troops are packing up, ready or not</a>

The matter came to light as reports of violent and brutal crimes even after the Australian combat troops left the country in 2013. These troops had been stationed in Afghanistan in 2001 to fight against Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Islamist groups.

The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had urged the Afghanistan counterpart to brace for the "honest and brutal truths" that were in the redacted document, and to foreshadow&nbsp;some disturbing allegations" that the government was taking "very seriously". However, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani had assumed that Morrison was expressing "&nbsp;his deepest sorrow over the misconduct" — a claim not supported by Australia.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-air-strikes-in-syria-kill-three-troops-hit-iranian-targets-343817">Israel air strikes in Syria kill three troops, hit Iranian targets</a>

Following the Twitter threads, Morrison had appointed a special investigator to prosecute the alleged war crimes in the country and an independent panel has also been set up to bring in cultural and leadership changes in the special forces.

The recent revelations are a result of a report called "Afghan files" by a public broadcaster ABC in 2017. The "Afghan files" had made similar allegations at that time, accusing special forces of killing unarmed men and children in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, Australia's top military officer made a revealing admission of having unlawfully killed at least 39 civilians and prisoners from Afghanistan. The Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell said there is credible evidence that the Australian special forces broke rules and unlawfully killed civilians.

On Thursday, Australia's top military officer made a revealing admission of having unlawfully killed at least 39 civilians and prisoners from Afghanistan. The Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell said there is credible evidence that the Australian special forces broke rules and unlawfully killed civilians. "Some patrols took the law into their own hands, rules were broken, stories concocted, lies told and prisoners killed," he said. This admission has come as a result of an investigation that has been going on for the past few years and concentrated on the military's behaviour in Afghanistan. He has further advised the authorities to let a prosecutor investigating alleged war crimes handle the case. Also read| Ethiopia says its troops marching on Tigrayan capital He also told the tale of the rituals of 'blooding' and how the young soldiers were forced and pressured into making their first kill. "This shameful record includes alleged instances in which new patrol members were coerced to shoot a prisoner in order to achieve that soldier's first kill, in an appalling practice known as 'blooding'," he explained. × With guilt in his heart for these kills, Campbell he apologises "sincerely and unreservedly" to the people of Afghanistan and especially to the victims' families. He regretted the killings and said the 25 Australian special forces who have been accused of wrongdoing in 23 incidents have bought a "stain" on the regiment and their country. After the admission, he also called for revoking of several distinguished service medals that were awarded to few selected special operations forces who had served in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2013. Also read| US troops are packing up, ready or not The matter came to light as reports of violent and brutal crimes even after the Australian combat troops left the country in 2013. These troops had been stationed in Afghanistan in 2001 to fight against Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Islamist groups. The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had urged the Afghanistan counterpart to brace for the "honest and brutal truths" that were in the redacted document, and to foreshadow some disturbing allegations" that the government was taking "very seriously". However, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani had assumed that Morrison was expressing " his deepest sorrow over the misconduct" — a claim not supported by Australia. Also read| Israel air strikes in Syria kill three troops, hit Iranian targets Following the Twitter threads, Morrison had appointed a special investigator to prosecute the alleged war crimes in the country and an independent panel has also been set up to bring in cultural and leadership changes in the special forces. The recent revelations are a result of a report called "Afghan files" by a public broadcaster ABC in 2017. The "Afghan files" had made similar allegations at that time, accusing special forces of killing unarmed men and children in Afghanistan.

Australian troops 'unlawfully killed' 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan, says top official

Reports claimed that Ayman al-Zawahiri, the head of the dreaded terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, died in a month due to natural causes.

Report: Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri dies in Afghanistan

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will represent India at the international conference on humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in Geneva. He will join the meet virtually that will take place on November&nbsp;23 and&nbsp;24

The conference is being co-hosted by the Afghan government, the Government of Finland, and the United Nations. The event will see the participation of representatives from 70 countries, international organizations, and comes at a time when America substantially plans to reduce its troops in the country.&nbsp;

This year saw a Taliban-US govt pact in February, followed by the start of intra-Afghan talks but has not resulted in peace in the country. The violence level in the country remains high.

India meanwhile has increased its outreach with all stakeholders in Afghanistan. In September, EAM had represented India virtually at the start of intra-Afghan talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.&nbsp;

It was followed by 3 high profile visits to New Delhi, first by Senior Afghan leader Abdul Rashid Dostum, followed by the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, and then by former Governor of Balkh Atta Muhammad Noor.

New Delhi has been a close partner of Afghan govt and has been helping in capacity building and infrastructure development in the country. Amid&nbsp;the Covid pandemic, it sent 75000 MT of Wheat to the country via Chabahar port in Iran.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will represent India at the international conference on humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in Geneva. He will join the meet virtually that will take place on November 23 and 24 The conference is being co-hosted by the Afghan government, the Government of Finland, and the United Nations.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will represent India at the international conference on humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in Geneva. He will join the meet virtually that will take place on November 23 and 24 The conference is being co-hosted by the Afghan government, the Government of Finland, and the United Nations. The event will see the participation of representatives from 70 countries, international organizations, and comes at a time when America substantially plans to reduce its troops in the country. This year saw a Taliban-US govt pact in February, followed by the start of intra-Afghan talks but has not resulted in peace in the country. The violence level in the country remains high. India meanwhile has increased its outreach with all stakeholders in Afghanistan. In September, EAM had represented India virtually at the start of intra-Afghan talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. It was followed by 3 high profile visits to New Delhi, first by Senior Afghan leader Abdul Rashid Dostum, followed by the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, and then by former Governor of Balkh Atta Muhammad Noor. New Delhi has been a close partner of Afghan govt and has been helping in capacity building and infrastructure development in the country. Amid the Covid pandemic, it sent 75000 MT of Wheat to the country via Chabahar port in Iran.

Foreign minister S Jaishankar to represent India at Afghan conference in Geneva

Australia's top general said that, there was credible evidence that his special forces unlawfully killed 39 unarmed civilians and prisoners during the war in Afghanistan, referring the matter to a special war crimes prosecutor.

Aussie troops guilty of 'unlawfully killing' 39 Afghans

Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced Tuesday that the US will withdraw thousands more US troops from Afghanistan and Iraq

U.S. troops to be withdrawn form Iraq and Afghanistan

Had it not been for dozens of U.S. airstrikes in recent weeks, the southern hub city Kandahar would be under siege, after Taliban fighters threatened to overrun several surrounding districts, security officials say.

Now with President Donald Trump’s orders to cut US forces in Afghanistan by roughly half — from 4,500 to 2,500 — Kandahar’s fate, and the fate of the Afghan security forces spread across the country, are once more in question.

“If it were not for the air support of US&nbsp;forces, the Taliban would be sitting inside Kandahar city now,” Col. Zabiullah Ghorzang, an Afghan army regimental commander, said Tuesday.

The Pentagon on Tuesday formally announced those troop cuts, stopping short of the full withdrawal by Christmas that Trump had mused about publicly and ensuring that the war in Afghanistan will transition to a fourth US administration over almost 20 years of conflict.

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The reduction, though expected by Afghan officials, is coming at a desperate time for Afghanistan: Peace negotiations in Qatar between the Afghan government and the insurgency are stalled, Taliban offensives are surging near important cities in the south and north, and morale has been plunging among the Afghan government forces as they take heavy casualties, officials say.

The withdrawal plan has ramifications beyond Afghanistan, including troop cutbacks in the Middle East and Africa.

In Iraq, the American troop presence, which is seen as a hedge against a resurgence of the Islamic State and against powerful Iranian influence, has already come down to about 3,500 troops this year. Under the new orders, Pentagon officials say it will come down to around 2,500 in January. Unlike in Afghanistan, the cuts have not been a source of alarm: Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has described the cuts as being agreed to and desirable for both sides.

In Somalia, the withdrawal plan — no formal numbers were announced on Tuesday — is coming as al-Shabab, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaida, continues to intensify its attacks on both military and civilian targets in an effort to topple the country’s Western-backed government.

Had it not been for dozens of U.S. airstrikes in recent weeks, the southern hub city Kandahar would be under siege, after Taliban fighters threatened to overrun several surrounding districts, security officials say.

Had it not been for dozens of U.S. airstrikes in recent weeks, the southern hub city Kandahar would be under siege, after Taliban fighters threatened to overrun several surrounding districts, security officials say. Now with President Donald Trump’s orders to cut US forces in Afghanistan by roughly half — from 4,500 to 2,500 — Kandahar’s fate, and the fate of the Afghan security forces spread across the country, are once more in question. “If it were not for the air support of US forces, the Taliban would be sitting inside Kandahar city now,” Col. Zabiullah Ghorzang, an Afghan army regimental commander, said Tuesday. The Pentagon on Tuesday formally announced those troop cuts, stopping short of the full withdrawal by Christmas that Trump had mused about publicly and ensuring that the war in Afghanistan will transition to a fourth US administration over almost 20 years of conflict. Also read| Israel air strikes in Syria kill three troops, hit Iranian targets The reduction, though expected by Afghan officials, is coming at a desperate time for Afghanistan: Peace negotiations in Qatar between the Afghan government and the insurgency are stalled, Taliban offensives are surging near important cities in the south and north, and morale has been plunging among the Afghan government forces as they take heavy casualties, officials say. The withdrawal plan has ramifications beyond Afghanistan, including troop cutbacks in the Middle East and Africa. In Iraq, the American troop presence, which is seen as a hedge against a resurgence of the Islamic State and against powerful Iranian influence, has already come down to about 3,500 troops this year. Under the new orders, Pentagon officials say it will come down to around 2,500 in January. Unlike in Afghanistan, the cuts have not been a source of alarm: Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has described the cuts as being agreed to and desirable for both sides. In Somalia, the withdrawal plan — no formal numbers were announced on Tuesday — is coming as al-Shabab, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaida, continues to intensify its attacks on both military and civilian targets in an effort to topple the country’s Western-backed government.

US troops are packing up, ready or not

Afghan govt has said that Pakistan Taliban had a role in the Helmand attacks and Afghan forces have killed around 200 Pakistani nationals involved in the incident.&nbsp;

Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian speaking to WION from Kabul said, &nbsp;"The Helmand attacks, planned by the Taliban, more than 200 Pakistani Taliban had participated in it and our Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) killed all the Taliban. This includes the Pakistani Taliban."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-strongly-rejects-claims-of-its-territory-being-used-for-terror-acts-against-pakistan-343314">Afghanistan 'strongly' rejects claims of its territory being used for terror acts against Pakistan</a>

Helmand province in southern Afghanistan has a major uptick in violence in the last few weeks. The violence comes even as the US plans to withdraw from the country by Christmas, sparking concerns of Pakistan increasing its foothold in the country.&nbsp;

He highlighted that the Afghan and Pakistan Taliban has cooperation and "they had planned to attack ANDSF near the city of Helmand and district of Kandahar."&nbsp;

Adding, "It was a success for our forces and we have shared the list of Taliban commanders, including Pakistani Taliban. More than 300 Pakistani Taliban had participated in this. Our ANDSF had success in other provinces like Kunduz. "

He pointed out that in other provinces of Afghanistan, like Kandahar, "Taliban had planned attacks on ANDSF and response by us saw the killing of the Taliban, and they had casualties."

Taliban and the Afghan government are in talks in Doha, which are leading nowhere. &nbsp;This year saw 2 important pacts, the Taliban and US govt pact in February, and in September start of talks in Doha. Despite the signing of a pact, and the start of talks, the Taliban is unwilling to reduce violence in the country.&nbsp;

Afghan govt has said that Pakistan Taliban had a role in the Helmand attacks and Afghan forces have killed around 200 Pakistani nationals involved in the incident.

Afghan govt has said that Pakistan Taliban had a role in the Helmand attacks and Afghan forces have killed around 200 Pakistani nationals involved in the incident. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian speaking to WION from Kabul said, "The Helmand attacks, planned by the Taliban, more than 200 Pakistani Taliban had participated in it and our Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) killed all the Taliban. This includes the Pakistani Taliban." Also read | Afghanistan 'strongly' rejects claims of its territory being used for terror acts against Pakistan Helmand province in southern Afghanistan has a major uptick in violence in the last few weeks. The violence comes even as the US plans to withdraw from the country by Christmas, sparking concerns of Pakistan increasing its foothold in the country. He highlighted that the Afghan and Pakistan Taliban has cooperation and "they had planned to attack ANDSF near the city of Helmand and district of Kandahar." Adding, "It was a success for our forces and we have shared the list of Taliban commanders, including Pakistani Taliban. More than 300 Pakistani Taliban had participated in this. Our ANDSF had success in other provinces like Kunduz. " He pointed out that in other provinces of Afghanistan, like Kandahar, "Taliban had planned attacks on ANDSF and response by us saw the killing of the Taliban, and they had casualties." Taliban and the Afghan government are in talks in Doha, which are leading nowhere. This year saw 2 important pacts, the Taliban and US govt pact in February, and in September start of talks in Doha. Despite the signing of a pact, and the start of talks, the Taliban is unwilling to reduce violence in the country.

Pakistani Taliban was involved in Helmand attacks: Afghan Interior Minister spokesperson to WION

Five Talibani terrorists were killed on Saturday as Afghan police repelled an attack in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Police spokesman said that another terrorist was injured.

"Last night, the Taliban attacked Yaro Qala and Maruf Qala [towns], including the seventh and eight [police] stations in Mianshin in Dand [districts]. Five terrorists were killed and one more was injured in the police counterattack," said Jamal Nasir Barakzai, a spokesman for the provincial police headquarters.

Taliban has not commented on the matter.

In a separate incident, five soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack. The attack took place in Khawaja Ghar district in Afghanistan`s northern Takhar province on Saturday, district governor Mohammad Omar Omar said

The armed terrorists stormed security checkpoints in Hawa Shinasi area outside district headquarters in the wee hours of Saturday, triggering a gun battle, the official said, adding that five soldiers were killed and five others injured in the fighting.He said the Taliban have suffered casualties but did not give an exact figure.

(With ANI inputs)

Five Talibani terrorists were killed on Saturday as Afghan police repelled an attack in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Police spokesman said that another terrorist was injured.

Five Talibani terrorists were killed on Saturday as Afghan police repelled an attack in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Police spokesman said that another terrorist was injured. "Last night, the Taliban attacked Yaro Qala and Maruf Qala [towns], including the seventh and eight [police] stations in Mianshin in Dand [districts]. Five terrorists were killed and one more was injured in the police counterattack," said Jamal Nasir Barakzai, a spokesman for the provincial police headquarters. Taliban has not commented on the matter. In a separate incident, five soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack. The attack took place in Khawaja Ghar district in Afghanistan`s northern Takhar province on Saturday, district governor Mohammad Omar Omar said The armed terrorists stormed security checkpoints in Hawa Shinasi area outside district headquarters in the wee hours of Saturday, triggering a gun battle, the official said, adding that five soldiers were killed and five others injured in the fighting.He said the Taliban have suffered casualties but did not give an exact figure. (With ANI inputs)

Five Taliban killed as Afghan police repel attack in Kandahar

India asked Pakistan to end support to cross-border terror and reminded it how it has hosted terrorists including Osama Bin Laden.&nbsp;

In a sharply-worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "Pakistani leaders have never hidden the fact that it has become a factory for producing terrorists. India is not the only neighbour to be targeted as underlined by the statements of countries similarly targeted. Distant parts of the world have seen the terror trail lead back to Pakistan."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistani-troops-used-heavy-artillery-during-fridays-shelling-in-jammu-and-kashmir-bsf-officer-343303">Pakistani troops used heavy artillery during Friday's shelling in Jammu and Kashmir: BSF officer</a>

Highlighting the role Pakistan has played in supporting terrorism, New Delhi recalled, how Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has called Osama bin laden a ‘martyr’ in Pakistani parliament and admitted the presence of 40,000 terrorists in his country.&nbsp;

New Delhi also pointed out how recently Pakistani Science and Technology Minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain "proudly claimed involvement and success of Pakistan, led by its Prime Minister" in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Indian soldiers died.&nbsp;

The MEA reaction comes after the Pakistani govt claimed that India and Afghanistan have been involved in many incidents in the country.&nbsp;

Dismissing the "futile anti-India propaganda exercise", MEA said, "the so-called claims of ‘proof’ against India enjoy no credibility, are fabricated and represent figments of imagination."

Adding, "This desperate attempt will find few takers as the international community is aware of Pakistan’s tactics and &nbsp;proof of its terror sponsorship has been admitted by none other than its own leadership."

Interestingly, Pakistan's allegations come even as the country increased it ceasefire violations at the line of control. 
&nbsp; 
Earlier in the day Afghanistan also dismissed Pakistani claims. The Afghan foreign ministry "strongly" rejected the "allegations of the spokesman of the Pakistani Army claiming the use of Afghan territory against that country."&nbsp;

It reminded Islamabad that the "most important foreign policy priority" of the Afghan government is that "Afghanistan playing the role of a center of regional and international cooperation based on common interests, especially in the fight against terrorism".

India asked Pakistan to end support to cross-border terror and reminded it how it has hosted terrorists including Osama Bin Laden. In a sharply-worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "Pakistani leaders have never hidden the fact that it has become a factory for producing terrorists.

India asked Pakistan to end support to cross-border terror and reminded it how it has hosted terrorists including Osama Bin Laden. In a sharply-worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "Pakistani leaders have never hidden the fact that it has become a factory for producing terrorists. India is not the only neighbour to be targeted as underlined by the statements of countries similarly targeted. Distant parts of the world have seen the terror trail lead back to Pakistan." Also read | Pakistani troops used heavy artillery during Friday's shelling in Jammu and Kashmir: BSF officer Highlighting the role Pakistan has played in supporting terrorism, New Delhi recalled, how Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has called Osama bin laden a ‘martyr’ in Pakistani parliament and admitted the presence of 40,000 terrorists in his country. New Delhi also pointed out how recently Pakistani Science and Technology Minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain "proudly claimed involvement and success of Pakistan, led by its Prime Minister" in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Indian soldiers died. The MEA reaction comes after the Pakistani govt claimed that India and Afghanistan have been involved in many incidents in the country. Dismissing the "futile anti-India propaganda exercise", MEA said, "the so-called claims of ‘proof’ against India enjoy no credibility, are fabricated and represent figments of imagination." Adding, "This desperate attempt will find few takers as the international community is aware of Pakistan’s tactics and proof of its terror sponsorship has been admitted by none other than its own leadership." Interestingly, Pakistan's allegations come even as the country increased it ceasefire violations at the line of control. Earlier in the day Afghanistan also dismissed Pakistani claims. The Afghan foreign ministry "strongly" rejected the "allegations of the spokesman of the Pakistani Army claiming the use of Afghan territory against that country." It reminded Islamabad that the "most important foreign policy priority" of the Afghan government is that "Afghanistan playing the role of a center of regional and international cooperation based on common interests, especially in the fight against terrorism".

End support to cross-border terror: India tells Pakistan

Afghanistan on Saturday "strongly" rejected Islamabad's claims that its territory was used to carry out terror activities against Pakistan.&nbsp;

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly rejects the allegations of the spokesperson of the Pakistani Army claiming the use of Afghan territory against that country," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-troops-are-still-leaving-but-afghans-hope-biden-will-help-342948">US troops are still leaving, but Afghans hope Biden will help</a>

It further said that its territory has been a "major victim" of terrorism and therefore it is committed to combating all forms of terrorism "without discrimination" and would not let its territory "used for destructive activities against other countries".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-give-befitting-reply-if-provoked-indian-pm-modi-at-longewala-post-343136">India will give befitting reply if provoked: Indian PM Modi at Longewala Post</a>

This comes a day after Pakistan accused India of using Afghanistan to carry out terrorist activities against Pakistan at a joint press conference led by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and army spokesman Major-General Babar Iftikhar.&nbsp;

Weeks ago, Pakistan failed to convince the United Nations Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to strike off its name from the terror-financing grey list.&nbsp;

FATF, a global terror financing watchdog, has said in its latest meeting that Pakistan has made little progress to establish the mechanism to tackle terror financing and money laundering. &nbsp;

Afghanistan on Saturday "strongly" rejected Islamabad's claims that its territory was used to carry out terror activities against Pakistan. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly rejects the allegations of the spokesperson of the Pakistani Army claiming the use of Afghan territory against that country," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Afghanistan on Saturday "strongly" rejected Islamabad's claims that its territory was used to carry out terror activities against Pakistan. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly rejects the allegations of the spokesperson of the Pakistani Army claiming the use of Afghan territory against that country," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Also read | US troops are still leaving, but Afghans hope Biden will help It further said that its territory has been a "major victim" of terrorism and therefore it is committed to combating all forms of terrorism "without discrimination" and would not let its territory "used for destructive activities against other countries". Also read | India will give befitting reply if provoked: Indian PM Modi at Longewala Post This comes a day after Pakistan accused India of using Afghanistan to carry out terrorist activities against Pakistan at a joint press conference led by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and army spokesman Major-General Babar Iftikhar. Weeks ago, Pakistan failed to convince the United Nations Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to strike off its name from the terror-financing grey list. FATF, a global terror financing watchdog, has said in its latest meeting that Pakistan has made little progress to establish the mechanism to tackle terror financing and money laundering.

Afghanistan 'strongly' rejects claims of its territory being used for terror acts against Pakistan

Afghan forces have captured the mastermind of a brutal attack on Kabul University.

Several militants had stormed classrooms and gunned down dozens of students on November 2, and at least 22 people were killed and another 27 wounded.

"The mastermind behind Kabul University attack has been arrested," Vice President Amrullah Saleh announced on his Facebook page.

The attack, which had ended after the three attackers were killed in fighting, was planned by a militant called Adil, Saleh said, adding he was recruited by the Haqqani network, Saleh said giving only one name of the arrested man.

"The attack was carried out to pressure, defame and make the government look weak in front of the people," Saleh said.

Adil, who had been a student of the Islamic sharia law, hailed from the province of Panjshir but his family lived on the outskirts of Kabul.

"Adil had been missing for three years amid rumours that he had gone to receive training in war and fighting," Saleh said.

During his questioning, Adil revealed that he had received weapons from Haqqani network to carry out the attack. The shadowy Haqqani network, an affiliate of the Taliban, has long been accused of carrying out brutal assaults of Western forces and civilians, and has been branded a terrorist group by Washington.

Soon after the attack, Saleh and other top officials had blamed the Taliban for the university attack.&nbsp;However, the attack was claimed by the Islamic State group.

The brazen daylight assault came amid surging violence across the country that has only worsened in recent months despite the government holding peace talks with the Taliban in Qatar.

Afghan forces have captured the mastermind of a brutal attack on Kabul University. Several militants had stormed classrooms and gunned down dozens of students on November 2, and at least 22 people were killed and another 27 wounded.

Afghan forces have captured the mastermind of a brutal attack on Kabul University. Several militants had stormed classrooms and gunned down dozens of students on November 2, and at least 22 people were killed and another 27 wounded. "The mastermind behind Kabul University attack has been arrested," Vice President Amrullah Saleh announced on his Facebook page. The attack, which had ended after the three attackers were killed in fighting, was planned by a militant called Adil, Saleh said, adding he was recruited by the Haqqani network, Saleh said giving only one name of the arrested man. "The attack was carried out to pressure, defame and make the government look weak in front of the people," Saleh said. Adil, who had been a student of the Islamic sharia law, hailed from the province of Panjshir but his family lived on the outskirts of Kabul. "Adil had been missing for three years amid rumours that he had gone to receive training in war and fighting," Saleh said. During his questioning, Adil revealed that he had received weapons from Haqqani network to carry out the attack. The shadowy Haqqani network, an affiliate of the Taliban, has long been accused of carrying out brutal assaults of Western forces and civilians, and has been branded a terrorist group by Washington. Soon after the attack, Saleh and other top officials had blamed the Taliban for the university attack. However, the attack was claimed by the Islamic State group. The brazen daylight assault came amid surging violence across the country that has only worsened in recent months despite the government holding peace talks with the Taliban in Qatar.

Afghanistan captures mastermind of Kabul university attack

KABUL, Afghanistan — Three U.S. presidents and 19 years later, it is President-elect Joe Biden’s turn to inherit the U.S. war in Afghanistan. The question that is leaving Afghans hanging is just how quickly he will remove troops.

It is a desperately difficult time for Afghanistan. U.S. troops, honoring President Donald Trump’s deal with the Taliban, are still on their way out of the country, despite the stalling of peace talks between the insurgency and the Afghan government, and a wave of intensified Taliban offensives near important cities.

Officials in Kabul are very aware that Americans are tired of the war — a fact made clear by a near absence of the issue in presidential debates, and by Biden’s seeming agreement with Trump’s desire to get out of Afghanistan.

“It is past time to end the forever wars, which have cost the United States untold blood and treasure,” Biden wrote in Foreign Affairs earlier this year. “As I have long argued, we should bring the vast majority of our troops home from the wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East and narrowly define our mission as defeating al-Qaida and the Islamic State (or ISIS)."

Still, in Biden, Afghan officials said they hoped to gain a less capricious and more communicative ally, though they know he is unlikely to stop the troop withdrawal.

“We understand there’s not going to be U-turn on the U.S. side on the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan,” said Nargis Nehan, a former minister of mines and petroleum under President Ashraf Ghani. “But under the leadership of the Biden administration, we hope and believe that it’s going to be done with a much more responsible strategy in comparison to the Trump administration.”

Both in Kabul and Washington, officials with knowledge of security briefings said there was fear that Trump might try to accelerate an all-out troop withdrawal in his final days in office — though the amount of American infrastructure still in the country would be physically impossible to remove by January, according to security officials.

A Pentagon shake-up in recent days, while Trump has sought to contest his election loss, has cast more confusion on the issue. Security officials said that Thursday, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin S. Miller, was traveling to Washington for consultations.

A spokesperson for the U.S.-led mission in Afghanistan, Col. Sonny Leggett, denied that Miller was going to Washington for consultations, saying instead that he was on “preplanned travel.”

American commanders, while careful not to contravene Trump in public, have warned that it was vital to keep the withdrawal contingent on the Taliban’s keeping their pledges.

Afghan officials are also publicly urging Biden to better support the stalled peace talks in Qatar, which some Afghans felt were pushed too hard by the Trump administration without enough protections for them. On Monday, Afghanistan’s second vice president, Sarwar Danesh, called on the incoming Biden administration to conduct a review of the Afghan peace process and to put more pressure on the Taliban to negotiate fairly.

A decade ago, as vice president in the Obama administration, Biden was the in-house skeptic of the war, pushing against the huge troop surge in Afghanistan that began in 2009.

For years, U.S. policymakers and officials likened the task of building new government institutions and modern security forces in Afghanistan in the middle of a war to building an airplane midflight. In 2009, Biden sought a different approach: to focus on international terrorist threats in Afghanistan and little else.

“I don’t think he has his changed his mind much since then: to get out of Afghanistan, let Afghans govern themselves, but keep a light footprint in the form of counterterrorism, primarily to ensure U.S. national security interests,” said Tamim Asey, a former Afghan deputy defense minister under Ghani.

That approach — keeping a small number of troops in Afghanistan as a counterterrorism force to keep al-Qaida and Islamic State group loyalists in check — has been urged by the Pentagon and some U.S. lawmakers.

In the Feb. 29 agreement with the United States that started the troop withdrawal, the Taliban agreed to publicly separate itself from al-Qaida — which was under the Taliban government’s protection when it launched the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — and to deny terrorist groups the use of Afghan territory as a haven. But the troop withdrawal has continued even though last month an al-Qaida leader was killed in a Taliban-controlled district in the country’s east, and there has been no evidence of any decisive severing of ties between the groups.

Afghan officials and analysts say they hope Biden will proceed more cautiously, and not be as likely to leave Afghanistan at the mercy of the Taliban and meddling neighbor countries.

“A commitment to defeating al-Qaida and the Islamic State is something that is part of Afghanistan’s formula for long-term stability and serves an important role here,” said Orzala Nemat, an independent researcher in Afghanistan. “A symbolic presence of international military forces balances this very weak position that Afghanistan is in the region, surrounded by nuclear powers.”

Biden “knows Afghanistan, he has been here a dozen times as a senator and he has interacted with many Afghan leaders,” said Asey, the former deputy defense minister.

Afghan officials were quick to note that Biden and Ghani have long been friendly toward each other. But Asey said that Biden also had a history of tension with other important Afghan officials — notably with former President Hamid Karzai, whom he told that Pakistan was “50 times more important” to the United States than Afghanistan, and whom he lectured about corruption.

One way that Afghan officials hope Biden can make a difference is by simply taking their concerns seriously. Some Afghan officials said they felt bullied by Trump and U.S. officials to accept terms with the Taliban they did not agree to, particularly on the mass release of Taliban prisoners.

Human rights activists said they were also concerned that the peace process included too few protections for women and ethnic and religious minorities. In that, they are hoping the U.S. Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris, can be an important voice as well.

“We hope she will be a strong advocate for Afghan women within the Biden administration,” said Nehan, the former mining minister, of Harris. “We felt abandoned by the Trump administration.”

“Whatever achievement in regards to women’s rights we are talking about does not just belong to Afghan women, it’s a universal achievement that we all have our own part in and a responsibility in protecting them,” she added.

While there are currently around 4,500 U.S. troops still in Afghanistan, Taliban officials have implied that the February deal would collapse if the incoming Biden administration prolongs the presence of U.S. forces in the country, including any counterterrorism forces.

But for now the Taliban leadership will watch and wait, as their fighters keep up their offensives.

The United States has responded by increasing airstrikes in defense of Afghan forces. While permitted under the February deal, anything drastically more under a new administration, such as attacking Taliban behind their front lines, could nullify the agreement.

October was the deadliest month in Afghanistan for civilians since September 2019, according to data compiled by The New York Times. At least 212 civilians were killed.

In a statement, the Taliban called the U.S. election and its outcome an “internal issue of the United States.”

“The Islamic Emirate would like to stress to the new American president-elect and future administration that implementation of the agreement is the most reasonable and effective tool for ending the conflict between both our countries,” the statement said.

But Qari Mohammad Farooq, a Taliban shadow district governor in Jowzjan province, laid it out plainly.

“I heard that Joe Biden won, but none of them are good for us,” Farooq said. “For me it doesn’t matter who won, but it is important that they must leave.”

KABUL, Afghanistan — Three U.S. presidents and 19 years later, it is President-elect Joe Biden’s turn to inherit the U.S. war in Afghanistan. The question that is leaving Afghans hanging is just how quickly he will remove troops.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Three U.S. presidents and 19 years later, it is President-elect Joe Biden’s turn to inherit the U.S. war in Afghanistan. The question that is leaving Afghans hanging is just how quickly he will remove troops. It is a desperately difficult time for Afghanistan. U.S. troops, honoring President Donald Trump’s deal with the Taliban, are still on their way out of the country, despite the stalling of peace talks between the insurgency and the Afghan government, and a wave of intensified Taliban offensives near important cities. Officials in Kabul are very aware that Americans are tired of the war — a fact made clear by a near absence of the issue in presidential debates, and by Biden’s seeming agreement with Trump’s desire to get out of Afghanistan. “It is past time to end the forever wars, which have cost the United States untold blood and treasure,” Biden wrote in Foreign Affairs earlier this year. “As I have long argued, we should bring the vast majority of our troops home from the wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East and narrowly define our mission as defeating al-Qaida and the Islamic State (or ISIS)." Still, in Biden, Afghan officials said they hoped to gain a less capricious and more communicative ally, though they know he is unlikely to stop the troop withdrawal. “We understand there’s not going to be U-turn on the U.S. side on the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan,” said Nargis Nehan, a former minister of mines and petroleum under President Ashraf Ghani. “But under the leadership of the Biden administration, we hope and believe that it’s going to be done with a much more responsible strategy in comparison to the Trump administration.” Both in Kabul and Washington, officials with knowledge of security briefings said there was fear that Trump might try to accelerate an all-out troop withdrawal in his final days in office — though the amount of American infrastructure still in the country would be physically impossible to remove by January, according to security officials. A Pentagon shake-up in recent days, while Trump has sought to contest his election loss, has cast more confusion on the issue. Security officials said that Thursday, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin S. Miller, was traveling to Washington for consultations. A spokesperson for the U.S.-led mission in Afghanistan, Col. Sonny Leggett, denied that Miller was going to Washington for consultations, saying instead that he was on “preplanned travel.” American commanders, while careful not to contravene Trump in public, have warned that it was vital to keep the withdrawal contingent on the Taliban’s keeping their pledges. Afghan officials are also publicly urging Biden to better support the stalled peace talks in Qatar, which some Afghans felt were pushed too hard by the Trump administration without enough protections for them. On Monday, Afghanistan’s second vice president, Sarwar Danesh, called on the incoming Biden administration to conduct a review of the Afghan peace process and to put more pressure on the Taliban to negotiate fairly. A decade ago, as vice president in the Obama administration, Biden was the in-house skeptic of the war, pushing against the huge troop surge in Afghanistan that began in 2009. For years, U.S. policymakers and officials likened the task of building new government institutions and modern security forces in Afghanistan in the middle of a war to building an airplane midflight. In 2009, Biden sought a different approach: to focus on international terrorist threats in Afghanistan and little else. “I don’t think he has his changed his mind much since then: to get out of Afghanistan, let Afghans govern themselves, but keep a light footprint in the form of counterterrorism, primarily to ensure U.S. national security interests,” said Tamim Asey, a former Afghan deputy defense minister under Ghani. That approach — keeping a small number of troops in Afghanistan as a counterterrorism force to keep al-Qaida and Islamic State group loyalists in check — has been urged by the Pentagon and some U.S. lawmakers. In the Feb. 29 agreement with the United States that started the troop withdrawal, the Taliban agreed to publicly separate itself from al-Qaida — which was under the Taliban government’s protection when it launched the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — and to deny terrorist groups the use of Afghan territory as a haven. But the troop withdrawal has continued even though last month an al-Qaida leader was killed in a Taliban-controlled district in the country’s east, and there has been no evidence of any decisive severing of ties between the groups. Afghan officials and analysts say they hope Biden will proceed more cautiously, and not be as likely to leave Afghanistan at the mercy of the Taliban and meddling neighbor countries. “A commitment to defeating al-Qaida and the Islamic State is something that is part of Afghanistan’s formula for long-term stability and serves an important role here,” said Orzala Nemat, an independent researcher in Afghanistan. “A symbolic presence of international military forces balances this very weak position that Afghanistan is in the region, surrounded by nuclear powers.” Biden “knows Afghanistan, he has been here a dozen times as a senator and he has interacted with many Afghan leaders,” said Asey, the former deputy defense minister. Afghan officials were quick to note that Biden and Ghani have long been friendly toward each other. But Asey said that Biden also had a history of tension with other important Afghan officials — notably with former President Hamid Karzai, whom he told that Pakistan was “50 times more important” to the United States than Afghanistan, and whom he lectured about corruption. One way that Afghan officials hope Biden can make a difference is by simply taking their concerns seriously. Some Afghan officials said they felt bullied by Trump and U.S. officials to accept terms with the Taliban they did not agree to, particularly on the mass release of Taliban prisoners. Human rights activists said they were also concerned that the peace process included too few protections for women and ethnic and religious minorities. In that, they are hoping the U.S. Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris, can be an important voice as well. “We hope she will be a strong advocate for Afghan women within the Biden administration,” said Nehan, the former mining minister, of Harris. “We felt abandoned by the Trump administration.” “Whatever achievement in regards to women’s rights we are talking about does not just belong to Afghan women, it’s a universal achievement that we all have our own part in and a responsibility in protecting them,” she added. While there are currently around 4,500 U.S. troops still in Afghanistan, Taliban officials have implied that the February deal would collapse if the incoming Biden administration prolongs the presence of U.S. forces in the country, including any counterterrorism forces. But for now the Taliban leadership will watch and wait, as their fighters keep up their offensives. The United States has responded by increasing airstrikes in defense of Afghan forces. While permitted under the February deal, anything drastically more under a new administration, such as attacking Taliban behind their front lines, could nullify the agreement. October was the deadliest month in Afghanistan for civilians since September 2019, according to data compiled by The New York Times. At least 212 civilians were killed. In a statement, the Taliban called the U.S. election and its outcome an “internal issue of the United States.” “The Islamic Emirate would like to stress to the new American president-elect and future administration that implementation of the agreement is the most reasonable and effective tool for ending the conflict between both our countries,” the statement said. But Qari Mohammad Farooq, a Taliban shadow district governor in Jowzjan province, laid it out plainly. “I heard that Joe Biden won, but none of them are good for us,” Farooq said. “For me it doesn’t matter who won, but it is important that they must leave.”

US troops are still leaving, but Afghans hope Biden will help

Skateboards have become a vehicle of empowerment in Afghanistan. A non-profit organisation Skateistan, is providing free skate lessons to youngers in the country. Around half the students are girls. WION brings you a report.

Skateistan using skateboards to empower girls in Afghanistan

A famous journalist, the father of an oft-threatened mayor and at least 22 others, many of them university students — all were killed within the span of a week in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, the victims of targeted assassinations and a terrorist attack.

The series of assaults, while highlighting a city under violent siege, has also exposed growing, and very public, discontent with an Afghan government unable to protect its people despite its many public promises.

The public cry for security has juxtaposed starkly with the stalled peace negotiations between Afghan and Taliban officials in Doha, Qatar, where both parties have haggled for weeks over ground rules for the talks with little progress.

Hundreds of miles away from the gilded ballrooms and fancy hotels in Doha, rising violence across Afghanistan has left many deeply skeptical of the notion that the talks could reach a peaceful resolution anytime soon.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-former-tv-presenter-killed-in-bomb-attack-341429" hreflang="en">Afghanistan: Former TV presenter killed in bomb attack</a>

That has been especially acute in Kabul, where constant targeted killings, carried out by unnamed attackers, have bred an environment of fear and anxiety. In rural areas across the country, daily life is dominated by pitched battles between the Taliban and the government.

October was the deadliest month in Afghanistan for civilians since September 2019, according to data compiled by The New York Times. At least 212 civilians were killed.

The most recent was Yama Siawash, a former anchor for Tolo News, Afghanistan’s first 24-hour news network, who was killed Saturday morning, along with two others. The cause of death: a magnetic bomb — a signature weapon of the unclaimed attacks that have become commonplace around the capital. His death was a discouraging coda to a violent week.

Siawash’s close friend and former colleague, Parwiz Shamal, pointed to the Afghan government’s failures before singling out the attackers.

“I have no faith in the government. They can’t control anything. We see that day by day the situation gets worse,” Shamal said. “The government is literally like a grasshoppers’ group. They jump from one thing to another without any plan. People die on a daily basis and the government doesn’t bother to provide them with security.”

Two days earlier, Abdul Wasi Ghafari, an Afghan army colonel and the father of Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan’s first female mayors, herself often threatened, was shot at close-range in front of his house in Kabul, even as the military was warning that he could be attacked.

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The Taliban claimed credit for the killing, though the insurgent group often uses unclaimed attacks as well to spread fear and undercut the Afghan government — all while trying to avoid committing high-profile urban assaults under a February agreement with the United States that encouraged, but did not say outright, that all sides would reduce violence.

In turn, under that deal, all U.S. troops would eventually withdraw from the country, and direct Afghan-Taliban negotiations would get underway following the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners. Those talks began in September.

After a surge of crime and violence in Kabul this fall, President Ashraf Ghani appointed the senior vice president, Amrullah Saleh, to take charge of security in the capital, so far with mixed results.

“There have been a lot of statements and meetings by the government,” Shaharzad Akbar, the chairwoman of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, said of the rise in violence. “But when you look at the daily life of civilians they don’t see an increased confidence in their security.”

Saleh’s plan, called the “Kabul Security Compact,” has drawn critical public scrutiny, particularly his decision to post pictures across Kabul, some drawn from social media, of people accused of crimes, detailing their offensives on the posters. But in at least two instances, an Afghan official said, officials mistakenly used photos of people not accused of a crime.

“I think everyone in Kabul feels unsafe, they feel like the government isn’t delivering,” said Said Sabir Ibrahimi, an Afghan researcher at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. “The Ghani administration is focusing on individuals by giving Saleh the security profile as if it’s a silver bullet.”

“At the end of the day, the issue is much deeper,” he said.

A famous journalist, the father of an oft-threatened mayor and at least 22 others, many of them university students — all were killed within the span of a week in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, the victims of targeted assassinations and a terrorist attack.

A famous journalist, the father of an oft-threatened mayor and at least 22 others, many of them university students — all were killed within the span of a week in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, the victims of targeted assassinations and a terrorist attack. The series of assaults, while highlighting a city under violent siege, has also exposed growing, and very public, discontent with an Afghan government unable to protect its people despite its many public promises. The public cry for security has juxtaposed starkly with the stalled peace negotiations between Afghan and Taliban officials in Doha, Qatar, where both parties have haggled for weeks over ground rules for the talks with little progress. Hundreds of miles away from the gilded ballrooms and fancy hotels in Doha, rising violence across Afghanistan has left many deeply skeptical of the notion that the talks could reach a peaceful resolution anytime soon. Also read| Afghanistan: Former TV presenter killed in bomb attack That has been especially acute in Kabul, where constant targeted killings, carried out by unnamed attackers, have bred an environment of fear and anxiety. In rural areas across the country, daily life is dominated by pitched battles between the Taliban and the government. October was the deadliest month in Afghanistan for civilians since September 2019, according to data compiled by The New York Times. At least 212 civilians were killed. The most recent was Yama Siawash, a former anchor for Tolo News, Afghanistan’s first 24-hour news network, who was killed Saturday morning, along with two others. The cause of death: a magnetic bomb — a signature weapon of the unclaimed attacks that have become commonplace around the capital. His death was a discouraging coda to a violent week. Siawash’s close friend and former colleague, Parwiz Shamal, pointed to the Afghan government’s failures before singling out the attackers. “I have no faith in the government. They can’t control anything. We see that day by day the situation gets worse,” Shamal said. “The government is literally like a grasshoppers’ group. They jump from one thing to another without any plan. People die on a daily basis and the government doesn’t bother to provide them with security.” Two days earlier, Abdul Wasi Ghafari, an Afghan army colonel and the father of Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan’s first female mayors, herself often threatened, was shot at close-range in front of his house in Kabul, even as the military was warning that he could be attacked. Also read| Afghanistan forces receive military vehicles from US The Taliban claimed credit for the killing, though the insurgent group often uses unclaimed attacks as well to spread fear and undercut the Afghan government — all while trying to avoid committing high-profile urban assaults under a February agreement with the United States that encouraged, but did not say outright, that all sides would reduce violence. In turn, under that deal, all U.S. troops would eventually withdraw from the country, and direct Afghan-Taliban negotiations would get underway following the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners. Those talks began in September. After a surge of crime and violence in Kabul this fall, President Ashraf Ghani appointed the senior vice president, Amrullah Saleh, to take charge of security in the capital, so far with mixed results. “There have been a lot of statements and meetings by the government,” Shaharzad Akbar, the chairwoman of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, said of the rise in violence. “But when you look at the daily life of civilians they don’t see an increased confidence in their security.” Saleh’s plan, called the “Kabul Security Compact,” has drawn critical public scrutiny, particularly his decision to post pictures across Kabul, some drawn from social media, of people accused of crimes, detailing their offensives on the posters. But in at least two instances, an Afghan official said, officials mistakenly used photos of people not accused of a crime. “I think everyone in Kabul feels unsafe, they feel like the government isn’t delivering,” said Said Sabir Ibrahimi, an Afghan researcher at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. “The Ghani administration is focusing on individuals by giving Saleh the security profile as if it’s a silver bullet.” “At the end of the day, the issue is much deeper,” he said.

String of attacks have people in Kabul pointing a finger, at the government

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Former Afghan television presenter Yama Siawash was killed in bomb attack on Saturday in Kabul. He was killed as a bomb attached to his vehicle exploded near his home. Two other civilians were killed in the blast. Siawash used to be prominent political and current affairs presenter with Tolo News and was known for hard hitting style of interviewing. Tolo News is Afghanistan's biggest private TV channel.

Afghanistan's interior ministry has blamed Haqqani network, a group linked to the Taliban. It did not claim responsibility for the blast in the immediate aftermath.

"Such targeted attacks and explosions of sticky bombs is the continuation of crimes by Haqqani network and the Taliban," Tariq Arian, spokesman for the ministry, told reporters.

Haqqani network has been designated by the US as a terrorist group.

Siawash's death drew immediate condemnation from senior Afghan officials and foreign diplomats.

"I am shocked at the killing of former Tolo News anchor Yama Siawash," Ross Wilson, US charge d'affaires in Kabul, said on Twitter.

"This attack is an assault on freedom of the press, one of Afghanistan's core democratic principles." 
Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the country's overall peace and reconciliation process, also said Siawash's murder targeted freedom of expression in Afghanistan.

"This is an unforgivable and unforgettable crime," he said in a statement.

Targetted killings

The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, a panel set up by media networks to oversee security for journalists in the country, called for "identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators" of the attack.

President Ashraf Ghani ordered an investigation into the murders, the presidential palace said.

Targeted killings of prominent figures, including journalists, clerics, politicians and rights activists, have become more common in recent months amid growing violence in the country.

On Thursday, the father of Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, was gunned down in front of his house in Kabul.

His assassination was condemned by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had awarded Ghafari with the International Women of Courage award earlier this year.

US watchdog Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a report this week that violent attacks in the country had surged by 50 per cent during three months to September when compared to the previous quarter.

Dozens of people were killed in less than two weeks in Kabul in brutal attacks that also left scores wounded. 
On Monday, a deadly raid by militants on Kabul University left 22 people dead, many of them students.

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack but the government blamed the Haqqani network.

The attack on the university came just days after a suicide bombing near an educational centre killed 24 people. That attack was also claimed by IS.

(With AFP inputs)

Former Afghan television presenter Yama Siawash was killed in bomb attack on Saturday in Kabul. He was killed as a bomb attached to his vehicle exploded near his home.

Former Afghan television presenter Yama Siawash was killed in bomb attack on Saturday in Kabul. He was killed as a bomb attached to his vehicle exploded near his home. Two other civilians were killed in the blast. Siawash used to be prominent political and current affairs presenter with Tolo News and was known for hard hitting style of interviewing. Tolo News is Afghanistan's biggest private TV channel. Afghanistan's interior ministry has blamed Haqqani network, a group linked to the Taliban. It did not claim responsibility for the blast in the immediate aftermath. "Such targeted attacks and explosions of sticky bombs is the continuation of crimes by Haqqani network and the Taliban," Tariq Arian, spokesman for the ministry, told reporters. Haqqani network has been designated by the US as a terrorist group. Siawash's death drew immediate condemnation from senior Afghan officials and foreign diplomats. "I am shocked at the killing of former Tolo News anchor Yama Siawash," Ross Wilson, US charge d'affaires in Kabul, said on Twitter. "This attack is an assault on freedom of the press, one of Afghanistan's core democratic principles." Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the country's overall peace and reconciliation process, also said Siawash's murder targeted freedom of expression in Afghanistan. "This is an unforgivable and unforgettable crime," he said in a statement. Targetted killings The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, a panel set up by media networks to oversee security for journalists in the country, called for "identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators" of the attack. President Ashraf Ghani ordered an investigation into the murders, the presidential palace said. Targeted killings of prominent figures, including journalists, clerics, politicians and rights activists, have become more common in recent months amid growing violence in the country. On Thursday, the father of Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, was gunned down in front of his house in Kabul. His assassination was condemned by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had awarded Ghafari with the International Women of Courage award earlier this year. US watchdog Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a report this week that violent attacks in the country had surged by 50 per cent during three months to September when compared to the previous quarter. Dozens of people were killed in less than two weeks in Kabul in brutal attacks that also left scores wounded. On Monday, a deadly raid by militants on Kabul University left 22 people dead, many of them students. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack but the government blamed the Haqqani network. The attack on the university came just days after a suicide bombing near an educational centre killed 24 people. That attack was also claimed by IS. (With AFP inputs)

Afghanistan: Former TV presenter killed in bomb attack

The Afghan National Army has received 429 military vehicles from the US as part of Washingon and the NATOs continued support to the war-torn country`s forces, the Defence Ministry here said in a statement on Friday.

In the statement, Deputy Defence Minister Shah Mahmoud Miakhil was quoted as saying that said the military equipment and the vehicles, received on Thursday, will be used to ensure the safety of the people, reports TOLO News.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-violence-soars-despite-peace-talks-watchdog-340718" hreflang="en">Afghan violence soars despite peace talks: Watchdog</a>

According to Mikhail, 215 of the Humvees were received in Kabul and 214 others were handed to the Ministry of Defence in Kandahar.

"Preservation of the Afghan Security Forces is of vital importance to Afghanistan`s long-term stability and security," said Lt. Gen. John Deedrick, commander of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A).

The statement said that the Afghan forces have received 1,383 Humvees, 55 Mobile Strike Force vehicles, 10 helicopters and 4 A-29 aircraft from the US so far.

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"Over the past year, the US delivered $574 million of equipment to the Afghan government and our security forces as we fight terrorism and provide security for our people," TOLO News quoted the Ministry statement as saying.

It also added that the US will transfer $102 million more in equipment in near future.

This development comes as violence has remained high in the country amidst the ongoing peace efforts.

Recently, three provinces in the south of the country were attacked by the Taliban.

The Afghan National Army has received 429 military vehicles from the US as part of Washingon and the NATOs continued support to the war-torn country`s forces, the Defence Ministry here said in a statement on Friday.

The Afghan National Army has received 429 military vehicles from the US as part of Washingon and the NATOs continued support to the war-torn country`s forces, the Defence Ministry here said in a statement on Friday. In the statement, Deputy Defence Minister Shah Mahmoud Miakhil was quoted as saying that said the military equipment and the vehicles, received on Thursday, will be used to ensure the safety of the people, reports TOLO News. Also read| Afghan violence soars despite peace talks: Watchdog According to Mikhail, 215 of the Humvees were received in Kabul and 214 others were handed to the Ministry of Defence in Kandahar. "Preservation of the Afghan Security Forces is of vital importance to Afghanistan`s long-term stability and security," said Lt. Gen. John Deedrick, commander of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A). The statement said that the Afghan forces have received 1,383 Humvees, 55 Mobile Strike Force vehicles, 10 helicopters and 4 A-29 aircraft from the US so far. Also read| Terrorists shot students 'one by one' in Afghan university attack: Survivor "Over the past year, the US delivered $574 million of equipment to the Afghan government and our security forces as we fight terrorism and provide security for our people," TOLO News quoted the Ministry statement as saying. It also added that the US will transfer $102 million more in equipment in near future. This development comes as violence has remained high in the country amidst the ongoing peace efforts. Recently, three provinces in the south of the country were attacked by the Taliban.

Afghanistan forces receive military vehicles from US

Senior American diplomat Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad who is the US special representative for Afghan reconciliation has landed in Islamabad to meet with Pakistan government and military's top brass to seek support towards a political solution to the ongoing unrest in Afghanistan.

Khalilzad, who landed here on Monday, has met with the Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi where detailed discussion on the "regional security situation and Afghan peace process" was discussed.

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"Regional security situation and Afghan peace process -- with particular reference to border management -- as well as way forward for a lasting peace in Afghanistan were discussed during the meeting," stated official press release of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the meeting, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt General Faiz Hameed and other senior officials were also present.

The ISPR maintained that Khalilzad appreciated Pakistan's efforts in facilitating the peace through dialogue process forward. While the ISPR press release did not share more details into the meeting, analysts say that the increase in short visits of Khalilzad to Pakistan are aimed at seeking help in persuading the Taliban for a ceasefire in Afghanistan.

"The flurry of visits by the top US diplomat is part of efforts to convince the Taliban for a ceasefire of at least reduction in violence," stated Kamran Yousaf, a senior analyst.

However, the Taliban till now have refrained from agreeing to announce the ceasefire, maintaining that it would be part of the overall agreement that may be reached through the intra-Afghan dialogue, which are currently going on in Doha.

Even though Intra-Afghan dialogue is in process, terror attacks and loss of innocent lives has continued unabated in Afghanistan. On Monday, Kabul was rocked by a deadly terrorist attack, targeted at Kabul University, claiming several lives of students and teachers.

The Taliban, however, did not claim responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan condemned the attack calling it a "mindless terrorist attack".

"Pakistan strongly condemns the mindless attack at Kabul University today, resulting in loss of so many precious lives and injuries to many more. This act of terrorism is particularly despicable as it targeted an institution of learning," read a statement from the Pakistan foreign office.

It is believed that Washington has serious concerns over the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and Khalilzad's frequent visits and meeting with Pakistan's military establishment are aimed at seeking Islamabad's help to convince Taliban to either announce ceasefire or reduce terror attacks at a time when Intra-Afghan dialogue is in process.

Senior American diplomat Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad who is the US special representative for Afghan reconciliation has landed in Islamabad to meet with Pakistan government and military's top brass to seek support towards a political solution to the ongoing unrest in Afghanistan.

Senior American diplomat Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad who is the US special representative for Afghan reconciliation has landed in Islamabad to meet with Pakistan government and military's top brass to seek support towards a political solution to the ongoing unrest in Afghanistan. Khalilzad, who landed here on Monday, has met with the Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi where detailed discussion on the "regional security situation and Afghan peace process" was discussed. Also read | International donors likely to pledge less aid for Afghanistan: Sources "Regional security situation and Afghan peace process -- with particular reference to border management -- as well as way forward for a lasting peace in Afghanistan were discussed during the meeting," stated official press release of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). During the meeting, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt General Faiz Hameed and other senior officials were also present. The ISPR maintained that Khalilzad appreciated Pakistan's efforts in facilitating the peace through dialogue process forward. While the ISPR press release did not share more details into the meeting, analysts say that the increase in short visits of Khalilzad to Pakistan are aimed at seeking help in persuading the Taliban for a ceasefire in Afghanistan. "The flurry of visits by the top US diplomat is part of efforts to convince the Taliban for a ceasefire of at least reduction in violence," stated Kamran Yousaf, a senior analyst. However, the Taliban till now have refrained from agreeing to announce the ceasefire, maintaining that it would be part of the overall agreement that may be reached through the intra-Afghan dialogue, which are currently going on in Doha. Even though Intra-Afghan dialogue is in process, terror attacks and loss of innocent lives has continued unabated in Afghanistan. On Monday, Kabul was rocked by a deadly terrorist attack, targeted at Kabul University, claiming several lives of students and teachers. The Taliban, however, did not claim responsibility for the attack. Pakistan condemned the attack calling it a "mindless terrorist attack". "Pakistan strongly condemns the mindless attack at Kabul University today, resulting in loss of so many precious lives and injuries to many more. This act of terrorism is particularly despicable as it targeted an institution of learning," read a statement from the Pakistan foreign office. It is believed that Washington has serious concerns over the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and Khalilzad's frequent visits and meeting with Pakistan's military establishment are aimed at seeking Islamabad's help to convince Taliban to either announce ceasefire or reduce terror attacks at a time when Intra-Afghan dialogue is in process.

Khalilzad seeks Pak military help to push Afghan peace forward

Gunmen killed at least 35 students in Afghanistan’s Kabul University on Monday. According to the witnesses and government sources, gunmen opened fire on students in the capital of Afghanistan, while they attempted to flee the scene.

Afghanistan: Gunmen kill at least 35 students at Kabul University

Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on Kabul University on Monday that killed 22 people including students, the group’s Amaq News Agency said.

Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul University attack

Afghanistan is likely to receive reduced pledges for aid from international donors gathering in Geneva next month, three sources familiar with discussions said, amid uncertainty over how the government's peace talks with the Taliban will progress.

Washington is hoping the intra-Afghan peace process will eventually bring the curtain down on the United States' longest war, as it plans to withdraw the remaining few thousand personnel still in Afghanistan by May.

But the withdrawal of foreign forces will leave behind a country still dependent on foreign aid, and one in which the Taliban could secure greater influence, making donors uneasy over whether the hardline Islamists will try to roll back progress made on human rights and girls education.

The Taliban did not respond to requests for comment on the concerns, and it was not known whether their representatives would be invited to the donors conference in Geneva on Nov. 23/24.

But some analysts see foreign aid as vital in helping donors shape policies of any future Afghan government.

"It's one of the primary forms of leverage the U.S. and international community believe they have over the Taliban," said Andrew Watkins, an analyst covering Afghanistan for International Crisis Group. "Any future Afghan state will rely on foreign aid almost as much as the current one does."

The impact of the coronavirus epidemic this year has made Afghanistan's plight worse, with government revenues sinking, and unemployment and poverty projected to rise dramatically.

Yet, donors are likely to tell Afghanistan to expect, possibly significantly, less aid, while also imposing stricter conditions and committing funds for a shorter period, said the three sources, who declined to be named because the discussions are private.

All three sources said the United States, Afghanistan's largest donor, is likely to make deep cuts to its current annual contribution of around $800 million for civilian funding, beyond the money allocated for defence and security needs.

One said Washington could not only "cut aid by half", but could also move "away from a four-year-commitment cycle" to pledge funds for just a year.

Other NATO members like Britain and France were also considering reducing pledges, while Australia was planning cuts of up to 30%, two sources said.

The U.S. State Department and Australia's department of foreign affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. France's Embassy in Kabul declined to comment and the British Foreign Office did not respond to questions around its plans on aid pledges.

Switching to annual reviews

Dozens of donor nations and multilateral institutions have met every four years to pledge the billions of dollars that fund roughly three-quarters of the Afghan government's budget.

The aid is largely pledged to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), a World Bank managed fund that finances vital national priority programs in a country where the United States has been fighting for 19 years.

At the last donor conference in Brussels four years ago, donors pledged $15.2 billion in aid to support Afghanistan between 2017-2020, an equivalent to $3.8 billion per year.

A spokesman at Afghanistan's finance ministry said it was premature to comment on aid figures, but the government did not expect any reductions in pledges.

Finland's foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, whose government is co-organising the Geneva meeting, said one major change will be a switch to reviewing funding annually, rather every four years.

He said "strict conditions" would be applied during reviews to address donor concerns about corruption, and to safeguard progress made on rights issues since U.S. backed forces ousted a Taliban government in 2001.

"The donor community don't want to lose the achievements of the last 19 years," Haavisto told Reuters. "The best answer has been yearly check-ups and clear conditionality."

Afghanistan is likely to receive reduced pledges for aid from international donors gathering in Geneva next month, three sources familiar with discussions said, amid uncertainty over how the government's peace talks with the Taliban will progress.

Afghanistan is likely to receive reduced pledges for aid from international donors gathering in Geneva next month, three sources familiar with discussions said, amid uncertainty over how the government's peace talks with the Taliban will progress. Washington is hoping the intra-Afghan peace process will eventually bring the curtain down on the United States' longest war, as it plans to withdraw the remaining few thousand personnel still in Afghanistan by May. But the withdrawal of foreign forces will leave behind a country still dependent on foreign aid, and one in which the Taliban could secure greater influence, making donors uneasy over whether the hardline Islamists will try to roll back progress made on human rights and girls education. The Taliban did not respond to requests for comment on the concerns, and it was not known whether their representatives would be invited to the donors conference in Geneva on Nov. 23/24. But some analysts see foreign aid as vital in helping donors shape policies of any future Afghan government. "It's one of the primary forms of leverage the U.S. and international community believe they have over the Taliban," said Andrew Watkins, an analyst covering Afghanistan for International Crisis Group. "Any future Afghan state will rely on foreign aid almost as much as the current one does." The impact of the coronavirus epidemic this year has made Afghanistan's plight worse, with government revenues sinking, and unemployment and poverty projected to rise dramatically. Yet, donors are likely to tell Afghanistan to expect, possibly significantly, less aid, while also imposing stricter conditions and committing funds for a shorter period, said the three sources, who declined to be named because the discussions are private. All three sources said the United States, Afghanistan's largest donor, is likely to make deep cuts to its current annual contribution of around $800 million for civilian funding, beyond the money allocated for defence and security needs. One said Washington could not only "cut aid by half", but could also move "away from a four-year-commitment cycle" to pledge funds for just a year. Other NATO members like Britain and France were also considering reducing pledges, while Australia was planning cuts of up to 30%, two sources said. The U.S. State Department and Australia's department of foreign affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. France's Embassy in Kabul declined to comment and the British Foreign Office did not respond to questions around its plans on aid pledges. Switching to annual reviews Dozens of donor nations and multilateral institutions have met every four years to pledge the billions of dollars that fund roughly three-quarters of the Afghan government's budget. The aid is largely pledged to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), a World Bank managed fund that finances vital national priority programs in a country where the United States has been fighting for 19 years. At the last donor conference in Brussels four years ago, donors pledged $15.2 billion in aid to support Afghanistan between 2017-2020, an equivalent to $3.8 billion per year. A spokesman at Afghanistan's finance ministry said it was premature to comment on aid figures, but the government did not expect any reductions in pledges. Finland's foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, whose government is co-organising the Geneva meeting, said one major change will be a switch to reviewing funding annually, rather every four years. He said "strict conditions" would be applied during reviews to address donor concerns about corruption, and to safeguard progress made on rights issues since U.S. backed forces ousted a Taliban government in 2001. "The donor community don't want to lose the achievements of the last 19 years," Haavisto told Reuters. "The best answer has been yearly check-ups and clear conditionality."

International donors likely to pledge less aid for Afghanistan: Sources

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