Terrorist organization Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on Kabul University on Monday that killed 22 people including students.

Islamic State said two of its fighters carried out the brazen daylight attack.

Through a message on the messaging app Telegram, the group claimed to have “killed and injured 80 Afghan judges, investigators and security personnel” who gathered on completion of a training programme.

At least 22 people were killed when attackers stormed one of Afghanistan's main universities on Monday, detonating a suicide bomb and spraying classrooms with bullets in a brazen hours-long assault claimed by Islamic State group.

The attack on Kabul University, which came as violence surges across Afghanistan, marked the second time in less than two weeks that an educational institution was targeted in the capital by IS extremists.

Survivors described horrific scenes following the incident that unfolded around 11:00 am (0530 GMT) when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the campus.

Two gunmen then started shooting, officials said, sending hundreds of students fleeing and scrambling over perimeter walls.

Fraidoon Ahmadi, a 23-year-old student, told AFP he was in class when gunfire broke out at the university.

"We were very scared and we thought it could be the last day of our lives... boys and girls were shouting, praying and crying for help," Ahmadi said.

He said he and other students were besieged for more than two hours before being rescued.&nbsp;

Distressing images posted online showed what appeared to be the bodies of slain students lying by desks and chairs.

"They opened fire ... all my classmates were lying in blood, either dead or wounded," one student told a local television channel, adding that he escaped by climbing out a window.

(With inputs from agencies)

Terrorist organization Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on Kabul University on Monday that killed 22 people including students. Islamic State said two of its fighters carried out the brazen daylight attack.

Terrorist organization Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on Kabul University on Monday that killed 22 people including students. Islamic State said two of its fighters carried out the brazen daylight attack. Through a message on the messaging app Telegram, the group claimed to have “killed and injured 80 Afghan judges, investigators and security personnel” who gathered on completion of a training programme. At least 22 people were killed when attackers stormed one of Afghanistan's main universities on Monday, detonating a suicide bomb and spraying classrooms with bullets in a brazen hours-long assault claimed by Islamic State group. The attack on Kabul University, which came as violence surges across Afghanistan, marked the second time in less than two weeks that an educational institution was targeted in the capital by IS extremists. Survivors described horrific scenes following the incident that unfolded around 11:00 am (0530 GMT) when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the campus. Two gunmen then started shooting, officials said, sending hundreds of students fleeing and scrambling over perimeter walls. Fraidoon Ahmadi, a 23-year-old student, told AFP he was in class when gunfire broke out at the university. "We were very scared and we thought it could be the last day of our lives... boys and girls were shouting, praying and crying for help," Ahmadi said. He said he and other students were besieged for more than two hours before being rescued. Distressing images posted online showed what appeared to be the bodies of slain students lying by desks and chairs. "They opened fire ... all my classmates were lying in blood, either dead or wounded," one student told a local television channel, adding that he escaped by climbing out a window. (With inputs from agencies)

Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul University attack

Gunmen traded fire with Afghan security forces in Kabul University's campus following a blast in the area on Monday (November 2), and at least six people were wounded, Afghan government officials said.

WION Dispatch: Gunmen battle Afghan security forces on Kabul University campus

Gunshots were fired inside Kabul university on Monday following a blast in the area. At least six people were wounded, Afghan government officials said.

Several senior government officials were expected to attend the opening of an Iranian book fair at the university when&nbsp;multiple attackers&nbsp;entered the campus and began to fight with security forces.

The Taliban denied their fighters were involved in the assault, and the identity of the attackers was unknown.

Hamid Obaidi, spokesman for the ministry of higher education, told AFP that students were being evacuated from the building.&nbsp;

The ministry of interior confirmed gunshots were heard at the university and that police had been deployed.

At least six people were wounded, including a professor and a student, according to Akmal Samsor, the health ministry's spokesman. Witnesses said students had fled from the Kabul University campus.

In recent years, several education centres have come under attack from extremist groups such as Islamic State (IS).

Last week at least 24 people, mostly students, were killed in a suicide attack on an educational centre in western Kabul district that was claimed by IS.

Gunshots were fired inside Kabul university on Monday following a blast in the area. At least six people were wounded, Afghan government officials said. Several senior government officials were expected to attend the opening of an Iranian book fair at the university when multiple attackers entered the campus and began to fight with security forces.

Gunshots were fired inside Kabul university on Monday following a blast in the area. At least six people were wounded, Afghan government officials said. Several senior government officials were expected to attend the opening of an Iranian book fair at the university when multiple attackers entered the campus and began to fight with security forces. The Taliban denied their fighters were involved in the assault, and the identity of the attackers was unknown. Hamid Obaidi, spokesman for the ministry of higher education, told AFP that students were being evacuated from the building. The ministry of interior confirmed gunshots were heard at the university and that police had been deployed. At least six people were wounded, including a professor and a student, according to Akmal Samsor, the health ministry's spokesman. Witnesses said students had fled from the Kabul University campus. In recent years, several education centres have come under attack from extremist groups such as Islamic State (IS). Last week at least 24 people, mostly students, were killed in a suicide attack on an educational centre in western Kabul district that was claimed by IS.

Gunshots fired inside Kabul university

Twelve years after a New York Times journalist and two others were taken hostage at gunpoint in Afghanistan and held for more than seven months, an Afghan man has been arrested and charged in the kidnapping, federal authorities said Wednesday.

The man, Haji Najibullah, who has been described as a former Taliban commander, was ordered detained in by a federal magistrate judge in Manhattan on Wednesday.

The journalist, David Rohde, as well as an Afghan journalist, Tahir Ludin, eventually made a desperate nighttime escape in June 2009 from the second floor of a Taliban compound in North Waziristan, in Pakistan’s tribal areas, that included dropping down a high wall with a rope and making their way to a Pakistani militia post. The third hostage, Asadullah Mangal, their driver, did not escape with them but managed to flee five weeks later.

A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday charges Najibullah, 42, with six counts, including kidnapping, hostage taking, conspiracy and using a machine gun in furtherance of violent crimes. Each count carries a potential life sentence.

The circumstances of Najibullah’s capture and arrest were not described in a news release issued along with the indictment, but it said he had been transferred to the United States from Ukraine.

Rohde declined to comment on the news of Najibullah’s arrest.

The indictment unsealed Wednesday is dated 2014, which shows that authorities had maintained it under seal until they were able to carry out Najibullah’s arrest.

“Najibullah’s alleged reprehensible actions over a decade ago earned him a flight to the U.S. yesterday,” William Sweeney Jr., head of the FBI’s New York office, said Wednesday.

Audrey Strauss, the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, added that Najibullah’s prosecution “shows that law enforcement will never stop in our mission to hold accountable those who commit violent crimes against American citizens.”

Najibullah was taken before the judge remotely, with the proceedings handled over the phone because of the pandemic. A Pashto interpreter translated the proceedings for Najibullah. Afterward, Mark B. Gombiner, Najibullah’s federal public defender, declined to comment.

Rohde, Ludin, who was assisting Rohde as an interpreter, and Mangal were abducted Nov. 10, 2008, outside Kabul, Afghanistan, during a trip on which Rohde was to interview a Taliban commander in Logar province, south of Kabul.

Rohde has written that the commander he was to interview was called Abu Tayeb, which the indictment says was an alias used by Najibullah.

Ludin, in an interview with the Times after his release, said that the commander had granted previous interviews to foreign journalists and had built a degree of trust. Ludin said the commander had betrayed that trust by directly orchestrating the kidnapping.

After their abduction, Rohde and the two other hostages, escorted by a half-dozen armed guards, were forced to hike across the border from Afghanistan to Pakistan, the indictment said.

The kidnappers ordered the hostages to make calls and videos seeking help, authorities said.

At one point, Najibullah ordered Rhode to call his wife in New York using a satellite phone, and another time, Najibullah recorded a video of Rohde begging for help while the barrel of a machine gun was pointed at his face, according to the indictment.

Najibullah, whose first name also has been spelled Hajji, was identified in a 2014 Times article as the nominal leader of Feday-e-Mahaz, which has been described as a radical offshoot of the Taliban. In 2014, the group claimed responsibility for the killing of Nils Horner, a Swedish journalist in Kabul.

Najibullah was still affiliated with the Taliban during the abduction of Rohde and his colleagues, though he appears to have later broken away after the Taliban acknowledged that they were exploring the possibility of holding peace talks, The Times reported.

Rohde, in a series of articles after his release, said he was traveling with his two colleagues to see a Taliban commander who had invited him for an interview when armed men surrounded their car.

“We reached a dry riverbed, and the car stopped,” Rohde wrote. “‘They’re going to kill us,’ Tahir whispered. ‘They’re going to kill us.’

“Tahir and Asad were ordered out of the car. Gunmen from a second vehicle began beating them with their rifle butts and led them away. I was told to get out of the car and take a few steps up a sand-covered hillside.

“While one guard pointed his Kalashnikov at me, the other took my glasses, notebook, pen and camera. I was blindfolded, my hands tied behind my back. My heart raced. Sweat poured from my skin.”

Rohde wrote that five weeks after he and Ludin escaped, the third hostage, Mangal, fled after a guard left him alone, and he was able to make his way to the Afghan border.

The indictment also charged two other men, who apparently remain fugitives. One was identified as Timor Shah, described as the head guard of the three hostages during the last six months of their captivity. The other, Akhund Zada, was described as one of the armed guards who forced the hostages to hike across the border into Pakistan after their abduction.

Throughout the ordeal, until word of Rohde’s escape, the Times sought to keep the abduction secret, concluding that not reporting on it would lessen the risk to the lives of Rohde and the others. The Times persuaded other news organizations not to report on the abduction as well and even managed to keep it off the Wikipedia website.

Rohde, who is now executive editor for news of newyorker.com, is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Besides The Times, he also has worked for Reuters and The Christian Science Monitor, and he covered the wars in Afghanistan and Bosnia.

The possibility of abduction — and perhaps death at the hands of the abductors — has been one of the biggest risks confronting journalists covering the wars that have punctuated the Middle East and Afghanistan for the past two decades.

Besides Rohde, former Times journalist Stephen Farrell was held in Afghanistan for four days in September 2009. A few years later, Farrell, along with three other journalists working for the Times — Anthony Shadid, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario — were held for six days in Libya during the uprising against Moammar Gadhafi.

Syria has been especially dangerous. James Foley, a freelance journalist for GlobalPost, an international news website, was abducted in Syria by Islamic State group militants in 2012 and killed in 2014. Austin Tice, a freelance journalist who had contributed to The Washington Post, McClatchy and other news organizations, was believed to have been abducted in Syria in 2012. His parents have said they believe he is still alive.

Twelve years after a New York Times journalist and two others were taken hostage at gunpoint in Afghanistan and held for more than seven months, an Afghan man has been arrested and charged in the kidnapping, federal authorities said Wednesday.

Twelve years after a New York Times journalist and two others were taken hostage at gunpoint in Afghanistan and held for more than seven months, an Afghan man has been arrested and charged in the kidnapping, federal authorities said Wednesday. The man, Haji Najibullah, who has been described as a former Taliban commander, was ordered detained in by a federal magistrate judge in Manhattan on Wednesday. The journalist, David Rohde, as well as an Afghan journalist, Tahir Ludin, eventually made a desperate nighttime escape in June 2009 from the second floor of a Taliban compound in North Waziristan, in Pakistan’s tribal areas, that included dropping down a high wall with a rope and making their way to a Pakistani militia post. The third hostage, Asadullah Mangal, their driver, did not escape with them but managed to flee five weeks later. A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday charges Najibullah, 42, with six counts, including kidnapping, hostage taking, conspiracy and using a machine gun in furtherance of violent crimes. Each count carries a potential life sentence. The circumstances of Najibullah’s capture and arrest were not described in a news release issued along with the indictment, but it said he had been transferred to the United States from Ukraine. Rohde declined to comment on the news of Najibullah’s arrest. The indictment unsealed Wednesday is dated 2014, which shows that authorities had maintained it under seal until they were able to carry out Najibullah’s arrest. “Najibullah’s alleged reprehensible actions over a decade ago earned him a flight to the U.S. yesterday,” William Sweeney Jr., head of the FBI’s New York office, said Wednesday. Audrey Strauss, the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, added that Najibullah’s prosecution “shows that law enforcement will never stop in our mission to hold accountable those who commit violent crimes against American citizens.” Najibullah was taken before the judge remotely, with the proceedings handled over the phone because of the pandemic. A Pashto interpreter translated the proceedings for Najibullah. Afterward, Mark B. Gombiner, Najibullah’s federal public defender, declined to comment. Rohde, Ludin, who was assisting Rohde as an interpreter, and Mangal were abducted Nov. 10, 2008, outside Kabul, Afghanistan, during a trip on which Rohde was to interview a Taliban commander in Logar province, south of Kabul. Rohde has written that the commander he was to interview was called Abu Tayeb, which the indictment says was an alias used by Najibullah. Ludin, in an interview with the Times after his release, said that the commander had granted previous interviews to foreign journalists and had built a degree of trust. Ludin said the commander had betrayed that trust by directly orchestrating the kidnapping. After their abduction, Rohde and the two other hostages, escorted by a half-dozen armed guards, were forced to hike across the border from Afghanistan to Pakistan, the indictment said. The kidnappers ordered the hostages to make calls and videos seeking help, authorities said. At one point, Najibullah ordered Rhode to call his wife in New York using a satellite phone, and another time, Najibullah recorded a video of Rohde begging for help while the barrel of a machine gun was pointed at his face, according to the indictment. Najibullah, whose first name also has been spelled Hajji, was identified in a 2014 Times article as the nominal leader of Feday-e-Mahaz, which has been described as a radical offshoot of the Taliban. In 2014, the group claimed responsibility for the killing of Nils Horner, a Swedish journalist in Kabul. Najibullah was still affiliated with the Taliban during the abduction of Rohde and his colleagues, though he appears to have later broken away after the Taliban acknowledged that they were exploring the possibility of holding peace talks, The Times reported. Rohde, in a series of articles after his release, said he was traveling with his two colleagues to see a Taliban commander who had invited him for an interview when armed men surrounded their car. “We reached a dry riverbed, and the car stopped,” Rohde wrote. “‘They’re going to kill us,’ Tahir whispered. ‘They’re going to kill us.’ “Tahir and Asad were ordered out of the car. Gunmen from a second vehicle began beating them with their rifle butts and led them away. I was told to get out of the car and take a few steps up a sand-covered hillside. “While one guard pointed his Kalashnikov at me, the other took my glasses, notebook, pen and camera. I was blindfolded, my hands tied behind my back. My heart raced. Sweat poured from my skin.” Rohde wrote that five weeks after he and Ludin escaped, the third hostage, Mangal, fled after a guard left him alone, and he was able to make his way to the Afghan border. The indictment also charged two other men, who apparently remain fugitives. One was identified as Timor Shah, described as the head guard of the three hostages during the last six months of their captivity. The other, Akhund Zada, was described as one of the armed guards who forced the hostages to hike across the border into Pakistan after their abduction. Throughout the ordeal, until word of Rohde’s escape, the Times sought to keep the abduction secret, concluding that not reporting on it would lessen the risk to the lives of Rohde and the others. The Times persuaded other news organizations not to report on the abduction as well and even managed to keep it off the Wikipedia website. Rohde, who is now executive editor for news of newyorker.com, is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Besides The Times, he also has worked for Reuters and The Christian Science Monitor, and he covered the wars in Afghanistan and Bosnia. The possibility of abduction — and perhaps death at the hands of the abductors — has been one of the biggest risks confronting journalists covering the wars that have punctuated the Middle East and Afghanistan for the past two decades. Besides Rohde, former Times journalist Stephen Farrell was held in Afghanistan for four days in September 2009. A few years later, Farrell, along with three other journalists working for the Times — Anthony Shadid, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario — were held for six days in Libya during the uprising against Moammar Gadhafi. Syria has been especially dangerous. James Foley, a freelance journalist for GlobalPost, an international news website, was abducted in Syria by Islamic State group militants in 2012 and killed in 2014. Austin Tice, a freelance journalist who had contributed to The Washington Post, McClatchy and other news organizations, was believed to have been abducted in Syria in 2012. His parents have said they believe he is still alive.

After 12 years, arrest made in abduction of former Times journalist David Rohde

The U.S. envoy for Afghanistan said on Tuesday that violence there was too high and the Kabul government and Taliban insurgents must work harder toward forging a ceasefire at their peace talks.

US special envoy calls for urgent reduction of violence in Afghanistan

United Nations said on Monday that more than 1280 Afghan civilians were killed in first six months of the year as fighting raged in Afghanistan in spite of a pact between the US and Taliban.&nbsp;

United Nations said on Monday that more than 1280 Afghan civilians were killed in first six months of the year as fighting raged in Afghanistan in spite of a pact between the US and Taliban. A) said in a report.

“The reality remains that Afghanistan continues to be one of the deadliest conflicts in the world for civilians,” it said in the mid-year report.

In spite of a drop of 13 per cent in casualties from the corresponding period of the last year, the UN said that Taliban continued to cause majority of civilian casualties. The Taliban were responsible for 43 per cent of civilian casualties and government forces caused 23 per cent.

In February, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, laying out plans for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the militants.

However, fighting has spiked in recent weeks, prompted by differences over an exchange of prisoners between the Taliban and Afghan government, as Kabul proved reluctant to free hundreds of jailed militants.

The Doha deal provided for the government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for hundreds of Afghan troops, the main plank in starting peace negotiations between the two sides in the effort to end the 18-year-old war.

While the Afghan government has released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners, it has refused to release another 600, saying they were involved in murder, illicit drug trafficking and major attacks.

United Nations said on Monday that more than 1280 Afghan civilians were killed in first six months of the year as fighting raged in Afghanistan in spite of a pact between the US and Taliban.

United Nations said on Monday that more than 1280 Afghan civilians were killed in first six months of the year as fighting raged in Afghanistan in spite of a pact between the US and Taliban. United Nations said on Monday that more than 1280 Afghan civilians were killed in first six months of the year as fighting raged in Afghanistan in spite of a pact between the US and Taliban. A) said in a report. “The reality remains that Afghanistan continues to be one of the deadliest conflicts in the world for civilians,” it said in the mid-year report. In spite of a drop of 13 per cent in casualties from the corresponding period of the last year, the UN said that Taliban continued to cause majority of civilian casualties. The Taliban were responsible for 43 per cent of civilian casualties and government forces caused 23 per cent. In February, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, laying out plans for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the militants. However, fighting has spiked in recent weeks, prompted by differences over an exchange of prisoners between the Taliban and Afghan government, as Kabul proved reluctant to free hundreds of jailed militants. The Doha deal provided for the government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for hundreds of Afghan troops, the main plank in starting peace negotiations between the two sides in the effort to end the 18-year-old war. While the Afghan government has released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners, it has refused to release another 600, saying they were involved in murder, illicit drug trafficking and major attacks.

Nearly 3500 Afghans killed or hurt in first half of 2020: UN

<p content="(Reuters) - The U.S. envoy for Afghanistan said on Tuesday that the level of violence there was still too high and the Kabul government and Taliban insurgents must work harder towards forging a ceasefire at their peace talks." data-reactid="23" type="text">The U.S. envoy for Afghanistan said on Tuesday that the level of violence there was still too high and the Kabul government and Taliban insurgents must work harder towards forging a ceasefire at their peace talks.

Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad made his comments ahead of flying to Doha to meet with the two sides.

<p content="&quot;I return to the region disappointed that despite commitments to lower violence, it has not happened. The window to achieve a political settlement will not stay open forever,&quot; he said in a tweet." data-reactid="25" type="text">"I return to the region disappointed that despite commitments to lower violence, it has not happened. The window to achieve a political settlement will not stay open forever," he said in a tweet.

<p content="The talks between a government delegation and the delegation have been going on in Doha since mid-September but progress has been slow and diplomats and officials have warned that rising violence back home is sapping trust." data-reactid="26" type="text">The talks between a government delegation and the delegation have been going on in Doha since mid-September but progress has been slow and diplomats and officials have warned that rising violence back home is sapping trust.

The two sides are often at odds on even the most basic issues.

"The sides must move past procedure and into substantive negotiations," said Khalilzad's office in a statement on Tuesday.

There needeed to be "an agreement on a reduction of violence leading to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," he said.

<p content="Last week, Khalilzad said he had struck an agreement with the Taliban to &quot;re-set&quot; their commitments under a troop withdrawal deal and reduce the number of casualties in the conflict." data-reactid="30" type="text">Last week, Khalilzad said he had struck an agreement with the Taliban to "re-set" their commitments under a troop withdrawal deal and reduce the number of casualties in the conflict.

<p content="The deal in February between the United States and the Taliban paved the way for foreign forces to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counter-terrorism guarantees from the Taliban, which agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and a power-sharing formula with the Afghan government." data-reactid="31" type="text">The deal in February between the United States and the Taliban paved the way for foreign forces to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counter-terrorism guarantees from the Taliban, which agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and a power-sharing formula with the Afghan government.

<p content="The intra-Afghan talks have taken on increased significance against the backdrop of the U.S election, with President Donald Trump keen to end the nearly two decade-long U.S. war in Afghanistan and see U.S. troops home by Christmas - well ahead of the proposed withdrawal timeline." data-reactid="32" type="text">The intra-Afghan talks have taken on increased significance against the backdrop of the U.S election, with President Donald Trump keen to end the nearly two decade-long U.S. war in Afghanistan and see U.S. troops home by Christmas - well ahead of the proposed withdrawal timeline.

The U.S. envoy for Afghanistan said on Tuesday that the level of violence there was still too high and the Kabul government and Taliban insurgents must work harder towards forging a ceasefire at their peace talks.

The U.S. envoy for Afghanistan said on Tuesday that the level of violence there was still too high and the Kabul government and Taliban insurgents must work harder towards forging a ceasefire at their peace talks. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad made his comments ahead of flying to Doha to meet with the two sides. "I return to the region disappointed that despite commitments to lower violence, it has not happened. The window to achieve a political settlement will not stay open forever," he said in a tweet. The talks between a government delegation and the delegation have been going on in Doha since mid-September but progress has been slow and diplomats and officials have warned that rising violence back home is sapping trust. The two sides are often at odds on even the most basic issues. "The sides must move past procedure and into substantive negotiations," said Khalilzad's office in a statement on Tuesday. There needeed to be "an agreement on a reduction of violence leading to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," he said. Last week, Khalilzad said he had struck an agreement with the Taliban to "re-set" their commitments under a troop withdrawal deal and reduce the number of casualties in the conflict. The deal in February between the United States and the Taliban paved the way for foreign forces to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counter-terrorism guarantees from the Taliban, which agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and a power-sharing formula with the Afghan government. The intra-Afghan talks have taken on increased significance against the backdrop of the U.S election, with President Donald Trump keen to end the nearly two decade-long U.S. war in Afghanistan and see U.S. troops home by Christmas - well ahead of the proposed withdrawal timeline.

At least 18 people have been killed and 57 wounded, including schoolchildren, in a suicide bomb attack outside an education centre in Kabul, the Afghan interior ministry said.

At least 18 dead in suicide bomb attack in Kabul

Afghan security authorities said that their forces killed Abu Mohsen al-Masry, a prominent leader in Al-Qaeda.

Al Qaeda's key leader for Indian subcontinent Mohsen Almisri killed

A suicide bombing at an education centre in Afghanistan's capital Kabul killed at least 18 people and wounded dozens more on Saturday, officials said.

A Ministry of Interior spokesman, Tariq Arian, cited security guards as identifying a bomber who detonated explosives in the street outside the Kawsar-e Danish educational centre.

Eighteen people were killed and 57 were injured in the attack, according to the interior ministry.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombing, the group said in a statement on Telegram, without providing evidence.

A Taliban spokesman on Twitter denied responsibility for the attack, which comes at a sensitive time as teams representing the insurgents and the government meet in Qatar to seek a peace deal.

The attack took place in an area of west Kabul that is home to many from the country's Shia community, a religious minority in Afghanistan targeted by groups such as the Islamic State in the past.

Dozens of students died in the same area of Kabul in an attack on another education centre in 2018, while in May gunmen attacked a maternity ward, killing 24, including mothers and babies.

The latest attack comes on the back of heavy fighting in multiple provinces in recent weeks, which has displaced thousands of civilians in southern Helmand province.

"How much more can we endure, as individuals and as a society? How many times can we rise?" asked Shaharzad Akbar, the chairperson of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission on Twitter, saying the targeting of civilians was a war crime.

A suicide bombing at an education centre in Afghanistan's capital Kabul killed at least 18 people and wounded dozens more on Saturday, officials said. A Ministry of Interior spokesman, Tariq Arian, cited security guards as identifying a bomber who detonated explosives in the street outside the Kawsar-e Danish educational centre.

A suicide bombing at an education centre in Afghanistan's capital Kabul killed at least 18 people and wounded dozens more on Saturday, officials said. A Ministry of Interior spokesman, Tariq Arian, cited security guards as identifying a bomber who detonated explosives in the street outside the Kawsar-e Danish educational centre. Eighteen people were killed and 57 were injured in the attack, according to the interior ministry. ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombing, the group said in a statement on Telegram, without providing evidence. A Taliban spokesman on Twitter denied responsibility for the attack, which comes at a sensitive time as teams representing the insurgents and the government meet in Qatar to seek a peace deal. The attack took place in an area of west Kabul that is home to many from the country's Shia community, a religious minority in Afghanistan targeted by groups such as the Islamic State in the past. Dozens of students died in the same area of Kabul in an attack on another education centre in 2018, while in May gunmen attacked a maternity ward, killing 24, including mothers and babies. The latest attack comes on the back of heavy fighting in multiple provinces in recent weeks, which has displaced thousands of civilians in southern Helmand province. "How much more can we endure, as individuals and as a society? How many times can we rise?" asked Shaharzad Akbar, the chairperson of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission on Twitter, saying the targeting of civilians was a war crime.

18 killed, 57 injured in a suicide bombing at Afghanistan's education Centre 

At least 18&nbsp;people were killed and 57 others wounded in a bomb explosion near an education centre in west of Kabul on Saturday, the interior ministry said.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the&nbsp;attack. A suicide bomber "set off towards a gathering... in Kabul, where he detonated his explosives jacket among" the crowd, IS said in a statement posted on its social media channels.

The attack happened late afternoon.&nbsp;The interior ministry said the blast was caused by a suicide bombing, and the target was the Kawsar-e Danish educational centre -- which offers training and courses for students in higher education in a western district of Kabul.

To this end,&nbsp;Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, tweeted to condemn the dastardly attack.

He wrote, "I strongly condemn today’s coward suicide attack on a learning centre in #Kabul. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families at this difficult time. Targeting innocent people and terrorising the population is not the solution to the country’s issues."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I strongly condemn today’s coward suicide attack on a learning centre in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a>. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families at this difficult time. Targeting innocent people and terrorising the population is not the solution to the country’s issues.
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrabdullahCE/status/1320034736211972096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

An Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for a similar suicide attack at an education centre in August 2018, in which 34 students were killed. Within Afghanistan, IS has launched large-scale attacks on minority Shiites, Sikhs and Hindus, whom it views as apostates.

Earlier Saturday a roadside bomb killed nine people in eastern Afghanistan after it struck a minivan full of civilians, a local official said.

Ghazni province police spokesman Ahmad Khan Sirat said that a second roadside bomb killed two policemen, after it struck their vehicle that was making its way to the victims of the first explosion.

Sirat added that the bombings had wounded several others, and that the attacks were under investigation.

(with inputs from agencies)

At least 18 people were killed and 57 others wounded in a bomb explosion near an education centre in west of Kabul on Saturday, the interior ministry said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.

At least 18 people were killed and 57 others wounded in a bomb explosion near an education centre in west of Kabul on Saturday, the interior ministry said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. A suicide bomber "set off towards a gathering... in Kabul, where he detonated his explosives jacket among" the crowd, IS said in a statement posted on its social media channels. The attack happened late afternoon. The interior ministry said the blast was caused by a suicide bombing, and the target was the Kawsar-e Danish educational centre -- which offers training and courses for students in higher education in a western district of Kabul. To this end, Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, tweeted to condemn the dastardly attack. He wrote, "I strongly condemn today’s coward suicide attack on a learning centre in #Kabul. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families at this difficult time. Targeting innocent people and terrorising the population is not the solution to the country’s issues." I strongly condemn today’s coward suicide attack on a learning centre in #Kabul. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families at this difficult time. Targeting innocent people and terrorising the population is not the solution to the country’s issues. — Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) October 24, 2020 × An Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for a similar suicide attack at an education centre in August 2018, in which 34 students were killed. Within Afghanistan, IS has launched large-scale attacks on minority Shiites, Sikhs and Hindus, whom it views as apostates. Earlier Saturday a roadside bomb killed nine people in eastern Afghanistan after it struck a minivan full of civilians, a local official said. Ghazni province police spokesman Ahmad Khan Sirat said that a second roadside bomb killed two policemen, after it struck their vehicle that was making its way to the victims of the first explosion. Sirat added that the bombings had wounded several others, and that the attacks were under investigation. (with inputs from agencies)

Suicide bomb rocks Afghan education centre; IS claims responsibility

Atta Mohammad Noor, an influential Afghan politician, once a key leader of the Northern Alliance that fought against the Taliban in the 1990s has said India should engage with the Taliban. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Atta Noor said, "India has the right and engages the Taliban and in line with their national interests".

WION exclusive with Former Northern Alliance leader, Atta Noor

An airstrike hit a mosque in Afghanistan and has taken lives on 11 children and a prayer leader, local authorities reported on Thursday.

The incident happened in a village in the&nbsp;northeastern province of Takhar on Wednesday came during the ongoing clashes between the Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters, the&nbsp;provincial police spokesman Khalil Aseer reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-ata-mohammad-noor-meets-eam-foreign-secretary-in-delhi-briefs-about-the-afghan-peace-process-336971">Also read|&nbsp;Afghanistan's Ata Mohammad Noor meets EAM, Foreign Secretary in Delhi; briefs about the Afghan peace process</a>

"The air strike was carried out when the victims were busy studying the Holy Koran," Aseer said, adding a prayer leader was killed alongside the 11 students. He said 14 people were wounded.

While some officials are confirming the report of children being killed, the Ministry of Defence has denied that the airstrike killed any civilians.&nbsp;Afghanistan's Vice President Amrullah Saleh said that no children were killed and the news along this matter was "baseless".

"Twelve Taliban including several of their commanders were killed," the ministry&nbsp;said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-ambush-kills-25-afghan-security-persons-336886">Also read|&nbsp;Taliban ambush kills 25 Afghan security persons</a>

"We have undeniable evidence that those who killed our security forces... were killed," he wrote on Facebook. "Those who spread rumours will be dealt with legally."

Mohammad Jawad Hejri, the spokesman for the Takhar provincial governor, however, confirmed deaths of 11 children.

The ministry has said it will launch an investigation into the matter.

An airstrike hit a mosque in Afghanistan and has taken lives on 11 children and a prayer leader, local authorities reported on Thursday. The incident happened in a village in the northeastern province of Takhar on Wednesday came during the ongoing clashes between the Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters, the provincial police spokesman Khalil Aseer reported.

An airstrike hit a mosque in Afghanistan and has taken lives on 11 children and a prayer leader, local authorities reported on Thursday. The incident happened in a village in the northeastern province of Takhar on Wednesday came during the ongoing clashes between the Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters, the provincial police spokesman Khalil Aseer reported. Also read| Afghanistan's Ata Mohammad Noor meets EAM, Foreign Secretary in Delhi; briefs about the Afghan peace process "The air strike was carried out when the victims were busy studying the Holy Koran," Aseer said, adding a prayer leader was killed alongside the 11 students. He said 14 people were wounded. While some officials are confirming the report of children being killed, the Ministry of Defence has denied that the airstrike killed any civilians. Afghanistan's Vice President Amrullah Saleh said that no children were killed and the news along this matter was "baseless". "Twelve Taliban including several of their commanders were killed," the ministry said. Also read| Taliban ambush kills 25 Afghan security persons "We have undeniable evidence that those who killed our security forces... were killed," he wrote on Facebook. "Those who spread rumours will be dealt with legally." Mohammad Jawad Hejri, the spokesman for the Takhar provincial governor, however, confirmed deaths of 11 children. The ministry has said it will launch an investigation into the matter.

Airstrike that hit mosque kills 11 children in Afghanistan: Officials

At least 25 Afghan security force personnel were killed in an ambush considered to be carried out by Taliban. The attack took place in the northeastern part of Afghanistan. Although Taliban was believed to be behind the attack, it did not accept responsibility in the immediate aftermath.

"Fighting is still continuing and the Taliban have also suffered heavy casualties," Jawad Hejri, a spokesman for the governor of Takhar province was quoted by AFP as saying.

Takhar provincial health director Abdul Qayoum confirmed the incident but said 34 security personnel had been killed -- including the deputy police chief of the province.

"These security forces were on their way for an operation in the district when they were attacked by the Taliban," said Hejri.

"The Taliban had taken positions in the houses around the area. They ambushed our forces who were there for an operation against the enemy."

The Taliban have so far not commented on the attack.

It comes as spiraling violence across Afghanistan imperils ongoing peace talks between the hardline group and the government in Qatar.

(With AFP inputs)

At least 25 Afghan security force personnel were killed in an ambush considered to be carried out by Taliban. The attack took place in the northeastern part of Afghanistan.

At least 25 Afghan security force personnel were killed in an ambush considered to be carried out by Taliban. The attack took place in the northeastern part of Afghanistan. Although Taliban was believed to be behind the attack, it did not accept responsibility in the immediate aftermath. "Fighting is still continuing and the Taliban have also suffered heavy casualties," Jawad Hejri, a spokesman for the governor of Takhar province was quoted by AFP as saying. Takhar provincial health director Abdul Qayoum confirmed the incident but said 34 security personnel had been killed -- including the deputy police chief of the province. "These security forces were on their way for an operation in the district when they were attacked by the Taliban," said Hejri. "The Taliban had taken positions in the houses around the area. They ambushed our forces who were there for an operation against the enemy." The Taliban have so far not commented on the attack. It comes as spiraling violence across Afghanistan imperils ongoing peace talks between the hardline group and the government in Qatar. (With AFP inputs)

Taliban ambush kills 25 Afghan security persons

Fears are growing on the ground for civilians caught up in fighting between the government forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan's Helmand provinces. Watch the report to know more.

Afghanistan: Families flee amid fresh fighting between govt forces & Taliban

Rahmatullah Andar was once a feared Taliban commander, locked in bloody skirmishes against American and Afghan government troops in the rugged landscape of eastern Afghanistan.

In 2007, a U.S. Special Operations team captured him during a night raid on a house in his ancestral village in Ghazni province. He spent two years in a U.S.-run prison at Bagram Airfield outside Kabul.

Today, Commander Andar is Spokesman Andar — the official spokesman for the National Security Council of the U.S.-backed government of Afghanistan. The story of how a former Talib became a high-ranking government security official is also a chronicle of the endless Afghan war itself: Allegiances shift. Enemies become allies. The players change roles, but the war endures.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khalilzad-urges-taliban-to-stay-committed-to-us-deal-335614">Also read|&nbsp;Khalilzad urges Taliban to stay committed to US deal</a>

The 19-year-old conflict is as fiercely contested today as when Andar commanded Taliban fighters for several years, only to break with the militants and lead one of Afghanistan’s first local uprisings against the Taliban in 2012. He lost his father, 75, his brother, an uncle and two cousins — all killed by the Taliban out of revenge, he said.

Today Andar is a religious scholar with two master’s degrees who serves a government he once vowed to overthrow. And he remains a target of his former comrades in arms, who regard him as a turncoat.

“The Taliban intend to assassinate me,” Andar, 41, said during an interview inside the presidential palace complex in Kabul. “Whether I’m a member of the government or not, they will never leave me alive.”

Andar, alternating among Pashto, Persian and English, was relaxed and voluble as he recounted a life spent on battlefields, on the run, in universities and in prisons. He is a consummate survivor.

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He described withstanding Taliban kidnapping attempts and ambushes, interrogations by American captors, and two stints in Afghan government prisons — accounts born out by official records and by those who fought alongside him.

With his tangled beard and long hair, he might still be mistaken for a Talib, though he insists that he regards the militants with contempt — and hopes to serve as an example of how the insurgents hold no monopoly on Afghan piety.

He was appointed to his National Security Council position by President Ashraf Ghani on Sept. 25, in large part because of both his religious credentials — he has earned the religious honorific of Mawlawi, meaning Islamic scholar — and his reputation as a fighter against the Taliban.

His appointment was a clear statement from the Afghan government, as a central idea behind the Taliban’s criticism is that the government remains insufficiently Islamic, and is a puppet of the Americans.

A single appointment cannot polish the religious image of an entire government, Andar acknowledged. “But the government can show by its actions that the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is more than just a name,” he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-in-a-nutshell-peace-talks-in-doha-and-war-at-home-335580">Also read|&nbsp;Afghanistan in a nutshell: Peace talks in Doha and war at home</a>

And he said the Taliban, by signing a troop withdrawal agreement with the United States in February while freezing out the Afghan government, had undercut its own claims of Islamic purity.

“They say government officials are infidels, but they have an agreement with the Americans, whose troops invaded Afghanistan,” he said. “So now they have no logic for this war” against fellow Afghans and Muslims.

The Taliban have said that any new government arising from negotiations with Afghan representatives in Doha, Qatar, must be based on Islamic principles. Some analysts have interpreted that to mean the same harsh Shariah law that was imposed when the Taliban governed Afghanistan in the late 1990s.

Andar said the Taliban could not change Afghanistan’s Constitution without the consent of a loya jirga, a traditional gathering where matters of national importance are debated. And Article 3 of the Constitution already stipulates that no law “can be contrary to the beliefs and rules of the holy religion of Islam,” he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-defence-minister-flies-to-embattled-helmand-after-taliban-gains-335201">Also read|&nbsp;Afghan defence minister flies to embattled Helmand after Taliban gains</a>

Many Afghan women have expressed fears that a return to government by the Taliban would erase gains they have made since the militants were overthrown in 2001. The Taliban beat women, confined them to their homes and banned them from going to school.

Andar said those prohibitions were not properly rooted in Islam, as the religion does not forbid girls and women from attending school. In fact, he said, the closing of schools by the Taliban in his home district is what precipitated his split from the movement three years after his release from American custody.

“The Taliban closed the schools and opposed reconstruction, kidnapping and killing engineers,” said Amanullah Kamran, deputy of the provincial council in Ghazni. He said Andar, who supported women’s education and the U.S.-led reconstruction effort, took up arms against the Taliban and helped form one of the country’s first local uprisings against the insurgency.

Kamran said the fighting left nearly 500 Afghans dead in the district and another 500 wounded. Andar himself was wounded in battles that ultimately killed his closest male relatives, he said.

“Finally there was no man left in Rahmatullah’s family except Rahmatullah,” Kamran said.

Andar said he now cares for 21 children and widows. Asked whether he still carried an AK-47 rifle from his combat days, he laughed and said he had only a pistol for personal protection.

In recent months, the Taliban have mounted a series of targeted attacks against government officials and those perceived to be government supporters. But Andar explained his shifting allegiances by blaming both the government and the Taliban. He said he joined the Taliban after the government jailed him for two months in 2003 upon his return from religious studies in Pakistan.

“The government pushed me to the Taliban by its actions against me,” he said.

Years later, he said, he turned against the Taliban once the militants began closing schools and terrorizing the residents of his district — violations of Islamic strictures. “Even fighting has rules under Islam, and the Taliban broke those religious rules,” he said.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said Andar and his male relatives were legitimate targets because they had collaborated with Americans while commanding pro-government militias.

After the Taliban burned the homes of Andar and his relatives — torching his personal Quran and killing their livestock — Andar said he fled to Kabul. There, he earned a second master’s degree, in educational management, to supplement a previous master’s in Islamic studies. He later served as a religious adviser for the National Security Council.

In his current position, Andar encounters former enemies. Asadullah Khalid, the acting defense minister, was governor of Ghazni province when Andar was arrested and jailed there.

“I see him in meetings now and he tells me he’s my friend. We respect each other,” Andar said.

The spokesman’s job also requires an alliance with American and Afghan military commanders. Asked whether his fighters had killed or wounded American and Afghan troops, Andar shrugged. “It was a war,” he said. “Of course there were casualties.”

Rahmatullah Andar was once a feared Taliban commander, locked in bloody skirmishes against American and Afghan government troops in the rugged landscape of eastern Afghanistan.

Rahmatullah Andar was once a feared Taliban commander, locked in bloody skirmishes against American and Afghan government troops in the rugged landscape of eastern Afghanistan. In 2007, a U.S. Special Operations team captured him during a night raid on a house in his ancestral village in Ghazni province. He spent two years in a U.S.-run prison at Bagram Airfield outside Kabul. Today, Commander Andar is Spokesman Andar — the official spokesman for the National Security Council of the U.S.-backed government of Afghanistan. The story of how a former Talib became a high-ranking government security official is also a chronicle of the endless Afghan war itself: Allegiances shift. Enemies become allies. The players change roles, but the war endures. Also read| Khalilzad urges Taliban to stay committed to US deal The 19-year-old conflict is as fiercely contested today as when Andar commanded Taliban fighters for several years, only to break with the militants and lead one of Afghanistan’s first local uprisings against the Taliban in 2012. He lost his father, 75, his brother, an uncle and two cousins — all killed by the Taliban out of revenge, he said. Today Andar is a religious scholar with two master’s degrees who serves a government he once vowed to overthrow. And he remains a target of his former comrades in arms, who regard him as a turncoat. “The Taliban intend to assassinate me,” Andar, 41, said during an interview inside the presidential palace complex in Kabul. “Whether I’m a member of the government or not, they will never leave me alive.” Andar, alternating among Pashto, Persian and English, was relaxed and voluble as he recounted a life spent on battlefields, on the run, in universities and in prisons. He is a consummate survivor. × He described withstanding Taliban kidnapping attempts and ambushes, interrogations by American captors, and two stints in Afghan government prisons — accounts born out by official records and by those who fought alongside him. With his tangled beard and long hair, he might still be mistaken for a Talib, though he insists that he regards the militants with contempt — and hopes to serve as an example of how the insurgents hold no monopoly on Afghan piety. He was appointed to his National Security Council position by President Ashraf Ghani on Sept. 25, in large part because of both his religious credentials — he has earned the religious honorific of Mawlawi, meaning Islamic scholar — and his reputation as a fighter against the Taliban. His appointment was a clear statement from the Afghan government, as a central idea behind the Taliban’s criticism is that the government remains insufficiently Islamic, and is a puppet of the Americans. A single appointment cannot polish the religious image of an entire government, Andar acknowledged. “But the government can show by its actions that the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is more than just a name,” he said. Also read| Afghanistan in a nutshell: Peace talks in Doha and war at home And he said the Taliban, by signing a troop withdrawal agreement with the United States in February while freezing out the Afghan government, had undercut its own claims of Islamic purity. “They say government officials are infidels, but they have an agreement with the Americans, whose troops invaded Afghanistan,” he said. “So now they have no logic for this war” against fellow Afghans and Muslims. The Taliban have said that any new government arising from negotiations with Afghan representatives in Doha, Qatar, must be based on Islamic principles. Some analysts have interpreted that to mean the same harsh Shariah law that was imposed when the Taliban governed Afghanistan in the late 1990s. Andar said the Taliban could not change Afghanistan’s Constitution without the consent of a loya jirga, a traditional gathering where matters of national importance are debated. And Article 3 of the Constitution already stipulates that no law “can be contrary to the beliefs and rules of the holy religion of Islam,” he said. Also read| Afghan defence minister flies to embattled Helmand after Taliban gains Many Afghan women have expressed fears that a return to government by the Taliban would erase gains they have made since the militants were overthrown in 2001. The Taliban beat women, confined them to their homes and banned them from going to school. Andar said those prohibitions were not properly rooted in Islam, as the religion does not forbid girls and women from attending school. In fact, he said, the closing of schools by the Taliban in his home district is what precipitated his split from the movement three years after his release from American custody. “The Taliban closed the schools and opposed reconstruction, kidnapping and killing engineers,” said Amanullah Kamran, deputy of the provincial council in Ghazni. He said Andar, who supported women’s education and the U.S.-led reconstruction effort, took up arms against the Taliban and helped form one of the country’s first local uprisings against the insurgency. Kamran said the fighting left nearly 500 Afghans dead in the district and another 500 wounded. Andar himself was wounded in battles that ultimately killed his closest male relatives, he said. “Finally there was no man left in Rahmatullah’s family except Rahmatullah,” Kamran said. Andar said he now cares for 21 children and widows. Asked whether he still carried an AK-47 rifle from his combat days, he laughed and said he had only a pistol for personal protection. In recent months, the Taliban have mounted a series of targeted attacks against government officials and those perceived to be government supporters. But Andar explained his shifting allegiances by blaming both the government and the Taliban. He said he joined the Taliban after the government jailed him for two months in 2003 upon his return from religious studies in Pakistan. “The government pushed me to the Taliban by its actions against me,” he said. Years later, he said, he turned against the Taliban once the militants began closing schools and terrorizing the residents of his district — violations of Islamic strictures. “Even fighting has rules under Islam, and the Taliban broke those religious rules,” he said. A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said Andar and his male relatives were legitimate targets because they had collaborated with Americans while commanding pro-government militias. After the Taliban burned the homes of Andar and his relatives — torching his personal Quran and killing their livestock — Andar said he fled to Kabul. There, he earned a second master’s degree, in educational management, to supplement a previous master’s in Islamic studies. He later served as a religious adviser for the National Security Council. In his current position, Andar encounters former enemies. Asadullah Khalid, the acting defense minister, was governor of Ghazni province when Andar was arrested and jailed there. “I see him in meetings now and he tells me he’s my friend. We respect each other,” Andar said. The spokesman’s job also requires an alliance with American and Afghan military commanders. Asked whether his fighters had killed or wounded American and Afghan troops, Andar shrugged. “It was a war,” he said. “Of course there were casualties.”

This ex-Taliban commander is now the face of Afghan security

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Thursday urged the Taliban to stay committed to the implementation of the US-Taliban peace agreement, warning that the rising level of violence in the country is threatening peace.

"Following several meetings General Miller and I had with the Taliban, we agreed to re-set actions by strictly adhering to the implementation of all elements of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement and all commitments made," Khalilzad wrote on Twitter.

He added, "This means reduced numbers of operations. At present too many Afghans are dying. With the re-set, we expect that number to drop significantly."With regard to the recent attacks by the Taliban, the US Peace envoy said, "Attacks have been on the rise in recent weeks -- threatening the peace process and alarming the Afghan people and their regional and international supporters."

Khalilzad said that "We will do our part and will monitor implementation actively. All parties must deliver on their responsibilities. We thank our international partners for their assistance and support."

According to Tolo News, Mohommad Nassem, Taliban spokesperson tweeted that the group`s chief negotiator Mawlavi Abdul Hakim met with Khalilzad and Gen. Miller and the two sides discussed the implementation of the peace agreement in Doha.&nbsp;

Naeem however did not mention that an agreement was made for both sides to reduce operations.NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also met with the US Peace envoy and the two sides had discussed the situation in Afghanistan, Stoltenberg tweeted.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-in-a-nutshell-peace-talks-in-doha-and-war-at-home-335580">Afghanistan in a nutshell: Peace talks in Doha and war at home</a> 
 
"The Doha talks offer the best chance for peace, but the Taliban must keep their promises and reduce the unacceptable level of violence. NATO remains committed to Afghanistan`s security," said Stoltenberg on Twitter, as quoted by Tolo News.

This comes after the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Thursday that the increase in violence "only heaps further hardship and misery on ordinary Afghans and undermines efforts for progress and building bridges between parties at the historic Afghanistan peace talks in Doha."Tolo News quoted the US Charge d`Affaires Ross Wilson on social media said, "I stand behind UNAMA`s call to protect civilians in Helmand, who should have safe passage to leave dangerous areas. It is indefensible that the Taliban continues to put civilians at risk through needless violence. Afghanistan needs peace now."

The UK Embassy in Afghanistan also condemned the Taliban offensive in Helmand where "alarming numbers of civilians" have been "displaced, injured or killed" and added that the attacks undermine "the crucial peace talks" and all sides must "urgently reduce the violence and work towards a ceasefire."

"We continue to support the ANDSF and the brave efforts made to create lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan," Tolo News quoted the UK Embassy.

According to Tolo News, the clashes between the government forces and the Taliban in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand and surrounding areas have entered the sixth day.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, at least nine people were killed when two Afghan National Army (ANA) MI-17 helicopters "crashed due to technical issues" in Nawa district of Helmand, said the Ministry of Defence.

Clashes have also been ongoing in the Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand province, and Nadi Ali district. The Taliban had begun their attacks on the city and other districts.&nbsp;

According to officials, on Monday night, Afghan commandos with air support launched an operation in Lashkargah

"The fighting was ongoing in the 601 highway and in Nad Ali district and the Babaji area in PD4 of Lashkargah. Thousands of families have been displaced because of the fighting in recent days," Tolo News reported.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Thursday urged the Taliban to stay committed to the implementation of the US-Taliban peace agreement, warning that the rising level of violence in the country is threatening peace.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Thursday urged the Taliban to stay committed to the implementation of the US-Taliban peace agreement, warning that the rising level of violence in the country is threatening peace. "Following several meetings General Miller and I had with the Taliban, we agreed to re-set actions by strictly adhering to the implementation of all elements of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement and all commitments made," Khalilzad wrote on Twitter. He added, "This means reduced numbers of operations. At present too many Afghans are dying. With the re-set, we expect that number to drop significantly."With regard to the recent attacks by the Taliban, the US Peace envoy said, "Attacks have been on the rise in recent weeks -- threatening the peace process and alarming the Afghan people and their regional and international supporters." Khalilzad said that "We will do our part and will monitor implementation actively. All parties must deliver on their responsibilities. We thank our international partners for their assistance and support." According to Tolo News, Mohommad Nassem, Taliban spokesperson tweeted that the group`s chief negotiator Mawlavi Abdul Hakim met with Khalilzad and Gen. Miller and the two sides discussed the implementation of the peace agreement in Doha. Naeem however did not mention that an agreement was made for both sides to reduce operations.NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also met with the US Peace envoy and the two sides had discussed the situation in Afghanistan, Stoltenberg tweeted. Also Read | Afghanistan in a nutshell: Peace talks in Doha and war at home "The Doha talks offer the best chance for peace, but the Taliban must keep their promises and reduce the unacceptable level of violence. NATO remains committed to Afghanistan`s security," said Stoltenberg on Twitter, as quoted by Tolo News. This comes after the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Thursday that the increase in violence "only heaps further hardship and misery on ordinary Afghans and undermines efforts for progress and building bridges between parties at the historic Afghanistan peace talks in Doha."Tolo News quoted the US Charge d`Affaires Ross Wilson on social media said, "I stand behind UNAMA`s call to protect civilians in Helmand, who should have safe passage to leave dangerous areas. It is indefensible that the Taliban continues to put civilians at risk through needless violence. Afghanistan needs peace now." The UK Embassy in Afghanistan also condemned the Taliban offensive in Helmand where "alarming numbers of civilians" have been "displaced, injured or killed" and added that the attacks undermine "the crucial peace talks" and all sides must "urgently reduce the violence and work towards a ceasefire." "We continue to support the ANDSF and the brave efforts made to create lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan," Tolo News quoted the UK Embassy. According to Tolo News, the clashes between the government forces and the Taliban in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand and surrounding areas have entered the sixth day. On Wednesday, at least nine people were killed when two Afghan National Army (ANA) MI-17 helicopters "crashed due to technical issues" in Nawa district of Helmand, said the Ministry of Defence. Clashes have also been ongoing in the Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand province, and Nadi Ali district. The Taliban had begun their attacks on the city and other districts. According to officials, on Monday night, Afghan commandos with air support launched an operation in Lashkargah "The fighting was ongoing in the 601 highway and in Nad Ali district and the Babaji area in PD4 of Lashkargah. Thousands of families have been displaced because of the fighting in recent days," Tolo News reported.

Khalilzad urges Taliban to stay committed to US deal

30,000 people have been displaced by renewed violence in Afghanistan. Why is the Taliban testing the Afghan govt in the middle of peace talks in Doha? Palki Sharma Upadhyay has the story.

Gravitas: Record violence threatens Afghan talks

Thousands of families have fled their homes as heavy fighting between government divisions and one Taliban rages in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

Afghan-Taliban conflict: Violence increases despite peace talks

Afghanistan's defence minister flew to the southern province of Helmand on Wednesday a day after government forces launched a counter-offensive against Taliban insurgents who have battled their way towards the provincial capital in recent days.

The fighting in the province, where US&nbsp;and British troops for years fought to clear Taliban from a string of poppy-growing districts, comes as Afghan government negotiators and the Taliban try to push forward power-sharing talks in Qatar.

In another blow for the embattled government, two defence force helicopters setting off for a military mission in Helmand crashed into each other early on Wednesday killing nine people on board, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/us-military-startled-with-trumps-announcement-of-complete-troop-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-333767" hreflang="en">US military startled with Trump's announcement of complete troop withdrawal from Afghanistan</a>

Acting Defence Minister Assadullah Khalid arrived in Helmand's capital, Lashkar Gah, to assess the situation and support the forces facing the major insurgent offensive that has overshadowed the peace talks and brought US&nbsp;air strikes.

The Taliban have seized several checkpoints and closed in on Lashkar Gah but officials said the security forces had repelled overnight Taliban attacks in the districts of Nawa and Nad Ali, with casualties on both sides.

They declined to say how many.

The Taliban assault in Helmand is testing the resolve of the government and casting doubt over the talks to end the 19 years of war since the Taliban were ousted.

The violence could also throw into question President Donald Trump's pledge last week to bring home the remaining U.S. troops by Christmas.

Thousands of civilians have been caught up in the fighting, with more than 5,000 families displaced.

One seven-month pregnant eighteen-year-old, who declined to be identified, was shot in the stomach when caught in cross-fire in Gereshk district this week.

She lost the baby.

"I hadn't even chosen a name for him," she told Reuters by telephone from hospital.

"My innocent child, gone forever."

Afghanistan's defence minister flew to the southern province of Helmand on Wednesday a day after government forces launched a counter-offensive against Taliban insurgents who have battled their way towards the provincial capital in recent days.

Afghanistan's defence minister flew to the southern province of Helmand on Wednesday a day after government forces launched a counter-offensive against Taliban insurgents who have battled their way towards the provincial capital in recent days. The fighting in the province, where US and British troops for years fought to clear Taliban from a string of poppy-growing districts, comes as Afghan government negotiators and the Taliban try to push forward power-sharing talks in Qatar. In another blow for the embattled government, two defence force helicopters setting off for a military mission in Helmand crashed into each other early on Wednesday killing nine people on board, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Also read: US military startled with Trump's announcement of complete troop withdrawal from Afghanistan Acting Defence Minister Assadullah Khalid arrived in Helmand's capital, Lashkar Gah, to assess the situation and support the forces facing the major insurgent offensive that has overshadowed the peace talks and brought US air strikes. The Taliban have seized several checkpoints and closed in on Lashkar Gah but officials said the security forces had repelled overnight Taliban attacks in the districts of Nawa and Nad Ali, with casualties on both sides. They declined to say how many. The Taliban assault in Helmand is testing the resolve of the government and casting doubt over the talks to end the 19 years of war since the Taliban were ousted. The violence could also throw into question President Donald Trump's pledge last week to bring home the remaining U.S. troops by Christmas. Thousands of civilians have been caught up in the fighting, with more than 5,000 families displaced. One seven-month pregnant eighteen-year-old, who declined to be identified, was shot in the stomach when caught in cross-fire in Gereshk district this week. She lost the baby. "I hadn't even chosen a name for him," she told Reuters by telephone from hospital. "My innocent child, gone forever."

Afghan defence minister flies to embattled Helmand after Taliban gains

Police in Kabul are grappling with a crime wave that is only expected to worsen as US and foreign forces pull out of Afghanistan.

Kabul police to use deadly force against criminals

There has been no progress in the Afghanistan peace negotiations in Doha as formal meetings between the two sides comprising representatives of the Kabul government and Taliban, have remained suspended for the past 10 days.

Despite recent diplomatic efforts, the two sides were yet to reach a conclusion about the procedural rules intended to kick start the direct peace negotiations aimed at ending the decades-long war in Afghanistan, TOLO News reported on Saturday.

Since the intra-Afghan talks were formally launched on September 12, two sides have agreed on 18 out of 20 articles for the procedural rules.

But two main articles -- religious basis for the talks and connection of the US-Taliban deal with the negotiations -- remain unsolved.

The Taliban has not made an official comment about the resumption of the talks, but the government team has said that the negotiation will continue until the two sides reach a settlement.

This comes days after US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said he expects the Afghan peace process to be concluded in months, not years.

On Saturday, Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, said that an early withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan will have some impacts on the ongoing peace process and the country`s situation, TOLO News reported.

But he also said that Afghans should be ready for any type of conditions and that they should work for their future together.

There has been no progress in the Afghanistan peace negotiations in Doha as formal meetings between the two sides comprising representatives of the Kabul government and Taliban, have remained suspended for the past 10 days.

There has been no progress in the Afghanistan peace negotiations in Doha as formal meetings between the two sides comprising representatives of the Kabul government and Taliban, have remained suspended for the past 10 days. Despite recent diplomatic efforts, the two sides were yet to reach a conclusion about the procedural rules intended to kick start the direct peace negotiations aimed at ending the decades-long war in Afghanistan, TOLO News reported on Saturday. Since the intra-Afghan talks were formally launched on September 12, two sides have agreed on 18 out of 20 articles for the procedural rules. But two main articles -- religious basis for the talks and connection of the US-Taliban deal with the negotiations -- remain unsolved. The Taliban has not made an official comment about the resumption of the talks, but the government team has said that the negotiation will continue until the two sides reach a settlement. This comes days after US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said he expects the Afghan peace process to be concluded in months, not years. On Saturday, Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, said that an early withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan will have some impacts on the ongoing peace process and the country`s situation, TOLO News reported. But he also said that Afghans should be ready for any type of conditions and that they should work for their future together.

No progress in Doha talks for Afghan peace

US President Donald Trump's reelection bid has received an unusual vote of support -- from the Taliban.&nbsp;

The Trump campaign, however, rejected the group's support.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told CBS News in an interview that they hoped Trump wins the election and winds up US military presence in Afghanistan.

The Taliban also expressed concern over the US president's recent coronavirus infection.

"When we heard about Trump being COVID-19 positive, we got worried for his health, but seems he is getting better," another Taliban senior leader told CBS News.

To this end, Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign spokesman, told CBS News: "The Taliban should know that the president will always protect American interests by any means necessary."

The Islamist group's endorsement comes a day after Trump's announcement that the US would withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by Christmas.

"We should have the small remaining number of our brave men and women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas," Trump tweeted Wednesday in the run up to face Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the presidential election.

The Taliban welcomed the agreement.

The Trump administration signed a pact with the Taliban in February in which the US and its allies said the US troops would withdraw by the spring of 2021 if the former broke away from al Qaeda and negotiated a power-sharing deal with Afghan government rivals.

The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks and toppled the Taliban regime.

The Afghan government and Taliban representatives are currently holding an intra-Afghan dialogue in Qatar to negotiate a peace agreement.

(with inputs)

US President Donald Trump's reelection bid has received an unusual vote of support -- from the Taliban. The Trump campaign, however, rejected the group's support.

US President Donald Trump's reelection bid has received an unusual vote of support -- from the Taliban. The Trump campaign, however, rejected the group's support. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told CBS News in an interview that they hoped Trump wins the election and winds up US military presence in Afghanistan. The Taliban also expressed concern over the US president's recent coronavirus infection. "When we heard about Trump being COVID-19 positive, we got worried for his health, but seems he is getting better," another Taliban senior leader told CBS News. To this end, Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign spokesman, told CBS News: "The Taliban should know that the president will always protect American interests by any means necessary." The Islamist group's endorsement comes a day after Trump's announcement that the US would withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by Christmas. "We should have the small remaining number of our brave men and women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas," Trump tweeted Wednesday in the run up to face Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the presidential election. The Taliban welcomed the agreement. The Trump administration signed a pact with the Taliban in February in which the US and its allies said the US troops would withdraw by the spring of 2021 if the former broke away from al Qaeda and negotiated a power-sharing deal with Afghan government rivals. The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks and toppled the Taliban regime. The Afghan government and Taliban representatives are currently holding an intra-Afghan dialogue in Qatar to negotiate a peace agreement. (with inputs)

Trump receives an unusual endorsement from Taliban for reelection bid

Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah has said, Taliban cant take advantage of US leaving the country and any plans to "take advantage of that situation militarily could be a mis calculation." Speaking to Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Dr Abdullah who is the chief negotiator of Afghan govt at the intra Afghan talks in Doha said, "No threats should emanate from Afghanistan... It requires a sense of responsibility from all Afghans including the Taliban." Lauding, New Delhi's "principled position of Afghan led, Afghan owned negotiations", he said, " India's vision of a peaceful, democratic Afghanistan... is very much in the line of thinking of people of Afghanistan." Dr Abdullah was on a 4 day India visit earlier this week during which he met PM Modi, NSA Doval and EAM Jaishankar. He is the first foreign dignitary PM Modi has met amid the covid crisis that started earlier this year.

Taliban can't take advantage of us leaving says Dr Abdullah ; lauds new Delhi's stance

Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah has said, Taliban cannot take advantage of the US leaving the country and any plans to "take advantage of that situation militarily could be a mis calculation."

Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Dr Abdullah who is the chief negotiator of Afghan government&nbsp;at the intra Afghan talks in Doha said, "No threats should emanate from Afghanistan... It requires a sense of responsibility from all Afghans including the Taliban."

Lauding, New Delhi's "principled position of Afghan led, Afghan owned negotiations", he said, "India's vision of a peaceful, democratic Afghanistan... is very much in the line of thinking of people of Afghanistan." &nbsp;

Dr Abdullah was on a four-day visit to India earlier this week during which he met PM Modi, NSA Doval and EAM Jaishankar. He is the first foreign dignitary PM Modi has met amid the covid crisis that started earlier this year.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;How was your India visit? Did you met the Indian leadership? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah: It has been a very good visit. It has happened in a very friendly, supportive and sympathetic&nbsp;environment with authorities of the country which has helped Afghanistan for many years and many ways. Also, they aspire for peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.

We had extensive talks, as you mentioned, PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar, NSA Doval and engagement with think tank, civil society. We discussed the current situation, way forward, and also the joint decision was continued focus on engagements and interactions for future.&nbsp;

WION: What can India do for peace talks? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah: EAM Jaishankar addressed the inaugural session of Doha meetings, which was welcomed by us and by the international community.

India's principled position of Afghan-led, Afghan owned negotiations is important. India's vision of a peaceful, democratic Afghanistan, a country that respects the rights of its citizens, women and minorities especially, and also does not harbor terrorists, that is very much in the line of thinking of people of Afghanistan.

Equally important is your position, whatever is acceptable for a peaceful Afghanistan, for the people of Afghanistan through an Afghan-led process is acceptable for us. So in that sense, the Doha negotiations started, which was historically in its essence. The fact that we have only met in the battle field,&nbsp;it was the first time we are sitting across the table, after many many years. That was important, at this stage more interactions and more engagements will be needed.

WION: India is reaching out, do you see a change in stance by India? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah:&nbsp;It is mainly the start of the talks&nbsp;which has encouraged different countries including India to watch the situation, not only to watch but to participate in the effort which were made. Different countries have certain roles to play;&nbsp;India has voiced support for inclusive peaceful settlement. It is important.

WION: Do you foresee India talking with Taliban? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah: It will depend on India's decision on how to move forward;&nbsp;it will depend on circumstances in Afghanistan, should we see progress in the talks, should we see progress in the progress in reduction in violence. India might explore different options, including the one you referred to.&nbsp;

WION: So you foresee that? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah:&nbsp;I mean, as I said, it depends on the circumstances, and how it evolves and should this happen, it will be okay. If circumstances were such that India decides not to do it, we have no view on that.&nbsp;

WION: On Pakistan and the issue of cross border terror, do you see a change in view? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah:&nbsp;Focus of the discussions were peace situations, and also some aspects of bilateral relations that was having a direct impact on our citizens. Progress was made, good decisions were made in that regard including visa regulations, issues related to trade. Main focus was on the peace, and with interacted political and military establishment, with PM Imran Khan himself, President of Pakistan, Chairman of the national assembly, chairman of senate, civil society, religious scholars of Pakistan. It was a busy schedule for good.

Islamabad's message was peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan and peace in the region was welcomed. We shared view that talks should continue, violence should be reduced and both sides need to show flexibility. As far as talks in Doha are concerned, let me repeat it once again — our negotiating team has been advised by the President, by myself to go there with good faith, show patience, show flexibility and be innovative. The start of the talks is an opportunity, start of the talks is an historical opportunity and we should utilize it in the best interest of our people.&nbsp;

WION: But do you see Islamabad leaving aside its policy of supporting non-state actors?&nbsp; 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah: In terms of our topics of discussion, which was mainly allow peace in Afghanistan: of course, we believe peaceful settlement in Afghanistan, means peace within Afghanistan&nbsp;which is not a threat. No group is allowed to pose any threat against any country from Afghanistan. Without it,&nbsp;peace will not materialise in Afghanistan. Those were the issues which were discussed and we will continue the discussions there.&nbsp;

WION: Any Pakistani terror groups based in Afghanistan? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah: There are groups, which we consider as terrorist groups, which are posing threats against our own people and one-two groups posing threats against Pakistan as well. There are well-known terror groups such as Al Qaeda, IS and many that pose threats against central Asian republics as well.

There will and are groups in that type of environment that will utilise Afghanistan against India as well. So, it is important&nbsp;peaceful settlement is important for everybody, that is from challenges it posed for everybody. Peaceful environment will help south Asia, first and foremost Afghanistan, central Asia.

WION:What do you think is one solution to peace in South Asia —&nbsp;connectivity is one, any&nbsp;others you see? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah: Countries looking beyond immediate self-interest and looking at a broader collective security and stability point of view in long term, that thinking needs to be encouraged . Then of course, next is connectivity will bring economic prosperity, people to people relations and cultural relations are equally important.&nbsp;

WION: And how do you see connectivity projects like Chabahar? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah:&nbsp;Chabahar is an important project, and that will help. I mentioned relations, it's just not India and Pakistan but Iran, US, Russia, Central Asia, it's a much border thing. Afghanistan has been at war for last 42 years and we have suffered a lot. I think and believe, that we all have missed opportunities because of the continued instability.&nbsp;

WION: Do you see gains of last 20 years begin preserved after Americans leave? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah: About the recent announcement by President Trump, we don't have the whole context of it as of now. Details have not been provided, if it is reference to decisions already made, which is already being&nbsp;implemented. As we speak, the US troops are withdrawing to a number which will be a few thousand behind. That will be completed by December or late November. If it is referred to that or something else, that remains to be seen.

Eventually, Afghanistan should be able to stand on its own feet, no doubt about it. If you look at the different side, let's say Taliban think tomorrow, next month or in a few month the US will withdraw from Afghanistan and they can take advantage of that situation militarily that could be a miscalculation.

I would rather expect them to think otherwise, because all along their claims that they don't want foreign troops in our soil, that has been our position as well — that Afghanistan has to stand on its own feet. And that only materialize when there is peace, no terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. No threats emanating from Afghanistan against any country. It has to be looked from that side. It requires a sense of responsibility from all Afghans including the Taliban.

WION: How do see China's role in Afghanistan? 
Dr Abdullah Abdullah: China's official position has been supported for an inclusive, afghan led, Afghan-owned peaceful settlement which we have supported. Chinese FM also addressed the Doha meeting. What will be the future, again a lot will depend on peaceful settlement in Afghanistan. How different countries put the respective interest, how we will be impacted, because of that, what will be the configurations of the different country's role and influence. Everything is not predictable at this stage, again no connectivity project will achieve its potential if terror groups are active in our region. Next to it is, addressing the differences via amicable ways while understanding one another's concerns is important. The zero sum game will not work. So far china has been supportive of the peace process and we appreciate that.&nbsp;

Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah has said, Taliban cannot take advantage of the US leaving the country and any plans to "take advantage of that situation militarily could be a mis calculation.

Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah has said, Taliban cannot take advantage of the US leaving the country and any plans to "take advantage of that situation militarily could be a mis calculation." Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Dr Abdullah who is the chief negotiator of Afghan government at the intra Afghan talks in Doha said, "No threats should emanate from Afghanistan... It requires a sense of responsibility from all Afghans including the Taliban." Lauding, New Delhi's "principled position of Afghan led, Afghan owned negotiations", he said, "India's vision of a peaceful, democratic Afghanistan... is very much in the line of thinking of people of Afghanistan." Dr Abdullah was on a four-day visit to India earlier this week during which he met PM Modi, NSA Doval and EAM Jaishankar. He is the first foreign dignitary PM Modi has met amid the covid crisis that started earlier this year. WION: How was your India visit? Did you met the Indian leadership? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: It has been a very good visit. It has happened in a very friendly, supportive and sympathetic environment with authorities of the country which has helped Afghanistan for many years and many ways. Also, they aspire for peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan. We had extensive talks, as you mentioned, PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar, NSA Doval and engagement with think tank, civil society. We discussed the current situation, way forward, and also the joint decision was continued focus on engagements and interactions for future. WION: What can India do for peace talks? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: EAM Jaishankar addressed the inaugural session of Doha meetings, which was welcomed by us and by the international community. India's principled position of Afghan-led, Afghan owned negotiations is important. India's vision of a peaceful, democratic Afghanistan, a country that respects the rights of its citizens, women and minorities especially, and also does not harbor terrorists, that is very much in the line of thinking of people of Afghanistan. Equally important is your position, whatever is acceptable for a peaceful Afghanistan, for the people of Afghanistan through an Afghan-led process is acceptable for us. So in that sense, the Doha negotiations started, which was historically in its essence. The fact that we have only met in the battle field, it was the first time we are sitting across the table, after many many years. That was important, at this stage more interactions and more engagements will be needed. WION: India is reaching out, do you see a change in stance by India? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: It is mainly the start of the talks which has encouraged different countries including India to watch the situation, not only to watch but to participate in the effort which were made. Different countries have certain roles to play; India has voiced support for inclusive peaceful settlement. It is important. WION: Do you foresee India talking with Taliban? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: It will depend on India's decision on how to move forward; it will depend on circumstances in Afghanistan, should we see progress in the talks, should we see progress in the progress in reduction in violence. India might explore different options, including the one you referred to. WION: So you foresee that? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: I mean, as I said, it depends on the circumstances, and how it evolves and should this happen, it will be okay. If circumstances were such that India decides not to do it, we have no view on that. WION: On Pakistan and the issue of cross border terror, do you see a change in view? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: Focus of the discussions were peace situations, and also some aspects of bilateral relations that was having a direct impact on our citizens. Progress was made, good decisions were made in that regard including visa regulations, issues related to trade. Main focus was on the peace, and with interacted political and military establishment, with PM Imran Khan himself, President of Pakistan, Chairman of the national assembly, chairman of senate, civil society, religious scholars of Pakistan. It was a busy schedule for good. Islamabad's message was peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan and peace in the region was welcomed. We shared view that talks should continue, violence should be reduced and both sides need to show flexibility. As far as talks in Doha are concerned, let me repeat it once again — our negotiating team has been advised by the President, by myself to go there with good faith, show patience, show flexibility and be innovative. The start of the talks is an opportunity, start of the talks is an historical opportunity and we should utilize it in the best interest of our people. WION: But do you see Islamabad leaving aside its policy of supporting non-state actors? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: In terms of our topics of discussion, which was mainly allow peace in Afghanistan: of course, we believe peaceful settlement in Afghanistan, means peace within Afghanistan which is not a threat. No group is allowed to pose any threat against any country from Afghanistan. Without it, peace will not materialise in Afghanistan. Those were the issues which were discussed and we will continue the discussions there. WION: Any Pakistani terror groups based in Afghanistan? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: There are groups, which we consider as terrorist groups, which are posing threats against our own people and one-two groups posing threats against Pakistan as well. There are well-known terror groups such as Al Qaeda, IS and many that pose threats against central Asian republics as well. There will and are groups in that type of environment that will utilise Afghanistan against India as well. So, it is important peaceful settlement is important for everybody, that is from challenges it posed for everybody. Peaceful environment will help south Asia, first and foremost Afghanistan, central Asia. WION:What do you think is one solution to peace in South Asia — connectivity is one, any others you see? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: Countries looking beyond immediate self-interest and looking at a broader collective security and stability point of view in long term, that thinking needs to be encouraged . Then of course, next is connectivity will bring economic prosperity, people to people relations and cultural relations are equally important. WION: And how do you see connectivity projects like Chabahar? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: Chabahar is an important project, and that will help. I mentioned relations, it's just not India and Pakistan but Iran, US, Russia, Central Asia, it's a much border thing. Afghanistan has been at war for last 42 years and we have suffered a lot. I think and believe, that we all have missed opportunities because of the continued instability. WION: Do you see gains of last 20 years begin preserved after Americans leave? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: About the recent announcement by President Trump, we don't have the whole context of it as of now. Details have not been provided, if it is reference to decisions already made, which is already being implemented. As we speak, the US troops are withdrawing to a number which will be a few thousand behind. That will be completed by December or late November. If it is referred to that or something else, that remains to be seen. Eventually, Afghanistan should be able to stand on its own feet, no doubt about it. If you look at the different side, let's say Taliban think tomorrow, next month or in a few month the US will withdraw from Afghanistan and they can take advantage of that situation militarily that could be a miscalculation. I would rather expect them to think otherwise, because all along their claims that they don't want foreign troops in our soil, that has been our position as well — that Afghanistan has to stand on its own feet. And that only materialize when there is peace, no terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. No threats emanating from Afghanistan against any country. It has to be looked from that side. It requires a sense of responsibility from all Afghans including the Taliban. WION: How do see China's role in Afghanistan? Dr Abdullah Abdullah: China's official position has been supported for an inclusive, afghan led, Afghan-owned peaceful settlement which we have supported. Chinese FM also addressed the Doha meeting. What will be the future, again a lot will depend on peaceful settlement in Afghanistan. How different countries put the respective interest, how we will be impacted, because of that, what will be the configurations of the different country's role and influence. Everything is not predictable at this stage, again no connectivity project will achieve its potential if terror groups are active in our region. Next to it is, addressing the differences via amicable ways while understanding one another's concerns is important. The zero sum game will not work. So far china has been supportive of the peace process and we appreciate that.

Taliban can't take advantage of US leaving, says Dr. Abdullah; lauds India's stance on peace process

US President Donald Trump's announcement of completing the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by Christmas has taken aback nation's military, with officials saying they haven't been informed about the process and concerned over its impact on Taliban-Afghanistan peace talks.&nbsp;

Trump on Wednesday tweeted that the remaining number of "brave" US military personnel would return by Christmas, a move welcomed by the Taliban.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nato-chief-says-allies-will-leave-afghanistan-together-333582">NATO chief says allies will leave Afghanistan together</a>

He elaborated his announcement in an interview to Fox News, saying: "We're down to 4,000 troops in Afghanistan. I'll have them home by the end of the year. They're coming home, you know, as we speak. Nineteen years is enough. They're acting as policemen, OK? They're not acting as troops."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/donald-trump-wants-us-forces-to-pull-out-from-afghanistan-by-christmas-333352">Donald Trump wants US forces to pull out from Afghanistan by Christmas</a>

Several US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity said they were not informed about any new deadline, reported news agency The Associated Press.

In fact, they pointed to remarks by National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien on Wednesday, in which he said: "as of today, there are under 5,000 and that will go to 2,500 by early next year".

The US military has also continually said that counterterrorism personnel would remain in Afghanistan for some time in view of threats by al-Qaida and Islamic State.&nbsp;

The US has earlier maintained that any troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would depend on the situation on the ground and a considerable reduction in Taliban attacks.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's announcement of completing the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by Christmas has taken aback nation's military, with officials saying they haven't been informed about the process and concerned over its impact on Taliban-Afghanistan peace talks.

US President Donald Trump's announcement of completing the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by Christmas has taken aback nation's military, with officials saying they haven't been informed about the process and concerned over its impact on Taliban-Afghanistan peace talks. Trump on Wednesday tweeted that the remaining number of "brave" US military personnel would return by Christmas, a move welcomed by the Taliban. Also read | NATO chief says allies will leave Afghanistan together He elaborated his announcement in an interview to Fox News, saying: "We're down to 4,000 troops in Afghanistan. I'll have them home by the end of the year. They're coming home, you know, as we speak. Nineteen years is enough. They're acting as policemen, OK? They're not acting as troops." Also read | Donald Trump wants US forces to pull out from Afghanistan by Christmas Several US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity said they were not informed about any new deadline, reported news agency The Associated Press. In fact, they pointed to remarks by National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien on Wednesday, in which he said: "as of today, there are under 5,000 and that will go to 2,500 by early next year". The US military has also continually said that counterterrorism personnel would remain in Afghanistan for some time in view of threats by al-Qaida and Islamic State. The US has earlier maintained that any troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would depend on the situation on the ground and a considerable reduction in Taliban attacks.

US military startled with Trump's announcement of complete troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

NATO insisted Thursday that its members would consult and decide together on when to leave Afghanistan, after US President Donald Trump vowed to bring American troops home by Christmas.

Trump, trailing in polls ahead of the November 9 presidential election, made his surprise announcement on Twitter on Wednesday, dramatically speeding up the timeline for ending America's longest war.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg repeated the alliance's longstanding position that it will end its mission in Afghanistan only when conditions on the ground permit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/human-rights-group-hails-acquittal-of-pakistani-christian-on-death-row-for-blasphemy-333523">Also read|&nbsp;Human rights group hails acquittal of Pakistani Christian on death row for blasphemy</a>

"We decided to go into Afghanistan together, we will make decisions on future adjustments together, and when the time is right, we will leave together," Stoltenberg said at a news conference after talks with North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

NATO went into Afghanistan following the 2001 US-led invasion to topple the Taliban in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks.

It ended its combat operations in Afghanistan in 2014 and has vastly reduced its presence on the ground, but maintains a 12,000-strong force training and advising local forces.

Stoltenberg said NATO would only leave Afghanistan when it could do so without the risk of the country once again becoming a haven for militants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/donald-trump-wants-us-forces-to-pull-out-from-afghanistan-by-christmas-333352">Also read|&nbsp;Donald Trump wants US forces to pull out from Afghanistan by Christmas</a>

"We will make decisions based on the conditions on the ground, because we think it is extremely important to continue to be committed to the future of Afghanistan, because it is in our interest to preserve the long term security of Afghanistan," he said.

It is not clear whether NATO had any advance warning of Trump's announcement, though Stoltenberg's statement that allies would now "consult on the future of the mission" appeared to indicate that it did not.

After intense US cajoling, the Afghan government and the Taliban last month opened peace talks in Doha, but negotiations have got off to a slow start.

Trump's timeline for withdrawing forces appeared to contradict his own national security advisor Robert O'Brien, who reportedly told an event that the US would cut troops to 2,500 by early 2021.

NATO insisted Thursday that its members would consult and decide together on when to leave Afghanistan, after US President Donald Trump vowed to bring American troops home by Christmas.

NATO insisted Thursday that its members would consult and decide together on when to leave Afghanistan, after US President Donald Trump vowed to bring American troops home by Christmas. Trump, trailing in polls ahead of the November 9 presidential election, made his surprise announcement on Twitter on Wednesday, dramatically speeding up the timeline for ending America's longest war. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg repeated the alliance's longstanding position that it will end its mission in Afghanistan only when conditions on the ground permit. Also read| Human rights group hails acquittal of Pakistani Christian on death row for blasphemy "We decided to go into Afghanistan together, we will make decisions on future adjustments together, and when the time is right, we will leave together," Stoltenberg said at a news conference after talks with North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev. NATO went into Afghanistan following the 2001 US-led invasion to topple the Taliban in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. It ended its combat operations in Afghanistan in 2014 and has vastly reduced its presence on the ground, but maintains a 12,000-strong force training and advising local forces. Stoltenberg said NATO would only leave Afghanistan when it could do so without the risk of the country once again becoming a haven for militants. Also read| Donald Trump wants US forces to pull out from Afghanistan by Christmas "We will make decisions based on the conditions on the ground, because we think it is extremely important to continue to be committed to the future of Afghanistan, because it is in our interest to preserve the long term security of Afghanistan," he said. It is not clear whether NATO had any advance warning of Trump's announcement, though Stoltenberg's statement that allies would now "consult on the future of the mission" appeared to indicate that it did not. After intense US cajoling, the Afghan government and the Taliban last month opened peace talks in Doha, but negotiations have got off to a slow start. Trump's timeline for withdrawing forces appeared to contradict his own national security advisor Robert O'Brien, who reportedly told an event that the US would cut troops to 2,500 by early 2021.

NATO chief says allies will leave Afghanistan together

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his administration wants all US forces to pull out of Afghanistan by Christmas, speeding up the process to end America's longest war.&nbsp;

"We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas!" Trump said on Twitter.

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We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1313984510749544450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump's remarks came when the presidential election in the US is less than 30 days away and he aspires to show that he delivered on his promise that the country should stop "endless wars".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-negotiators-set-ground-rules-to-safeguard-peace-talks-sources-332896">Taliban, Afghan negotiators set ground rules to safeguard peace talks: Sources</a>

Washington, in a historic deal with the Taliban on February 29, vowed to pull out its forces from Afghanistan by mid-2021 and the insurgent group in return committed to not let other extremist groups flourish in the region.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-killed-in-attack-targetting-afghan-governor-332763">Eight killed in attack targetting Afghan governor</a>

Last month, talks between the Taliban and Afghan government began in Doha, although the discussions soon ended up in a deadlock.

Trump's decision for troop withdrawal gained widespread support, including his Democratic rival Joe Biden who during his vice-presidential tenure had pushed to limit the nation's involvement in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his administration wants all US forces to pull out of Afghanistan by Christmas, speeding up the process to end America's longest war.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his administration wants all US forces to pull out of Afghanistan by Christmas, speeding up the process to end America's longest war. "We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas!" Trump said on Twitter. We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2020 × Trump's remarks came when the presidential election in the US is less than 30 days away and he aspires to show that he delivered on his promise that the country should stop "endless wars". Also read | Taliban, Afghan negotiators set ground rules to safeguard peace talks: Sources Washington, in a historic deal with the Taliban on February 29, vowed to pull out its forces from Afghanistan by mid-2021 and the insurgent group in return committed to not let other extremist groups flourish in the region. Also read | Eight killed in attack targetting Afghan governor Last month, talks between the Taliban and Afghan government began in Doha, although the discussions soon ended up in a deadlock. Trump's decision for troop withdrawal gained widespread support, including his Democratic rival Joe Biden who during his vice-presidential tenure had pushed to limit the nation's involvement in Afghanistan. (with inputs from AFP)

Donald Trump wants US forces to pull out from Afghanistan by Christmas

Afghanistan said to have mineral reserves worth billion of dollars but prolonged state of war have prevented the govt from monitising them. But, that has not stopped the Taliban.

Afghanistan govt failed to monitise the mineral reserves while Taliban earned million

Taliban and Afghan peace negotiators have agreed on a code of conduct to safeguard against the risk of any breakdown in talks that began last month in Qatar to bring an end to decades of war, three official sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

The breakthrough was achieved with the help of U.S. officials, as the two sides drew up 19 ground rules that their negotiators should observe during talks, the sources said.

While the talks have been taking place in Qatar`s capital Doha, scores of Afghan soldiers and Taliban fighters have been killed in clashes and suicide attacks in which dozens of civilians have also died in recent weeks.

"Firming up code of conduct was extremely crucial as it proves that both sides are willing to continue talks even as we see that violence has not reduced on the ground," said one senior Western diplomat on conditions of anonymity.

The breakthrough came as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held bilateral discussions in Qatar`s capital of Doha with Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Envoy, and Gen. Austin Miller, the top commander for U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

The intra-Afghan talks are part of a landmark deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in February.

Under the deal, foreign forces will leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counter terrorism guarantees from the Taliban, which agreed to negotiate a permanent cease-fire and a power-sharing formula with the Afghan government.

Diplomats had told Reuters that the talks had got off to a difficult start, with disagreements over how the Hanafi Islamic code could be used to guide negotiations and on whether the deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in February should be the basis for the talks, as demanded by the Taliban.

The three sources said the delegations were putting those differences to one side to move forward and agree on an agenda, but would work on resolving these issues during negotiations.

"The ground rules will serve as a foundation as both sides are making an effort to prevent a collapse," said a second senior official in Doha overseeing the talks.

A ceasefire is a top priority for the Afghan officials and the western diplomats who are facilitating these talks.

However, analysts believe the Taliban would not agree to a comprehensive ceasefire since clashes with Afghan forces and violence gives them leverage at the negotiation table.&nbsp;

Taliban and Afghan peace negotiators have agreed on a code of conduct to safeguard against the risk of any breakdown in talks that began last month in Qatar to bring an end to decades of war, three official sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Taliban and Afghan peace negotiators have agreed on a code of conduct to safeguard against the risk of any breakdown in talks that began last month in Qatar to bring an end to decades of war, three official sources told Reuters on Tuesday. The breakthrough was achieved with the help of U.S. officials, as the two sides drew up 19 ground rules that their negotiators should observe during talks, the sources said. While the talks have been taking place in Qatar`s capital Doha, scores of Afghan soldiers and Taliban fighters have been killed in clashes and suicide attacks in which dozens of civilians have also died in recent weeks. "Firming up code of conduct was extremely crucial as it proves that both sides are willing to continue talks even as we see that violence has not reduced on the ground," said one senior Western diplomat on conditions of anonymity. The breakthrough came as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held bilateral discussions in Qatar`s capital of Doha with Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Envoy, and Gen. Austin Miller, the top commander for U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The intra-Afghan talks are part of a landmark deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in February. Under the deal, foreign forces will leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counter terrorism guarantees from the Taliban, which agreed to negotiate a permanent cease-fire and a power-sharing formula with the Afghan government. Diplomats had told Reuters that the talks had got off to a difficult start, with disagreements over how the Hanafi Islamic code could be used to guide negotiations and on whether the deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in February should be the basis for the talks, as demanded by the Taliban. The three sources said the delegations were putting those differences to one side to move forward and agree on an agenda, but would work on resolving these issues during negotiations. "The ground rules will serve as a foundation as both sides are making an effort to prevent a collapse," said a second senior official in Doha overseeing the talks. A ceasefire is a top priority for the Afghan officials and the western diplomats who are facilitating these talks. However, analysts believe the Taliban would not agree to a comprehensive ceasefire since clashes with Afghan forces and violence gives them leverage at the negotiation table.

Taliban, Afghan negotiators set ground rules to safeguard peace talks: Sources

A suicide attack targeting an Afghan provincial governor killed at least eight people Monday, officials said, as the president visited Qatar where slow-moving peace talks with the Taliban are taking place.

Twenty eight people were wounded when the attacker rammed his explosives-filled vehicle into the convoy of Rahmatullah Yarmal, the governor of eastern Laghman province.

"The governor was driving to his office when his car was hit. Four of his bodyguards and four civilians were killed, 28 wounded," the governor's spokesman Assadullah Daulatzai told AFP, adding that the governor was unhurt.

Interior Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian confirmed the attack and said most of the wounded were civilians.

It came as President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Doha on Monday to meet with Qatari officials, three weeks after the launch of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Ghani first stopped in Kuwait to offer condolences over the death of emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, his spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said.

He went on to meet Afghan government negotiators in Doha as well as Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, Qatar's state minister for foreign affairs.

"Ghani heard from the delegation and spoke briefly to show his full support for the negotiation and peace process," negotiator Nader Naderi said.

Talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, aimed at ending Afghanistan's 19-year conflict, have slowed over disagreements on how to frame a code of conduct that will guide the broader talks.

The Taliban, who are Sunni hardliners, are insisting on adherence to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence, but the government negotiators say this could be used to discriminate against Hazaras, who are predominantly Shia, and other minorities in the country.

Another contentious topic is how the US-Taliban deal will shape a future peace deal and how it will be referred to.&nbsp;

No group claimed responsibility for the Laghman attack, but the Taliban are active in the region.

On Saturday, a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle full of explosives at the entrance an administrative building in eastern Nangarhar province, killing 15 people, mostly civilians, officials said.&nbsp;

A suicide attack targeting an Afghan provincial governor killed at least eight people Monday, officials said, as the president visited Qatar where slow-moving peace talks with the Taliban are taking place.

A suicide attack targeting an Afghan provincial governor killed at least eight people Monday, officials said, as the president visited Qatar where slow-moving peace talks with the Taliban are taking place. Twenty eight people were wounded when the attacker rammed his explosives-filled vehicle into the convoy of Rahmatullah Yarmal, the governor of eastern Laghman province. "The governor was driving to his office when his car was hit. Four of his bodyguards and four civilians were killed, 28 wounded," the governor's spokesman Assadullah Daulatzai told AFP, adding that the governor was unhurt. Interior Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian confirmed the attack and said most of the wounded were civilians. It came as President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Doha on Monday to meet with Qatari officials, three weeks after the launch of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Ghani first stopped in Kuwait to offer condolences over the death of emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, his spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said. He went on to meet Afghan government negotiators in Doha as well as Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, Qatar's state minister for foreign affairs. "Ghani heard from the delegation and spoke briefly to show his full support for the negotiation and peace process," negotiator Nader Naderi said. Talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, aimed at ending Afghanistan's 19-year conflict, have slowed over disagreements on how to frame a code of conduct that will guide the broader talks. The Taliban, who are Sunni hardliners, are insisting on adherence to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence, but the government negotiators say this could be used to discriminate against Hazaras, who are predominantly Shia, and other minorities in the country. Another contentious topic is how the US-Taliban deal will shape a future peace deal and how it will be referred to. No group claimed responsibility for the Laghman attack, but the Taliban are active in the region. On Saturday, a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle full of explosives at the entrance an administrative building in eastern Nangarhar province, killing 15 people, mostly civilians, officials said.

Eight killed in attack targetting Afghan governor

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