United States&nbsp;Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Kabul Sunday on an unannounced visit, an Afghan official said.

Esper's visit, his first to Afghanistan since being confirmed as Pentagon chief in July,&nbsp;comes amid deep uncertainty about the fate of America's military mission in Afghanistan after talks between Washington and the Taliban collapsed.&nbsp;

According to Fawad Aman, a spokesman for the Afghan defence ministry, Esper was due to meet with "key leaders and receive an operational update".

The United States and the Taliban were last month on the brink of signing a deal that would have seen US forces begin to withdraw from Afghanistan in return for various insurgent security commitments.

But negotiations collapsed at the last minute when President Donald Trump declared talks "dead" following a Taliban attack that killed a US soldier.&nbsp;

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading negotiations, has since spoken informally with Taliban officials in Pakistan, raising the possibility the US is seeking to resume talks.

US Forces-Afghanistan, headquartered in Kabul, did not immediately return a request for comment on Esper's visit.

United States Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Kabul Sunday on an unannounced visit, an Afghan official said. Esper's visit, his first to Afghanistan since being confirmed as Pentagon chief in July, comes amid deep uncertainty about the fate of America's military mission in Afghanistan after talks between Washington and the Taliban collapsed.

United States Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Kabul Sunday on an unannounced visit, an Afghan official said. Esper's visit, his first to Afghanistan since being confirmed as Pentagon chief in July, comes amid deep uncertainty about the fate of America's military mission in Afghanistan after talks between Washington and the Taliban collapsed. According to Fawad Aman, a spokesman for the Afghan defence ministry, Esper was due to meet with "key leaders and receive an operational update". The United States and the Taliban were last month on the brink of signing a deal that would have seen US forces begin to withdraw from Afghanistan in return for various insurgent security commitments. But negotiations collapsed at the last minute when President Donald Trump declared talks "dead" following a Taliban attack that killed a US soldier. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading negotiations, has since spoken informally with Taliban officials in Pakistan, raising the possibility the US is seeking to resume talks. US Forces-Afghanistan, headquartered in Kabul, did not immediately return a request for comment on Esper's visit.

United States Defence Secretary Esper in Kabul on unannounced visit

Afghan presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Masoud spoke&nbsp;exclusively to&nbsp;WION's Pakistan bureau chief Anas Mallick about the recent elections and Taliban. He says&nbsp;Taliban without help is not a force to reckon with. Therefore, the Taliban is not [simply the] Taliban. It is a tool in the hand of others. Edited excerpts:&nbsp;

 
WION: How optimistic are you about Afghan elections and the results? In your opinion where is Afghanistan headed with these elections?

Masoud: Well, before the elections, we were told that the elections may not go well as there was no good preparation. But I think that our anticipation, we say, is true, as so far you can see today that people are not very optimistic about these elections and about the outcome. And you can especially hear a lot of news frauds and wrongdoings and also you can see the delay of the result which was supposed to be announced today.

 
WION: Analysts often say that fighting the Taliban is often equal fighting to Pakistan. What is your view?

Masoud: Well, let's put it this way. Taliban without help is not a force to reckon with. Therefore, the Taliban is not [simply the] Taliban. It is a tool in the hand of others. As I told before, Afghanistan has become a field of other strategic interests to promote and enhance their own interests.

Watch: Exclusive: Afghan presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Masoud speaks to WION

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-ahmad-wali-massoud-speaks-to-wion-257046/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
WION: But how will you rate India and Pakistan's role in development? Who will you rate more?

Masoud: Both of these countries, they have kind of [improved]. In 2001, when they knew the Karzai government, many countries had consensus and togetherness. Even [among] the United States and Iran, there was some consensus, and Afghanistan enjoyed that consensus later on. Maybe we did not have a strong government to keep that consensus going on.

 
WION: You see that the people of Afghanistan have suffered because of violence, be it from democratic forces,&nbsp;Taliban or from the foreign forces in Afghanistan. If a negotiated settlement is to be reached between Taliban and the United States or for that matter the Afghan government, how would you or the people of Afghanistan react to that because we have seen blood on the streets of Afghanistan because of Taliban and US forces, so is it viable?

Masoud: As you asked about peace, support, and about Pakistan. I always say that if we believe that Pakistan is behind the Taliban it's better to talk to Pakistan. Why not put everything that we have got with the neighbouring country on the table and discuss it. Instead of going around to talk to the Taliban, why not resolve the problem? Why should we give other units like Taliban, Al-Qaeda or some other units leverage. Why not solve this problem? Why should we leave it to Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and to terrorists and why should we leave it to other countries? Why not solve the problem here, I mean that’s my idea, that’s my policy. 
&nbsp;

Afghan presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Masoud spoke exclusively to WION's Pakistan bureau chief Anas Mallick about the recent elections and Taliban. He says Taliban without help is not a force to reckon with.

Afghan presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Masoud spoke exclusively to WION's Pakistan bureau chief Anas Mallick about the recent elections and Taliban. He says Taliban without help is not a force to reckon with. Therefore, the Taliban is not [simply the] Taliban. It is a tool in the hand of others. Edited excerpts: WION: How optimistic are you about Afghan elections and the results? In your opinion where is Afghanistan headed with these elections? Masoud: Well, before the elections, we were told that the elections may not go well as there was no good preparation. But I think that our anticipation, we say, is true, as so far you can see today that people are not very optimistic about these elections and about the outcome. And you can especially hear a lot of news frauds and wrongdoings and also you can see the delay of the result which was supposed to be announced today. WION: Analysts often say that fighting the Taliban is often equal fighting to Pakistan. What is your view? Masoud: Well, let's put it this way. Taliban without help is not a force to reckon with. Therefore, the Taliban is not [simply the] Taliban. It is a tool in the hand of others. As I told before, Afghanistan has become a field of other strategic interests to promote and enhance their own interests. Watch: Exclusive: Afghan presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Masoud speaks to WION WION: But how will you rate India and Pakistan's role in development? Who will you rate more? Masoud: Both of these countries, they have kind of [improved]. In 2001, when they knew the Karzai government, many countries had consensus and togetherness. Even [among] the United States and Iran, there was some consensus, and Afghanistan enjoyed that consensus later on. Maybe we did not have a strong government to keep that consensus going on. WION: You see that the people of Afghanistan have suffered because of violence, be it from democratic forces, Taliban or from the foreign forces in Afghanistan. If a negotiated settlement is to be reached between Taliban and the United States or for that matter the Afghan government, how would you or the people of Afghanistan react to that because we have seen blood on the streets of Afghanistan because of Taliban and US forces, so is it viable? Masoud: As you asked about peace, support, and about Pakistan. I always say that if we believe that Pakistan is behind the Taliban it's better to talk to Pakistan. Why not put everything that we have got with the neighbouring country on the table and discuss it. Instead of going around to talk to the Taliban, why not resolve the problem? Why should we give other units like Taliban, Al-Qaeda or some other units leverage. Why not solve this problem? Why should we leave it to Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and to terrorists and why should we leave it to other countries? Why not solve the problem here, I mean that’s my idea, that’s my policy.

Exclusive: Taliban is a tool in hand of others, says Afghan presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Masoud to WION

Watch exclusive interview of Ahmad Wali Massoud, Presidential candidate of Afghanistan with Anas Mallick.

Exclusive: Afghan presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Masoud speaks to WION

Preliminary results of Afghan president polls delayed. Watch video to know more.

Preliminary results of Afghan president polls delayed

A bomb exploded in a mosque in eastern Afghanistan during Friday prayers (October 18) officials said, killing at least 62 people who had gathered for worship.

62 dead in Jalalabad mosque blast

Death toll in Friday's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-17-killed-in-afghanistan-mosque-blast-officials-256710">mosque bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar</a> province has risen to 72. 
 
Local authorities confirmed that it was a suicide bomber that detonated explosives inside the mosque, Tolo News reported. 
 
The residents of the Jaw Dara village are still pulling people out of the debris of the mosque that was rocked by the blast around 1:30 pm (local time) on Friday. 
 
"Four people are missing and we are searching to find their bodies. In total we have lost 72 people in the blast and around 30 others were wounded, and yet it is not clear if it was a blast due to explosives," said Waqifullah, a resident of the district. 
 
"There were two attackers, one entered the mosque and detonated his explosives and the second attacker fled the area," said Amir Hamza, an army commander in the district. 
 
Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack and no other group has claimed the responsibility. 
 
Sediq Sediqqi, President Ghani's spokesperson, in a tweet strongly condemned the blasts in the mosque. 
 
This comes two days after the Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near police headquarters that claimed the lives of two members of the Afghan Security Forces and injured 26 other people in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman.

Death toll in Friday's mosque bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province has risen to 72. Local authorities confirmed that it was a suicide bomber that detonated explosives inside the mosque, Tolo News reported.

Death toll in Friday's mosque bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province has risen to 72. Local authorities confirmed that it was a suicide bomber that detonated explosives inside the mosque, Tolo News reported. The residents of the Jaw Dara village are still pulling people out of the debris of the mosque that was rocked by the blast around 1:30 pm (local time) on Friday. "Four people are missing and we are searching to find their bodies. In total we have lost 72 people in the blast and around 30 others were wounded, and yet it is not clear if it was a blast due to explosives," said Waqifullah, a resident of the district. "There were two attackers, one entered the mosque and detonated his explosives and the second attacker fled the area," said Amir Hamza, an army commander in the district. Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack and no other group has claimed the responsibility. Sediq Sediqqi, President Ghani's spokesperson, in a tweet strongly condemned the blasts in the mosque. This comes two days after the Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near police headquarters that claimed the lives of two members of the Afghan Security Forces and injured 26 other people in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman.

Afghanistan: Mosque bomb blast death toll rises to 72

The Afghan Election Commission will not be able to announce the results of last month's presidential election on Saturday, as scheduled, because of delay in processing data from the biometric voter verification system, Election Commission Secretary Habib-ur-Rehman Nang told Sputnik on Friday.

Afghans voted on September 28 to elect the country's president, with around 9.5 million people having registered to cast their ballots. The biometric identification system was used in a bid to avoid fraud.

"We were trying hard to announce the results on the given date, but since there was no audience, no monitors in the first days after the election, the system didn't work for several days, and the contents of the biometric systems were not copied immediately," Nang said.

The Election Commission has not yet set a new deadline for announcing the results, but sources have told Sputnik that the preliminary results will be announced within 10 days.

Election Commissioner Mualana Mohammad Abdullah said at a news conference that work was progressing fast despite "some problems."

"There were some problems in the commission that were left out of schedule, but works are not stagnant, and progress is being made to announce transparent results with no confusion," Abdullah said.

Another commissioner, Aurangzeb, stressed that transparency should be prioritised, not rapid announcement of the results. "It is not important that the announcement of the results is delayed, it is important to use transparency and declare the results after full confidence is guaranteed," Aurangzeb added.

The US Embassy, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and the European Union representatives in Kabul also insist that the announcement of the results may be delayed for the sake of guaranteeing transparency.

Meanwhile, there is a strong belief both <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/blood-and-hope-women-in-afghanistans-elections-253513">in Afghanistan and within the global community</a> that the election was transparent, and that a crisis similar to that of the 2014 election is unlikely to be repeated.

The Afghan Election Commission will not be able to announce the results of last month's presidential election on Saturday, as scheduled, because of delay in processing data from the biometric voter verification system, Election Commission Secretary Habib-ur-Rehman Nang told Sputnik on Friday.

The Afghan Election Commission will not be able to announce the results of last month's presidential election on Saturday, as scheduled, because of delay in processing data from the biometric voter verification system, Election Commission Secretary Habib-ur-Rehman Nang told Sputnik on Friday. Afghans voted on September 28 to elect the country's president, with around 9.5 million people having registered to cast their ballots. The biometric identification system was used in a bid to avoid fraud. "We were trying hard to announce the results on the given date, but since there was no audience, no monitors in the first days after the election, the system didn't work for several days, and the contents of the biometric systems were not copied immediately," Nang said. The Election Commission has not yet set a new deadline for announcing the results, but sources have told Sputnik that the preliminary results will be announced within 10 days. Election Commissioner Mualana Mohammad Abdullah said at a news conference that work was progressing fast despite "some problems." "There were some problems in the commission that were left out of schedule, but works are not stagnant, and progress is being made to announce transparent results with no confusion," Abdullah said. Another commissioner, Aurangzeb, stressed that transparency should be prioritised, not rapid announcement of the results. "It is not important that the announcement of the results is delayed, it is important to use transparency and declare the results after full confidence is guaranteed," Aurangzeb added. The US Embassy, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and the European Union representatives in Kabul also insist that the announcement of the results may be delayed for the sake of guaranteeing transparency. Meanwhile, there is a strong belief both in Afghanistan and within the global community that the election was transparent, and that a crisis similar to that of the 2014 election is unlikely to be repeated.

Afghanistan Presidential Election: Result will not be announced on October 19 as planned

The death toll from an attack on a mosque in Afghanistan during Friday prayers has risen to 62, authorities in the eastern Nangarhar province said.

The toll "has risen to 62 dead and 33 injured," said a spokesman for the local governor. The Taliban have condemned the attack and blamed it on the Islamic State group.

A bomb exploded in a mosque in eastern Afghanistan during Friday prayers killing people who had gathered for worship.

"The number of casualties may rise as the rescue team and people are working to bring out the bodies from the rubble," Sohrab Qaderi, a member of the provincial council in Nangarhar added. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Attaullah Khogyani, the spokesman for Nangarhar's provincial governor, said the roof of the mosque had fallen in due to the blast.

No militant group has claimed responsibility so far.

The blast came after the United Nations released a new report on Thursday saying that an "unprecedented" number of civilians were killed or wounded in Afghanistan from July to September.&nbsp;

Civilians have long borne the brunt of violence in Afghanistan's conflict, and the UN called the casualties "totally unacceptable".

The UN laid the blame mainly at the feet of anti-government elements such as IS and the Taliban, though it also documented an alarming rise in casualties caused by pro-government forces.

The death toll from an attack on a mosque in Afghanistan during Friday prayers has risen to 62, authorities in the eastern Nangarhar province said. The toll "has risen to 62 dead and 33 injured," said a spokesman for the local governor.

The death toll from an attack on a mosque in Afghanistan during Friday prayers has risen to 62, authorities in the eastern Nangarhar province said. The toll "has risen to 62 dead and 33 injured," said a spokesman for the local governor. The Taliban have condemned the attack and blamed it on the Islamic State group. A bomb exploded in a mosque in eastern Afghanistan during Friday prayers killing people who had gathered for worship. "The number of casualties may rise as the rescue team and people are working to bring out the bodies from the rubble," Sohrab Qaderi, a member of the provincial council in Nangarhar added. Attaullah Khogyani, the spokesman for Nangarhar's provincial governor, said the roof of the mosque had fallen in due to the blast. No militant group has claimed responsibility so far. The blast came after the United Nations released a new report on Thursday saying that an "unprecedented" number of civilians were killed or wounded in Afghanistan from July to September. Civilians have long borne the brunt of violence in Afghanistan's conflict, and the UN called the casualties "totally unacceptable". The UN laid the blame mainly at the feet of anti-government elements such as IS and the Taliban, though it also documented an alarming rise in casualties caused by pro-government forces.

Afghanistan mosque attack toll rises to 62: Official

Local media on Thursday reported that the Special Forces of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) killed Salahuddin alias Ibrahimi, a facilitator of Taliban explosions in the northeastern Afghan province of Takhar.

The Special Forces identified and eliminated Salahuddin in the city of Taloqan before he could carry out a string of targeted attacks against the tribal leaders, reported Sputnik.

As per local media reports, NDS Special Forces have also arrested a group of 9 Taliban terrorists during a separate operation in Takhar province.

The Taliban is yet to comment on the operations carried out in the province by the security forces.

The Taliban has been waging war against the Afghan government for years, challenging stability and security in the region. As a result of political turmoil, groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda have spread across the country.

Throughout 2019, the Taliban held talks with the United States, but the attempts to work out a peaceful agreement, which would see foreign troops leave Afghanistan, have not been successful so far.

Local media on Thursday reported that the Special Forces of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) killed Salahuddin alias Ibrahimi, a facilitator of Taliban explosions in the northeastern Afghan province of Takhar.

Local media on Thursday reported that the Special Forces of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) killed Salahuddin alias Ibrahimi, a facilitator of Taliban explosions in the northeastern Afghan province of Takhar. The Special Forces identified and eliminated Salahuddin in the city of Taloqan before he could carry out a string of targeted attacks against the tribal leaders, reported Sputnik. As per local media reports, NDS Special Forces have also arrested a group of 9 Taliban terrorists during a separate operation in Takhar province. The Taliban is yet to comment on the operations carried out in the province by the security forces. The Taliban has been waging war against the Afghan government for years, challenging stability and security in the region. As a result of political turmoil, groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda have spread across the country. Throughout 2019, the Taliban held talks with the United States, but the attempts to work out a peaceful agreement, which would see foreign troops leave Afghanistan, have not been successful so far.

Afghan forces kill facilitator of Taliban explosions in Takhar province

Chairman of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Corporation Murad Amanov on Wednesday met Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and apprised him about the progress in the Trans-Afghanistan project.

Qureshi assured the delegation about the government`s commitment to ensure early implementation of the TAPI Gas project and promote cooperation in the energy sector with Turkmenistan.

Energy is important for advancing the domestic economy, therefore, the government is paying special attention to the energy sector for economic development, he said.

Meanwhile, Amanov told the foreign minister that talks between Pakistan and TAPI Company are underway successfully for the finalization of this agreement by the host government. Qureshi said that ensuring the safety of oil and gas supply is our top priority.

The TAPI gas pipeline project is expected to be completed by 2022 in Pakistan.&nbsp;

The TAPI project, supported by the United States and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has been supported by Turkmenistan since the 1990s. But the initiation of the project was delayed due to issues related to the instability in the region, especially in Afghanistan.

The ADB is acting as the facilitator and coordinator for the project. It is proposed to lay a 56-inch diameter and 1,680-kilometre pipeline with a capacity of transporting 33 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas per annum from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Fazilka near the India-Pakistan border, Geo News reported.

The pipeline will run through areas of southern Afghanistan largely controlled by the Taliban.&nbsp;

Chairman of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Corporation Murad Amanov on Wednesday met Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and apprised him about the progress in the Trans-Afghanistan project.

Chairman of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Corporation Murad Amanov on Wednesday met Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and apprised him about the progress in the Trans-Afghanistan project. Qureshi assured the delegation about the government`s commitment to ensure early implementation of the TAPI Gas project and promote cooperation in the energy sector with Turkmenistan. Energy is important for advancing the domestic economy, therefore, the government is paying special attention to the energy sector for economic development, he said. Meanwhile, Amanov told the foreign minister that talks between Pakistan and TAPI Company are underway successfully for the finalization of this agreement by the host government. Qureshi said that ensuring the safety of oil and gas supply is our top priority. The TAPI gas pipeline project is expected to be completed by 2022 in Pakistan. The TAPI project, supported by the United States and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has been supported by Turkmenistan since the 1990s. But the initiation of the project was delayed due to issues related to the instability in the region, especially in Afghanistan. The ADB is acting as the facilitator and coordinator for the project. It is proposed to lay a 56-inch diameter and 1,680-kilometre pipeline with a capacity of transporting 33 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas per annum from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Fazilka near the India-Pakistan border, Geo News reported. The pipeline will run through areas of southern Afghanistan largely controlled by the Taliban.

TAPI Chairman meets Pakistan Foreign Minister, apprises him of project progress

At least two police officers were killed and about 20 children wounded when a truck bomb detonated near a police station in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said.&nbsp;

According to Asadullah Daulatzai, the spokesman for the governor of Laghman province, the bomb outside a police headquarters building also partially destroyed a nearby madrassa, or religious school.

"The students were wounded by flying glass," he said, noting that "about 20" students were hurt.

Six police officers were also wounded.

The interior ministry confirmed the toll and blamed the attack on the Taliban.

The insurgent group did not immediately comment.

Afghanistan is currently awaiting results of the first round of presidential voting, which took place last month.

Polling was marred by several small-scale attacks claimed by the Taliban, who worked to disrupt the democratic process.

At least two police officers were killed and about 20 children wounded when a truck bomb detonated near a police station in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said.

At least two police officers were killed and about 20 children wounded when a truck bomb detonated near a police station in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said. According to Asadullah Daulatzai, the spokesman for the governor of Laghman province, the bomb outside a police headquarters building also partially destroyed a nearby madrassa, or religious school. "The students were wounded by flying glass," he said, noting that "about 20" students were hurt. Six police officers were also wounded. The interior ministry confirmed the toll and blamed the attack on the Taliban. The insurgent group did not immediately comment. Afghanistan is currently awaiting results of the first round of presidential voting, which took place last month. Polling was marred by several small-scale attacks claimed by the Taliban, who worked to disrupt the democratic process.

Two police killed, 20 children wounded after explosion in eastern Afghanistan

India will be sending a consignment of 75,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan in November 2019 as part of its humanitarian gesture. The consignment will be sent via the Chabahar port and the supply will commence from Kandala port next month.

India first sent a consignment of wheat via Chabahar in 2017 with a supply of 1.1 million tonnes. This move also paved the way for commencing the operation at the Chabahar port to improve Afghanistan's connectivity.

At the 37th anniversary of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (SRCS), Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar spoke about the financial assistance being provided by New Delhi for treatment of Afghan children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease and commended the "outstanding work of ARCS and its volunteers in providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan affected by the conflict and natural disasters''.&nbsp;

According to Vinay Kumar, in the last four years, around 2000 Afghan children in the age group of four months to 18 years have received India’s assistance of US$ 4 million.

From infrastructure to humanitarian aid to building institutions, India is engaging with Afghanistan according to the country's development priorities.&nbsp;

New Delhi on Tuesday completed the replacements for all four Mi-24V helicopters that it had given to Afghanistan in 2015/2016. While two helicopters were given earlier this year, the other two were handed over to Afghan National Security Forces (ANDSF) on Tuesday.

India will be sending a consignment of 75,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan in November 2019 as part of its humanitarian gesture. The consignment will be sent via the Chabahar port and the supply will commence from Kandala port next month.

India will be sending a consignment of 75,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan in November 2019 as part of its humanitarian gesture. The consignment will be sent via the Chabahar port and the supply will commence from Kandala port next month. India first sent a consignment of wheat via Chabahar in 2017 with a supply of 1.1 million tonnes. This move also paved the way for commencing the operation at the Chabahar port to improve Afghanistan's connectivity. At the 37th anniversary of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (SRCS), Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar spoke about the financial assistance being provided by New Delhi for treatment of Afghan children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease and commended the "outstanding work of ARCS and its volunteers in providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan affected by the conflict and natural disasters''. According to Vinay Kumar, in the last four years, around 2000 Afghan children in the age group of four months to 18 years have received India’s assistance of US$ 4 million. From infrastructure to humanitarian aid to building institutions, India is engaging with Afghanistan according to the country's development priorities. New Delhi on Tuesday completed the replacements for all four Mi-24V helicopters that it had given to Afghanistan in 2015/2016. While two helicopters were given earlier this year, the other two were handed over to Afghan National Security Forces (ANDSF) on Tuesday.

India to send 75,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan, also providing assistance to children

The Taliban on Wednesday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-two-security-personnel-killed-in-explosion-in-laghman-province-256216">claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near police headquarters</a> that claimed the lives of two members of the Afghan Security Forces and injured 26 other people in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman. 
 
The incident occurred at around 6 am (local time) when a suicide bomber set off explosives in a truck in the Alishing district, Tolo news reported. 
 
The district governor's compound and a madrasa were close to the blast site, local officials said, adding that among those injured include twenty civilians and six members of the Afghan Security Forces. 
 
The injured have been taken to the nearby hospital for treatment. 
 
An eyewitness said the blast also damaged nearby buildings. 
 
Over the past few months, Afghanistan has witnessed waves of terror attacks. 
 
United States President Donald Trump had called off the peace talks with the Taliban after the group had claimed the responsibility for the Kabul terror attack.

The Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near police headquarters that claimed the lives of two members of the Afghan Security Forces and injured 26 other people in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman.

The Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near police headquarters that claimed the lives of two members of the Afghan Security Forces and injured 26 other people in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman. The incident occurred at around 6 am (local time) when a suicide bomber set off explosives in a truck in the Alishing district, Tolo news reported. The district governor's compound and a madrasa were close to the blast site, local officials said, adding that among those injured include twenty civilians and six members of the Afghan Security Forces. The injured have been taken to the nearby hospital for treatment. An eyewitness said the blast also damaged nearby buildings. Over the past few months, Afghanistan has witnessed waves of terror attacks. United States President Donald Trump had called off the peace talks with the Taliban after the group had claimed the responsibility for the Kabul terror attack.

Taliban claim responsibility of attack that killed two policemen in Afghanistan

India will gift 75,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan in November, announced Ambassador Vinay Kumar on Wednesday.

The Indian envoy made these announcements while speaking at the 37th anniversary of the Afghan Red Crescent Society's (ARCS) Special Week.

India sent its maiden cargo of wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port in Iran, bypassing Pakistan, in October 2017. The Indian government has supplied 1.1 million tonnes of wheat for the people of Afghanistan on a grant basis.

The envoy also spoke about cooperation between India and ARCS including financial assistance for the treatment of Afghan children suffering from congenital heart disease.

"During the last four years, around 2000 Afghan children in the age group of 4 months to 18 years have been treated with India's assistance of USD 4 million," he said.

India will gift 75,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan in November, announced Ambassador Vinay Kumar on Wednesday. The Indian envoy made these announcements while speaking at the 37th anniversary of the Afghan Red Crescent Society's (ARCS) Special Week.

India will gift 75,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan in November, announced Ambassador Vinay Kumar on Wednesday. The Indian envoy made these announcements while speaking at the 37th anniversary of the Afghan Red Crescent Society's (ARCS) Special Week. India sent its maiden cargo of wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port in Iran, bypassing Pakistan, in October 2017. The Indian government has supplied 1.1 million tonnes of wheat for the people of Afghanistan on a grant basis. The envoy also spoke about cooperation between India and ARCS including financial assistance for the treatment of Afghan children suffering from congenital heart disease. "During the last four years, around 2000 Afghan children in the age group of 4 months to 18 years have been treated with India's assistance of USD 4 million," he said.

India to gift 75,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan: Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar

At least <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-pakistan-violates-ceasefire-in-poonch-district-indian-army-is-retaliating-256030">seven Taliban terrorists were killed and eight others arrested during military operations in Wardak and Paktika</a> provinces in eastern Afghanistan, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Afghan Special Forces also destroyed caches of weapons in the two provinces, the military officials told the Khaama news outlet.

Taliban have not yet commented on the operations.

The Taliban has been waging war against the Afghan government for years, challenging stability and security in the region. As a result of political turmoil, radical groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda have spread across the country.

Throughout 2019, the Taliban held talks with the United States, but the attempts to hammer out a peaceful agreement, which would see foreign troops leave Afghanistan, have not been successful so far.

At least seven Taliban terrorists were killed and eight others arrested during military operations in Wardak and Paktika provinces in eastern Afghanistan, local media reported on Wednesday.

At least seven Taliban terrorists were killed and eight others arrested during military operations in Wardak and Paktika provinces in eastern Afghanistan, local media reported on Wednesday. The Afghan Special Forces also destroyed caches of weapons in the two provinces, the military officials told the Khaama news outlet. Taliban have not yet commented on the operations. The Taliban has been waging war against the Afghan government for years, challenging stability and security in the region. As a result of political turmoil, radical groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda have spread across the country. Throughout 2019, the Taliban held talks with the United States, but the attempts to hammer out a peaceful agreement, which would see foreign troops leave Afghanistan, have not been successful so far.

Seven Taliban terrorists killed, eight arrested in Eastern Afghanistan

Hundreds of people were killed or wounded in violence related to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unidentified-gunmen-kill-prosecutor-in-ghor-province-255800">Afghanistan's recent presidential election</a> season as the Taliban sought to undermine the democratic process, a United Nations agency said Tuesday.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that 85 people were killed and another 373 wounded in election violence during the period from June 8 to September 30.

On polling day alone, 28 civilians were killed and 249 injured. Children accounted for more than one-third of the victims.

Despite the high toll, Afghan security forces said election day was a success because the Taliban failed to pull off any large-scale attacks that stole the headlines.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/policeman-killed-4-others-injured-in-bomb-blast-in-southern-afghanistan-255057">The majority of Taliban attacks</a> involved the use of rockets, grenades and mortars, as well as homemade bombs planted near polling centres, including schools, the report found.

On July 28, the same day as the election campaign started, militants targeted the office of Ghani's running mate Amrullah Saleh in Kabul, killing 21 people and wounding another 50.

"These attacks, along with public statements made by the Taliban, revealed a deliberate campaign intended to undermine the electoral process and deprive Afghan citizens of their right to participate in this important political process, freely and without fear," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement.

The casualty figures are actually a substantial improvement in the run-up to parliamentary elections held a year ago, when UNAMA tallied 226 deaths and 781 injuries.

Final election turnout figures have yet to be released but it appears participation in this year's first-round presidential vote is at record low levels.

Voters stayed away, wary of repeated Taliban threats to attack polling stations and also despondent about the chances of their ballots being fairly counted in a country that has seen systemic and large-scale electoral fraud.

The Independent Election Commission, however, insists multiple safeguards including biometric verification will make this year's vote the cleanest yet.

Preliminary results are due Saturday, though officials have suggested this date will be pushed back a few days.

The race is seen as a two-horse steeplechase between President Ashraf Ghani and his top rival Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

If no one wins a majority of more than 50 per cent, the elections will go to a second round.

Hundreds of people were killed or wounded in violence related to Afghanistan's recent presidential election season as the Taliban sought to undermine the democratic process, a United Nations agency said Tuesday.

Hundreds of people were killed or wounded in violence related to Afghanistan's recent presidential election season as the Taliban sought to undermine the democratic process, a United Nations agency said Tuesday. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that 85 people were killed and another 373 wounded in election violence during the period from June 8 to September 30. On polling day alone, 28 civilians were killed and 249 injured. Children accounted for more than one-third of the victims. Despite the high toll, Afghan security forces said election day was a success because the Taliban failed to pull off any large-scale attacks that stole the headlines. The majority of Taliban attacks involved the use of rockets, grenades and mortars, as well as homemade bombs planted near polling centres, including schools, the report found. On July 28, the same day as the election campaign started, militants targeted the office of Ghani's running mate Amrullah Saleh in Kabul, killing 21 people and wounding another 50. "These attacks, along with public statements made by the Taliban, revealed a deliberate campaign intended to undermine the electoral process and deprive Afghan citizens of their right to participate in this important political process, freely and without fear," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement. The casualty figures are actually a substantial improvement in the run-up to parliamentary elections held a year ago, when UNAMA tallied 226 deaths and 781 injuries. Final election turnout figures have yet to be released but it appears participation in this year's first-round presidential vote is at record low levels. Voters stayed away, wary of repeated Taliban threats to attack polling stations and also despondent about the chances of their ballots being fairly counted in a country that has seen systemic and large-scale electoral fraud. The Independent Election Commission, however, insists multiple safeguards including biometric verification will make this year's vote the cleanest yet. Preliminary results are due Saturday, though officials have suggested this date will be pushed back a few days. The race is seen as a two-horse steeplechase between President Ashraf Ghani and his top rival Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. If no one wins a majority of more than 50 per cent, the elections will go to a second round.

Afghanistan election campaign witnessed 85 deaths, 373 injured civilians: United Nations

Like assembling a 1,500-year-old jigsaw puzzle, conservators at the National Museum of Afghanistan are restoring the country's Buddhist history that the Taliban tried to erase.

Afghan museum recreates Buddhist history, one broken piece at a time

Three mortar rounds landed near the Parliament building in Kabul&nbsp;on Monday, as per local media reports which cited officials. Quoting security officials, TOLOnews reported that no casualties have been reported yet.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

The Afghan government forces have been fighting the Taliban for almost two decades, with all the peace initiatives having&nbsp;failed until now. The ongoing instability resulted in the rise of other terrorist groups across the country, including the ISIS.

Three mortar rounds landed near the Parliament building in Kabul on Monday, as per local media reports which cited officials. Quoting security officials, TOLOnews reported that no casualties have been reported yet.

Three mortar rounds landed near the Parliament building in Kabul on Monday, as per local media reports which cited officials. Quoting security officials, TOLOnews reported that no casualties have been reported yet. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The Afghan government forces have been fighting the Taliban for almost two decades, with all the peace initiatives having failed until now. The ongoing instability resulted in the rise of other terrorist groups across the country, including the ISIS.

Three mortar rounds land near Kabul's Parliament building

At least nine terrorists from the Taliban and the Islamic State (IS) were killed in Afghanistan following a series of airstrikes.

Quoting military officials, Khaama Press reported that the airstrikes took place in the eastern province of Nangarhar, where a total of five ISIS terrorists were killed.

Four Taliban operatives, meanwhile, were killed in Afghanistan's central Wardak province, as per media reports which cited officials.

The Afghan government forces have been fighting the Taliban for almost two decades, with all the peace initiatives have failed so far.

The ongoing instability has resulted in the rise of other terrorist groups across the country, including the ISIS.

At least nine terrorists from the Taliban and the Islamic State (IS) were killed in Afghanistan following a series of airstrikes. Quoting military officials, Khaama Press reported that the airstrikes took place in the eastern province of Nangarhar, where a total of five ISIS terrorists were killed.

At least nine terrorists from the Taliban and the Islamic State (IS) were killed in Afghanistan following a series of airstrikes. Quoting military officials, Khaama Press reported that the airstrikes took place in the eastern province of Nangarhar, where a total of five ISIS terrorists were killed. Four Taliban operatives, meanwhile, were killed in Afghanistan's central Wardak province, as per media reports which cited officials. The Afghan government forces have been fighting the Taliban for almost two decades, with all the peace initiatives have failed so far. The ongoing instability has resulted in the rise of other terrorist groups across the country, including the ISIS.

Airstrikes kill nine Taliban, Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan

Pakistan on Saturday expressed dismay at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-closes-its-consulate-in-pakistans-peshawar-over-raids-on-afghan-market-255373">Afghanistan's decision to close its consulate in Peshawar</a> over the market ownership dispute and urged the country to immediately review the move. 
 
The consulate was shut on Friday in protest against the raid by Pakistani policemen in an Afghan market and the removal of an Afghan flag from the place.

"We regret the announcement that the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Peshawar has been closed in protest at this point. We hope that this step would be immediately reviewed and that a private legal case would not be allowed to adversely affect the relations between the two brotherly countries," a statement by Pakistan foreign office read. 
 
The statement further said that Pakistan rejects "insinuations contained in the statement issued by the Afghan Foreign Ministry regarding a market in Peshawar" and deeply regrets that a " distorted and misleading account of the issue and related events has been presented." 
 
The Afghan consulate claims the Afghan market as a property of the Afghan government. However, reports suggest that there is another claimant to the property.

Pakistan on Saturday expressed dismay at Afghanistan's decision to close its consulate in Peshawar over the market ownership dispute and urged the country to immediately review the move.

Pakistan on Saturday expressed dismay at Afghanistan's decision to close its consulate in Peshawar over the market ownership dispute and urged the country to immediately review the move. The consulate was shut on Friday in protest against the raid by Pakistani policemen in an Afghan market and the removal of an Afghan flag from the place. "We regret the announcement that the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Peshawar has been closed in protest at this point. We hope that this step would be immediately reviewed and that a private legal case would not be allowed to adversely affect the relations between the two brotherly countries," a statement by Pakistan foreign office read. The statement further said that Pakistan rejects "insinuations contained in the statement issued by the Afghan Foreign Ministry regarding a market in Peshawar" and deeply regrets that a " distorted and misleading account of the issue and related events has been presented." The Afghan consulate claims the Afghan market as a property of the Afghan government. However, reports suggest that there is another claimant to the property.

Pakistan dismayed by Afghanistan's decision to shut consulate over market ownership dispute

Taliban militants on Sunday killed the governor of the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan's Wardak, Raz Mohammad Waziri.&nbsp; 
 
The governor was killed in his own car in Golai hospital area in the Koti Sangi district in western Kabul, Sputnik reported. 
 
The police have declined to comment over the incident. 
 
Taliban has launched a series of attack after United States President abruptly ended the peace talks. 
 
This comes as Defence Ministry announced that the government have gained control over 12 districts in five provinces in the last six month. 
 
"For the past six months, 12 districts in Ghazni, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar and Faryab provinces have been completely liberated from Taliban control," Aman wrote on his Twitter page on Saturday.&nbsp;

Taliban militants on Sunday killed the governor of the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan's Wardak, Raz Mohammad Waziri. The governor was killed in his own car in Golai hospital area in the Koti Sangi district in western Kabul, Sputnik reported.

Taliban militants on Sunday killed the governor of the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan's Wardak, Raz Mohammad Waziri. The governor was killed in his own car in Golai hospital area in the Koti Sangi district in western Kabul, Sputnik reported. The police have declined to comment over the incident. Taliban has launched a series of attack after United States President abruptly ended the peace talks. This comes as Defence Ministry announced that the government have gained control over 12 districts in five provinces in the last six month. "For the past six months, 12 districts in Ghazni, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar and Faryab provinces have been completely liberated from Taliban control," Aman wrote on his Twitter page on Saturday.

Afghanistan: Talbian militants kill governor of Jaghatu district

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote.

The claims by Asadullah Saadati, who is running beside <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-have-the-most-votes-in-this-election-abdullah-claims-victory-in-afghanistan-election-252846">Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah</a>, come as the country is in the midst of an uneasy waiting period after the September 28 election.

Election officials have called on candidates to show restraint and wait for the announcement of preliminary results in a bid to avoid a repeat of the disastrous election of 2014 which was marred by duelling claims of victory and fraud by Abdullah and his top rival Ashraf Ghani, who went on to win the presidency.

"Circles within the election commission and the palace are jointly organising systematic fraud," Saadati told a news conference, without citing any evidence.

"The result sheets that are being counted are fraudulent and their entries must stop."

Voting this year is supposed to be more secure than ever, with each voter verified through biometric machines to ensure no one can cast multiple ballots.

Saadati claimed the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was counting "fraudulent" and non-biometric votes.

The IEC has repeatedly said it would only count ballots verified biometrically.

Highlighting the challenges it faces, the commission on Saturday said unidentified hackers had unsuccessfully attempted to break into its computer servers.

On September 30, just two days after the election and before all votes had even arrived in Kabul for counting, Abdullah claimed victory in a move that international and local observers panned as premature.

Preliminary results are not due until October 19 but officials have already said that date will likely be pushed back by a few days.

The IEC has said about 2.7 million of Afghanistan's 9.6 million registered voters cast a ballot -- a record low turnout amid fears of fraud, and threats of deadly Taliban violence. However not all of those votes have been verified.

After a recent visit to the IEC, Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan Dave Metcalfe said he was "impressed" by the commission's attempts to fight voter fraud.&nbsp;

"The checks and balances implemented by the IEC represent a new standard for Afghan elections," he said in a statement.

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote.

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote. The claims by Asadullah Saadati, who is running beside Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, come as the country is in the midst of an uneasy waiting period after the September 28 election. Election officials have called on candidates to show restraint and wait for the announcement of preliminary results in a bid to avoid a repeat of the disastrous election of 2014 which was marred by duelling claims of victory and fraud by Abdullah and his top rival Ashraf Ghani, who went on to win the presidency. "Circles within the election commission and the palace are jointly organising systematic fraud," Saadati told a news conference, without citing any evidence. "The result sheets that are being counted are fraudulent and their entries must stop." Voting this year is supposed to be more secure than ever, with each voter verified through biometric machines to ensure no one can cast multiple ballots. Saadati claimed the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was counting "fraudulent" and non-biometric votes. The IEC has repeatedly said it would only count ballots verified biometrically. Highlighting the challenges it faces, the commission on Saturday said unidentified hackers had unsuccessfully attempted to break into its computer servers. On September 30, just two days after the election and before all votes had even arrived in Kabul for counting, Abdullah claimed victory in a move that international and local observers panned as premature. Preliminary results are not due until October 19 but officials have already said that date will likely be pushed back by a few days. The IEC has said about 2.7 million of Afghanistan's 9.6 million registered voters cast a ballot -- a record low turnout amid fears of fraud, and threats of deadly Taliban violence. However not all of those votes have been verified. After a recent visit to the IEC, Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan Dave Metcalfe said he was "impressed" by the commission's attempts to fight voter fraud. "The checks and balances implemented by the IEC represent a new standard for Afghan elections," he said in a statement.

Top candidate's running mate in Afghan poll alleges 'systematic fraud'

Afghanistan has closed its consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, in protest against raids by Pakistani policemen on Afghan market.

Tolo News quoted Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Shukrullah Atif Mashal, as saying that Pakistani police have repeatedly attacked the Afghan market in Peshawar and taken down the Afghan national flag. In response, the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad has closed its consulate in Peshawar.

"Many soldiers came here, acting like terrorists. This is not acceptable. This is not good for improving relations between the two countries," said Shukrullah Atif Mashal.

The Afghan consulate claims the Afghan Market as a property of the Afghan government. However, reports suggest that there is another claimant to the property.

Meanwhile, protests took place in front of the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul. The protesters chanted slogans against Pakistan with some of them saying that "our flag is our national identity, no one can disrespect our identity."

Afghanistan has closed its consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, in protest against raids by Pakistani policemen on Afghan market. Tolo News quoted Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Shukrullah Atif Mashal, as saying that Pakistani police have repeatedly attacked the Afghan market in Peshawar and taken down the Afghan national flag.

Afghanistan has closed its consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, in protest against raids by Pakistani policemen on Afghan market. Tolo News quoted Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Shukrullah Atif Mashal, as saying that Pakistani police have repeatedly attacked the Afghan market in Peshawar and taken down the Afghan national flag. In response, the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad has closed its consulate in Peshawar. "Many soldiers came here, acting like terrorists. This is not acceptable. This is not good for improving relations between the two countries," said Shukrullah Atif Mashal. The Afghan consulate claims the Afghan Market as a property of the Afghan government. However, reports suggest that there is another claimant to the property. Meanwhile, protests took place in front of the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul. The protesters chanted slogans against Pakistan with some of them saying that "our flag is our national identity, no one can disrespect our identity."

Afghanistan closes its consulate in Pakistan's Peshawar over raids on Afghan market

The former general secretary of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has been banned for five years and fined after FIFA's ethics committee found him guilty of violations relating to the abuse of female players.

The world soccer body said in a statement that the investigation into Sayed Aghazada concerned complaints lodged by several female Afghan football players against former AFF president Keramuudin Karim.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-afghan-football-president-banned-for-life-225544">Karim was banned for life </a>in June.

The female players' complaints related to sexual abuse between 2013 and 2018, at a time when Aghazada was the AFF’s general secretary.

"In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber ruled that Mr Aghazada was aware of this abuse and had the duty to report and prevent it according to the FIFA Code of Ethics," FIFA said on Friday.

"Consequently, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Aghazada had breached ... the FIFA Code of Ethics and sanctioned him with a ban ... for five years. In addition, a fine in the amount of 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,000) has been imposed."

Aghazada was also a FIFA standing committee member and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee member.

The former general secretary of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has been banned for five years and fined after FIFA's ethics committee found him guilty of violations relating to the abuse of female players.

The former general secretary of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has been banned for five years and fined after FIFA's ethics committee found him guilty of violations relating to the abuse of female players. The world soccer body said in a statement that the investigation into Sayed Aghazada concerned complaints lodged by several female Afghan football players against former AFF president Keramuudin Karim. Karim was banned for life in June. The female players' complaints related to sexual abuse between 2013 and 2018, at a time when Aghazada was the AFF’s general secretary. "In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber ruled that Mr Aghazada was aware of this abuse and had the duty to report and prevent it according to the FIFA Code of Ethics," FIFA said on Friday. "Consequently, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Aghazada had breached ... the FIFA Code of Ethics and sanctioned him with a ban ... for five years. In addition, a fine in the amount of 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,000) has been imposed." Aghazada was also a FIFA standing committee member and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee member.

FIFA bans former Afghan General Secretary in sexual abuse enquiry

An Afghan policeman was killed and four other people were injured in a roadside bomb blast in the country`s southern province of Helmand, a local source told Sputnik on Wednesday.

The bomb exploded near a police car in the Greshak district of Helmand province.

Spokesman of the Helmand governor confirmed to Sputnik that one policeman was killed and two others were injured.

An Afghan policeman was killed and four other people were injured in a roadside bomb blast in the country`s southern province of Helmand, a local source told Sputnik on Wednesday.

An Afghan policeman was killed and four other people were injured in a roadside bomb blast in the country`s southern province of Helmand, a local source told Sputnik on Wednesday. The bomb exploded near a police car in the Greshak district of Helmand province. Spokesman of the Helmand governor confirmed to Sputnik that one policeman was killed and two others were injured.

Policeman killed, 4 others injured in bomb blast in southern Afghanistan

Sporting a black quiff and sideburns, Ahmad Zahir sang of love and heartbreak in liberal 1970s Kabul -- a city now plagued by war and suffering, but where the popularity of Afghanistan's "Elvis" remains undimmed 40 years after his death.

Zahir -- the son of a former prime minister with a penchant for brandy and his red Mercedes -- rose to fame in an era when the capital hummed with Western tourists and women strolled through the streets in high heels.

"Everybody loved him," 73-year-old Safiullah Sobat, a long-time friend of Zahir, told AFP.

"At nighttime girls would come outside his house and honk the horn of their cars."

But on the day of his 33rd birthday in 1979, Zahir was found dead in his car in mysterious circumstances. His death -- much like his life -- has become part of folklore.

In Afghanistan today, where space for music and dance has shrunk under the shadow of war, music channels still play his songs daily and fans -- even those born decades after his death -- continue to snap up his albums and join Facebook groups created in his honour.

"His songs will touch your heart no matter what mood you are in, happy or sad," says Hashmat, who goes by one name and is the manager of "Ahmad Zahir's Cottage", a colourful restaurant in downtown Kabul.

The 26-year-old welcomes his customers -- mostly young couples -- with tea, a hookah pipe and most importantly, their hero's songs.

Zahir -- an ethnic Pashtun -- played concerts in various locations across the country and had fans among all ethnic groups in Afghanistan, which is far more polarised now than at the height of his fame.

"Today we see ethnic rivalries have sadly increased but Ahmad Zahir's music is still connecting people," explains Basir Burhan, a 30-year-old amateur musician.

Wherever you go in Afghanistan, he said, "if there is music, there'll definitely be one Ahmad Zahir song playing".

Former DJ Zubair Rezaee, 27, described Zahir as "evergreen".

He endures because when "you listen to his songs ... you think they are for you, at any time, at any place.

"The wars, the changes in society and a different generation, nothing has affected the quality of his songs," he said.

Rumours and secrets

The 1960s and 70s are remembered as a golden age of music for Afghanistan, when young musicians were mostly influenced by Indian classics and would flock to "Radio Kabul" -- the only radio broadcaster at the time -- to record hits at their studio.

Zahir's best-known works were inspired by Persian poets like Rumi and Hafiz, and he sang mostly in Dari or Afghan Persian.

But he did not shy away from covering Western greats such as France's Enrico Macias and, of course, Elvis Presley.&nbsp;

"At a time when singers shaking their bodies or dancing on stage was seen as awkward, he appeared on stage and screen doing exactly that," said Zahir's friend Sobat, who also runs "Ahmad Zahir's Art and Culture Centre" in Kabul.

"He was talking about Elvis a lot and when you look at his hairstyle, his clothes, the way he moved his body in concerts, you realise he was inspired by Elvis."

Over the decades since his death, conflicting accounts have surfaced about whether Zahir -- who recorded more than 20 albums in his short life -- was killed or died in a car accident.

The official line was that he was killed in a crash near the Salang Pass, north of Kabul.

But many maintain the communist regime assassinated him after his songs became increasingly critical, or because of rumours he had a secret affair with the daughter of the then prime minister.

Sobat believes he was murdered.

"When I saw his body in the coffin, there was hole in his forehead with signs of burns. He was shot at close range," he said.

Years of war have followed and under the Taliban, who banned music, his grave in Kabul was desecrated.

But it has been rebuilt and since then, every June 14, his birthday, pilgrims have flocked to Shohada-E-Salehin Cemetery on the southern edge of Kabul to lay flowers on his grave and play one of his last memorable songs.

"My death shall arrive one day/ In a spring bright with waves of light/ Oh, perhaps my lovers at midnight /lay wreaths on my sorrow(ful) grave," the lyrics read.

Sporting a black quiff and sideburns, Ahmad Zahir sang of love and heartbreak in liberal 1970s Kabul -- a city now plagued by war and suffering, but where the popularity of Afghanistan's "Elvis" remains undimmed 40 years after his death.

Sporting a black quiff and sideburns, Ahmad Zahir sang of love and heartbreak in liberal 1970s Kabul -- a city now plagued by war and suffering, but where the popularity of Afghanistan's "Elvis" remains undimmed 40 years after his death. Zahir -- the son of a former prime minister with a penchant for brandy and his red Mercedes -- rose to fame in an era when the capital hummed with Western tourists and women strolled through the streets in high heels. "Everybody loved him," 73-year-old Safiullah Sobat, a long-time friend of Zahir, told AFP. "At nighttime girls would come outside his house and honk the horn of their cars." But on the day of his 33rd birthday in 1979, Zahir was found dead in his car in mysterious circumstances. His death -- much like his life -- has become part of folklore. In Afghanistan today, where space for music and dance has shrunk under the shadow of war, music channels still play his songs daily and fans -- even those born decades after his death -- continue to snap up his albums and join Facebook groups created in his honour. "His songs will touch your heart no matter what mood you are in, happy or sad," says Hashmat, who goes by one name and is the manager of "Ahmad Zahir's Cottage", a colourful restaurant in downtown Kabul. The 26-year-old welcomes his customers -- mostly young couples -- with tea, a hookah pipe and most importantly, their hero's songs. Zahir -- an ethnic Pashtun -- played concerts in various locations across the country and had fans among all ethnic groups in Afghanistan, which is far more polarised now than at the height of his fame. "Today we see ethnic rivalries have sadly increased but Ahmad Zahir's music is still connecting people," explains Basir Burhan, a 30-year-old amateur musician. Wherever you go in Afghanistan, he said, "if there is music, there'll definitely be one Ahmad Zahir song playing". Former DJ Zubair Rezaee, 27, described Zahir as "evergreen". He endures because when "you listen to his songs ... you think they are for you, at any time, at any place. "The wars, the changes in society and a different generation, nothing has affected the quality of his songs," he said. Rumours and secrets The 1960s and 70s are remembered as a golden age of music for Afghanistan, when young musicians were mostly influenced by Indian classics and would flock to "Radio Kabul" -- the only radio broadcaster at the time -- to record hits at their studio. Zahir's best-known works were inspired by Persian poets like Rumi and Hafiz, and he sang mostly in Dari or Afghan Persian. But he did not shy away from covering Western greats such as France's Enrico Macias and, of course, Elvis Presley. "At a time when singers shaking their bodies or dancing on stage was seen as awkward, he appeared on stage and screen doing exactly that," said Zahir's friend Sobat, who also runs "Ahmad Zahir's Art and Culture Centre" in Kabul. "He was talking about Elvis a lot and when you look at his hairstyle, his clothes, the way he moved his body in concerts, you realise he was inspired by Elvis." Over the decades since his death, conflicting accounts have surfaced about whether Zahir -- who recorded more than 20 albums in his short life -- was killed or died in a car accident. The official line was that he was killed in a crash near the Salang Pass, north of Kabul. But many maintain the communist regime assassinated him after his songs became increasingly critical, or because of rumours he had a secret affair with the daughter of the then prime minister. Sobat believes he was murdered. "When I saw his body in the coffin, there was hole in his forehead with signs of burns. He was shot at close range," he said. Years of war have followed and under the Taliban, who banned music, his grave in Kabul was desecrated. But it has been rebuilt and since then, every June 14, his birthday, pilgrims have flocked to Shohada-E-Salehin Cemetery on the southern edge of Kabul to lay flowers on his grave and play one of his last memorable songs. "My death shall arrive one day/ In a spring bright with waves of light/ Oh, perhaps my lovers at midnight /lay wreaths on my sorrow(ful) grave," the lyrics read.

Burning love: Afghanistan Elvis's legacy endures, decades after death

The leader of Al-Qaeda's South Asian branch was killed in a US-Afghan joint raid in southern Afghanistan last month, Afghan officials confirmed Tuesday.

Asim Umar, who led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/south-asia-region-al-qaeda-chief-killed-in-afghanistan-officials-254579">Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent </a>(AQIS) from its inception in 2014, was killed during a raid September 23 on a Taliban compound in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province.

The Afghan Taliban denied that Umar had died, calling the report "enemy fabricated propaganda" meant to hide having hit a wedding party that had "only caused heavy civilian losses".&nbsp;

"Tens of ordinary civilian Afghans including those participating in a wedding ceremony" were killed and wounded, it said in an English-language statement published by SITE Intelligence, which monitors jihadist activities worldwide.

Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security said Umar was a Pakistani citizen, though some reports claim he was born in India.

He "was #killed along with six other AQIS members, most of them Pakistani", the NDS said on Twitter, adding that Umar had been "embedded" with the Taliban.

Watch: 18 years of US war in Afghanistan; America's longest war in its history

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The raid was part of a lengthy and confusing overnight operation on September 22-23, for which the United States provided air support.

Authorities said they would investigate reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an airstrike during the operation.

The NDS said that among the six other AQIS members killed in the raid was a man identified as "Raihan", a courier for Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

US Forces-Afghanistan declined to comment.

Under a stalled withdrawal plan negotiated between the United States and the Taliban, Washington agreed to pull troops from Afghanistan if the insurgents abided by security guarantees and cut all ties with Al-Qaeda.

The United States and the Taliban had been negotiating for a year to reach a deal that would have cut US forces in Afghanistan and may have paved the way to a reduction in violence, but President Donald Trump scuttled that agreement last month, citing Taliban violence.

Even if the deal had been finalised, observers doubted whether the Taliban would ever really separate from Al-Qaeda.

The United States invaded Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to hand over Al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks against the US.&nbsp;

The middle-aged Umar was relatively unknown when he was picked to lead the newly created AQIS in 2014.&nbsp;

The jihadist branch was established to try to rouse fighters in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

An Afghan Taliban source said in 2014 that Umar had for some years worked with the Punjabi Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chapter in Pakistan's most populous province, before linking up with Al-Qaeda.

A Pakistani intelligence official also said Umar had travelled to Syria, though it was not possible to confirm this.

The leader of Al-Qaeda's South Asian branch was killed in a US-Afghan joint raid in southern Afghanistan last month, Afghan officials confirmed Tuesday. Asim Umar, who led Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) from its inception in 2014, was killed during a raid September 23 on a Taliban compound in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province.

The leader of Al-Qaeda's South Asian branch was killed in a US-Afghan joint raid in southern Afghanistan last month, Afghan officials confirmed Tuesday. Asim Umar, who led Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) from its inception in 2014, was killed during a raid September 23 on a Taliban compound in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province. The Afghan Taliban denied that Umar had died, calling the report "enemy fabricated propaganda" meant to hide having hit a wedding party that had "only caused heavy civilian losses". "Tens of ordinary civilian Afghans including those participating in a wedding ceremony" were killed and wounded, it said in an English-language statement published by SITE Intelligence, which monitors jihadist activities worldwide. Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security said Umar was a Pakistani citizen, though some reports claim he was born in India. He "was #killed along with six other AQIS members, most of them Pakistani", the NDS said on Twitter, adding that Umar had been "embedded" with the Taliban. Watch: 18 years of US war in Afghanistan; America's longest war in its history × The raid was part of a lengthy and confusing overnight operation on September 22-23, for which the United States provided air support. Authorities said they would investigate reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an airstrike during the operation. The NDS said that among the six other AQIS members killed in the raid was a man identified as "Raihan", a courier for Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. US Forces-Afghanistan declined to comment. Under a stalled withdrawal plan negotiated between the United States and the Taliban, Washington agreed to pull troops from Afghanistan if the insurgents abided by security guarantees and cut all ties with Al-Qaeda. The United States and the Taliban had been negotiating for a year to reach a deal that would have cut US forces in Afghanistan and may have paved the way to a reduction in violence, but President Donald Trump scuttled that agreement last month, citing Taliban violence. Even if the deal had been finalised, observers doubted whether the Taliban would ever really separate from Al-Qaeda. The United States invaded Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to hand over Al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks against the US. The middle-aged Umar was relatively unknown when he was picked to lead the newly created AQIS in 2014. The jihadist branch was established to try to rouse fighters in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. An Afghan Taliban source said in 2014 that Umar had for some years worked with the Punjabi Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chapter in Pakistan's most populous province, before linking up with Al-Qaeda. A Pakistani intelligence official also said Umar had travelled to Syria, though it was not possible to confirm this.

'Enemy fabricated propaganda', says Taliban as it denies killing of South Asia region Al-Qaeda chief Asim Umar in Afghanistan

The leader of Al-Qaeda's South Asian branch was killed in a US-Afghan joint raid in southern Afghanistan last month, Afghan officials confirmed Tuesday.

Asim Umar, who led Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) from its inception in 2014, was killed during a raid September 23 on a Taliban compound in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province.

Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security said Umar was a Pakistani citizen, though some reports claim he was born in India.

He "was killed along with six other AQIS members, most of them Pakistani", the NDS said on Twitter, adding that Umar had been "embedded" with the Taliban.

The raid was part of a lengthy and confusing overnight operation from September 22-23 for which the US provided air support.

Authorities said they would investigate reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an airstrike during the operation.

The NDS said that among the six other AQIS members killed in the raid was a man identified as "Raihan", a courier for Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

US Forces-Afghanistan declined to comment.

Under a stalled withdrawal plan negotiated between the US and the Taliban, Washington agreed to pull troops from Afghanistan if the insurgents abide by security guarantees and cut all ties with Al-Qaeda.

The US and the Taliban had been negotiating for a year to reach a deal that would have cut US forces in Afghanistan and could have paved the way to a reduction in violence, but President Donald Trump scuttled that agreement last month, citing Taliban violence.

Even if the deal had been finalised, observers doubted whether the Taliban would ever really separate from Al-Qaeda.

The US invaded Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to hand over Al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks against America.&nbsp;

The middle-aged Umar was relatively unknown when he was picked to lead the newly created AQIS in 2014.&nbsp;

The jihadist branch was established to try to rouse fighters in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

An Afghan Taliban source said in 2014 that Umar had worked with the Punjabi Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chapter in Pakistan's most populous province, for some years before linking up with Al-Qaeda.

Umar -&nbsp;an alias -&nbsp;was named by al-Zawahiri in a video message.

A Pakistani intelligence official said Umar had travelled to Syria, though it was not possible to confirm this.

The leader of Al-Qaeda's South Asian branch was killed in a US-Afghan joint raid in southern Afghanistan last month, Afghan officials confirmed Tuesday. Asim Umar, who led Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) from its inception in 2014, was killed during a raid September 23 on a Taliban compound in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province. Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security said Umar was a Pakistani citizen, though some reports claim he was born in India. He "was killed along with six other AQIS members, most of them Pakistani", the NDS said on Twitter, adding that Umar had been "embedded" with the Taliban. The raid was part of a lengthy and confusing overnight operation from September 22-23 for which the US provided air support. Authorities said they would investigate reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an airstrike during the operation. The NDS said that among the six other AQIS members killed in the raid was a man identified as "Raihan", a courier for Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. US Forces-Afghanistan declined to comment. Under a stalled withdrawal plan negotiated between the US and the Taliban, Washington agreed to pull troops from Afghanistan if the insurgents abide by security guarantees and cut all ties with Al-Qaeda. The US and the Taliban had been negotiating for a year to reach a deal that would have cut US forces in Afghanistan and could have paved the way to a reduction in violence, but President Donald Trump scuttled that agreement last month, citing Taliban violence. Even if the deal had been finalised, observers doubted whether the Taliban would ever really separate from Al-Qaeda. The US invaded Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to hand over Al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks against America. The middle-aged Umar was relatively unknown when he was picked to lead the newly created AQIS in 2014. The jihadist branch was established to try to rouse fighters in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. An Afghan Taliban source said in 2014 that Umar had worked with the Punjabi Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chapter in Pakistan's most populous province, for some years before linking up with Al-Qaeda. Umar - an alias - was named by al-Zawahiri in a video message. A Pakistani intelligence official said Umar had travelled to Syria, though it was not possible to confirm this.

South Asia region Al-Qaeda chief killed in Afghanistan: Officials

The tally of wounded students in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-blast-targets-university-students-in-ghazni-8-wounded-254426">Ghazni University blast</a> in southern Afghanistan has risen to 23. 
 
In the explosion that occurred on Tuesday, 18 women and five men were wounded by the improvised explosive device targeting University students, reported Tolo News. 
 
Baz Mohammad Hemat, head of Ghazni's provincial hospital, confirmed the incident and said that the injured were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment. 
 
No group so far has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The tally of wounded students in the Ghazni University blast in southern Afghanistan has risen to 23. In the explosion that occurred on Tuesday, 18 women and five men were wounded by the improvised explosive device targeting University students, reported Tolo News.

The tally of wounded students in the Ghazni University blast in southern Afghanistan has risen to 23. In the explosion that occurred on Tuesday, 18 women and five men were wounded by the improvised explosive device targeting University students, reported Tolo News. Baz Mohammad Hemat, head of Ghazni's provincial hospital, confirmed the incident and said that the injured were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment. No group so far has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Ghazni University blast: Death toll climbs to 23 in Afghanistan

A member of the Criminal Investigation Department was killed after gunmen opened fire at his vehicle in the Qarabagh district of Kabul on Monday night, authorities said on Tuesday.

Afghan Interior Ministry officials also confirmed to Tolo News that six other policemen, including the head of the police intelligence department, who went to investigate the incident were wounded by another improvised device (IED) explosion at the same spot later in the day.

At 10 pm&nbsp;(local time) gunmen shot at the vehicle of Abdul Khabir, a police investigator driving on the Kabul-Parwan highway in Qarabagh, according to officials.

The Interior Ministry and local officials have claimed the Taliban is responsible for the attack, but no group, including the Taliban, has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.&nbsp;

A member of the Criminal Investigation Department was killed after gunmen opened fire at his vehicle in the Qarabagh district of Kabul on Monday night, authorities said on Tuesday.

A member of the Criminal Investigation Department was killed after gunmen opened fire at his vehicle in the Qarabagh district of Kabul on Monday night, authorities said on Tuesday. Afghan Interior Ministry officials also confirmed to Tolo News that six other policemen, including the head of the police intelligence department, who went to investigate the incident were wounded by another improvised device (IED) explosion at the same spot later in the day. At 10 pm (local time) gunmen shot at the vehicle of Abdul Khabir, a police investigator driving on the Kabul-Parwan highway in Qarabagh, according to officials. The Interior Ministry and local officials have claimed the Taliban is responsible for the attack, but no group, including the Taliban, has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.

Afghanistan: CID official killed in Kabul's Qarabagh district shooting

Bomb Blast in the University of Ghazni in Afghanistan left 23 students injured. The blast took place at the Literature wing of the building. No casualties have been reported so far.

Bomb Blast in University of Ghazni in Afghanistan left 23 students injured

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