Watch: WION Gravitas, 9th November, 2018

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday.

Khalilzad met Taliban leaders in Qatar last month as part of efforts to find a way to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan, according to the Islamist group that was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001.

"On his last trip to the region in October, Special Representative Khalilzad called on the Afghan Government and the Taliban to organise authoritative negotiating teams, and has been encouraged to see that both parties are taking steps in that direction," the State Department said in a statement.

"The United States remains committed to a political settlement that results in an end to the war and to the terrorist threat posed to the United States and the world."

The Taliban are fighting the US-backed Kabul government to re-impose strict Islamic law and have stepped up attacks in strategic provinces.

A senior Taliban official said after last month`s talks that Khalilzad had asked the Taliban leadership, based in the Qatari capital Doha, to declare a ceasefire in Afghanistan for six months.&nbsp;

In exchange, the Taliban want the Afghan government to release fighters from jails and the swift removal of foreign forces fighting alongside Afghan troops. 
A statement by the US embassy in Kabul about Khalilzad`s diplomatic tour in October did not confirm his meeting with the Taliban.

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday.

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday. Khalilzad met Taliban leaders in Qatar last month as part of efforts to find a way to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan, according to the Islamist group that was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001. "On his last trip to the region in October, Special Representative Khalilzad called on the Afghan Government and the Taliban to organise authoritative negotiating teams, and has been encouraged to see that both parties are taking steps in that direction," the State Department said in a statement. "The United States remains committed to a political settlement that results in an end to the war and to the terrorist threat posed to the United States and the world." The Taliban are fighting the US-backed Kabul government to re-impose strict Islamic law and have stepped up attacks in strategic provinces. A senior Taliban official said after last month`s talks that Khalilzad had asked the Taliban leadership, based in the Qatari capital Doha, to declare a ceasefire in Afghanistan for six months. In exchange, the Taliban want the Afghan government to release fighters from jails and the swift removal of foreign forces fighting alongside Afghan troops. A statement by the US embassy in Kabul about Khalilzad`s diplomatic tour in October did not confirm his meeting with the Taliban.

US peace envoy to visit Afghanistan, Qatar, Pakistan, UAE

Watch: WION Dispatch, 9th November, 2018

WION Dispatch: Multilateral Afghan peace talks begin in Moscow

India participates in Afghan peace summit at 'non-official' level

Afghan-Taliban talks: Multilateral Afghan peace talks begin in Moscow

Moscow on Friday hosted international talks on Afghanistan aimed at kickstarting direct negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban militant group, both of whom sent delegations.

Russia hopes "through joint efforts to open a new page in the history of Afghanistan," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said as the talks opened at a Moscow hotel on Friday morning.

He said that the participation of both Afghan leaders and the Taliban was an "important contribution" aimed at creating "favourable conditions for the start of direct talks."

"I am counting on you holding a serious and constructive conversation that will justify the hopes of the Afghan people," he said before the talks continued behind closed doors.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told AFP that the militant group was sending five representatives.

They will not hold "any sort of negotiations" with the delegation of Kabul administration, he said.

"This conference is not about holding negotiations with any party whatsoever -- rather it is about finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Afghanistan," he added.

This is the first time that a Taliban delegation is taking part in such high-level international meeting, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

The Taliban is banned from operating Russia as it is classified as a "terrorist organisation".

The Afghan delegation is made up of four representatives of the High Peace Council, a government body responsible for reconciliation efforts with the militants, spokesman Sayed Ihsan Taheri said.

The Afghan foreign ministry has emphasised that the council does not represent the Afghan government at the meeting, however.

Moscow said it had invited representatives from the United States as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia.

Pakistan, which has long been accused of providing support to the Afghan Taliban, would "definitely" attend, foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal told AFP.

The US embassy in Moscow was sending a representative to observe the discussions.&nbsp;

The Moscow meeting was initially scheduled to take place in September but was postponed after Kabul insisted that the process should be Afghan-led.&nbsp;

The meeting comes at a sensitive time.

Newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been trying to convince the Taliban to agree to negotiate an end to the war and there are fears the Russian meeting could derail those efforts. &nbsp;

A US government watchdog last week said Kabul's control of Afghanistan had slipped in recent months as local security forces suffered record casualties while making minimal or no progress against the Taliban.

Moscow on Friday hosted international talks on Afghanistan aimed at kickstarting direct negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban militant group, both of whom sent delegations.

Moscow on Friday hosted international talks on Afghanistan aimed at kickstarting direct negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban militant group, both of whom sent delegations. Russia hopes "through joint efforts to open a new page in the history of Afghanistan," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said as the talks opened at a Moscow hotel on Friday morning. He said that the participation of both Afghan leaders and the Taliban was an "important contribution" aimed at creating "favourable conditions for the start of direct talks." "I am counting on you holding a serious and constructive conversation that will justify the hopes of the Afghan people," he said before the talks continued behind closed doors. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told AFP that the militant group was sending five representatives. They will not hold "any sort of negotiations" with the delegation of Kabul administration, he said. "This conference is not about holding negotiations with any party whatsoever -- rather it is about finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Afghanistan," he added. This is the first time that a Taliban delegation is taking part in such high-level international meeting, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday. The Taliban is banned from operating Russia as it is classified as a "terrorist organisation". The Afghan delegation is made up of four representatives of the High Peace Council, a government body responsible for reconciliation efforts with the militants, spokesman Sayed Ihsan Taheri said. The Afghan foreign ministry has emphasised that the council does not represent the Afghan government at the meeting, however. Moscow said it had invited representatives from the United States as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia. Pakistan, which has long been accused of providing support to the Afghan Taliban, would "definitely" attend, foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal told AFP. The US embassy in Moscow was sending a representative to observe the discussions. The Moscow meeting was initially scheduled to take place in September but was postponed after Kabul insisted that the process should be Afghan-led. The meeting comes at a sensitive time. Newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been trying to convince the Taliban to agree to negotiate an end to the war and there are fears the Russian meeting could derail those efforts. A US government watchdog last week said Kabul's control of Afghanistan had slipped in recent months as local security forces suffered record casualties while making minimal or no progress against the Taliban.

Afghan leaders, Taliban attend peace talks in Moscow

Pakistan on Thursday said the Afghan Taliban's former deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was released from jail at the request of the US as part of efforts to pursue a political settlement in war-torn Afghanistan.

"Baradar was released to provide impetus to the peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. Pakistan will continue to pursue reconciliatory efforts to expedite and facilitate the process to our fullest ability," said Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal.

Baradar's release was facilitated by Pakistan at the US request in order to move forward on the shared objective of pursuing a political settlement in Afghanistan, he said.

The Taliban leader was in custody for the last many years after his capture by Pakistani authorities in a search operation.

"This decision was taken following the visit of the US Special Envoy on Afghan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad to the region and his meetings with Taliban representatives in Doha," Faisal said.

In recent months, the Trump administration has increased pressure on Pakistan to limit the freedom of Taliban leaders, forcing them to join Afghan peace talks.

Last month, senior American diplomat Khalilzad, tasked with helping find a way to end the war in Afghanistan, met with Taliban representatives in Qatar.

Baradar, one of the four top commanders who formed the Afghan Taliban in 1994, was captured by Pakistani security agencies in Karachi in 2010.

He was finally released from jail on the solicitation of the government of Qatar, a Pakistani media report said last month.

Baradar, who is in his 50s, is believed to be the highest-ranking Afghan Taliban prisoner freed so far.

He had held several senior positions in Afghanistan's Taliban government before its fall in 2001. He was once considered the most influential Taliban leader after Mullah Muhammad Omar.

Born in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, Baradar fought in the war to expel Soviet troops from Afghanistan in the 1980s. When the Taliban came to power in 1996, Baradar became deputy defence minister.

After the Taliban regime was toppled by US-led forces in 2001, hundreds of Taliban hardliners fled over the border to Pakistan. Baradar was among them.

Recently, a high-level delegation from Qatar also visited Islamabad and met the senior Pakistani leadership, the report said.

It did not give any details of Baradar's whereabouts after his release. It was also not clear whether he was handed over to Afghanistan or stayed in Pakistan.

It was reported a few times that Baradar had been released in Pakistan to negotiate with the Afghan Taliban but he could not be freed due to unacceptable conditions imposed by the Afghanistan government, the report said.

Faisal said Pakistan has always been emphasising the need for seeking a negotiated settlement of the Afghan issue with the participation of all stakeholders.

Responding to a question about the proposed peace talks in Moscow on Afghan peace efforts, the spokesperson said a Pakistani delegation led by an additional secretary will attend the dialogue.

He said a trilateral meeting of Pak-China-Afghan foreign ministers will be held in Kabul. "We expect that the meeting can be a step towards lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said.

He also said it was a matter of concern that a recent American report had pointed out that the Afghan administration and foreign military forces are losing control over the security situation in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Thursday said the Afghan Taliban's former deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was released from jail at the request of the US as part of efforts to pursue a political settlement in war-torn Afghanistan.

Pakistan on Thursday said the Afghan Taliban's former deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was released from jail at the request of the US as part of efforts to pursue a political settlement in war-torn Afghanistan. "Baradar was released to provide impetus to the peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. Pakistan will continue to pursue reconciliatory efforts to expedite and facilitate the process to our fullest ability," said Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal. Baradar's release was facilitated by Pakistan at the US request in order to move forward on the shared objective of pursuing a political settlement in Afghanistan, he said. The Taliban leader was in custody for the last many years after his capture by Pakistani authorities in a search operation. "This decision was taken following the visit of the US Special Envoy on Afghan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad to the region and his meetings with Taliban representatives in Doha," Faisal said. In recent months, the Trump administration has increased pressure on Pakistan to limit the freedom of Taliban leaders, forcing them to join Afghan peace talks. Last month, senior American diplomat Khalilzad, tasked with helping find a way to end the war in Afghanistan, met with Taliban representatives in Qatar. Baradar, one of the four top commanders who formed the Afghan Taliban in 1994, was captured by Pakistani security agencies in Karachi in 2010. He was finally released from jail on the solicitation of the government of Qatar, a Pakistani media report said last month. Baradar, who is in his 50s, is believed to be the highest-ranking Afghan Taliban prisoner freed so far. He had held several senior positions in Afghanistan's Taliban government before its fall in 2001. He was once considered the most influential Taliban leader after Mullah Muhammad Omar. Born in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, Baradar fought in the war to expel Soviet troops from Afghanistan in the 1980s. When the Taliban came to power in 1996, Baradar became deputy defence minister. After the Taliban regime was toppled by US-led forces in 2001, hundreds of Taliban hardliners fled over the border to Pakistan. Baradar was among them. Recently, a high-level delegation from Qatar also visited Islamabad and met the senior Pakistani leadership, the report said. It did not give any details of Baradar's whereabouts after his release. It was also not clear whether he was handed over to Afghanistan or stayed in Pakistan. It was reported a few times that Baradar had been released in Pakistan to negotiate with the Afghan Taliban but he could not be freed due to unacceptable conditions imposed by the Afghanistan government, the report said. Faisal said Pakistan has always been emphasising the need for seeking a negotiated settlement of the Afghan issue with the participation of all stakeholders. Responding to a question about the proposed peace talks in Moscow on Afghan peace efforts, the spokesperson said a Pakistani delegation led by an additional secretary will attend the dialogue. He said a trilateral meeting of Pak-China-Afghan foreign ministers will be held in Kabul. "We expect that the meeting can be a step towards lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said. He also said it was a matter of concern that a recent American report had pointed out that the Afghan administration and foreign military forces are losing control over the security situation in Afghanistan.

Taliban leader Baradar released at US request for political settlement in Afghanistan: Pak 

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stated that it is aware of the meeting that the Russian Federation will hold on November 9 to discuss Afghanistan, adding that "India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan."

The MEA further added that India's participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level.

"We are aware of the Russian Federation hosting a meeting in Moscow on 9 November on Afghanistan. India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)," news agency ANI quoted the MEA.&nbsp;

According to an AFP report, Russia on Saturday said it will <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/russia-to-host-international-talks-on-afghanistan-175271">host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9</a>, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

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Moscow said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban have agreed to send delegations to the conference.

"It will be the first time that a delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement in Doha will take part in international talks (at) such a level," the foreign ministry's statement said.&nbsp;

"We are still negotiating and talking with Russian officials (about the conference). We have not reached an agreement yet," Sebghatullah Ahmadi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, told AFP.&nbsp;

Moscow said it had also invited representatives from the US as well as Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia to take part.

"The Russian side reaffirms its position that there is no alternative to a political settlement in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stated that it is aware of the meeting that the Russian Federation will hold on November 9 to discuss Afghanistan, adding that "India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stated that it is aware of the meeting that the Russian Federation will hold on November 9 to discuss Afghanistan, adding that "India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan." The MEA further added that India's participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level. "We are aware of the Russian Federation hosting a meeting in Moscow on 9 November on Afghanistan. India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)," news agency ANI quoted the MEA. According to an AFP report, Russia on Saturday said it will host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement. We are aware of the Russian Federation hosting a meeting in Moscow on 9 November on Afghanistan. India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) — ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2018 × Moscow said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban have agreed to send delegations to the conference. "It will be the first time that a delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement in Doha will take part in international talks (at) such a level," the foreign ministry's statement said. "We are still negotiating and talking with Russian officials (about the conference). We have not reached an agreement yet," Sebghatullah Ahmadi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, told AFP. Moscow said it had also invited representatives from the US as well as Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia to take part. "The Russian side reaffirms its position that there is no alternative to a political settlement in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement said. (With inputs from agencies)

Aware of Russia hosting meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow, India will participate at non-official level: MEA 

On a good day, it takes Mohammad less than three hours to drive from Ghazni to Kabul. But preparations for the hair-raising journey through Taliban-infested areas can take weeks.

Road trips are a dangerous, and often deadly, activity in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Travellers run the gauntlet of Taliban checkpoints, fighting, robberies, kidnappings, and pressure-plate bombs targeting government officials and security forces.&nbsp;

The stretch of Highway 1 between the Afghan capital and the southeastern city of Ghazni -- which the Taliban stormed in August and still threaten -- is one of the most treacherous.&nbsp;

Spontaneous trips are out of the question, said Mohammad, who is in his 20s and a regular visitor to Kabul.

Mohammad, not his real name, asked AFP to use a pseudonym to avoid being identified by the Taliban.&nbsp;

He begins preparing for the journey at least two weeks before his planned departure, starting with growing out his beard, which he normally keeps short, to create a scruffier appearance.

He then starts working his contacts, calling trusted relatives and neighbours who ply the busy route for information about Taliban activity along the main artery connecting Kabul to the insurgent strongholds in the south.

"You have to be careful who you call because you could be sold out to the Taliban" by someone working for the militant group, he told AFP.&nbsp;

'Many reasons to worry'&nbsp;

On the day of his departure, Mohammad swaps his clean, well-ironed clothes for a dirty pyjama-like shalwar kameez to make himself look more like a villager and clears the call history on his mobile in case a phone number raises suspicion.

"You can't just jump into a car and come (to Kabul), not if you want to be on the safe side," he said.

Mohammad's most recent trip to Kabul was delayed for three days after he received warnings of Taliban disguised as Afghan soldiers manning checkpoints along the road.&nbsp;

The first thing Taliban militants check is a person's tazkira, or national identification document.&nbsp;

"If the tazkira is from Ghazni then you may be fine. If not, they might think that you are a member of the security forces from another province coming to Ghazni to fight," Mohammad said.&nbsp;

After registering to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election -- which the Taliban had vowed to attack and which was finally cancelled in Ghazni due to protests -- Mohammad carries a second tazkira that does not have a sticker identifying him as a voter.&nbsp;

"There are many reasons to be worried and anxious," Mohammad explained.

"Even if they don't kill you, they may keep you as a hostage and ask for a ransom. If they kept me for one night, my mother would not survive."&nbsp;

A one-way trip between Kabul and Ghazni costs Mohammad 250 afghanis (around $3) in a Toyota Corolla taxi, a ubiquitous model in Afghanistan that is often used as public transport. He tries to travel with drivers he knows.

He avoids travelling on Mondays and Wednesdays. Those are the days the Afghan army delivers supplies to its troops in the provinces and attacks along the highway are more likely, Mohammad said.

Thursday, the last day of the Afghan working week, is also a bad day to venture out of the city. Militants lie in wait for government employees as they leave Ghazni for the weekend.&nbsp;

Fear of death&nbsp;

Whenever possible, Mohammad said he travels with women wearing burqas, but not because he prefers their company.&nbsp;

In the deeply conservative society where physical contact between men and women in public is prohibited, female passengers can hide mobile phones and other sensitive items under their head-to-toe coverings without fear of the Taliban searching them.&nbsp;

Once on the open road, Mohammad remains vigilant.

He listens carefully to the phone conversations of the driver and other occupants for signs they are planning to give him, or someone else in the vehicle, up to the Taliban.

"Taliban spies use codes like 'I have brought the rooster that you asked for' or 'we found the yoghurt that you asked for'," he said.&nbsp;

An oncoming vehicle with lights blinking, a line of cars stopped on the highway, or no traffic at all are warning signs that something has happened up ahead. &nbsp;

"Fighting and ambushes are common. You have to accept that you might face it," Mohammad said.&nbsp;

Despite the risks, Kabul's alluring cafes and shopping malls make the nail-biting trip worthwhile, Mohammad said.

Even a few days in the heavily militarised and overcrowded city is "refreshing" and a relief from Ghazni, where he feels his "heart can burst from boredom".

But Mohammad does what he can to stay safe on his journey, even paying a few cents to a street beggar as he leaves the city in the hope the good deed will protect him.

"I still fear death," he said. "But I try to stay calm."

On a good day, it takes Mohammad less than three hours to drive from Ghazni to Kabul. But preparations for the hair-raising journey through Taliban-infested areas can take weeks.

On a good day, it takes Mohammad less than three hours to drive from Ghazni to Kabul. But preparations for the hair-raising journey through Taliban-infested areas can take weeks. Road trips are a dangerous, and often deadly, activity in Afghanistan. Travellers run the gauntlet of Taliban checkpoints, fighting, robberies, kidnappings, and pressure-plate bombs targeting government officials and security forces. The stretch of Highway 1 between the Afghan capital and the southeastern city of Ghazni -- which the Taliban stormed in August and still threaten -- is one of the most treacherous. Spontaneous trips are out of the question, said Mohammad, who is in his 20s and a regular visitor to Kabul. Mohammad, not his real name, asked AFP to use a pseudonym to avoid being identified by the Taliban. He begins preparing for the journey at least two weeks before his planned departure, starting with growing out his beard, which he normally keeps short, to create a scruffier appearance. He then starts working his contacts, calling trusted relatives and neighbours who ply the busy route for information about Taliban activity along the main artery connecting Kabul to the insurgent strongholds in the south. "You have to be careful who you call because you could be sold out to the Taliban" by someone working for the militant group, he told AFP. 'Many reasons to worry' On the day of his departure, Mohammad swaps his clean, well-ironed clothes for a dirty pyjama-like shalwar kameez to make himself look more like a villager and clears the call history on his mobile in case a phone number raises suspicion. "You can't just jump into a car and come (to Kabul), not if you want to be on the safe side," he said. Mohammad's most recent trip to Kabul was delayed for three days after he received warnings of Taliban disguised as Afghan soldiers manning checkpoints along the road. The first thing Taliban militants check is a person's tazkira, or national identification document. "If the tazkira is from Ghazni then you may be fine. If not, they might think that you are a member of the security forces from another province coming to Ghazni to fight," Mohammad said. After registering to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election -- which the Taliban had vowed to attack and which was finally cancelled in Ghazni due to protests -- Mohammad carries a second tazkira that does not have a sticker identifying him as a voter. "There are many reasons to be worried and anxious," Mohammad explained. "Even if they don't kill you, they may keep you as a hostage and ask for a ransom. If they kept me for one night, my mother would not survive." A one-way trip between Kabul and Ghazni costs Mohammad 250 afghanis (around $3) in a Toyota Corolla taxi, a ubiquitous model in Afghanistan that is often used as public transport. He tries to travel with drivers he knows. He avoids travelling on Mondays and Wednesdays. Those are the days the Afghan army delivers supplies to its troops in the provinces and attacks along the highway are more likely, Mohammad said. Thursday, the last day of the Afghan working week, is also a bad day to venture out of the city. Militants lie in wait for government employees as they leave Ghazni for the weekend. Fear of death Whenever possible, Mohammad said he travels with women wearing burqas, but not because he prefers their company. In the deeply conservative society where physical contact between men and women in public is prohibited, female passengers can hide mobile phones and other sensitive items under their head-to-toe coverings without fear of the Taliban searching them. Once on the open road, Mohammad remains vigilant. He listens carefully to the phone conversations of the driver and other occupants for signs they are planning to give him, or someone else in the vehicle, up to the Taliban. "Taliban spies use codes like 'I have brought the rooster that you asked for' or 'we found the yoghurt that you asked for'," he said. An oncoming vehicle with lights blinking, a line of cars stopped on the highway, or no traffic at all are warning signs that something has happened up ahead. "Fighting and ambushes are common. You have to accept that you might face it," Mohammad said. Despite the risks, Kabul's alluring cafes and shopping malls make the nail-biting trip worthwhile, Mohammad said. Even a few days in the heavily militarised and overcrowded city is "refreshing" and a relief from Ghazni, where he feels his "heart can burst from boredom". But Mohammad does what he can to stay safe on his journey, even paying a few cents to a street beggar as he leaves the city in the hope the good deed will protect him. "I still fear death," he said. "But I try to stay calm."

Highway to hell: Afghan travellers run gauntlet of Taliban violence

The mayor of a Utah city was killed in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday in an apparent insider attack, the state's lieutenant governor said.

The death of Brent Taylor, mayor of North Ogden and a member of the Utah National Guard, was confirmed by Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, who posted a tribute on Facebook.

"I hate this," Cox wrote. "I'm struggling for words. I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie and his 7 sweet kids."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/governor-top-afghan-police-chief-killed-in-shooting-us-general-escape-unhurt-172170">Top Afghan police chief, governor killed in shooting; US general escapes unhurt</a>

Senetor&nbsp;Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, called Taylor a "hero, a wonderful father and a dear friend."&nbsp;Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said he was "heartbroken."

"This is a sad day for Utah, for America," Herbert said. "He was the personification of love of God, family and country."

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Hatch on the death of North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor: 
 
“Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend. News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his 7 young children. His service will always be remembered.” <a href="https://t.co/UHHbhTciYo">pic.twitter.com/UHHbhTciYo</a>
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Taylor had left his position in North Ogden, a city of around 17,000 people about 45 miles (70 km) north of Salt Lake City, earlier this year to serve in Afghanistan. It was his fourth deployment, according to The Deseret News, a Utah newspaper.

The NATO-led mission in Afghanistan said in a statement on Saturday that a US&nbsp;armed forces member was killed but did not identify him.

"Initial reports indicate the attacker was a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Initial reports also indicate the attacker was immediately killed by other Afghan Forces," the mission said in a statement.

The attack was the latest in a series of "green-on-blue" incidents in which members of the Afghan forces have killed US&nbsp;or coalition advisers this year, and it followed the death of a Czech soldier in the western province of Herat last month.

US&nbsp;Defense Secretary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/any-us-military-role-in-afghan-after-peace-would-be-conditions-based-mattis-174705">James Mattis</a> said in September that training and vetting of Afghan forces was being stepped up to minimize such attacks, and that some training and advisory operations have been scaled back while security is assessed.

Last month, the NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller, escaped unhurt when the bodyguard of a provincial governor opened fire on a group of US&nbsp;and Afghan officials in the southern province of Kandahar.

A week ago, Taylor urged Americans to vote in Tuesday's congressional elections, saying he hoped "whether the Republicans or the Democrats win, that we all remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us."

The mayor of a Utah city was killed in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday in an apparent insider attack, the state's lieutenant governor said. The death of Brent Taylor, mayor of North Ogden and a member of the Utah National Guard, was confirmed by Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, who posted a tribute on Facebook.

The mayor of a Utah city was killed in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday in an apparent insider attack, the state's lieutenant governor said. The death of Brent Taylor, mayor of North Ogden and a member of the Utah National Guard, was confirmed by Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, who posted a tribute on Facebook. "I hate this," Cox wrote. "I'm struggling for words. I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie and his 7 sweet kids." Also read: Top Afghan police chief, governor killed in shooting; US general escapes unhurt Senetor Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, called Taylor a "hero, a wonderful father and a dear friend." Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said he was "heartbroken." "This is a sad day for Utah, for America," Herbert said. "He was the personification of love of God, family and country." Hatch on the death of North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor: “Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend. News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his 7 young children. His service will always be remembered.” pic.twitter.com/UHHbhTciYo — Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) November 3, 2018 × Taylor had left his position in North Ogden, a city of around 17,000 people about 45 miles (70 km) north of Salt Lake City, earlier this year to serve in Afghanistan. It was his fourth deployment, according to The Deseret News, a Utah newspaper. The NATO-led mission in Afghanistan said in a statement on Saturday that a US armed forces member was killed but did not identify him. "Initial reports indicate the attacker was a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Initial reports also indicate the attacker was immediately killed by other Afghan Forces," the mission said in a statement. The attack was the latest in a series of "green-on-blue" incidents in which members of the Afghan forces have killed US or coalition advisers this year, and it followed the death of a Czech soldier in the western province of Herat last month. US Defense Secretary James Mattis said in September that training and vetting of Afghan forces was being stepped up to minimize such attacks, and that some training and advisory operations have been scaled back while security is assessed. Last month, the NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller, escaped unhurt when the bodyguard of a provincial governor opened fire on a group of US and Afghan officials in the southern province of Kandahar. A week ago, Taylor urged Americans to vote in Tuesday's congressional elections, saying he hoped "whether the Republicans or the Democrats win, that we all remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us."

Utah mayor, deployed to Afghanistan, is killed in attack

A week of fighting between Taliban militants and fighters loyal to a commander from the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority has heightened fears of a dangerous new phase of sectarian violence in Afghanistan.

The clashes in the central province of Uruzgan, which have killed at least 21 people, have highlighted concerns that Hazaras, members of a mainly Shi'ite Persian-speaking minority targeted by Islamic State attacks over recent years, may take up arms in frustration at a lack of action by the government.

While the Taliban, made up mainly of ethnic Pashtun Sunni Muslims, has not explicitly targeted Hazaras in the past, officials fear the violence could escalate into an ethnic battle.

"The fighting is very intense and is now becoming an issue of ethnic violence between Hazara and Pashtun," said Amir Mohammad Barekzai, the provincial council chief. "The government must arrange a truce between them or there will be a massacre."

Sectarian violence had until recent years been relatively uncommon in Afghanistan but suicide bombings at Shi'ite mosques and cultural centres by Islamic State as well as attacks on Hazaras travelling on provincial highways have fuelled growing anger. Many Hazaras blame Sunni Pashtuns for the attacks.

Afghan and Western security officials, fearing the kind of sectarian violence that has devastated Iraq, have been deeply concerned that Hazaras who fought in Iranian-backed militias in Syria could hit Sunni targets.

TAX ROW SPARKS VIOLENCE

The recent violence started when Taliban fighters attacked a remote cluster of Hazara villages in Uruzgan province after they refused to pay tax to the insurgents, provincial officials said.

The Hazara commander, Abdul Hakim Shujaee, a former leader in the US-funded Afghan Local Police, has been accused of serious human rights abuses and faces an arrest order from the central government, which has struggled to impose its authority on remote parts of the country.

He commands hundreds of Hazara fighters and remains free because of his connections with powerful political figures in Kabul, local officials say.

Uruzgan, squeezed between the Taliban heartlands of Kandahar and Helmand and the Hazara-dominated province of Daikondi, is home to both Pashtuns and Hazara families and the two groups have long had an uneasy co-existence.

Asadullah Sayed, the governor of Uruzgan, said fighting broke out between two armed groups in three villages of Khas Uruzgan district last week and government forces have been deployed to end the conflict.

He put the number of dead at 21 but a government security official said 43 people had been killed so far on both sides, many more wounded and some 300 families have fled the area.

The Taliban normally collect taxes from local residents in areas under their control to fund their insurgency but Hazara families defied them, setting off a fierce gun battle, he said.

The case echoes a standoff last month in central Ghor province involving a prominent Hazara commander called Alipur, known as "Commander Sword", seen by supporters as a kind of Robin Hood figure but denounced by the government as a bandit. 
&nbsp;

A week of fighting between Taliban militants and fighters loyal to a commander from the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority has heightened fears of a dangerous new phase of sectarian violence in Afghanistan.

A week of fighting between Taliban militants and fighters loyal to a commander from the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority has heightened fears of a dangerous new phase of sectarian violence in Afghanistan. The clashes in the central province of Uruzgan, which have killed at least 21 people, have highlighted concerns that Hazaras, members of a mainly Shi'ite Persian-speaking minority targeted by Islamic State attacks over recent years, may take up arms in frustration at a lack of action by the government. While the Taliban, made up mainly of ethnic Pashtun Sunni Muslims, has not explicitly targeted Hazaras in the past, officials fear the violence could escalate into an ethnic battle. "The fighting is very intense and is now becoming an issue of ethnic violence between Hazara and Pashtun," said Amir Mohammad Barekzai, the provincial council chief. "The government must arrange a truce between them or there will be a massacre." Sectarian violence had until recent years been relatively uncommon in Afghanistan but suicide bombings at Shi'ite mosques and cultural centres by Islamic State as well as attacks on Hazaras travelling on provincial highways have fuelled growing anger. Many Hazaras blame Sunni Pashtuns for the attacks. Afghan and Western security officials, fearing the kind of sectarian violence that has devastated Iraq, have been deeply concerned that Hazaras who fought in Iranian-backed militias in Syria could hit Sunni targets. TAX ROW SPARKS VIOLENCE The recent violence started when Taliban fighters attacked a remote cluster of Hazara villages in Uruzgan province after they refused to pay tax to the insurgents, provincial officials said. The Hazara commander, Abdul Hakim Shujaee, a former leader in the US-funded Afghan Local Police, has been accused of serious human rights abuses and faces an arrest order from the central government, which has struggled to impose its authority on remote parts of the country. He commands hundreds of Hazara fighters and remains free because of his connections with powerful political figures in Kabul, local officials say. Uruzgan, squeezed between the Taliban heartlands of Kandahar and Helmand and the Hazara-dominated province of Daikondi, is home to both Pashtuns and Hazara families and the two groups have long had an uneasy co-existence. Asadullah Sayed, the governor of Uruzgan, said fighting broke out between two armed groups in three villages of Khas Uruzgan district last week and government forces have been deployed to end the conflict. He put the number of dead at 21 but a government security official said 43 people had been killed so far on both sides, many more wounded and some 300 families have fled the area. The Taliban normally collect taxes from local residents in areas under their control to fund their insurgency but Hazara families defied them, setting off a fierce gun battle, he said. The case echoes a standoff last month in central Ghor province involving a prominent Hazara commander called Alipur, known as "Commander Sword", seen by supporters as a kind of Robin Hood figure but denounced by the government as a bandit.

Afghan Shi'ite militia battles Taliban, raising sectarian fears

A key Pakistani cleric with close ties to the Afghan Taliban who was killed in the garrison city of Rawalpindi was buried Saturday as Prime Minister Imran Khan called for an investigation into the murder.

Maulana Sami Ul-Haq dubbed the "Father of the Taliban", was stabbed to death by unknown intruders at his residence Friday night.

The cleric, who is in his 80s &nbsp;was buried in his hometown Akoda Khattak, around 115 kilometres (70 miles) northwest of Islamabad.

Thousands of people gathered for the funeral prayers guarded by dozens of police personnel while a bomb disposal squad cleared the graveyard before the cleric's body was brought for burial, an AFP reporter at the site said.

His seminary had produced some of the key leaders of the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, something that the cleric and his associates would proudly tell visiting journalists.

The list of graduates written on the walls of the seminary includes the names of leaders of the Pakistani Taliban.

An investigation into the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007 revealed that the assassins had stayed at his seminary before travelling to Rawalpindi where Bhutto was killed.

The Afghan Taliban issued a statement terming his death "a great loss for the entire Islamic Ummah" (nation).

"He rendered unforgettable services and assistance to the oppressed Afghan nation against the Soviet and American invasions," the statement said.

Afghan envoys in Pakistan had reached out to him seeking his help in starting negotiations with the Afghan Taliban.

But analysts doubted if he had any sway with them.

"He did not had any influence on the Afghan Taliban but he supported their cause," analyst Rahimullah Yusufzai told AFP.

"Many of the leaders and fighters of the Afghan Taliban had studied at his madrassa," he said.

Pakistani media termed his death a blow to the Afghan peace process but Yusufzai doubted it, saying his death would have no impact on the talks as he was never part of any negotiations.

Social media users in Afghanistan termed him a "troublemaker".

"The Taliban have lost their father, now they are orphan," Bilal Noori, an Afghan, posted on Facebook.

His death was widely condemned in Pakistan by politicians and religious leaders, with the prime minister calling for an investigation into the murder.

In 2014, the cleric was a member of the negotiating committee from the homegrown Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- who brokered a ceasefire with the government, although the talks later failed.

He twice held roles as a member of Pakistan's Senate.

His JUI-S party was an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party headed by Prime Minister Khan.

A key Pakistani cleric with close ties to the Afghan Taliban who was killed in the garrison city of Rawalpindi was buried Saturday as Prime Minister Imran Khan called for an investigation into the murder.

A key Pakistani cleric with close ties to the Afghan Taliban who was killed in the garrison city of Rawalpindi was buried Saturday as Prime Minister Imran Khan called for an investigation into the murder. Maulana Sami Ul-Haq dubbed the "Father of the Taliban", was stabbed to death by unknown intruders at his residence Friday night. The cleric, who is in his 80s was buried in his hometown Akoda Khattak, around 115 kilometres (70 miles) northwest of Islamabad. Thousands of people gathered for the funeral prayers guarded by dozens of police personnel while a bomb disposal squad cleared the graveyard before the cleric's body was brought for burial, an AFP reporter at the site said. His seminary had produced some of the key leaders of the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, something that the cleric and his associates would proudly tell visiting journalists. The list of graduates written on the walls of the seminary includes the names of leaders of the Pakistani Taliban. An investigation into the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007 revealed that the assassins had stayed at his seminary before travelling to Rawalpindi where Bhutto was killed. The Afghan Taliban issued a statement terming his death "a great loss for the entire Islamic Ummah" (nation). "He rendered unforgettable services and assistance to the oppressed Afghan nation against the Soviet and American invasions," the statement said. Afghan envoys in Pakistan had reached out to him seeking his help in starting negotiations with the Afghan Taliban. But analysts doubted if he had any sway with them. "He did not had any influence on the Afghan Taliban but he supported their cause," analyst Rahimullah Yusufzai told AFP. "Many of the leaders and fighters of the Afghan Taliban had studied at his madrassa," he said. Pakistani media termed his death a blow to the Afghan peace process but Yusufzai doubted it, saying his death would have no impact on the talks as he was never part of any negotiations. Social media users in Afghanistan termed him a "troublemaker". "The Taliban have lost their father, now they are orphan," Bilal Noori, an Afghan, posted on Facebook. His death was widely condemned in Pakistan by politicians and religious leaders, with the prime minister calling for an investigation into the murder. In 2014, the cleric was a member of the negotiating committee from the homegrown Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- who brokered a ceasefire with the government, although the talks later failed. He twice held roles as a member of Pakistan's Senate. His JUI-S party was an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party headed by Prime Minister Khan.

Pakistan buries 'Father of Taliban' as PM Imran Khan orders probe of killing

Russia on Saturday said it will host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Moscow said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban have agreed to send delegations to the conference.

"It will be the first time that a delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement in Doha will take part in international talks (at) such a level," the foreign ministry's statement said.&nbsp;

The Afghan foreign ministry, however, did not confirm that the Kabul government will attend the talks.&nbsp;

"We are still negotiating and talking with Russian officials (about the conference). We have not reached an agreement yet," Sebghatullah Ahmadi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, told AFP.&nbsp;

Moscow said it had also invited representatives from the US as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia to take part.

"The Russian side reaffirms its position that there is no alternative to a political settlement in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement said.&nbsp;

Ghani -- who took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from Afghanistan -- announced Saturday that he will seek re-election in 2019.

He is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the only candidate who can end the 17-year conflict in the country.&nbsp;

A US government watchdog this week said Kabul's control of Afghanistan slipped in recent months as local security forces suffered record-level casualties while making minimal or no progress against the Taliban.

The US has renewed efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit.&nbsp;

Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Moscow has declared its readiness to serve as a platform for dialogue.

In April 2017, Russia hosted an international conference on Afghanistan.

The US was invited to that meeting but did not participate.

Russia on Saturday said it will host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Russia on Saturday said it will host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Moscow said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban have agreed to send delegations to the conference. "It will be the first time that a delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement in Doha will take part in international talks (at) such a level," the foreign ministry's statement said. The Afghan foreign ministry, however, did not confirm that the Kabul government will attend the talks. "We are still negotiating and talking with Russian officials (about the conference). We have not reached an agreement yet," Sebghatullah Ahmadi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, told AFP. Moscow said it had also invited representatives from the US as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia to take part. "The Russian side reaffirms its position that there is no alternative to a political settlement in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement said. Ghani -- who took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from Afghanistan -- announced Saturday that he will seek re-election in 2019. He is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the only candidate who can end the 17-year conflict in the country. A US government watchdog this week said Kabul's control of Afghanistan slipped in recent months as local security forces suffered record-level casualties while making minimal or no progress against the Taliban. The US has renewed efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit. Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Moscow has declared its readiness to serve as a platform for dialogue. In April 2017, Russia hosted an international conference on Afghanistan. The US was invited to that meeting but did not participate.

Russia to host international talks on Afghanistan 

One US soldier was killed and another wounded in an "apparent insider attack" in Kabul on Saturday, NATO said, in the latest such assault on international forces in Afghanistan.

"Initial reports indicate the attacker was a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," NATO's Resolute Support mission said in a statement.

The attacker was killed by "other Afghan forces", it added.

The wounded soldier was flown to Bagram Airfield north of the Afghan capital where he was receiving medical treatment. He was in a "stable condition".&nbsp;

An investigation into the incident was underway, the statement said.&nbsp;

One US soldier was killed and another wounded in an "apparent insider attack" in Kabul on Saturday, NATO said, in the latest such assault on international forces in Afghanistan.

One US soldier was killed and another wounded in an "apparent insider attack" in Kabul on Saturday, NATO said, in the latest such assault on international forces in Afghanistan. "Initial reports indicate the attacker was a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," NATO's Resolute Support mission said in a statement. The attacker was killed by "other Afghan forces", it added. The wounded soldier was flown to Bagram Airfield north of the Afghan capital where he was receiving medical treatment. He was in a "stable condition". An investigation into the incident was underway, the statement said.

US soldier killed in 'apparent insider attack' in Kabul: NATO

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that illegal immigrants who throw rocks at the military would be arrested, but not fired upon by troops.

He made the remarks to reporters one day after he suggested the military could fire on members of a migrant caravan if they throw rocks at troops.

"If our soldiers or border patrol or ICE are going to be hit in the face with rocks, we're going to arrest those people, that doesn't mean shoot them," Trump told reporters outside the White House, "but we're going to arrest those people quickly and for a long period of time."

Trump has hardened his stance on immigration, and specifically against the caravan of migrants, ahead of next week's congressional elections, in which Trump's Republican party seeks to maintain control of both chambers.

On Monday the Pentagon said it had deployed more than 5,200 troops to the border after Trump said on Twitter he was sending the military to face off against the migrant caravan, a group of men, women and children travelling through Mexico as they flee violence and poverty in Central America.

Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border, more than are in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, Trump said his administration was finalizing a plan to require asylum seekers to enter the country through legal ports of entry, although it remained unclear whether such a limitation would be legally possible.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that illegal immigrants who throw rocks at the military would be arrested, but not fired upon by troops. He made the remarks to reporters one day after he suggested the military could fire on members of a migrant caravan if they throw rocks at troops.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that illegal immigrants who throw rocks at the military would be arrested, but not fired upon by troops. He made the remarks to reporters one day after he suggested the military could fire on members of a migrant caravan if they throw rocks at troops. "If our soldiers or border patrol or ICE are going to be hit in the face with rocks, we're going to arrest those people, that doesn't mean shoot them," Trump told reporters outside the White House, "but we're going to arrest those people quickly and for a long period of time." Trump has hardened his stance on immigration, and specifically against the caravan of migrants, ahead of next week's congressional elections, in which Trump's Republican party seeks to maintain control of both chambers. On Monday the Pentagon said it had deployed more than 5,200 troops to the border after Trump said on Twitter he was sending the military to face off against the migrant caravan, a group of men, women and children travelling through Mexico as they flee violence and poverty in Central America. Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border, more than are in Afghanistan. On Thursday, Trump said his administration was finalizing a plan to require asylum seekers to enter the country through legal ports of entry, although it remained unclear whether such a limitation would be legally possible.

US troops will not fire on migrant caravan: Donald Trump

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot.

Ghani, who was elected in a fraud-tainted poll in 2014 that was only resolved in a US-brokered power-sharing deal, is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the candidate who can end the 17-year conflict.

The acerbic academic, who has a reputation for shouting at subordinates and micromanaging the unity government, will try to capitalise on renewed US-led efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit.

"I can confirm that President Ghani is seeking re-election next year," presidential palace spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi told AFP.

Ghani, who chose the widely feared ethnic Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum as his first running mate in the 2014 election, has not yet announced who he will pick this time round.

It also is not certain who will challenge Ghani in the April 20 ballot.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's equivalent of prime minister, and former national security adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who quit in August, are among potential contenders.

Former Balkh provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor, whose refusal to stand down from his position sparked a months-long political crisis for Ghani, has previously expressed interest in the job.&nbsp;

Nominations open on November 10, the same day that the embattled Independent Election Commission is scheduled to release the results of last month's shambolic parliamentary poll.

Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, will need more than the support of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group if he is to succeed at the ballot box and he has already started trying to win over rival ethnicities.&nbsp;

Vice President Dostum's controversial return from exile in July was interpreted as an attempt by Ghani to secure votes from the minority group.&nbsp;

Ghani's presidency has been marred by growing militant violence, record-high civilian casualties, political infighting and deepening ethnic divisions.

He took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from the country, sparking a resurgence in the Taliban which also coincided with the emergence of the Islamic State group in the region.

In February, under growing pressure from the international community which provides critical financial and military backing to the government, Ghani made a peace offer to the Taliban.

That was followed in June by an unprecedented ceasefire between Afghan troops and Taliban fighters that lasted three days and spurred hopes that peace was possible. &nbsp;

Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot. Ghani, who was elected in a fraud-tainted poll in 2014 that was only resolved in a US-brokered power-sharing deal, is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the candidate who can end the 17-year conflict. The acerbic academic, who has a reputation for shouting at subordinates and micromanaging the unity government, will try to capitalise on renewed US-led efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit. "I can confirm that President Ghani is seeking re-election next year," presidential palace spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi told AFP. Ghani, who chose the widely feared ethnic Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum as his first running mate in the 2014 election, has not yet announced who he will pick this time round. It also is not certain who will challenge Ghani in the April 20 ballot. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's equivalent of prime minister, and former national security adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who quit in August, are among potential contenders. Former Balkh provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor, whose refusal to stand down from his position sparked a months-long political crisis for Ghani, has previously expressed interest in the job. Nominations open on November 10, the same day that the embattled Independent Election Commission is scheduled to release the results of last month's shambolic parliamentary poll. Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, will need more than the support of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group if he is to succeed at the ballot box and he has already started trying to win over rival ethnicities. Vice President Dostum's controversial return from exile in July was interpreted as an attempt by Ghani to secure votes from the minority group. Ghani's presidency has been marred by growing militant violence, record-high civilian casualties, political infighting and deepening ethnic divisions. He took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from the country, sparking a resurgence in the Taliban which also coincided with the emergence of the Islamic State group in the region. In February, under growing pressure from the international community which provides critical financial and military backing to the government, Ghani made a peace offer to the Taliban. That was followed in June by an unprecedented ceasefire between Afghan troops and Taliban fighters that lasted three days and spurred hopes that peace was possible. Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Ghani to seek re-election in Afghan presidential poll: Official

Russia has quietly invited a group of senior Afghan politicians to talks with the Taliban in Moscow, bypassing President Ashraf Ghani's government in a move that has angered officials in Kabul who say it could muddle the US-backed peace process.

The invitations, extended over the past two months by Russian diplomats in Kabul, were confirmed to Reuters by six of the eight leaders, who include former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, or their aides, and by other leading politicians with ties to the Afghan government.

The Russian Embassy in Kabul declined to comment.

Russia in August proposed holding multilateral peace talks in Moscow and invited 12 countries and the Taliban to attend a summit the following month. But the meeting was postponed after Ghani rejected the invitation on the grounds that talks with the Taliban should be led by the Afghan government.

The United States had also declined to attend. The US&nbsp;Embassy in Kabul declined to comment further.

Three senior Afghan officials said the government was unhappy that Moscow was pressing ahead with plans for talks.

"We requested Russia to cancel the summit because talking to the Taliban at multiple forums will further complicate the peace process backed by the US, but they rejected the request," said a senior Afghan official who has been holding discussions with Russia.

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that she hoped to be able to announce details of the conference "in the coming days".

Zakharova told reporters at a briefing that the date and participant list were being finalised, but that Russia wanted to be absolutely sure before announcing anything publicly.

New players

Diplomatic engagement between the Taliban and the United States gained momentum in October, after US&nbsp;special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban leaders in Qatar.

But many Afghan politicians say they have been left out of the process.

Karzai, who ran the country for 13 years following the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001 but has become a vocal critic of US&nbsp;policy, is among those planning to travel to Moscow.

"Karzai will travel to Moscow because any opportunity for peace talks with the Taliban must not be ignored," said Mohammad Yusof Saha, a spokesman for the former president.

Atta Mohammad Noor, a leader in the Jamiat-i Islami party and former governor of the strategic Balkh province, said he too would attend.

Noor, a powerful figure among Afghanistan's ethnic Tajiks who was once a commander in the anti-Soviet Mujahiddin, said he had no problem with the United States and Ghani holding private talks with the Taliban, "but they cannot decide whether we should talk to the Taliban or not".

He said many Afghans were realising that "a single fixed formula prescribed by one foreign power will not help Afghans attain peace".

Senior Taliban members in Afghanistan said they would send a delegation to Moscow, as it would give them an opportunity to engage with neighbouring countries including China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, who have previously said they would send representatives.

"Most countries have acknowledged our status and invited us as a separate political force. This is, in fact, our victory," said a senior member of the Afghan Taliban.

Greater leverage

Moscow's strategy of going around Ghani directly to opposition politicians is a concern for the Afghan government and its US&nbsp;sponsors, who see it as unwelcome meddling, according to government officials and diplomats in Kabul.

"Russia is trying to create its own regional table to hold peace talks, they are clearly attempting to limit the US&nbsp;role in Afghanistan," said a western diplomat in the Afghan capital.

The Moscow talks underline the increasingly active role Russia is playing in Afghanistan, decades after Soviet forces withdrew from the country, with business investment plans, diplomatic and cultural outreach and small military support for the central government.

In 2014, it reopened a cultural centre in Kabul. Since 2016, it has provided thousands of Kalashnikov rifles to the Afghan government, said a senior foreign ministry official in Kabul.

The talks come also at a time when the Afghan government is struggling to recover control of districts lost to Taliban insurgents while casualties among security forces have reached record levels, a US&nbsp;watchdog agency said.

"It's obvious that the situation in Afghanistan is not improving, that the threat is growing and that the ground is ripe for radical Islamists or followers and participants of the Islamic State project," said Fyodor Lukyanov, a foreign policy expert close to the Kremlin who edits Russia in Global Affairs journal.

"The dynamic is negative. I think that's why political and diplomatic efforts are being activated."

Russia has quietly invited a group of senior Afghan politicians to talks with the Taliban in Moscow, bypassing President Ashraf Ghani's government in a move that has angered officials in Kabul who say it could muddle the US-backed peace process.

Russia has quietly invited a group of senior Afghan politicians to talks with the Taliban in Moscow, bypassing President Ashraf Ghani's government in a move that has angered officials in Kabul who say it could muddle the US-backed peace process. The invitations, extended over the past two months by Russian diplomats in Kabul, were confirmed to Reuters by six of the eight leaders, who include former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, or their aides, and by other leading politicians with ties to the Afghan government. The Russian Embassy in Kabul declined to comment. Russia in August proposed holding multilateral peace talks in Moscow and invited 12 countries and the Taliban to attend a summit the following month. But the meeting was postponed after Ghani rejected the invitation on the grounds that talks with the Taliban should be led by the Afghan government. The United States had also declined to attend. The US Embassy in Kabul declined to comment further. Three senior Afghan officials said the government was unhappy that Moscow was pressing ahead with plans for talks. "We requested Russia to cancel the summit because talking to the Taliban at multiple forums will further complicate the peace process backed by the US, but they rejected the request," said a senior Afghan official who has been holding discussions with Russia. Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that she hoped to be able to announce details of the conference "in the coming days". Zakharova told reporters at a briefing that the date and participant list were being finalised, but that Russia wanted to be absolutely sure before announcing anything publicly. New players Diplomatic engagement between the Taliban and the United States gained momentum in October, after US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban leaders in Qatar. But many Afghan politicians say they have been left out of the process. Karzai, who ran the country for 13 years following the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001 but has become a vocal critic of US policy, is among those planning to travel to Moscow. "Karzai will travel to Moscow because any opportunity for peace talks with the Taliban must not be ignored," said Mohammad Yusof Saha, a spokesman for the former president. Atta Mohammad Noor, a leader in the Jamiat-i Islami party and former governor of the strategic Balkh province, said he too would attend. Noor, a powerful figure among Afghanistan's ethnic Tajiks who was once a commander in the anti-Soviet Mujahiddin, said he had no problem with the United States and Ghani holding private talks with the Taliban, "but they cannot decide whether we should talk to the Taliban or not". He said many Afghans were realising that "a single fixed formula prescribed by one foreign power will not help Afghans attain peace". Senior Taliban members in Afghanistan said they would send a delegation to Moscow, as it would give them an opportunity to engage with neighbouring countries including China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, who have previously said they would send representatives. "Most countries have acknowledged our status and invited us as a separate political force. This is, in fact, our victory," said a senior member of the Afghan Taliban. Greater leverage Moscow's strategy of going around Ghani directly to opposition politicians is a concern for the Afghan government and its US sponsors, who see it as unwelcome meddling, according to government officials and diplomats in Kabul. "Russia is trying to create its own regional table to hold peace talks, they are clearly attempting to limit the US role in Afghanistan," said a western diplomat in the Afghan capital. The Moscow talks underline the increasingly active role Russia is playing in Afghanistan, decades after Soviet forces withdrew from the country, with business investment plans, diplomatic and cultural outreach and small military support for the central government. In 2014, it reopened a cultural centre in Kabul. Since 2016, it has provided thousands of Kalashnikov rifles to the Afghan government, said a senior foreign ministry official in Kabul. The talks come also at a time when the Afghan government is struggling to recover control of districts lost to Taliban insurgents while casualties among security forces have reached record levels, a US watchdog agency said. "It's obvious that the situation in Afghanistan is not improving, that the threat is growing and that the ground is ripe for radical Islamists or followers and participants of the Islamic State project," said Fyodor Lukyanov, a foreign policy expert close to the Kremlin who edits Russia in Global Affairs journal. "The dynamic is negative. I think that's why political and diplomatic efforts are being activated."

Russia reaches out to Afghan leaders for Taliban talks, angering Kabul

The Afghan government is struggling to recover control of districts lost to Taliban insurgents while casualties among security forces have reached record levels, a US watchdog agency said on Thursday.

The latest quarterly report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) underlines the heavy pressure on the government in Kabul even as the United States has opened initial contacts with the Taliban on possible peace talks.

"The control of Afghanistan`s districts, population, and territory overall became more contested this quarter," the agency said.

The Taliban have still not succeeded in taking a major provincial centre despite assaults on Farah in western Afghanistan and Ghazni in the centre this year but they control large stretches of the countryside.

Data from Afghanistan`s NATO-led Resolute Support mission showed that government forces had "failed to gain greater control or influence over districts, population, and territory this quarter", the agency said.

As of September, it said the government controlled or influenced territory with about 65 per cent of the population, stable since October 2017, after a year of heavy fighting in Farah and Ghazni as well as other provinces like Faryab and Baghlan in the north.

However, it reported only 55.5 per cent of the total 407 districts were under government control or influence, the lowest level since SIGAR began tracking district control in 2015.

"While the districts, territory, and population under insurgent control or influence also decreased slightly, the districts, territory, and population `contested` — meaning under neither Afghan government nor insurgent control or influence —increased," it said.

Six months before presidential elections, the figures are a sign of the degraded security situation in Afghanistan, even as the US special envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, has met Taliban officials to map out possible peace talks.

As the Taliban have kept up pressure on the government, SIGAR quoted the Resolute Support mission as saying the average number of casualties among Afghan security forces between May 1 and October 1 was "the greatest it has ever been during like periods".

The Afghan government no longer releases exact casualty figures but this month General Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, said Afghan casualties were increasing from last year and were an issue "we are paying very, very close attention to".&nbsp;

On September 24, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said that while he could not confirm reports that about 500 police and soldiers had been killed and 700 wounded over the previous month, the figures "sound about right".

The Taliban are fighting to expel foreign forces and defeat the Western-backed government in Kabul.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Afghan government is struggling to recover control of districts lost to Taliban insurgents while casualties among security forces have reached record levels, a US watchdog agency said on Thursday.

The Afghan government is struggling to recover control of districts lost to Taliban insurgents while casualties among security forces have reached record levels, a US watchdog agency said on Thursday. The latest quarterly report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) underlines the heavy pressure on the government in Kabul even as the United States has opened initial contacts with the Taliban on possible peace talks. "The control of Afghanistan`s districts, population, and territory overall became more contested this quarter," the agency said. The Taliban have still not succeeded in taking a major provincial centre despite assaults on Farah in western Afghanistan and Ghazni in the centre this year but they control large stretches of the countryside. Data from Afghanistan`s NATO-led Resolute Support mission showed that government forces had "failed to gain greater control or influence over districts, population, and territory this quarter", the agency said. As of September, it said the government controlled or influenced territory with about 65 per cent of the population, stable since October 2017, after a year of heavy fighting in Farah and Ghazni as well as other provinces like Faryab and Baghlan in the north. However, it reported only 55.5 per cent of the total 407 districts were under government control or influence, the lowest level since SIGAR began tracking district control in 2015. "While the districts, territory, and population under insurgent control or influence also decreased slightly, the districts, territory, and population `contested` — meaning under neither Afghan government nor insurgent control or influence —increased," it said. Six months before presidential elections, the figures are a sign of the degraded security situation in Afghanistan, even as the US special envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, has met Taliban officials to map out possible peace talks. As the Taliban have kept up pressure on the government, SIGAR quoted the Resolute Support mission as saying the average number of casualties among Afghan security forces between May 1 and October 1 was "the greatest it has ever been during like periods". The Afghan government no longer releases exact casualty figures but this month General Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, said Afghan casualties were increasing from last year and were an issue "we are paying very, very close attention to". On September 24, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said that while he could not confirm reports that about 500 police and soldiers had been killed and 700 wounded over the previous month, the figures "sound about right". The Taliban are fighting to expel foreign forces and defeat the Western-backed government in Kabul.

Afghan forces struggle to regain ground as casualties mount: Report

At least 25 people were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday after an army helicopter crashed in the southwestern region of the country.

The deceased include&nbsp;passengers and the crew of the helicopter.

Naser Mehri, a spokesman for the governor of western Farah province, said that the helicopter was crashed in bad weather.

He added that the two army helicopters were on their way to neighbouring Herat province when one lost control.

While a Taliban spokesperson said that the aircraft crashed after militants shot it down.

(With inputs from Reuters)

At least 25 people were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday after an army helicopter crashed in the southwestern region of the country. The deceased include passengers and the crew of the helicopter.

At least 25 people were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday after an army helicopter crashed in the southwestern region of the country. The deceased include passengers and the crew of the helicopter. Naser Mehri, a spokesman for the governor of western Farah province, said that the helicopter was crashed in bad weather. He added that the two army helicopters were on their way to neighbouring Herat province when one lost control. While a Taliban spokesperson said that the aircraft crashed after militants shot it down. (With inputs from Reuters)

Afghan army helicopter crashes killing 25 on board: Officials

A suicide bomber blew himself up near the gate of Afghanistan's largest prison on Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding three, officials said, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the attacker detonated his explosive near a vehicle of the employees of the Pul-e-Charki prison in Kabul, the capital.&nbsp;

Three people died near the gate of the prison on the eastern outskirts of Kabul, and three were injured, another government official said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A suicide bomber blew himself up near the gate of Afghanistan's largest prison on Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding three, officials said, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

A suicide bomber blew himself up near the gate of Afghanistan's largest prison on Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding three, officials said, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the attacker detonated his explosive near a vehicle of the employees of the Pul-e-Charki prison in Kabul, the capital. Three people died near the gate of the prison on the eastern outskirts of Kabul, and three were injured, another government official said.

Afghanistan: Suicide blast kills three near Kabul prison

Once peace is achieved in Afghanistan, any American military role in the war-torn country would be conditions-based and worked out with the government of the day, Defence Secretary James Mattis has said.

More than a year after President Donald Trump announced his South Asia strategy, Mattis said it is based on four Rs and one S being "sustain it".

"Any US military coalition role after the peace is reached would be conditions-based, worked out with the Afghan government and depend on the threat," Mattis said at the US Institute of Peace, a Congress-funded think-tank.

"First R was to regionalise the approach, you did not start with Afghanistan, come up with a strategy, say, 'well I guess now we'd better look at the countries around it and see what do we do as far as their inclusion?' We started outside and worked our way inside," he said.

The second R was reinforcing the troops and the third R realigning those troops to supporting the Afghan security forces, directly by training, advising and assisting, Mattis said.

"What we had done was creation of an army, and then we pulled the training wheels off too early, and in that I mean that the -- only the Afghan special forces had mentors from NATO nations with them. And every time they went against the enemy, the Taliban, they won against the enemy," he said.

But spread out around the country were Afghan security forces that the US had pulled all mentoring away from, he said.

"So we were going to look at this as a regional problem, reinforce the troops and realign them so that more Afghan forces had our mentors with them, with NATO air support," Mattis said.

"It is protection of the people is what we are trying to do there so in some cases, we surrendered ground where few if any people lived since it's not a matter of militaries holding ground," said the US Defence Secretary.

The Afghan security forces, he said, has prevented the Taliban from doing what they said they were going to do, which was to take and hold district and provincial centers, also disrupt an election that they were unable to disrupt.

But the most important R was the fourth R, reconciliation, he said, adding that former US ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad has been brought in for this purpose.

"And he is hard at work on this, on an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation effort. This is the approach we're trying to sustain right now. It is working from our perspective, but it is heartbreakingly difficult to accept is the progress and violence can be going on at the same time," Mattis added.&nbsp;

Once peace is achieved in Afghanistan, any American military role in the war-torn country would be conditions-based and worked out with the government of the day, Defence Secretary James Mattis has said.

Once peace is achieved in Afghanistan, any American military role in the war-torn country would be conditions-based and worked out with the government of the day, Defence Secretary James Mattis has said. More than a year after President Donald Trump announced his South Asia strategy, Mattis said it is based on four Rs and one S being "sustain it". "Any US military coalition role after the peace is reached would be conditions-based, worked out with the Afghan government and depend on the threat," Mattis said at the US Institute of Peace, a Congress-funded think-tank. "First R was to regionalise the approach, you did not start with Afghanistan, come up with a strategy, say, 'well I guess now we'd better look at the countries around it and see what do we do as far as their inclusion?' We started outside and worked our way inside," he said. The second R was reinforcing the troops and the third R realigning those troops to supporting the Afghan security forces, directly by training, advising and assisting, Mattis said. "What we had done was creation of an army, and then we pulled the training wheels off too early, and in that I mean that the -- only the Afghan special forces had mentors from NATO nations with them. And every time they went against the enemy, the Taliban, they won against the enemy," he said. But spread out around the country were Afghan security forces that the US had pulled all mentoring away from, he said. "So we were going to look at this as a regional problem, reinforce the troops and realign them so that more Afghan forces had our mentors with them, with NATO air support," Mattis said. "It is protection of the people is what we are trying to do there so in some cases, we surrendered ground where few if any people lived since it's not a matter of militaries holding ground," said the US Defence Secretary. The Afghan security forces, he said, has prevented the Taliban from doing what they said they were going to do, which was to take and hold district and provincial centers, also disrupt an election that they were unable to disrupt. But the most important R was the fourth R, reconciliation, he said, adding that former US ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad has been brought in for this purpose. "And he is hard at work on this, on an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation effort. This is the approach we're trying to sustain right now. It is working from our perspective, but it is heartbreakingly difficult to accept is the progress and violence can be going on at the same time," Mattis added.

Any US military role in Afghan after peace would be conditions-based: Mattis

More than 50,000 militants from 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan, the country's deputy Defence Minister, Hilaluddin Helal, said on Friday. Out of these 70 per cent are Pakistanis.

"Currently, 21 terrorist organisations are operating in the country. The total number of militants stands at 50,200," Helal said at the eight Beijing Xiangshan Forum on defence, which opened on Thursday.

The minister added that Afghanistan had become "a central battlefield" for members of various terrorist organizations that are "fighting for influence in the region."

"[The number of militants active in Afghanistan] includes 8,023 international terrorists," Helal stressed, noting that Taliban is the biggest group operating in the country and is comprised of about 38,000 people.

The Islamic State terrorist group now has over 2,000 members in Afghanistan, he underlined.

"As much as 70 per cent of IS [members] are Pakistanis, 6 per cent are Uzbeks, 4 per cent are Chechens, 3 per cent are Arabs, 1 per cent are Chinese and 14 per cent are Afghans," Helal pointed out.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from an unstable political, social and security situation due to simmering Taliban insurgency.

The violence is exacerbated by the activities of various terrorist groups, including the IS.

More than 50,000 militants from 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan, the country's deputy Defence Minister, Hilaluddin Helal, said on Friday.

More than 50,000 militants from 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan, the country's deputy Defence Minister, Hilaluddin Helal, said on Friday. Out of these 70 per cent are Pakistanis. "Currently, 21 terrorist organisations are operating in the country. The total number of militants stands at 50,200," Helal said at the eight Beijing Xiangshan Forum on defence, which opened on Thursday. The minister added that Afghanistan had become "a central battlefield" for members of various terrorist organizations that are "fighting for influence in the region." "[The number of militants active in Afghanistan] includes 8,023 international terrorists," Helal stressed, noting that Taliban is the biggest group operating in the country and is comprised of about 38,000 people. The Islamic State terrorist group now has over 2,000 members in Afghanistan, he underlined. "As much as 70 per cent of IS [members] are Pakistanis, 6 per cent are Uzbeks, 4 per cent are Chechens, 3 per cent are Arabs, 1 per cent are Chinese and 14 per cent are Afghans," Helal pointed out. Afghanistan has long been suffering from an unstable political, social and security situation due to simmering Taliban insurgency. The violence is exacerbated by the activities of various terrorist groups, including the IS.

Over 50,000 militants from 21 groups are in Afghanistan: Defence Ministry

Assam Government Friday said the state capital will be connected to six capital cities of South Asian countries by the end of December to boost connectivity in the region.

While inaugurating the ASEAN section of the 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), Assam Act East Policy Affairs Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary said films are bridges between two cultures.

"We are very focused to increase connectivity between South Asia. In this direction, Guwahati will be connected with six capital cities of South Asian nations by the end of December," he said addressing the gathering.

Patowary also informed that an inter-country pact was signed yesterday to augment waterways in the region.

"A tri-lateral highway has also been planned and construction is almost done. The bridges are only left. This will be from Afghanistan to Burma (Myanmar) via India," he added.

The initiatives like the GIFF are very positive in the cultural arena that will help know each other, the minister said.

"We are trying to develop the relation between India and South East Asian countries in the field of trade, commerce and other segments. GIFF can play an important role in that direction," he added.

During the inauguration of the ASEAN segment, the Myanmar Ambassador to India, Moe Kyaw Aung was also present.

In this year, the ASEAN countries are the focus region of the 2nd GIFF with 14 films from 10 countries of the region instead of having any focus country.

The ASEAN segment began with showing of 'In the Life of Music' by Caylee So and Sok Visal.

Some other films from the South East Asian nations will be 'Woman of the Weeping River' by Sheron Dayoc, 'The Seen and Unseen' by Kamila Andini, 'Father and Son' by Luong Dinh Dung, 'Poppy Goes to Hollywood' by Sok Visal and 'Smaller and Smaller Circles' by Raya Martin and 'Mudras Calling' by Christina Kyi.

The 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival began with much fanfare on Thursday with a collection of 108 acclaimed films from over 50 countries that is likely to attract nearly 5,000 domestic and foreign delegates in the next one week.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the seven-day long film extravaganza saying that the festival is aimed to integrate the world as a family.

The ceremony was also attended by Lithuanian Ambassador Julius Pranevicius, Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Maric and Latvian Ambassador designated Artis Bertulis.

During the festival, nearly 35 film personalities from abroad will take part with their flicks, while Ambassadors from Lithuania, Myanmar, Argentina, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia, Singapore and Malaysia will be present.

The Assam government-owned Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society is the organiser of the festival, which will be held from October 25 to 31, in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute.

Assam Government Friday said the state capital will be connected to six capital cities of South Asian countries by the end of December to boost connectivity in the region.

Assam Government Friday said the state capital will be connected to six capital cities of South Asian countries by the end of December to boost connectivity in the region. While inaugurating the ASEAN section of the 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), Assam Act East Policy Affairs Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary said films are bridges between two cultures. "We are very focused to increase connectivity between South Asia. In this direction, Guwahati will be connected with six capital cities of South Asian nations by the end of December," he said addressing the gathering. Patowary also informed that an inter-country pact was signed yesterday to augment waterways in the region. "A tri-lateral highway has also been planned and construction is almost done. The bridges are only left. This will be from Afghanistan to Burma (Myanmar) via India," he added. The initiatives like the GIFF are very positive in the cultural arena that will help know each other, the minister said. "We are trying to develop the relation between India and South East Asian countries in the field of trade, commerce and other segments. GIFF can play an important role in that direction," he added. During the inauguration of the ASEAN segment, the Myanmar Ambassador to India, Moe Kyaw Aung was also present. In this year, the ASEAN countries are the focus region of the 2nd GIFF with 14 films from 10 countries of the region instead of having any focus country. The ASEAN segment began with showing of 'In the Life of Music' by Caylee So and Sok Visal. Some other films from the South East Asian nations will be 'Woman of the Weeping River' by Sheron Dayoc, 'The Seen and Unseen' by Kamila Andini, 'Father and Son' by Luong Dinh Dung, 'Poppy Goes to Hollywood' by Sok Visal and 'Smaller and Smaller Circles' by Raya Martin and 'Mudras Calling' by Christina Kyi. The 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival began with much fanfare on Thursday with a collection of 108 acclaimed films from over 50 countries that is likely to attract nearly 5,000 domestic and foreign delegates in the next one week. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the seven-day long film extravaganza saying that the festival is aimed to integrate the world as a family. The ceremony was also attended by Lithuanian Ambassador Julius Pranevicius, Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Maric and Latvian Ambassador designated Artis Bertulis. During the festival, nearly 35 film personalities from abroad will take part with their flicks, while Ambassadors from Lithuania, Myanmar, Argentina, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia, Singapore and Malaysia will be present. The Assam government-owned Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society is the organiser of the festival, which will be held from October 25 to 31, in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute.

Guwahati to be connected with six capital cities of South Asian countries: Govt

At least 14 civilians were killed during an operation by Afghan security forces in eastern Nangarhar province, residents said on Wednesday.

Government officials confirmed that security officials had conducted an operation against insurgents in the Shahidano Mena area of Rodat district on Tuesday and were investigating whether the operation resulted in civilian casualties.

Both Taliban and Islamic State militants are active in eastern Afghanistan.

Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for Nangarhar governor confirmed the death of 14 people but he refused to comment whether the victims were civilians or insurgents.

Angry residents along with families of the victims said innocent men, women and children were targeted by the Afghan soldiers.

They laid the bodies of the deceased under a tent near the Jalalabad-Torkham highway and closed it for any traffic movement before the final rites.

The United Nations in October reported that at least 8,050 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded across the country in the first nine months of 2018.

The report attributed 65 percent of casualties to the Taliban, Islamic State and other anti-government forces.

At least 14 civilians were killed during an operation by Afghan security forces in eastern Nangarhar province, residents said on Wednesday. Government officials confirmed that security officials had conducted an operation against insurgents in the Shahidano Mena area of Rodat district on Tuesday and were investigating whether the operation resulted in civilian casualties.

At least 14 civilians were killed during an operation by Afghan security forces in eastern Nangarhar province, residents said on Wednesday. Government officials confirmed that security officials had conducted an operation against insurgents in the Shahidano Mena area of Rodat district on Tuesday and were investigating whether the operation resulted in civilian casualties. Both Taliban and Islamic State militants are active in eastern Afghanistan. Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for Nangarhar governor confirmed the death of 14 people but he refused to comment whether the victims were civilians or insurgents. Angry residents along with families of the victims said innocent men, women and children were targeted by the Afghan soldiers. They laid the bodies of the deceased under a tent near the Jalalabad-Torkham highway and closed it for any traffic movement before the final rites. The United Nations in October reported that at least 8,050 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded across the country in the first nine months of 2018. The report attributed 65 percent of casualties to the Taliban, Islamic State and other anti-government forces.

Afghan forces kill 14 civilians in ground raid, locals say

US Vice President Mike Pence has congratulated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the successful parliamentary elections in his country where a large number of people came out to vote despite threat by the Taliban, the White House said.

"He congratulated the Afghan people on the steady advance of democracy following the parliamentary elections this past weekend,'&nbsp;the White House said Monday in a readout of the call.

Pence commended the Afghan election officials and military for leading and managing the electoral process, and the US and international forces for their support to the Afghan government, it said.

Despite efforts by the Taliban to intimidate the Afghan people, millions of people stepped forward to make their voice heard by voting, the White House said.

US Vice President Mike Pence has congratulated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the successful parliamentary elections in his country where a large number of people came out to vote despite threat by the Taliban, the White House said.

US Vice President Mike Pence has congratulated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the successful parliamentary elections in his country where a large number of people came out to vote despite threat by the Taliban, the White House said. "He congratulated the Afghan people on the steady advance of democracy following the parliamentary elections this past weekend,' the White House said Monday in a readout of the call. Pence commended the Afghan election officials and military for leading and managing the electoral process, and the US and international forces for their support to the Afghan government, it said. Despite efforts by the Taliban to intimidate the Afghan people, millions of people stepped forward to make their voice heard by voting, the White House said.

Mike Pence congratulates Ghani on successful Afghan parliamentary polls 

After remaining closed for over two days due to parliamentary polls in Afghanistan, Pakistan has reopened the friendship gate at the Afghan border in Chaman, the shut down of which caused a loss of Rs 100 crore to the country, according to media reports.

US-led NATO military coalition in Afghanistan import vital supplies, including fuel, through the friendship gate, in the landlocked country.

Another crossing point -- the Torkham border in Peshawar -- was also reopened on Sunday, ending the two-and-a-half days of closure of the supply lines between the two countries.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The two crossing points with Afghanistan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan had been closed for security reasons on Kabul's request as parliamentary elections were being held in Afghanistan, the Express Tribune reported.&nbsp;

Now that the elections have ended, the borders have been reopened.

The suspension of transit trade due to the closure of Torkham border has caused a Rs 1 billion (Rs 100 crore) loss to the national exchequer, the report said.&nbsp;

According to a Dawn report, hundreds of trucks carrying NATO supplies and transit trade goods crossed into Afghanistan after reopening of the borders.&nbsp;

After remaining closed for over two days due to parliamentary polls in Afghanistan, Pakistan has reopened the friendship gate at the Afghan border in Chaman, the shut down of which caused a loss of Rs 100 crore to the country, according to media reports.

After remaining closed for over two days due to parliamentary polls in Afghanistan, Pakistan has reopened the friendship gate at the Afghan border in Chaman, the shut down of which caused a loss of Rs 100 crore to the country, according to media reports. US-led NATO military coalition in Afghanistan import vital supplies, including fuel, through the friendship gate, in the landlocked country. Another crossing point -- the Torkham border in Peshawar -- was also reopened on Sunday, ending the two-and-a-half days of closure of the supply lines between the two countries. The two crossing points with Afghanistan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan had been closed for security reasons on Kabul's request as parliamentary elections were being held in Afghanistan, the Express Tribune reported. Now that the elections have ended, the borders have been reopened. The suspension of transit trade due to the closure of Torkham border has caused a Rs 1 billion (Rs 100 crore) loss to the national exchequer, the report said. According to a Dawn report, hundreds of trucks carrying NATO supplies and transit trade goods crossed into Afghanistan after reopening of the borders.

Pak reopens vital Afghan border crossings for trade

At least 11 people have been killed and several others wounded in a bomb attack in the eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

The attack occurred on the second day of Afghanistan's parliamentary elections, which were extended because of attacks on Saturday and technical issues that caused hours of delays.

Earlier on yesterday, nearly 170 Afghans were killed or wounded in poll-related violence as the legislative election turned chaotic with many polling centres opening hours late — or not at all — due to technical glitches and lack of staff.

No one immediately claimed the attack. The Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate are both active in Nangarhar. Afghan civilians are often killed by roadside bombs intended to target security forces. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

At least 11 people have been killed and several others wounded in a bomb attack in the eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. The attack occurred on the second day of Afghanistan's parliamentary elections, which were extended because of attacks on Saturday and technical issues that caused hours of delays.

At least 11 people have been killed and several others wounded in a bomb attack in the eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. The attack occurred on the second day of Afghanistan's parliamentary elections, which were extended because of attacks on Saturday and technical issues that caused hours of delays. Earlier on yesterday, nearly 170 Afghans were killed or wounded in poll-related violence as the legislative election turned chaotic with many polling centres opening hours late — or not at all — due to technical glitches and lack of staff. No one immediately claimed the attack. The Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate are both active in Nangarhar. Afghan civilians are often killed by roadside bombs intended to target security forces. (With inputs from agencies)

Roadside bomb kills 11 in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voting gets under way in the long-delayed legislative election that the Taliban has vowed to attack.

Polling centres opened at 7:00 am (0230 GMT) across the war-torn country, with some 54,000 security forces deployed to protect them.&nbsp;

But there are concerns the killing of a powerful police chief in southern Afghanistan on Thursday will scare off many voters.

Polling has been delayed in Kandahar province until October 27 after a Taliban-claimed attack on a US-Afghan security meeting that killed three people, including General Abdul Raziq.

General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, escaped injury in the shooting, but 13 others were wounded.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghans-gear-up-to-vote-despite-ongoing-fighting-in-as-many-as-20-out-of-34-provinces-172398">Afghans gear to vote despite ongoing crisis in as many as 20 out of 34 provinces</a>

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Friday urged voters to turn out to cast their ballots -- but "vote only once" -- and called on others not to interfere in the process.&nbsp;

"They should observe impartiality in the election so that we have a transparent, impartial and fair election in Afghanistan," IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad told reporters.

Taliban threats&nbsp;

Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-afghanistan-election-matters-to-india-172402">parliamentary election</a>, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

But the threat of militant attacks and expectations for massive fraud are expected to deter many voters from showing up at the more than 5,000 polling centres.&nbsp;

In the days leading up to the poll, the Taliban issued several statements urging candidates to withdraw and voters to boycott what the group calls a "malicious American conspiracy".

Shambolic preparations for the ballot have been made worse by a wave of poll-related violence that has left hundreds dead or wounded.&nbsp;

At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far.

The most recent victim was Abdul Jabar Qahraman, who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand.

Most of the candidates are political novices and include doctors, mullahs and journalists. Those with the deepest pockets are expected to win.&nbsp;

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has spearheaded international efforts to keep Afghan organisers on track, on Friday called on voters to "exercise their constitutional right to vote".&nbsp;

The poll is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes".

But the 11th hour introduction of biometric voter verification machines, which have never been used in an Afghan election, threatens to derail the&nbsp;process.

Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed.

There are also fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10.

Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, the IEC has said, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voting gets under way in the long-delayed legislative election that the Taliban has vowed to attack. Polling centres opened at 7:00 am (0230 GMT) across the war-torn country, with some 54,000 security forces deployed to protect them.

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voting gets under way in the long-delayed legislative election that the Taliban has vowed to attack. Polling centres opened at 7:00 am (0230 GMT) across the war-torn country, with some 54,000 security forces deployed to protect them. But there are concerns the killing of a powerful police chief in southern Afghanistan on Thursday will scare off many voters. Polling has been delayed in Kandahar province until October 27 after a Taliban-claimed attack on a US-Afghan security meeting that killed three people, including General Abdul Raziq. General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, escaped injury in the shooting, but 13 others were wounded. Also read: Afghans gear to vote despite ongoing crisis in as many as 20 out of 34 provinces The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Friday urged voters to turn out to cast their ballots -- but "vote only once" -- and called on others not to interfere in the process. "They should observe impartiality in the election so that we have a transparent, impartial and fair election in Afghanistan," IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad told reporters. Taliban threats Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. But the threat of militant attacks and expectations for massive fraud are expected to deter many voters from showing up at the more than 5,000 polling centres. In the days leading up to the poll, the Taliban issued several statements urging candidates to withdraw and voters to boycott what the group calls a "malicious American conspiracy". Shambolic preparations for the ballot have been made worse by a wave of poll-related violence that has left hundreds dead or wounded. At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far. The most recent victim was Abdul Jabar Qahraman, who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand. Most of the candidates are political novices and include doctors, mullahs and journalists. Those with the deepest pockets are expected to win. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has spearheaded international efforts to keep Afghan organisers on track, on Friday called on voters to "exercise their constitutional right to vote". The poll is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes". But the 11th hour introduction of biometric voter verification machines, which have never been used in an Afghan election, threatens to derail the process. Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed. There are also fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10. Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, the IEC has said, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.

Afghanistan braces for militant attacks as polling centres open

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voters turn out for the long-delayed legislative election across the war-torn country that the Taliban has vowed to attack.

Some 54,000 security forces have been deployed to protect polling centres, which open at 7:00 am, but there are concerns the killing of a powerful police chief on Thursday will scare off many voters.&nbsp;

Voting has been delayed in the southern province of Kandahar after a Taliban-claimed attack on a US-Afghan security meeting that killed three people, including General Abdul Raziq.

General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, escaped injury in the shooting, but 13 others were wounded.

Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

But the threat of militant attacks and expectations for massive fraud are expected to deter many voters from showing up at the more than 5,000 polling centres.&nbsp;

In the days leading up to the poll, the Taliban has issued several statements urging candidates to withdraw and voters to boycott what the group calls a "malicious American conspiracy".

Shambolic preparations for the ballot have been made worse by a wave of poll-related violence that has left hundreds dead or wounded.&nbsp;

At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far.

The most recent victim was Abdul Jabar Qahraman, who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand.

Most of the candidates are political novices and include doctors, mullahs and journalists. Those with the deepest pockets are expected to win.&nbsp;

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has spearheaded international efforts to keep Afghan election organisers on track, on Friday urged voters to "exercise their constitutional right to vote".&nbsp;

The poll is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes".

But the eleventh hour introduction of biometric voter verification machines, which have never been used in an Afghan election, threatens to derail the&nbsp;process.

Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed.

There are also fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10.

Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, the Independent Election Commission has said, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voters turn out for the long-delayed legislative election across the war-torn country that the Taliban has vowed to attack.

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voters turn out for the long-delayed legislative election across the war-torn country that the Taliban has vowed to attack. Some 54,000 security forces have been deployed to protect polling centres, which open at 7:00 am, but there are concerns the killing of a powerful police chief on Thursday will scare off many voters. Voting has been delayed in the southern province of Kandahar after a Taliban-claimed attack on a US-Afghan security meeting that killed three people, including General Abdul Raziq. General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, escaped injury in the shooting, but 13 others were wounded. Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. But the threat of militant attacks and expectations for massive fraud are expected to deter many voters from showing up at the more than 5,000 polling centres. In the days leading up to the poll, the Taliban has issued several statements urging candidates to withdraw and voters to boycott what the group calls a "malicious American conspiracy". Shambolic preparations for the ballot have been made worse by a wave of poll-related violence that has left hundreds dead or wounded. At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far. The most recent victim was Abdul Jabar Qahraman, who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand. Most of the candidates are political novices and include doctors, mullahs and journalists. Those with the deepest pockets are expected to win. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has spearheaded international efforts to keep Afghan election organisers on track, on Friday urged voters to "exercise their constitutional right to vote". The poll is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes". But the eleventh hour introduction of biometric voter verification machines, which have never been used in an Afghan election, threatens to derail the process. Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed. There are also fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10. Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, the Independent Election Commission has said, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.

Afghanistan braces for militant attacks as voters go to the polls

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province. The election has been postponed in the restive Ghazni province. The Taliban has threatened to disrupt the polls.

On Thursday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on a high-level meeting inside the Kandahar governor's compound, wiping out the top political leadership of the province. Voting in Kandahar has also been postponed by a week. Here's a look at how Afghans are gearing up to brave the bullets to cast their ballot on Saturday.

Afghanistan is going ahead with the parliamentary election on Saturday in spite of security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces.&nbsp;

The election will be held amid a particularly vicious campaign by the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State terror group, which have been staging near-daily attacks.&nbsp;

Besides the security challenges, there have also been concerns over the transparency of the vote. For the first time, the election commission has equipped polling stations with a biometric identification system.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-afghanistan-election-matters-to-india-172402">Also read: Why Afghanistan election matters to India?</a>

The deputy chair of the Election Commission said that while security remains a challenge, the commission is hopeful for a peaceful polling day.&nbsp;

"We think that we will have some challenges on the polling day because of the security situation of Afghanistan but we had very good meetings with security people in different organisations and they are prepared for the polling day, and we hope to not have kind of attack in that day," Wasima Badghisi, Deputy Chair of Election Commission noted.&nbsp;

More than 50 thousand members of Afghan security forces will be deployed to secure the polling stations. Afghan defence ministry spokesperson believes that the Taliban will attempt to disrupt the election process.

"They (Taliban) will try to create problems because if democracy and people's rights are established there will be no place for terrorism, killing of people and mafia but we assure you that we will ensure the security of elections with full force," Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, Afghan defence ministry spokesperson stated.&nbsp;

But Jawed says that Afghan security forces have taken all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful polling day. Afghan officials announced three levels of security belts at each polling centre.

There have been deadly attacks against candidates and campaign rallies, both by the Taliban and the Islamic State terrorists. The Taliban, who have been fighting the Afghans and the NATO forces for more than 17 years, have condemned the election and warned candidates and Afghan security forces they would be targeted.

They have also warned teachers and students not to participate in the election and not to allow schools to be used as polling centres.

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province.

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province. The election has been postponed in the restive Ghazni province. The Taliban has threatened to disrupt the polls. On Thursday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on a high-level meeting inside the Kandahar governor's compound, wiping out the top political leadership of the province. Voting in Kandahar has also been postponed by a week. Here's a look at how Afghans are gearing up to brave the bullets to cast their ballot on Saturday. Afghanistan is going ahead with the parliamentary election on Saturday in spite of security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces. The election will be held amid a particularly vicious campaign by the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State terror group, which have been staging near-daily attacks. Besides the security challenges, there have also been concerns over the transparency of the vote. For the first time, the election commission has equipped polling stations with a biometric identification system. Also read: Why Afghanistan election matters to India? The deputy chair of the Election Commission said that while security remains a challenge, the commission is hopeful for a peaceful polling day. "We think that we will have some challenges on the polling day because of the security situation of Afghanistan but we had very good meetings with security people in different organisations and they are prepared for the polling day, and we hope to not have kind of attack in that day," Wasima Badghisi, Deputy Chair of Election Commission noted. More than 50 thousand members of Afghan security forces will be deployed to secure the polling stations. Afghan defence ministry spokesperson believes that the Taliban will attempt to disrupt the election process. "They (Taliban) will try to create problems because if democracy and people's rights are established there will be no place for terrorism, killing of people and mafia but we assure you that we will ensure the security of elections with full force," Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, Afghan defence ministry spokesperson stated. But Jawed says that Afghan security forces have taken all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful polling day. Afghan officials announced three levels of security belts at each polling centre. There have been deadly attacks against candidates and campaign rallies, both by the Taliban and the Islamic State terrorists. The Taliban, who have been fighting the Afghans and the NATO forces for more than 17 years, have condemned the election and warned candidates and Afghan security forces they would be targeted. They have also warned teachers and students not to participate in the election and not to allow schools to be used as polling centres.

Afghans gear to vote despite ongoing crisis in as many as 20 out of 34 provinces

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