The representatives from the United States and Afghanistan will sign the peace deal today. The peace agreement will pave the way for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. American soldiers have been in the country fighting against the Taliban for the last 18 years. India has also been invited by the Qatar government to the peace deal ceremony.

Afghan Peace deal: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaches Doha

US, Taliban to sign deal aimed at bringing peace to Afghanistan

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a congratulatory letter to Ashraf Ghani on his re-election as the Afghanistan President A major deal will be signed in Doha. The representatives from the United States and Afghanistan will sign the peace deal today. The peace agreement will pave the way for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. American soldiers have been in the country fighting against the Taliban for the last 18 years.

What role India has in US-Taliban peace deal?

US-Taliban peace deal would lead to complete withdrawal of US troops?

A major deal will be signed in Doha. The representatives from the United States and Afghanistan will sign the peace deal today. The peace agreement will pave the way for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. American soldiers have been in the country fighting against the Taliban for the last 18 years.

Who will be most affected by US-Taliban peace deal?

The United States has seen a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan during the past six days, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, one day before Washington hopes to sign a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mike-pompeo-warns-iran-not-to-be-spoiler-in-afghanistan-283390">US-Taliban deal </a>on American troop withdrawal.

Pompeo's remark suggested that if the drop in violence continues for a full week as intended, it will be possible to sign the pact as part of a wider effort to promote intra-Afghan reconciliation and to end the United States' longest war.

The top US&nbsp;diplomat, testifying before a congressional committee, also said Washington is watching to see whether neighbouring Iran may seek to play a spoiler role in Afghanistan, where the United States has roughly 13,000 service members stationed.

"We have seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan," Pompeo told the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee.

He said there was a history of Iran taking actions inside Afghanistan "to act as a spoiler."

"We are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measures, active measures that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and just as importantly put our American soldiers who are on the ground there in both the Kabul area and in the west at risk as well," Pompeo added.

The United States has seen a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan during the past six days, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, one day before Washington hopes to sign a US-Taliban deal on American troop withdrawal.

The United States has seen a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan during the past six days, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, one day before Washington hopes to sign a US-Taliban deal on American troop withdrawal. Pompeo's remark suggested that if the drop in violence continues for a full week as intended, it will be possible to sign the pact as part of a wider effort to promote intra-Afghan reconciliation and to end the United States' longest war. The top US diplomat, testifying before a congressional committee, also said Washington is watching to see whether neighbouring Iran may seek to play a spoiler role in Afghanistan, where the United States has roughly 13,000 service members stationed. "We have seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan," Pompeo told the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee. He said there was a history of Iran taking actions inside Afghanistan "to act as a spoiler." "We are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measures, active measures that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and just as importantly put our American soldiers who are on the ground there in both the Kabul area and in the west at risk as well," Pompeo added.

US State Secretary Pompeo sees 'significant reduction' in Afghanistan violence

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday warned Iran not to scuttle an upcoming agreement with the Taliban, accusing the US adversary of seeking to be a "spoiler."

Pompeo confirmed that a one-week partial truce was holding with the Taliban, who are scheduled to sign the landmark accord with the United States in Qatar on Saturday.

"There is a history of Iran engaging in activity inside of Afghanistan to act as a spoiler," Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"We've seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan and we are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measure that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation," he said.

He warned that Iran could increase risks for US troops, whose numbers are expected to be sharply scaled down under the Doha agreement.

Iran's Shiite clerical regime has been historically opposed to the Taliban, which practices an austere brand of Sunni Islam, and quietly backed the 2001 US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban regime.

Iran was part of a coalition that backed the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance and in 1998 amassed troops near the Afghan border after a Taliban assault on Iran's consulate in Herat.

But Iran has increasingly been involved in proxy conflicts with the United States elsewhere, notably in Iraq.

Iran has been mostly cautious in its recent comments on Afghanistan.

But Foreign Minister Javad Zarif last year criticized the US talks with the Taliban, saying they only boosted the extremists and alienated the internationally-backed government.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday warned Iran not to scuttle an upcoming agreement with the Taliban, accusing the US adversary of seeking to be a "spoiler.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday warned Iran not to scuttle an upcoming agreement with the Taliban, accusing the US adversary of seeking to be a "spoiler." Pompeo confirmed that a one-week partial truce was holding with the Taliban, who are scheduled to sign the landmark accord with the United States in Qatar on Saturday. "There is a history of Iran engaging in activity inside of Afghanistan to act as a spoiler," Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "We've seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan and we are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measure that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation," he said. He warned that Iran could increase risks for US troops, whose numbers are expected to be sharply scaled down under the Doha agreement. Iran's Shiite clerical regime has been historically opposed to the Taliban, which practices an austere brand of Sunni Islam, and quietly backed the 2001 US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban regime. Iran was part of a coalition that backed the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance and in 1998 amassed troops near the Afghan border after a Taliban assault on Iran's consulate in Herat. But Iran has increasingly been involved in proxy conflicts with the United States elsewhere, notably in Iraq. Iran has been mostly cautious in its recent comments on Afghanistan. But Foreign Minister Javad Zarif last year criticized the US talks with the Taliban, saying they only boosted the extremists and alienated the internationally-backed government.

Mike Pompeo warns Iran not to be 'spoiler' in Afghanistan

A day ahead of the signing of a landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Friday travelled to Kabul and conveyed India's unstinted support to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

The foreign secretary held talks with acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Haroon Chakhansuri and apprised him about India's views on the peace deal as well as its commitment for all-round development of the country.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-taliban-peace-deal-what-to-expect-283170">US-Taliban peace deal: What to expect?</a>

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Shringla and Chakhansur reviewed and positively assessed developments in a bilateral strategic partnership.

The US and the Taliban are set to sign a peace deal at a ceremony in Doha on Saturday which will provide for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan nearly 18 years after their deployment in the country.

"Foreign Secretary conveyed India's support for the people of Afghanistan in their pursuit for sustainable peace, security and development," Kumar tweeted.

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🇮🇳- 🇦🇫| Foreign Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/HarshShringla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HarshShringla</a> met NSA <a href="https://twitter.com/hmohib?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hmohib</a>. They expressed satisfaction with the multifaceted strategic partnership.<a href="https://twitter.com/IndianEmbKabul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianEmbKabul</a> <a href="https://t.co/13OoYSEMED">pic.twitter.com/13OoYSEMED</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1233382627312168960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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India has been a key stakeholder in the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

India's Ambassador to Qatar P Kumaran is slated to attend the ceremony where the US and Taliban will strike the peace deal.

It will be for the first time India will officially attend an event involving the Taliban.

India has been a key stakeholder in the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

In a significant move, India had sent two former diplomats in "non-official" capacity to a conference on the Afghan peace process in Moscow in November 2018.

The conference organised by Russia was attended by a high-level Taliban delegation, representatives of Afghanistan as well as from several other countries, including the US, Pakistan and China.

Major powers such as the US, Russia and Iran have been reaching out to the Taliban as part of efforts to push the stalled Afghan peace process.

India has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan controlled.

India has also been maintaining that care should be taken to ensure that any such process does not lead to any "ungoverned spaces" where terrorists and their proxies can relocate.

Ahead of the peace deal, India has conveyed to the US that pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terror networks operating from its soil must be kept up though&nbsp;Islamabad's cooperation for peace in Afghanistan is crucial.

A day ahead of the signing of a landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Friday travelled to Kabul and conveyed India's unstinted support to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

A day ahead of the signing of a landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Friday travelled to Kabul and conveyed India's unstinted support to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. The foreign secretary held talks with acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Haroon Chakhansuri and apprised him about India's views on the peace deal as well as its commitment for all-round development of the country. Also read: US-Taliban peace deal: What to expect? External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Shringla and Chakhansur reviewed and positively assessed developments in a bilateral strategic partnership. The US and the Taliban are set to sign a peace deal at a ceremony in Doha on Saturday which will provide for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan nearly 18 years after their deployment in the country. "Foreign Secretary conveyed India's support for the people of Afghanistan in their pursuit for sustainable peace, security and development," Kumar tweeted. 🇮🇳- 🇦🇫| Foreign Secretary @HarshShringla met NSA @hmohib. They expressed satisfaction with the multifaceted strategic partnership.@IndianEmbKabul pic.twitter.com/13OoYSEMED — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 28, 2020 × India has been a key stakeholder in the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. India's Ambassador to Qatar P Kumaran is slated to attend the ceremony where the US and Taliban will strike the peace deal. It will be for the first time India will officially attend an event involving the Taliban. India has been a key stakeholder in the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. In a significant move, India had sent two former diplomats in "non-official" capacity to a conference on the Afghan peace process in Moscow in November 2018. The conference organised by Russia was attended by a high-level Taliban delegation, representatives of Afghanistan as well as from several other countries, including the US, Pakistan and China. Major powers such as the US, Russia and Iran have been reaching out to the Taliban as part of efforts to push the stalled Afghan peace process. India has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan controlled. India has also been maintaining that care should be taken to ensure that any such process does not lead to any "ungoverned spaces" where terrorists and their proxies can relocate. Ahead of the peace deal, India has conveyed to the US that pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terror networks operating from its soil must be kept up though Islamabad's cooperation for peace in Afghanistan is crucial.

Foreign Secretary travels to Kabul ahead of signing of peace deal between US, Taliban

Afghanistan since the Taliban regime fell in 2001

All eyes are on the peace talks in Qatar. 30 nations are expected to be present at the historic signing of a deal in Doha on February 29. &nbsp;Indian envoy in Doha, Kumaran, will be representing India after the invite was sent by the Qatari government.

Over 1,00,000 lives were lost and millions were displaced in two decades of conflict. It's the longest war in American history. A war that cannot be won.

The future of Afghanistan is at stake &nbsp;- once again. Washington and the Taliban are set to sign a peace deal this Saturday in order&nbsp;to secure America's long-pending exit from the war-torn country.

The agreement could mark the start of a new era for Afghanistan, but there are questions about the Taliban's intentions. And a political crisis threatens to plunge the country deeper into crisis.

Among the elected elite, there's a dispute over who will lead Afghanistan. There are two contenders - Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, both of whom have claimed victory in the recently concluded elections.

Under the US pressure, they have both stopped mid-way in their bid to take office momentarily.&nbsp;

This deal is significant - it would see the pentagon pull out troops after 18 years of war. In return, the Taliban has promised to give up arms. The agreement, however, doesn't amount to a full ceasefire.

The United States insists that some troops must remain to tackle the Islamic State and Jihadist groups.

And there's also a fear that the Taliban could go back to its days of repression. To make matters worse, the Afghan government is not part of the peace process, and would also not be attending the ceremony for the peace agreement.

The countdown has begun - the Afghan peace plan is a historic breakthrough. But the haste with which the deal has been struck could spell trouble.

And one quarter which could be the source of trouble is the elected government of Afghanistan being kept out of the peace process. 
 
&nbsp;

All eyes are on the peace talks in Qatar. 30 nations are expected to be present at the historic signing of a deal in Doha on February 29. Indian envoy in Doha, Kumaran, will be representing India after the invite was sent by the Qatari government.

All eyes are on the peace talks in Qatar. 30 nations are expected to be present at the historic signing of a deal in Doha on February 29. Indian envoy in Doha, Kumaran, will be representing India after the invite was sent by the Qatari government. Over 1,00,000 lives were lost and millions were displaced in two decades of conflict. It's the longest war in American history. A war that cannot be won. The future of Afghanistan is at stake - once again. Washington and the Taliban are set to sign a peace deal this Saturday in order to secure America's long-pending exit from the war-torn country. The agreement could mark the start of a new era for Afghanistan, but there are questions about the Taliban's intentions. And a political crisis threatens to plunge the country deeper into crisis. Among the elected elite, there's a dispute over who will lead Afghanistan. There are two contenders - Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, both of whom have claimed victory in the recently concluded elections. Under the US pressure, they have both stopped mid-way in their bid to take office momentarily. This deal is significant - it would see the pentagon pull out troops after 18 years of war. In return, the Taliban has promised to give up arms. The agreement, however, doesn't amount to a full ceasefire. The United States insists that some troops must remain to tackle the Islamic State and Jihadist groups. And there's also a fear that the Taliban could go back to its days of repression. To make matters worse, the Afghan government is not part of the peace process, and would also not be attending the ceremony for the peace agreement. The countdown has begun - the Afghan peace plan is a historic breakthrough. But the haste with which the deal has been struck could spell trouble. And one quarter which could be the source of trouble is the elected government of Afghanistan being kept out of the peace process.

US-Taliban peace deal: What to expect?

As the United States and the Taliban are due to sign an agreement on Feb. 29 at the end of a planned week-long "reduction in violence" in Afghanistan, fresh hopes are stirring for a 26-year-old Nilofar Bayat, who is the captain of Afghanistan women wheelchair basketball team. 
&nbsp; 
An explosion tore through Nilofar Bayat's leg when she was just two, also killing her brother, but as she spins her wheelchair across a basketball court in Bangkok, the Afghanistan sportswoman is determined to turn her story from tragedy to triumph. In an interview to WION, Nilofar Bayat tried reflecting her remarkable journey against a backdrop of unrelenting violence.

<img alt="Nilofar Bayat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42cf7d07-511a-4071-9aee-70aabc5a4356" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202020-02-27%20at%2011.19.09%20AM.jpeg" /> 
&nbsp; 
"I always and always think that if the same situation arises as earlier and they would again bar me from playing or doing my job, what would I do then?, "said bayat showing her apprehensions as the hardline Islamist Taliban, banned women from education, work or leaving the house without a male relative during their 1996-2001 rule.

<img alt="Nilofar Bayat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a1aeba05-deda-4983-b907-4ab6f591d4a0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_77.jpg" /> 
&nbsp; 
Bayat began playing basketball with a team organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) eight years ago and now hopes for the next Paralympics. 
&nbsp; 
Her team has taken part in international competitions in Indonesia and Thailand, winning three medals in the process. 
&nbsp; 
Life is particularly difficult for people with physical disabilities in Afghanistan, where they face social stigma and gender discrimination, but Bayat still believes that her women are stronger than thought. 
&nbsp; 
"I want to say that women are stronger than you think and disability can not limit us. As long as you have a beautiful mind and soul, you can do everything. We all deserve a better life and better future", said Bayat.

As the United States and the Taliban are due to sign an agreement on Feb. 29 at the end of a planned week-long "reduction in violence" in Afghanistan, fresh hopes are stirring for a 26-year-old Nilofar Bayat, who is the captain of Afghanistan women wheelchair basketball team.

As the United States and the Taliban are due to sign an agreement on Feb. 29 at the end of a planned week-long "reduction in violence" in Afghanistan, fresh hopes are stirring for a 26-year-old Nilofar Bayat, who is the captain of Afghanistan women wheelchair basketball team. An explosion tore through Nilofar Bayat's leg when she was just two, also killing her brother, but as she spins her wheelchair across a basketball court in Bangkok, the Afghanistan sportswoman is determined to turn her story from tragedy to triumph. In an interview to WION, Nilofar Bayat tried reflecting her remarkable journey against a backdrop of unrelenting violence. "I always and always think that if the same situation arises as earlier and they would again bar me from playing or doing my job, what would I do then?, "said bayat showing her apprehensions as the hardline Islamist Taliban, banned women from education, work or leaving the house without a male relative during their 1996-2001 rule. Bayat began playing basketball with a team organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) eight years ago and now hopes for the next Paralympics. Her team has taken part in international competitions in Indonesia and Thailand, winning three medals in the process. Life is particularly difficult for people with physical disabilities in Afghanistan, where they face social stigma and gender discrimination, but Bayat still believes that her women are stronger than thought. "I want to say that women are stronger than you think and disability can not limit us. As long as you have a beautiful mind and soul, you can do everything. We all deserve a better life and better future", said Bayat.

From a bomb victim to wheelchair basketball captain, Nilofar Bayat narrates her story from tragedy to triumph

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has postponed his inauguration on US request. This after Washington raised concerns that the controversy over his re-election might hamper the signing of a peace deal with the Taliban, later this week.

Afghan President delays his inauguration on US request

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has postponed his inauguration on US request. This after Washington raised concerns that the controversy over his re-election might hamper the signing of a peace deal with the Taliban, later this week.

In a statement, the US State Department asked Afghan authorities to address concerns over rigging.

This after Ghani's rival Abdullah Abdullah contested the poll results and declared himself the winner. According to some reports in the Afghan media, Abdullah is even planning a rival inauguration.

The confusion over the September 2019 election result has further weakened the position of the Afghan government, which is officially not part of the US-Taliban talks.

This as the Taliban rejected Kabul based government as a puppet regime.

However, both Washington and the Taliban have said that they will hold separate talks with the Afghan government.

"We're currently in a seven-day reduction in violence period that started on February 22. In 19 years of war, this is the first week-long break in violence by all sides if we're successful in achieving it. If and only if it's successful, we will sign US-Taliban agreement coordinated with the government of national unity on or about February 29, that includes a timeline for both a conditions-based and phased troop withdrawal and for the commencement of inter-afghan negotiations," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

Meanwhile, the week-long observance of reduction in violence is underway in Afghanistan.The negotiations resumed after the Taliban agreed to reduce violence while the US said that it will not carry out operations against the terror group.

As per the peace deal which will be signed in the Qatari capital of Doha on January 29, Taliban will give up arms in exchange of US Troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Taliban will also help Washington in the fight against Al-Qaeda and ISIS in the conflict-hit country. The US Has also agreed to certain security arrangements proposed by the Taliban as it seeks to end its longest war.

Meanwhile, Qatar has invited Pakistan to the US-Taliban deal signing in Doha. The country's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expected to attend the final talks.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has postponed his inauguration on US request. This after Washington raised concerns that the controversy over his re-election might hamper the signing of a peace deal with the Taliban, later this week. In a statement, the US State Department asked Afghan authorities to address concerns over rigging. This after Ghani's rival Abdullah Abdullah contested the poll results and declared himself the winner. According to some reports in the Afghan media, Abdullah is even planning a rival inauguration. The confusion over the September 2019 election result has further weakened the position of the Afghan government, which is officially not part of the US-Taliban talks. This as the Taliban rejected Kabul based government as a puppet regime. However, both Washington and the Taliban have said that they will hold separate talks with the Afghan government. "We're currently in a seven-day reduction in violence period that started on February 22. In 19 years of war, this is the first week-long break in violence by all sides if we're successful in achieving it. If and only if it's successful, we will sign US-Taliban agreement coordinated with the government of national unity on or about February 29, that includes a timeline for both a conditions-based and phased troop withdrawal and for the commencement of inter-afghan negotiations," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Meanwhile, the week-long observance of reduction in violence is underway in Afghanistan.The negotiations resumed after the Taliban agreed to reduce violence while the US said that it will not carry out operations against the terror group. As per the peace deal which will be signed in the Qatari capital of Doha on January 29, Taliban will give up arms in exchange of US Troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Taliban will also help Washington in the fight against Al-Qaeda and ISIS in the conflict-hit country. The US Has also agreed to certain security arrangements proposed by the Taliban as it seeks to end its longest war. Meanwhile, Qatar has invited Pakistan to the US-Taliban deal signing in Doha. The country's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expected to attend the final talks.

US-Taliban peace talks: Controversy weakens Afghan govt's stand; Qatar invites Pakistan to attend deal signing

Afghanistan's anti-terror court has advertised the auction of properties that were owned by Ex-Taliban Chief Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour.

Ex-Taliban Chief Mansoor's assets up for auction

In the wee hours of January&nbsp;8, Tehran retaliated over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/15-ballistic-missiles-hit-us-troops-in-erbil-al-asad-272872">US</a>&nbsp;killing of Iran’s most powerful general by bombarding the al-Asad airbase in Iraq.

Among the 2,000 troops stationed there was US&nbsp;Army Specialist Kimo Keltz, who recalls hearing a missile whistling through the sky as he lay on the deck of a guard tower. The explosion lifted his body in full armour an inch or two off the floor.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-100-us-troops-diagnosed-with-brain-injuries-from-iran-attack-279919">More than 100 US troops diagnosed with brain injuries from Iran missile attack</a>

Keltz says he thought he had escaped with little more than a mild headache. Initial assessments around the base found no serious injuries or deaths from the attack. The US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/15-ballistic-missiles-hit-us-troops-in-erbil-al-asad-272872">Donald Trump</a> tweeted, "All is well!"

The next day was different.

“My head kinda felt like I got hit with a truck,” Keltz told Reuters in an interview from the al-Asad airbase in Iraq’s western Anbar desert. “My stomach was grinding.”

Keltz, who said he had concussion symptoms for days, is among 109 soldiers diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries in the wake of last month’s attack, a figure that has steadily risen as more troops report symptoms and get the medical screening.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/key-facts-about-al-asad-us-air-base-in-iraq-attacked-by-iran-272873#attack-on-al-asad-272878">Key facts about Al-Asad US air base in Iraq attacked by Iran</a>

Reuters interviewed more than a dozen officials and soldiers and spoke with brain-injury specialists to assemble the most comprehensive account so far of the nature of the soldiers’ injuries and how they sustained them.

The slowly rising casualty count underscores the difficulty in detecting and treating what has become one of the most common injuries in the US&nbsp;military during two decades of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-100-us-troops-diagnosed-with-brain-injuries-from-iran-attack-279919">US&nbsp;troops</a> face roadside bombs, rockets and mortars.

More than a week after the attack, on January&nbsp;16, Defense Secretary Mark Esper was made aware that soldiers had suffered brain injuries from the missiles, the Pentagon said. That day, the Pentagon reported that an unspecified number of troops were treated for concussive symptoms and 11 were flown to Kuwait and Germany for higher-level care.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missile-strike-was-start-of-a-series-of-attacks-across-the-region-iranian-commander-273235">Missile strike was start of a series of attacks across the region: Iranian commander</a>

On January&nbsp;22, Trump said that he "heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things,” prompting criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and a US&nbsp;veterans group that the president was underplaying the casualties from the attack.

"I think it was unfortunate to use those words," said Republican Representative Richard Hudson, who represents Fayetteville, North Carolina, home to Fort Bragg that includes the Army's Special Operations Command.

The White House declined to comment for this story.

The US&nbsp;military has long treated brain injuries as a different class of wounds that do not require rapid reporting up the chain of command, unlike incidents threatening life, limb or eyesight.

Since 2000, nearly 414,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, according to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-100-us-troops-diagnosed-with-brain-injuries-from-iran-attack-279919">Pentagon </a>data. The number is likely higher because the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-100-us-troops-diagnosed-with-brain-injuries-from-iran-attack-279919">Pentagon </a>only counts as one injury cases where a soldier suffers from brain trauma in multiple incidents.

Watch: 15 ballistic missiles hit US troops in Erbil, al-Asad

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/15-ballistic-missiles-hit-us-troops-in-erbil-al-asad-272872/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US&nbsp;troops operating drone flights appeared to have suffered the most brain injuries during the attack on al-Asad, said Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Garland, who was on the base at the time. Many worked near the airstrip, he said. Like Specialist Keltz, who was manning a guard tower, the drone pilots had been assigned to watch for a possible ground attack.

"Those drone pilots, they're the ones that took the brunt of the TBI cases," said Garland, who as commander of Task Force Jazeera oversees more than 400 soldiers.

The number of troops diagnosed with brain injury from last month’s attack was expected to stabilize near the current count, one U.S. official said. Less than 10 were now being monitored with possible TBI symptoms, the official said.

The total US&nbsp;military count, however, excludes civilian contractors on the base at the time, many of whom have since departed.

Some <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-100-us-troops-diagnosed-with-brain-injuries-from-iran-attack-279919">US&nbsp;troops</a> also suffered from anxiety-related symptoms after the attack, including sleeplessness and, in at least one case, a sustained high heart rate, according to interviews with soldiers and officials. However, they could not provide a specific number.

The Pentagon categorizes brain injuries as mild, moderate, severe or penetrating. The vast majority of injuries are classified as mild, as were all of the injuries reported from al-Asad.

Garland, the commander, said he was taken aback when he learned of US&nbsp;intelligence indicating that Iranian missiles would strike within hours. He immediately found a base map and started sizing up the best options to shelter his troops.

He recalled old bunkers on the base built during the era of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator toppled by US-led forces in 2003. But the bunkers wouldn’t hold everyone. Some would need to disperse, taking cover in armoured vehicles driven away from targets.

Others in Garland’s unit, including Specialist Keltz, would need to stand guard to watch for additional attacks beyond the expected missiles.

Keltz said he and a fellow soldier were already manning a tower when First Sergeant Larry Jackson came to them, explaining the intelligence and giving them their orders.

"What I need you, boys, to do is to lay down on the ground when the impacts happen - and then I need you to jump right back up and man those guns,” Jackson said in an interview, recounting his instructions to Keltz and other soldiers at the base.

As the Iranian missiles streaked through the night sky toward the base, their engines glowed orange - like the ends of lit cigarettes, Garland said. The glow was all that Garland could see in the darkness before scrambling back into a bunker.

Then came the blasts. At least eleven missiles struck the base, destroying housing units made from shipping containers and other facilities.

"Every explosion I heard, I was thinking, OK, that's a number of people that have just lost their lives," he said.

But initial checks after the attack showed nobody was killed or obviously injured, despite massive devastation to the base. Word got back to Washington. Just before 6 a.m. in Baghdad, Trump tweeted an update: "Assessment of casualties &amp; damages taking place now. So far, so good!"

On the ground at al-Asad, US&nbsp;Army Major Robert Hales, a doctor who is deployed to al-Asad, defended the initial reports of no injuries.

"Everyone here did not have any outward physical injuries,” he said in an interview. “There were no lacerations. There are no shrapnel wounds."

Such “silent” injuries take time to manifest, he said.

Injury figures kept climbing in the weeks after the attack. What began as at least 11 cases grew to 34 about a week later.

On January&nbsp;22, Trump made his controversial comment, referring to the injuries as “headaches.” The Veterans of Foreign Wars demanded an apology for Trump's "misguided remarks".

A week later, on January&nbsp;28, the toll of brain injuries climbed to 50. In early February, Reuters was the first to report that the count had surpassed 100.

The brain injuries sustained in the Iranian missile attack are fundamentally different than those that have typically resulted from past attacks, brain-trauma specialists said.

That’s because the al-Asad bombing was more intense than typical quick-hit, single-explosion attacks: The explosions came in waves and lasted more than an hour.

When a roadside bomb goes off in Afghanistan, head wounds are often visible. In insurgent bomb blasts, shrapnel or other flying debris can cause brain injuries upon impact. But the damage from large pressure waves from a major blast - like the ones at al-Asad that Specialist Keltz felt - often take more time to diagnose.

Marilyn Kraus, director of the Traumatic Brain Injury program and concussion clinic at George Washington University, said troops may minimize or underreport their symptoms initially. Others may not show symptoms until much later in part because their injuries are initially masked by the adrenaline rush that comes with combat.

"Some of these things can fall into the cracks initially," said Kraus, who previously served as medical director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Consult Section at the Walter Reed military hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.

In the short term, mild traumatic brain injury can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and confusion, while longer-term effects can include chronic headaches, mood changes and dizziness, Kraus said. Repeated head injuries can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain degeneration disorder that some researchers have linked to suicidal thoughts, substance misuse and depression, she said.

Hales, the Army doctor, cited research within the past six months showing in animal models that signs of damage to the brain can increase in the weeks after a blast. At al-Asad, soldiers started showing symptoms such as headaches or a "foggy feeling” days after the attack, Hales said. The symptoms often persisted.

"That's the reason why you saw a huge delay” in identifying the injuries, he said. “That prompted us to re-screen pretty much the whole population of al-Asad."

In the wee hours of January 8, Tehran retaliated over the US killing of Iran’s most powerful general by bombarding the al-Asad airbase in Iraq. Among the 2,000 troops stationed there was US Army Specialist Kimo Keltz, who recalls hearing a missile whistling through the sky as he lay on the deck of a guard tower.

In the wee hours of January 8, Tehran retaliated over the US killing of Iran’s most powerful general by bombarding the al-Asad airbase in Iraq. Among the 2,000 troops stationed there was US Army Specialist Kimo Keltz, who recalls hearing a missile whistling through the sky as he lay on the deck of a guard tower. The explosion lifted his body in full armour an inch or two off the floor. Also read: More than 100 US troops diagnosed with brain injuries from Iran missile attack Keltz says he thought he had escaped with little more than a mild headache. Initial assessments around the base found no serious injuries or deaths from the attack. The US President Donald Trump tweeted, "All is well!" The next day was different. “My head kinda felt like I got hit with a truck,” Keltz told Reuters in an interview from the al-Asad airbase in Iraq’s western Anbar desert. “My stomach was grinding.” Keltz, who said he had concussion symptoms for days, is among 109 soldiers diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries in the wake of last month’s attack, a figure that has steadily risen as more troops report symptoms and get the medical screening. Also see: Key facts about Al-Asad US air base in Iraq attacked by Iran Reuters interviewed more than a dozen officials and soldiers and spoke with brain-injury specialists to assemble the most comprehensive account so far of the nature of the soldiers’ injuries and how they sustained them. The slowly rising casualty count underscores the difficulty in detecting and treating what has become one of the most common injuries in the US military during two decades of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, where US troops face roadside bombs, rockets and mortars. More than a week after the attack, on January 16, Defense Secretary Mark Esper was made aware that soldiers had suffered brain injuries from the missiles, the Pentagon said. That day, the Pentagon reported that an unspecified number of troops were treated for concussive symptoms and 11 were flown to Kuwait and Germany for higher-level care. Also read: Missile strike was start of a series of attacks across the region: Iranian commander On January 22, Trump said that he "heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things,” prompting criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and a US veterans group that the president was underplaying the casualties from the attack. "I think it was unfortunate to use those words," said Republican Representative Richard Hudson, who represents Fayetteville, North Carolina, home to Fort Bragg that includes the Army's Special Operations Command. The White House declined to comment for this story. The US military has long treated brain injuries as a different class of wounds that do not require rapid reporting up the chain of command, unlike incidents threatening life, limb or eyesight. Since 2000, nearly 414,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, according to Pentagon data. The number is likely higher because the Pentagon only counts as one injury cases where a soldier suffers from brain trauma in multiple incidents. Watch: 15 ballistic missiles hit US troops in Erbil, al-Asad The US troops operating drone flights appeared to have suffered the most brain injuries during the attack on al-Asad, said Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Garland, who was on the base at the time. Many worked near the airstrip, he said. Like Specialist Keltz, who was manning a guard tower, the drone pilots had been assigned to watch for a possible ground attack. "Those drone pilots, they're the ones that took the brunt of the TBI cases," said Garland, who as commander of Task Force Jazeera oversees more than 400 soldiers. The number of troops diagnosed with brain injury from last month’s attack was expected to stabilize near the current count, one U.S. official said. Less than 10 were now being monitored with possible TBI symptoms, the official said. The total US military count, however, excludes civilian contractors on the base at the time, many of whom have since departed. Some US troops also suffered from anxiety-related symptoms after the attack, including sleeplessness and, in at least one case, a sustained high heart rate, according to interviews with soldiers and officials. However, they could not provide a specific number. The Pentagon categorizes brain injuries as mild, moderate, severe or penetrating. The vast majority of injuries are classified as mild, as were all of the injuries reported from al-Asad. Garland, the commander, said he was taken aback when he learned of US intelligence indicating that Iranian missiles would strike within hours. He immediately found a base map and started sizing up the best options to shelter his troops. He recalled old bunkers on the base built during the era of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator toppled by US-led forces in 2003. But the bunkers wouldn’t hold everyone. Some would need to disperse, taking cover in armoured vehicles driven away from targets. Others in Garland’s unit, including Specialist Keltz, would need to stand guard to watch for additional attacks beyond the expected missiles. Keltz said he and a fellow soldier were already manning a tower when First Sergeant Larry Jackson came to them, explaining the intelligence and giving them their orders. "What I need you, boys, to do is to lay down on the ground when the impacts happen - and then I need you to jump right back up and man those guns,” Jackson said in an interview, recounting his instructions to Keltz and other soldiers at the base. As the Iranian missiles streaked through the night sky toward the base, their engines glowed orange - like the ends of lit cigarettes, Garland said. The glow was all that Garland could see in the darkness before scrambling back into a bunker. Then came the blasts. At least eleven missiles struck the base, destroying housing units made from shipping containers and other facilities. "Every explosion I heard, I was thinking, OK, that's a number of people that have just lost their lives," he said. But initial checks after the attack showed nobody was killed or obviously injured, despite massive devastation to the base. Word got back to Washington. Just before 6 a.m. in Baghdad, Trump tweeted an update: "Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good!" On the ground at al-Asad, US Army Major Robert Hales, a doctor who is deployed to al-Asad, defended the initial reports of no injuries. "Everyone here did not have any outward physical injuries,” he said in an interview. “There were no lacerations. There are no shrapnel wounds." Such “silent” injuries take time to manifest, he said. Injury figures kept climbing in the weeks after the attack. What began as at least 11 cases grew to 34 about a week later. On January 22, Trump made his controversial comment, referring to the injuries as “headaches.” The Veterans of Foreign Wars demanded an apology for Trump's "misguided remarks". A week later, on January 28, the toll of brain injuries climbed to 50. In early February, Reuters was the first to report that the count had surpassed 100. The brain injuries sustained in the Iranian missile attack are fundamentally different than those that have typically resulted from past attacks, brain-trauma specialists said. That’s because the al-Asad bombing was more intense than typical quick-hit, single-explosion attacks: The explosions came in waves and lasted more than an hour. When a roadside bomb goes off in Afghanistan, head wounds are often visible. In insurgent bomb blasts, shrapnel or other flying debris can cause brain injuries upon impact. But the damage from large pressure waves from a major blast - like the ones at al-Asad that Specialist Keltz felt - often take more time to diagnose. Marilyn Kraus, director of the Traumatic Brain Injury program and concussion clinic at George Washington University, said troops may minimize or underreport their symptoms initially. Others may not show symptoms until much later in part because their injuries are initially masked by the adrenaline rush that comes with combat. "Some of these things can fall into the cracks initially," said Kraus, who previously served as medical director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Consult Section at the Walter Reed military hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. In the short term, mild traumatic brain injury can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and confusion, while longer-term effects can include chronic headaches, mood changes and dizziness, Kraus said. Repeated head injuries can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain degeneration disorder that some researchers have linked to suicidal thoughts, substance misuse and depression, she said. Hales, the Army doctor, cited research within the past six months showing in animal models that signs of damage to the brain can increase in the weeks after a blast. At al-Asad, soldiers started showing symptoms such as headaches or a "foggy feeling” days after the attack, Hales said. The symptoms often persisted. "That's the reason why you saw a huge delay” in identifying the injuries, he said. “That prompted us to re-screen pretty much the whole population of al-Asad."

'Hit with a truck': How Iran's missiles inflicted brain injury on US troops

Hours after the announcement of the final results of the presidential election by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Tuesday, Abdullah Abdullah, the country's chief executive officer (CEO), announced the formation of an "inclusive government" by his Stability and Convergence campaign team, declaring his "victory" in the polls.

Hours after the announcement of the final results of the presidential election by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Tuesday, Abdullah Abdullah, the country's chief executive officer (CEO), announced the formation of an "inclusive government" by his Stability and Convergence campaign team, declaring his "victory" in the polls. The final results of the election, according to the IEC, showed that incumbent President Ashraf Ghani had received the highest count of votes, equivalent to 50.6 per cent of the total votes polled, while Abdullah had secured 39.52 per cent of total votes, TOLOnews reported. With the commission announcing Ghani as the winner of the elections during a press conference, Abdullah was quoted as saying that the decisions on disputed votes were "illegal," adding that today's results were a coup against democracy and he does not accept them. "It was national treason," Abdullah said. Also Read: Eight civilians killed in Afghanistan air strike: Officials He said, "The Stability and Convergence team is the 'winner of the election' based on 'clean votes' and we announce our 'victory,'" adding, "We announce the formation of an inclusive government." There was a slight change in Tuesday's announcement from IEC's announcement of the preliminary elections on December 22 last year. Based on the IEC's decision, a partial audit and partial recount were conducted of the 300,000 disputed votes, and 262 votes were added to Ghani's total, while 742 votes were added to Abdullah's, and 453 votes were invalidated, according to the commission. Based on the preliminary results that were announced late last December, incumbent President Ashraf Ghani was narrowly declared the winner while Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah got 39 per cent of a total of over 1.8 million votes. Watch: Pakistan Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan Originally scheduled to be announced on October 19, the results of the presidential elections, which were held in September last year, were repeatedly delayed, with IEC officials citing technical issues, allegations of fraud and protests from candidates. Both Abdullah and Ghani shared power over the past five years in a so-called unity government formed by the United States in the wake of allegations of widespread fraud and corruption in the 2014 polls. In September's election, which was held amid Taliban threats to disrupt the process, nearly one million of the initial 2.7 million votes were purged owing to irregularities. Ultimately, only 1.8 million votes were counted - a tiny number, given Afghanistan's estimated population of 35 million and its total of 9.6 million registered voters. The final results came as the US and the Taliban, which has been fighting the US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan since the Taliban was toppled from power in 2001, appear to be close to embarking on a seven-day "reduction in violence" as a prelude to a peace deal to end the US's longest war. The deal also proposes talks between the government in Kabul and the Taliban. The armed group has so far refused to speak to the Western-backed government of Ghani, calling it a "puppet regime".

Afghan CEO rejects presidential polls' results, announces formation of 'inclusive government'

Ashraf Ghani has secured a second term as president of Afghanistan. According to Election Commission Ashraf Ghani, who has won 50.64 percent of the votes, as the president of Afghanistan.

Afghan Presidential Poll:Results announced after 5 month delay

The United States and the Taliban again appear to be taking steps toward peace in Afghanistan after U.S. officials announced a seven-day reduction of violence on Friday at the Munich Security Conference.

South Asia Diary: The First Steps Toward an Afghan Peace Deal

Pakistan&nbsp;Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that his country has no more militant safe havens left and his government fully backs the Afghan peace process.

"I can tell you that there are no safe havens here," Khan spoke in a conference in Pakistan's capital Islamabad.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-let-up-in-taliban-attacks-fresh-orders-awaited-over-deal-with-us-281157">No let up in Taliban attacks, fresh orders awaited over deal with United States </a>

"Whatever the situation might have been in the past, right now, I can tell you... there is one thing we want: peace in Afghanistan."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-not-taking-any-concrete-step-against-terrorism-says-afghan-president-ghani-280998">Pakistan not taking any concrete step against terrorism, says Afghan President Ghani</a>

Khan's comments came at a time when the United States and Taliban appear on the verge of signing a deal that would ensure the US begin pulling out troops from Afghanistan.

Taliban, in return, would enter talks with the Afghan government, reduce violence and work towards a complete ceasefire, among others.

However, the Taliban on Sunday carried out an attack in a security checkpoint in the northern province of Kunduz. Taliban claimed that 19 security personnel were killed in the attack. Afghan officials said that five people died in the attack.

Despite the attack, one of the Taliban's senior leaders said that the US and the militant group would sign a deal by the end of February in Doha.

Addressing a conference which marked 40 years of Pakistan giving shelter to Afghan refugees, the Pakistani PM also said that his country cannot "completely guarantee" that no Taliban are hiding among the Afghans living in Pakistan. However, he said, that his administration has done everything to prevent attacks in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

Earlier Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan's second vice president claimed that Pakistan is allowing Taliban to recruit new militants from Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan.

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has played a key role in the dialogue between the Taliban and the US also attended the conference.

The US has "commitments from the Talibs on security issues," Khalilzad said.

Last week, officials said that a seven-day "reduction in violence" by the Taliban, US and Afghanistan forces would kick-off as part of the confidence-building measures.

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that his country has no more militant safe havens left and his government fully backs the Afghan peace process.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that his country has no more militant safe havens left and his government fully backs the Afghan peace process. "I can tell you that there are no safe havens here," Khan spoke in a conference in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. Also read: No let up in Taliban attacks, fresh orders awaited over deal with United States "Whatever the situation might have been in the past, right now, I can tell you... there is one thing we want: peace in Afghanistan." Also read: Pakistan not taking any concrete step against terrorism, says Afghan President Ghani Khan's comments came at a time when the United States and Taliban appear on the verge of signing a deal that would ensure the US begin pulling out troops from Afghanistan. Taliban, in return, would enter talks with the Afghan government, reduce violence and work towards a complete ceasefire, among others. However, the Taliban on Sunday carried out an attack in a security checkpoint in the northern province of Kunduz. Taliban claimed that 19 security personnel were killed in the attack. Afghan officials said that five people died in the attack. Despite the attack, one of the Taliban's senior leaders said that the US and the militant group would sign a deal by the end of February in Doha. Addressing a conference which marked 40 years of Pakistan giving shelter to Afghan refugees, the Pakistani PM also said that his country cannot "completely guarantee" that no Taliban are hiding among the Afghans living in Pakistan. However, he said, that his administration has done everything to prevent attacks in Afghanistan. Earlier Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan's second vice president claimed that Pakistan is allowing Taliban to recruit new militants from Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has played a key role in the dialogue between the Taliban and the US also attended the conference. The US has "commitments from the Talibs on security issues," Khalilzad said. Last week, officials said that a seven-day "reduction in violence" by the Taliban, US and Afghanistan forces would kick-off as part of the confidence-building measures. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Imran Khan claims no safe haven for militants left in Pakistan

Gunmen shot dead nine homeless drug users in the Afghan capital, officials said on Sunday, shining a light on chronic drug abuse in the world's biggest producer of opium but a rare incident of apparently coordinated violence against addicts.

The motive for the Saturday night attack by the unidentified gunmen in Kabul was not known and police said they were investigating. The men had been sleeping in an open area and a forensic examination had shown they were drug users.

"The shooting took place at the side of the Qrough mountain," a spokesman for Kabul police, Ferdaus Faramarz, told Reuters.

There are an estimated 2.5 million drug users in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Public Health says, with most thought to addicted to heroin made from opium poppies grown in Afghanistan.

Some 20,000 drug users are homeless, with half that number in Kabul, at times straining relations with residents of some communities.

"It's a social crisis," said Dr Shokoor Haidari, deputy of the ministry's counter drugs department.

The ministry can only treat 40,000 people a year but far more seek help, said Haidari.

Lack of social services, unemployment and easy access to drugs have fueled drug abuse in Afghanistan, Haidari said.

Harsh winter weather killed at least 50 homeless drug users in the past two months, the Ministry of Public Health said.

Afghanistan has been the world's biggest producer of opium for years despite some $8.9 billion spent since 2002 by the U.S. government to stop production and trafficking in narcotics.

With compelling economic incentives and politically protected networks - from cultivators to producers and distributors - deeply entrenched, officials say there is little they can do to stop it.

The Interior Ministry this month announced the arrest of five top police officials, including the head of Kabul's counter-narcotics force, for suspected involvement in drug trafficking.

Gunmen shot dead nine homeless drug users in the Afghan capital, officials said on Sunday, shining a light on chronic drug abuse in the world's biggest producer of opium but a rare incident of apparently coordinated violence against addicts.

Gunmen shot dead nine homeless drug users in the Afghan capital, officials said on Sunday, shining a light on chronic drug abuse in the world's biggest producer of opium but a rare incident of apparently coordinated violence against addicts. The motive for the Saturday night attack by the unidentified gunmen in Kabul was not known and police said they were investigating. The men had been sleeping in an open area and a forensic examination had shown they were drug users. "The shooting took place at the side of the Qrough mountain," a spokesman for Kabul police, Ferdaus Faramarz, told Reuters. There are an estimated 2.5 million drug users in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Public Health says, with most thought to addicted to heroin made from opium poppies grown in Afghanistan. Some 20,000 drug users are homeless, with half that number in Kabul, at times straining relations with residents of some communities. "It's a social crisis," said Dr Shokoor Haidari, deputy of the ministry's counter drugs department. The ministry can only treat 40,000 people a year but far more seek help, said Haidari. Lack of social services, unemployment and easy access to drugs have fueled drug abuse in Afghanistan, Haidari said. Harsh winter weather killed at least 50 homeless drug users in the past two months, the Ministry of Public Health said. Afghanistan has been the world's biggest producer of opium for years despite some $8.9 billion spent since 2002 by the U.S. government to stop production and trafficking in narcotics. With compelling economic incentives and politically protected networks - from cultivators to producers and distributors - deeply entrenched, officials say there is little they can do to stop it. The Interior Ministry this month announced the arrest of five top police officials, including the head of Kabul's counter-narcotics force, for suspected involvement in drug trafficking.

Nine homeless drug users shot dead in Afghan capital: Police

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">United States</a> has reached agreement with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">Taliban </a>on a weeklong reduction of violence that could lead to a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">US&nbsp;troop</a> withdrawal from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">Afghanistan</a>, a senior administration official said on Friday, while cautioning that the insurgents must honor commitments for the accord to stick.

The deal was struck in protracted negotiations in the Qatari capital Doha and was announced after a meeting between US&nbsp;Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mike-pompeo-people-cant-practice-faith-freely-279167">Mike Pompeo</a>, Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeff-bezos-amazon-win-tussle-against-trump-over-major-defence-contract-280612">Mark Esper</a> and Afghan President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">Ashraf Ghani</a> on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">US, Taliban have negotiated proposal for 7-day reduction in violence: Pentagon chief</a>

The accord if it holds could pave the way for an agreement by the end of the month on a US&nbsp;troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, a long-sought objective for US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeff-bezos-amazon-win-tussle-against-trump-over-major-defence-contract-280612">Donald Trump</a>, who has vowed to stop the "endless wars" as he seeks re-election in November.

"It was violence that derailed the signing of the agreement in September. Now we have an agreement on the reduction of violence. And, should the Talibs implement what they've committed to doing, we will move forward with the agreement," the senior administration official told reporters in Munich.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">US-Taliban breakthrough appears closer as Afghan President Ghani reports progress</a>

The seven-day period has not yet started, but will go into effect soon, the official said.

There were no immediate comments from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">Ghani's </a>government or the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">Taliban</a>.

There remains a long way to go to a peace settlement and end to the nearly two-decade-old US&nbsp;military presence that began shortly after the 9/11 attacks by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">al Qaeda</a>.

US&nbsp;officials have been clear that the 13,000 US&nbsp;troops will be cut to about 8,600 this year, with or without a withdrawal deal.

The reduction in violence agreement "is a good step on a very long road," said Ronald Neumann, a former US&nbsp;ambassador to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">Afghanistan</a>.

The United States has reached agreement with the Taliban on a weeklong reduction of violence that could lead to a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, a senior administration official said on Friday, while cautioning that the insurgents must honor commitments for the accord to stick.

The United States has reached agreement with the Taliban on a weeklong reduction of violence that could lead to a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, a senior administration official said on Friday, while cautioning that the insurgents must honor commitments for the accord to stick. The deal was struck in protracted negotiations in the Qatari capital Doha and was announced after a meeting between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Also read: US, Taliban have negotiated proposal for 7-day reduction in violence: Pentagon chief The accord if it holds could pave the way for an agreement by the end of the month on a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, a long-sought objective for US President Donald Trump, who has vowed to stop the "endless wars" as he seeks re-election in November. "It was violence that derailed the signing of the agreement in September. Now we have an agreement on the reduction of violence. And, should the Talibs implement what they've committed to doing, we will move forward with the agreement," the senior administration official told reporters in Munich. Also read: US-Taliban breakthrough appears closer as Afghan President Ghani reports progress The seven-day period has not yet started, but will go into effect soon, the official said. There were no immediate comments from Ghani's government or the Taliban. There remains a long way to go to a peace settlement and end to the nearly two-decade-old US military presence that began shortly after the 9/11 attacks by al Qaeda. US officials have been clear that the 13,000 US troops will be cut to about 8,600 this year, with or without a withdrawal deal. The reduction in violence agreement "is a good step on a very long road," said Ronald Neumann, a former US ambassador to Afghanistan.

US, Taliban reach violence reduction pact that could lead to US withdrawal

An air strike in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/i-urge-the-united-states-to-stop-killing-our-people-karzai-279802">Afghanistan </a>has killed at least eight civilians, officials said Saturday, as the war-torn country prepares for a "reduction in violence" under a deal between Taliban militants and the United States.

The incident took place in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Friday when a vehicle carrying civilians was struck, according to Ataullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor.

"The target of the attack was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-despite-talk-of-breakthrough-in-peace-deal-280693">Taliban </a>militants who wanted to establish checkpoints on the road, but unfortunately civilians were hit," he told AFP, putting the death toll at eight.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/i-urge-the-united-states-to-stop-killing-our-people-karzai-279802">I urge the United States to stop killing our people: Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai</a>

Talib Khan, a relative of the dead, told AFP the victims had been driving home from a picnic when their truck was hit, killing everyone inside.

Another relative, Shah Mir, 70, said: "No other breadwinner is left in my house, all my three sons were killed. I have a dozen grandchildren, I don't know how to bring them up."

It was not immediately clear who bombed the vehicle, but the US and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-despite-talk-of-breakthrough-in-peace-deal-280693">Afghan </a>militaries are the only forces in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-including-newborn-killed-in-airstrike-in-afghanistans-khost-province-265602">Afghanistan </a>conducting air strikes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-including-newborn-killed-in-airstrike-in-afghanistans-khost-province-265602">Eight including newborn killed in airstrike in Afghanistan's Khost province</a>

A US military spokesman said they were "looking into the incident" and an Afghan defence ministry spokesman said they had launched an investigation.

The strike comes after US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday an agreement with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-including-newborn-killed-in-airstrike-in-afghanistans-khost-province-265602">Taliban </a>was in place for a "conditions-based" seven-day reduction in violence.

The move is part of a long quest to forge a deal that could eventually lead to a comprehensive ceasefire.

It was not clear when the reduction in violence would start, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-despite-talk-of-breakthrough-in-peace-deal-280693">Taliban </a>official said it was imminent and a US official said Friday it would begin "really soon".

A UN agency in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-despite-talk-of-breakthrough-in-peace-deal-280693">Afghanistan </a>in December reported that more than 100,000 Afghan civilians had been killed or wounded over the past decade.

A grim milestone after more than 18 years of war since US and NATO allies invaded the country following the September 11 attacks in 2001.

An air strike in Afghanistan has killed at least eight civilians, officials said Saturday, as the war-torn country prepares for a "reduction in violence" under a deal between Taliban militants and the United States.

An air strike in Afghanistan has killed at least eight civilians, officials said Saturday, as the war-torn country prepares for a "reduction in violence" under a deal between Taliban militants and the United States. The incident took place in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Friday when a vehicle carrying civilians was struck, according to Ataullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor. "The target of the attack was Taliban militants who wanted to establish checkpoints on the road, but unfortunately civilians were hit," he told AFP, putting the death toll at eight. Also read: I urge the United States to stop killing our people: Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai Talib Khan, a relative of the dead, told AFP the victims had been driving home from a picnic when their truck was hit, killing everyone inside. Another relative, Shah Mir, 70, said: "No other breadwinner is left in my house, all my three sons were killed. I have a dozen grandchildren, I don't know how to bring them up." It was not immediately clear who bombed the vehicle, but the US and Afghan militaries are the only forces in Afghanistan conducting air strikes. Also read: Eight including newborn killed in airstrike in Afghanistan's Khost province A US military spokesman said they were "looking into the incident" and an Afghan defence ministry spokesman said they had launched an investigation. The strike comes after US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday an agreement with the Taliban was in place for a "conditions-based" seven-day reduction in violence. The move is part of a long quest to forge a deal that could eventually lead to a comprehensive ceasefire. It was not clear when the reduction in violence would start, a Taliban official said it was imminent and a US official said Friday it would begin "really soon". A UN agency in Afghanistan in December reported that more than 100,000 Afghan civilians had been killed or wounded over the past decade. A grim milestone after more than 18 years of war since US and NATO allies invaded the country following the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Eight civilians killed in Afghanistan air strike: Officials

Afghan government forces and Taliban insurgents waged war against each other in the past 24 hours despite US&nbsp;officials saying there had been a breakthrough in recent days in peace talks to end the 18-year-old conflict.

While negotiators from the warring sides pressed on with meetings in Doha, Qatar, the Taliban and the Afghan government both reported fighting on the ground.

The Afghan defence ministry said an air strike had killed a senior Taliban commander in northern Balkh province on Thursday evening.

"As result of a targeted air strike by Afghan air forces, Mawlavi Sardar Mohammad, a key member of the Taliban military commission was killed along with eight others," the ministry said in a statement.

The Taliban did not confirm the air strike.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-have-negotiated-proposal-for-7-day-reduction-in-violence-pentagon-chief-280596">US, Taliban have negotiated proposal for 7-day reduction in violence - Pentagon chief</a>

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the insurgents had killed six Afghan soldiers, including two officers, in an attack on a checkpoint in northern Kunduz province. 
Afghan, Taliban and US&nbsp;sources said a peace deal could be signed this month, allowing a withdrawal of some of 13,000 U.S. troops and thousands of other NATO personnel that remain in Afghanistan following the US&nbsp;intervention to oust the Taliban in 2001.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Thursday there was a "good chance" of reaching an agreement with the Taliban on a reduction of US&nbsp;troops in Afghanistan.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said an important breakthrough had been made in peace talks with the Taliban in recent days, and Defence Secretary Mark Esper said they had negotiated a proposal for a week-long reduction in violence.

Details about when that was set to begin were not immediately clear but a Taliban official said it would be this week.

Attacks in Afghanistan jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019 compared with previous years.&nbsp;

Afghan government forces and Taliban insurgents waged war against each other in the past 24 hours despite US officials saying there had been a breakthrough in recent days in peace talks to end the 18-year-old conflict.

Afghan government forces and Taliban insurgents waged war against each other in the past 24 hours despite US officials saying there had been a breakthrough in recent days in peace talks to end the 18-year-old conflict. While negotiators from the warring sides pressed on with meetings in Doha, Qatar, the Taliban and the Afghan government both reported fighting on the ground. The Afghan defence ministry said an air strike had killed a senior Taliban commander in northern Balkh province on Thursday evening. "As result of a targeted air strike by Afghan air forces, Mawlavi Sardar Mohammad, a key member of the Taliban military commission was killed along with eight others," the ministry said in a statement. The Taliban did not confirm the air strike. Also read: US, Taliban have negotiated proposal for 7-day reduction in violence - Pentagon chief A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the insurgents had killed six Afghan soldiers, including two officers, in an attack on a checkpoint in northern Kunduz province. Afghan, Taliban and US sources said a peace deal could be signed this month, allowing a withdrawal of some of 13,000 U.S. troops and thousands of other NATO personnel that remain in Afghanistan following the US intervention to oust the Taliban in 2001. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday there was a "good chance" of reaching an agreement with the Taliban on a reduction of US troops in Afghanistan. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said an important breakthrough had been made in peace talks with the Taliban in recent days, and Defence Secretary Mark Esper said they had negotiated a proposal for a week-long reduction in violence. Details about when that was set to begin were not immediately clear but a Taliban official said it would be this week. Attacks in Afghanistan jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019 compared with previous years.

Taliban, Afghan forces clash despite talk of breakthrough in peace deal

Despite being marred by years of extremism, Afghanistan has decided to renovate its Hindu Temples & Gurudwaras. Hindus & Sikhs have called this country home for centuries despite facing persecution. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why this gesture should be a moral beacon for Pakistan.

Gravitas: Afghanistan plans to renovate its temples & gurudwaras

Sheharyar Mehsud who is the leader of the banned terrorist organisation <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Tehreek-e-Taliban</a> has reportedly died in a bomb blast in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Afghanistan</a>.

Mehsud died after a remote control bomb went off&nbsp;in Kunar province.&nbsp;According to sources, he was taking a walk in Marwara area of the province.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Taliban leader Ehsanullah Ehsan escapes Pakistan's jail</a>

This is the third high profile assassination of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Afghanistan</a>-based terrorists who are wanted in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Pakistan </a>for multiple offences.

Last week, a key leader of Afghanistan Taliban called Sheikh Khalid Haqqani was killed in clashes with security forces in Afghanistan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-11-taliban-terrorists-killed-in-airstrikes-271244">Afghanistan: 11 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrikes</a>

Taliban's top ranking commander Haqqani was killed in January.

He had joined the terror group after the red mosque operation in &nbsp;2007 when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Pakistan's </a>military had stormed the compound to dislodge armed terrorists holed up inside for about a week.

Earlier, Qari Hossein was also&nbsp;assassinated under&nbsp;mysterious circumstances in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Kabul</a>.

Both <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Islamabad </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-ehsanullah-ehsan-responsible-for-peshawar-army-school-attack-escapes-pakistans-jail-279246">Kabul </a>have long accused each other of allowing militants to shelter in the border regions and launch bloody attacks that threaten regional stability.

Sheharyar Mehsud who is the leader of the banned terrorist organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban has reportedly died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan. Mehsud died after a remote control bomb went off in Kunar province.

Sheharyar Mehsud who is the leader of the banned terrorist organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban has reportedly died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan. Mehsud died after a remote control bomb went off in Kunar province. According to sources, he was taking a walk in Marwara area of the province. Also read: Taliban leader Ehsanullah Ehsan escapes Pakistan's jail This is the third high profile assassination of Afghanistan-based terrorists who are wanted in Pakistan for multiple offences. Last week, a key leader of Afghanistan Taliban called Sheikh Khalid Haqqani was killed in clashes with security forces in Afghanistan. Also read: Afghanistan: 11 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrikes Taliban's top ranking commander Haqqani was killed in January. He had joined the terror group after the red mosque operation in 2007 when Pakistan's military had stormed the compound to dislodge armed terrorists holed up inside for about a week. Earlier, Qari Hossein was also assassinated under mysterious circumstances in Kabul. Both Islamabad and Kabul have long accused each other of allowing militants to shelter in the border regions and launch bloody attacks that threaten regional stability.

Tehreek-e-Taliban leader killed in bomb blast

Hafiz Saeed: The man behind global terrorism

India's most cherished neighbour — Afghanistan is embracing some inclusive changes. It's a country that has been marred by religious extremism for two decades.

But now — Afghanistan plans to renovate Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurudwaras. A gesture that should serve as a moral beacon for a mutual neighbour Pakistan.

The Afghan government is finally addressing the woes of its religious minorities. Hindus and Sikhs — who have called this graveyard of empires their home for centuries.

The Afghan ministry of finance has unveiled a 650,000 dollar-budget plan — to revamp Hindu and Sikh religious sites.

650,000 US dollars — a decent figure compared to Afghanistan's annual budget this year which stands at 5.5 billion dollars.

This money will be used to rebuild temples and gurudwaras in consultation with local chieftains — or what you call clan leaders.

But not many religious sites remain in this country. There are close to 10 gurudwaras and temples left in Afghanistan today. Most of them are located in the capital Kabul.

The provinces of Nangarhar, Paktia and Ghazni also have temples which are centuries old. Minorities have left this country because of religious persecution. According to Afghanistan's state media — the Sikh and Hindu population stood at 220,000 in the 1980s.

Then the mujahideen came to power — and this number dropped to 15,000 in the 1990s. In just a decade — close to 200,000 minorities fled Afghanistan and this was followed by years of neglect by successive governments.

The result — there is no census data available today. Estimating the exact numbers is impossible. One headline is on your screens — it says 99% of Sikhs and Hindus have left Afghanistan.

And it's not a far-fetched claim. Community members themselves will tell you that there are no more than a few Hindus and Sikhs left in Afghanistan today.

Some reports say not more than 1500. The Afghan government wishes to undo this injustice meted out to its minorities for decades.

Let's also look at it diplomatically. Afghanistan is a neighbour that surely knows how to keep a friendship afloat. The Indian government has helped rebuild Afghanistan after endless wars. Yes, there is a desire to limit Islamabad — but India's Afghanistan policy has by and large been driven by humanitarian concerns.

A library as the US President once infamously claimed — was downplaying India's valuable assistance. India has done much more. In 2015 — Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Afghan parliament building constructed by India for 90 million dollars.

This was the complex that contained a library. In 2016 — India helped in the reconstruction of the Salma dam in Herat — it is now known as the afghan-India friendship dam.

The restoration of the store palace in Kabul. The setting up of an electricity transmission line from Pul-e Khumri to Kabul.

Building the Afghan national agricultural science university in Kandahar. India also built a cricket stadium in the same city. And we've all seen how the Afghan cricket team has evolved.

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg — India has realized and is realizing hundreds of lesser-visible projects. And no this is not charity.

This is pragmatism — these projects challenge Pakistan's influence in the country which has so far only bred terror. They're also proof of India's commitment to helping an old friend.

And at a time when the Indian govt is making moves — albeit controversial — to help minorities in countries like Afghanistan.

India's most cherished neighbour — Afghanistan is embracing some inclusive changes. It's a country that has been marred by religious extremism for two decades. But now — Afghanistan plans to renovate Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurudwaras.

India's most cherished neighbour — Afghanistan is embracing some inclusive changes. It's a country that has been marred by religious extremism for two decades. But now — Afghanistan plans to renovate Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurudwaras. A gesture that should serve as a moral beacon for a mutual neighbour Pakistan. The Afghan government is finally addressing the woes of its religious minorities. Hindus and Sikhs — who have called this graveyard of empires their home for centuries. The Afghan ministry of finance has unveiled a 650,000 dollar-budget plan — to revamp Hindu and Sikh religious sites. 650,000 US dollars — a decent figure compared to Afghanistan's annual budget this year which stands at 5.5 billion dollars. This money will be used to rebuild temples and gurudwaras in consultation with local chieftains — or what you call clan leaders. But not many religious sites remain in this country. There are close to 10 gurudwaras and temples left in Afghanistan today. Most of them are located in the capital Kabul. The provinces of Nangarhar, Paktia and Ghazni also have temples which are centuries old. Minorities have left this country because of religious persecution. According to Afghanistan's state media — the Sikh and Hindu population stood at 220,000 in the 1980s. Then the mujahideen came to power — and this number dropped to 15,000 in the 1990s. In just a decade — close to 200,000 minorities fled Afghanistan and this was followed by years of neglect by successive governments. The result — there is no census data available today. Estimating the exact numbers is impossible. One headline is on your screens — it says 99% of Sikhs and Hindus have left Afghanistan. And it's not a far-fetched claim. Community members themselves will tell you that there are no more than a few Hindus and Sikhs left in Afghanistan today. Some reports say not more than 1500. The Afghan government wishes to undo this injustice meted out to its minorities for decades. Let's also look at it diplomatically. Afghanistan is a neighbour that surely knows how to keep a friendship afloat. The Indian government has helped rebuild Afghanistan after endless wars. Yes, there is a desire to limit Islamabad — but India's Afghanistan policy has by and large been driven by humanitarian concerns. A library as the US President once infamously claimed — was downplaying India's valuable assistance. India has done much more. In 2015 — Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Afghan parliament building constructed by India for 90 million dollars. This was the complex that contained a library. In 2016 — India helped in the reconstruction of the Salma dam in Herat — it is now known as the afghan-India friendship dam. The restoration of the store palace in Kabul. The setting up of an electricity transmission line from Pul-e Khumri to Kabul. Building the Afghan national agricultural science university in Kandahar. India also built a cricket stadium in the same city. And we've all seen how the Afghan cricket team has evolved. All of this is just the tip of the iceberg — India has realized and is realizing hundreds of lesser-visible projects. And no this is not charity. This is pragmatism — these projects challenge Pakistan's influence in the country which has so far only bred terror. They're also proof of India's commitment to helping an old friend. And at a time when the Indian govt is making moves — albeit controversial — to help minorities in countries like Afghanistan.

Afghanistan government to rebuild Temples and Gurudwaras

&nbsp;A suicide bomber killed six people near a military academy in the Afghan capital, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">Kabul</a>, on Tuesday, the interior ministry said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Taliban </a>denied involvement in the blast and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

The bombing took place near the government-run defence university, the Marshal Fahim Military Academy, at the beginning of the morning rush hour.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">US-Taliban breakthrough appears closer as Afghan President Ghani reports progress</a>

It was the first major attack in the capital this year and comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in the country as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">US&nbsp;</a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">Taliban </a>negotiators in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">Qatar </a>try to pursue talks towards a peace deal to end 18 years of war.

"Six people including two civilians and four military personnel were killed," interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told Reuters, adding that 12 people were wounded, five of them civilians.

"It wasn't our work," said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Taliban </a>spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a text message to Reuters.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Afghanistan violence rises amid US-Taliban talks</a>

The academy, modelled after European war colleges to train Afghan cadets, has been the scene of several attacks in the past, including an assault last may claimed by Islamic State.

Despite the relative lull of violence in Kabul, militant attacks on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">Afghan </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">US</a>-led security forces have continued over recent months around the country even as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">United States</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">Taliban </a>militants pursue talks to finalise a peace pact.

Afghan President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-breakthrough-appears-closer-as-ghani-reports-progress-280270">Ashraf Ghani</a> condemned the attack in a statement released by his office.

"The great nation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Afghanistan </a>wants an end to violence, an end to the war, a ceasefire and an enduring peace," he said.

"The government is committed to achieving a dignified and sustainable peace, for which it pursues a clear plan."

A suicide bomber killed six people near a military academy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Tuesday, the interior ministry said. The Taliban denied involvement in the blast and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

A suicide bomber killed six people near a military academy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Tuesday, the interior ministry said. The Taliban denied involvement in the blast and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. The bombing took place near the government-run defence university, the Marshal Fahim Military Academy, at the beginning of the morning rush hour. Also read: US-Taliban breakthrough appears closer as Afghan President Ghani reports progress It was the first major attack in the capital this year and comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in the country as US and Taliban negotiators in Qatar try to pursue talks towards a peace deal to end 18 years of war. "Six people including two civilians and four military personnel were killed," interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told Reuters, adding that 12 people were wounded, five of them civilians. "It wasn't our work," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a text message to Reuters. Also read: Afghanistan violence rises amid US-Taliban talks The academy, modelled after European war colleges to train Afghan cadets, has been the scene of several attacks in the past, including an assault last may claimed by Islamic State. Despite the relative lull of violence in Kabul, militant attacks on the Afghan and US-led security forces have continued over recent months around the country even as the United States and Taliban militants pursue talks to finalise a peace pact. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement released by his office. "The great nation of Afghanistan wants an end to violence, an end to the war, a ceasefire and an enduring peace," he said. "The government is committed to achieving a dignified and sustainable peace, for which it pursues a clear plan."

Six killed in suicide blast in Kabul, Taliban deny attack

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">US </a>and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">Taliban </a>appeared closer Wednesday to sealing a deal for an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">American </a>troop withdrawal from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">Afghanistan</a>, after Afghan President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">Ashraf Ghani</a> reported "notable progress" in negotiations and a senior Taliban official said violence could be slashed in the coming days.

Washington and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">Taliban&nbsp;</a>have been locked in gruelling talks that have stretched over more than a year for an agreement that would see the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">US </a>pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan in a bid to end America's longest war.

In return, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">Taliban </a>would provide various security guarantees and launch eventual talks with the Kabul government.

Watch: US-Taliban talks appear closer to pact after marathon negotiations in Qatar

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ghani said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called him to inform him of developments in the talks, which are taking place in Doha.

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Today, I was pleased to receive a call from <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a>, informing me of the notable progress made in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban. The Secretary informed me about the Taliban’s proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in violence.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashrafghani/status/1227284075075002369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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A Taliban source in Pakistan told AFP that negotiators would meet again Wednesday in Doha, while in Afghanistan another senior Taliban official suggested the group was poised to reduce attacks.

"If the deal is signed, the Taliban will start a reduction of violence on Friday," the official in Afghanistan said, adding that the insurgents were working to bring any Taliban splinter groups into line.

Citing Afghan and US officials, the New York Times reported that US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">Donald Trump</a> had given conditional approval to a deal with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">Taliban</a>.

The two foes have been on the brink of a breakthrough before, with a deal all but complete in September before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-talks-appear-closer-to-pact-after-marathon-negotiations-in-qatar-193289">Trump </a>nixed it at the last moment amid continued Taliban violence.

The US and the Taliban appeared closer Wednesday to sealing a deal for an American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reported "notable progress" in negotiations and a senior Taliban official said violence could be slashed in the coming days.

The US and the Taliban appeared closer Wednesday to sealing a deal for an American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reported "notable progress" in negotiations and a senior Taliban official said violence could be slashed in the coming days. Washington and the Taliban have been locked in gruelling talks that have stretched over more than a year for an agreement that would see the US pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan in a bid to end America's longest war. In return, the Taliban would provide various security guarantees and launch eventual talks with the Kabul government. Watch: US-Taliban talks appear closer to pact after marathon negotiations in Qatar Ghani said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called him to inform him of developments in the talks, which are taking place in Doha. Today, I was pleased to receive a call from @SecPompeo, informing me of the notable progress made in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban. The Secretary informed me about the Taliban’s proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in violence. — Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) February 11, 2020 × A Taliban source in Pakistan told AFP that negotiators would meet again Wednesday in Doha, while in Afghanistan another senior Taliban official suggested the group was poised to reduce attacks. "If the deal is signed, the Taliban will start a reduction of violence on Friday," the official in Afghanistan said, adding that the insurgents were working to bring any Taliban splinter groups into line. Citing Afghan and US officials, the New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump had given conditional approval to a deal with the Taliban. The two foes have been on the brink of a breakthrough before, with a deal all but complete in September before Trump nixed it at the last moment amid continued Taliban violence.

US-Taliban breakthrough appears closer as Afghan President Ghani reports progress

Kabul is better known for its hulking concrete blast walls and tense security checkpoints. But it also sits in a valley in the Hindu Kush mountains at an elevation of around 1,800 meters (5,900 feet).

South Asia Diary: Kabul turns into a sporting paradise

Former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-leadership-series-exclusive-conversation-with-hamid-karzai-former-afghan-president-189911">Afghanistan</a> President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-leadership-series-exclusive-conversation-with-hamid-karzai-former-afghan-president-189911">Hamid Karzai</a> requested the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-two-us-soldiers-killed-by-afghan-soldier-in-nangarhar-province-279541">United States</a> to "stop killing Afghans"&nbsp;and end all military operations after the air strikes on Saturday.

Karzai condemned the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-two-us-soldiers-killed-by-afghan-soldier-in-nangarhar-province-279541">US airstrikes</a> that killed five merchants in the Farah province while paying&nbsp;condolences to the families of the victims.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-two-us-soldiers-killed-by-afghan-soldier-in-nangarhar-province-279541">Afghanistan: Two US soldiers killed by Afghan soldier in Nangarhar province&nbsp;</a>

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Strongly condemn the US airstrikes that killed five merchants in Farah province. I urge the United States to stop the killing of our people and end all military operations. My condolences to the victims’ families.
— Hamid Karzai (@KarzaiH) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarzaiH/status/1226550528076763136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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According to Dadullah Qaneh, member of the Farah Provincial Council, five civilians were killed in an airstrike in Karez Sheikha village which is 20kms away from Farah.

He described the victims as "traders and deal makers"&nbsp;and said that they were targetted when they were headed to Shaikh Abu Nasr Farahi port.

However,&nbsp;Afghan Zafar military corps, in charge of security in western Afghanistan,&nbsp;has said that five <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-two-us-soldiers-killed-by-afghan-soldier-in-nangarhar-province-279541">Taliban </a>fighters were killed in the airstrike.

Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai requested the United States to "stop killing Afghans" and end all military operations after the air strikes on Saturday.

Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai requested the United States to "stop killing Afghans" and end all military operations after the air strikes on Saturday. Karzai condemned the US airstrikes that killed five merchants in the Farah province while paying condolences to the families of the victims. Also read: Afghanistan: Two US soldiers killed by Afghan soldier in Nangarhar province Strongly condemn the US airstrikes that killed five merchants in Farah province. I urge the United States to stop the killing of our people and end all military operations. My condolences to the victims’ families. — Hamid Karzai (@KarzaiH) February 9, 2020 × According to Dadullah Qaneh, member of the Farah Provincial Council, five civilians were killed in an airstrike in Karez Sheikha village which is 20kms away from Farah. He described the victims as "traders and deal makers" and said that they were targetted when they were headed to Shaikh Abu Nasr Farahi port. However, Afghan Zafar military corps, in charge of security in western Afghanistan, has said that five Taliban fighters were killed in the airstrike.

I urge the United States to stop killing our people: Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai

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