Wonder spinner Rashid Khan once again came to his side's rescue and produced a brilliant final over to help Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by one run in the nail-bitting third and final T20 International, en route to a 3-0 series whitewash here today.

Afghanistan scored 145 for six after electing to bat, a target which they defended riding on Rashid's brilliance.&nbsp;

Bangladesh were well on course to winning the inconsequential match after senior pros Mushfiqur Rahim (46 off 37) and Mahmudullah (45 not out off 38) stitched 84 runs for the fifth wicket.

In fact, after the penultimate over of Karim Janat which yielded 21 runs, Bangladesh were the firm favourites to win the duel but Rashid single-handedly turned the game upside down by defending nine runs off the final over.

With Bangladesh needing 30 runs off the last two overs, Mushfiqur struck Janat for five consecutive boundaries to bring down the equation to nine off the last over.

But then Afghan captain Asghar Stanikzai went to his trump card Rashid, who responded brilliantly by removing a set Mushfiqur with his first delivery and then did enough with his guile to snatch the narrow one-run win for his side.&nbsp;

Besides Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah, no other Bangladesh batsmen could make any substantial contribution.

Even though he didn't take too many wickets, Rashid (1/24) eventually turned out to be the difference between the two sides.&nbsp;

Earlier with the series already in its bag, Afghanistan wasted a good start to be restricted to a modest 145 for six.&nbsp;

Electing to bat, Mohammad Shahzad (26) and Usman Ghani (19) made a solid start, sharing 55 runs off 46 balls for the opening stand before Bangladeshi bowlers struck twin blows in consecutive overs to put brakes on their opponents.

Shahzad, who hit three fours and one six, was the first to depart caught plumb in front of the wicket by left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam in the eighth over.

Ghani, who struggled a bit, followed suit in the next over, edging one to Mushfiqur behind the stumps off right-arm pacer Aby Jayed's bowling as the Afghans slumped to 59 for two in 8.5 overs.

Skipper Stanikzai played a short little cameo scoring 27 off 17 balls with the help of three sixes before perishing in the 13th over.

Samiullah Shenwari remained unbeaten 33 off 28 balls while Najibullah Zadran made 15 towards the end to take Afghanistan close to the 150-run mark.

Islam (2/18) and Jayed (2/27) were the successful bowlers for Bangladesh in the inconsequential match.

Priot to today's match, Afghanistan has already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, having won the first two matches by 45 runs and six wickets respectively.&nbsp;

Afghanistan scored 145 for six after electing to bat

Wonder spinner Rashid Khan once again came to his side's rescue and produced a brilliant final over to help Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by one run in the nail-bitting third and final T20 International, en route to a 3-0 series whitewash here today. Afghanistan scored 145 for six after electing to bat, a target which they defended riding on Rashid's brilliance. Bangladesh were well on course to winning the inconsequential match after senior pros Mushfiqur Rahim (46 off 37) and Mahmudullah (45 not out off 38) stitched 84 runs for the fifth wicket. In fact, after the penultimate over of Karim Janat which yielded 21 runs, Bangladesh were the firm favourites to win the duel but Rashid single-handedly turned the game upside down by defending nine runs off the final over. With Bangladesh needing 30 runs off the last two overs, Mushfiqur struck Janat for five consecutive boundaries to bring down the equation to nine off the last over. But then Afghan captain Asghar Stanikzai went to his trump card Rashid, who responded brilliantly by removing a set Mushfiqur with his first delivery and then did enough with his guile to snatch the narrow one-run win for his side. Besides Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah, no other Bangladesh batsmen could make any substantial contribution. Even though he didn't take too many wickets, Rashid (1/24) eventually turned out to be the difference between the two sides. Earlier with the series already in its bag, Afghanistan wasted a good start to be restricted to a modest 145 for six. Electing to bat, Mohammad Shahzad (26) and Usman Ghani (19) made a solid start, sharing 55 runs off 46 balls for the opening stand before Bangladeshi bowlers struck twin blows in consecutive overs to put brakes on their opponents. Shahzad, who hit three fours and one six, was the first to depart caught plumb in front of the wicket by left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam in the eighth over. Ghani, who struggled a bit, followed suit in the next over, edging one to Mushfiqur behind the stumps off right-arm pacer Aby Jayed's bowling as the Afghans slumped to 59 for two in 8.5 overs. Skipper Stanikzai played a short little cameo scoring 27 off 17 balls with the help of three sixes before perishing in the 13th over. Samiullah Shenwari remained unbeaten 33 off 28 balls while Najibullah Zadran made 15 towards the end to take Afghanistan close to the 150-run mark. Islam (2/18) and Jayed (2/27) were the successful bowlers for Bangladesh in the inconsequential match. Priot to today's match, Afghanistan has already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, having won the first two matches by 45 runs and six wickets respectively.

Rashid Khan helps Afghanistan whitewash Bangladesh in T20 series

Teen sensation Rashid Khan led an inspired spin attack to help Afghanistan thrash Bangladesh by six wickets in the second Twenty20 international at Dehradun on Tuesday.

Rashid&nbsp;claimed four wickets with his wily leg-spin to help bowl out Bangladesh for 134 as Afghanistan took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Mohammad Nabi also scalped two wickets to lead&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;to victory.&nbsp;

Afghanistan lost two wickets early, but Samiullah Shenwari stepped up and slammed 49 runs including three huge sixes.&nbsp;Mohammad Nabi had a productive partnership with Shenwari as Afghanistan reached the target in just 18.5 overs.&nbsp;

Earlier, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal hit 43 runs with five boundaries, however, other batsmen couldn't withstand Rashid's leg-breaks&nbsp;and fell&nbsp;cheaply.&nbsp;

Leg-spinner&nbsp;Rashid Khan was named the 'Man of the match'.&nbsp;

The third match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be played on Thursday.

Afghanistan tweaker Rashid Khan took 4 wickets and was named 'Man of the match'

Teen sensation Rashid Khan led an inspired spin attack to help Afghanistan thrash Bangladesh by six wickets in the second Twenty20 international at Dehradun on Tuesday. Rashid claimed four wickets with his wily leg-spin to help bowl out Bangladesh for 134 as Afghanistan took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Mohammad Nabi also scalped two wickets to lead Afghanistan to victory. Afghanistan lost two wickets early, but Samiullah Shenwari stepped up and slammed 49 runs including three huge sixes. Mohammad Nabi had a productive partnership with Shenwari as Afghanistan reached the target in just 18.5 overs. Earlier, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal hit 43 runs with five boundaries, however, other batsmen couldn't withstand Rashid's leg-breaks and fell cheaply. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan was named the 'Man of the match'. The third match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be played on Thursday.

T20: Rashid helps Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets; clinch series

A blast occurred near a Polytechnic University where clerics had gathered, reports said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wEFeY6sRc0k" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Reports said the explosion occurred as the clerics were leaving the area.

Reuters quoting security officials said a suicide bomber exploded a device near a tent where Muslim clerics had gathered to denounce terrorism.

Local media reported that at least 14 people, including 7 religious scholars and 4 security personnel, were killed in the&nbsp;attack.

The reports added that three others killed had not yet been identified.

The reports said 17 others had been wounded.

"Our initial information shows that the suicide attack took place when guests were exiting the tent where the meeting was being held," police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said.

Terrorists had opened fire in the Afghan capital last week leading to a gunfight with security forces.&nbsp;

Security officials said a suicide bomber exploded a device near a tent where Muslim clerics had gathered to denounce terrorism

A blast occurred near a Polytechnic University where clerics had gathered, reports said. × Reports said the explosion occurred as the clerics were leaving the area. Reuters quoting security officials said a suicide bomber exploded a device near a tent where Muslim clerics had gathered to denounce terrorism. Local media reported that at least 14 people, including 7 religious scholars and 4 security personnel, were killed in the attack. The reports added that three others killed had not yet been identified. The reports said 17 others had been wounded. "Our initial information shows that the suicide attack took place when guests were exiting the tent where the meeting was being held," police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said. Terrorists had opened fire in the Afghan capital last week leading to a gunfight with security forces.

Afghanistan: At least 14 killed in suicide bomb attack in Kabul

US military operations around the world claimed the lives of 500 civilians in 2017, according to a Pentagon report released on Friday.

According to the report, the civilians were killed in a total of six countries which included Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

In the report, it has been pointed out that Pentagon had no credible reports of civilian casualties from Libya and Somalia. Also, the Pentagon is yet to assess 450 civilian-casualty reports in Iraq and Syria, due to the paucity of resources, thereby indicating a possibility for the final tally to be higher.

It was the first time ever Pentagon released figures for civilian casualties caused by US&nbsp;military operations.&nbsp;

The Pentagon said about 499 civilians were killed and about 169 civilians injured, without providing a breakdown of deaths and injuries per country or further details about the victims.

It also said it had yet to assess 450 civilian-casualty reports in Iraq and Syria, due to limited resources, indicating the final tally could be higher.

According to the report, the civilians were killed in a total of six countries which included Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen

US military operations around the world claimed the lives of 500 civilians in 2017, according to a Pentagon report released on Friday. According to the report, the civilians were killed in a total of six countries which included Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. In the report, it has been pointed out that Pentagon had no credible reports of civilian casualties from Libya and Somalia. Also, the Pentagon is yet to assess 450 civilian-casualty reports in Iraq and Syria, due to the paucity of resources, thereby indicating a possibility for the final tally to be higher. It was the first time ever Pentagon released figures for civilian casualties caused by US military operations. The Pentagon said about 499 civilians were killed and about 169 civilians injured, without providing a breakdown of deaths and injuries per country or further details about the victims. It also said it had yet to assess 450 civilian-casualty reports in Iraq and Syria, due to limited resources, indicating the final tally could be higher.

US military operations killed 500 civilians globally in 2017: Pentagon

Nearly half all children in Afghanistan are out of school due to conflict, poverty, child marriage and discrimination against girls, the number rising for the first time since 2002, humanitarian organisations said in a report on Sunday.

The number of children deprived of schooling is at its highest rate since 2002 -- the year after the US-led ouster of the repressive Taliban regime, which had banned girls from the classroom.

Girls remain more likely to miss out on a formal education, making up 60 percent of the 3.7 million children aged between seven and 17 not at school.

Spreading violence has forced many schools to close, undermining fragile gains in education for girls in a country where millions have never set foot in a class room.

Some 3.7 million children between the ages of seven and 17, or 44 percent, are out of school, 2.7 million of them girls, Education Minister Mirwais Balkhi told a seminar, explaining a study conducted by UNICEF, USAID and the independent Samuel Hall think-tank.

The Taliban, seeking to oust the U.S.-backed government and return the country to strict Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster, are adamantly opposed to education for girls and threats from Islamic State have forced the closure of dozens of schools.

Child marriages and a shortage of female teachers were additional factors keeping girls away from the classroom.

The report by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also estimated that up to 300,000 children are at risk of dropping out before the end of the year.&nbsp

Those children most at risk often live in rural areas and face displacement, insecurity and a lack of schooling facilities.&nbsp

Without mentioning the Taliban or Islamic State, Balkhi said there were "many reasons" for children not going to school.

"Education of children is the most important development in all human communities," he said. "It is the most important tool in fighting war, poverty and unemployment."

In April this year, militants set ablaze two schools and widespread violence had led to closure of hundreds of private schools.

"Business as usual is not an option for Afghanistan if we are to fulfil the right to education for every child," said Adele Khodr of UNICEF in the report.

"When children are not in school, they are at increased danger of abuse, exploitation and recruitment."

The number of children deprived of schooling is at its highest rate since 2002 -- the year after the US-led ouster of the repressive Taliban regime, which had banned girls from the classroom

Nearly half all children in Afghanistan are out of school due to conflict, poverty, child marriage and discrimination against girls, the number rising for the first time since 2002, humanitarian organisations said in a report on Sunday. The number of children deprived of schooling is at its highest rate since 2002 -- the year after the US-led ouster of the repressive Taliban regime, which had banned girls from the classroom. Girls remain more likely to miss out on a formal education, making up 60 percent of the 3.7 million children aged between seven and 17 not at school. Spreading violence has forced many schools to close, undermining fragile gains in education for girls in a country where millions have never set foot in a class room. Some 3.7 million children between the ages of seven and 17, or 44 percent, are out of school, 2.7 million of them girls, Education Minister Mirwais Balkhi told a seminar, explaining a study conducted by UNICEF, USAID and the independent Samuel Hall think-tank. The Taliban, seeking to oust the U.S.-backed government and return the country to strict Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster, are adamantly opposed to education for girls and threats from Islamic State have forced the closure of dozens of schools. Child marriages and a shortage of female teachers were additional factors keeping girls away from the classroom. The report by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also estimated that up to 300,000 children are at risk of dropping out before the end of the year. Those children most at risk often live in rural areas and face displacement, insecurity and a lack of schooling facilities. Without mentioning the Taliban or Islamic State, Balkhi said there were "many reasons" for children not going to school. "Education of children is the most important development in all human communities," he said. "It is the most important tool in fighting war, poverty and unemployment." In April this year, militants set ablaze two schools and widespread violence had led to closure of hundreds of private schools. "Business as usual is not an option for Afghanistan if we are to fulfil the right to education for every child," said Adele Khodr of UNICEF in the report. "When children are not in school, they are at increased danger of abuse, exploitation and recruitment."

Nearly half Afghan children out of school, number rising for first time in years

At least one person was killed on Saturday after a bomb exploded in the eastern part of Afghanistan's Kabul City.

The explosion also injured two archaeologists and one driver.

The incident occurred in Benisar area&nbspof the eastern part of Kabul city.

The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital.

The archaeologists were attacked in their vehicle&nbspon their way to Afghan's Logar province.&nbsp

No individual or group has taken the responsibility for the incident till now.

(With inputs from ANI)

The incident occurred in Benisar area of the eastern part of Kabul city

At least one person was killed on Saturday after a bomb exploded in the eastern part of Afghanistan's Kabul City. The explosion also injured two archaeologists and one driver. The incident occurred in Benisar area&nbspof the eastern part of Kabul city. The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. The archaeologists were attacked in their vehicle&nbspon their way to Afghan's Logar province. No individual or group has taken the responsibility for the incident till now. (With inputs from ANI)

1 killed, 3 injured in Kabul blast

Czech lawmakers have approved a government plan to increase the number of troops deployed in Afghanistan and other countries, according to news reports.

The plan calls for the Czech Republic to deploy 390 soldiers in Afghanistan through 2020, up from the current 230, as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission that provides training, advice and assistance to local security forces.

As many as 110 Czechs will serve in Iraq, including military training instructors, up from 49 at present.&nbsp;

Some 120 soldiers will be dispatched to Africa's Sahel region, including Mali, as part of a European Union force.

Up to 385 Czechs will also serve in the Baltic states and Poland in NATO forces.

Today's vote in the parliament's lower house followed approval by its upper house, the Senate.&nbsp;

As many as 110 Czechs will serve in Iraq, including military training instructors, up from 49 at present.

Czech lawmakers have approved a government plan to increase the number of troops deployed in Afghanistan and other countries, according to news reports. The plan calls for the Czech Republic to deploy 390 soldiers in Afghanistan through 2020, up from the current 230, as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission that provides training, advice and assistance to local security forces. As many as 110 Czechs will serve in Iraq, including military training instructors, up from 49 at present. Some 120 soldiers will be dispatched to Africa's Sahel region, including Mali, as part of a European Union force. Up to 385 Czechs will also serve in the Baltic states and Poland in NATO forces. Today's vote in the parliament's lower house followed approval by its upper house, the Senate.

Czech Parliament approves more troops for Afghanistan, Iraq

Pakistan's outgoing defence and foreign minister Khurram Dastagir Khan said relations with the US are going through a difficult phase but it is not at the lowest.

"I don't think that our relations with the US are at the lowest ebb. The lowest was in 2011 post-Osama bin Laden, Raymond Davis and the Salalah incidents," &nbsp;Khurram said at a press conference.

The minister blamed the US's failure to win the war in Afghanistan for being responsible for the deteriorating relations with the US. Khan said the Pakistan economy had incurred a loss of $1 trillion and lost several thousand soldiers in its fight against terrorists but there was no end in sight.

Khan said: "They(the US) are bound to pin their failures in Afghanistan on someone else and Pakistan is an easy target for them."

Khan said the&nbsp;lack of communication and mistrust was mainly because the working-level dialogue was not being carried out at the "leadership level" even though high-level meetings were taking place, most recently between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and US Vice President Mike Pence.&nbsp;

"This desire to remain engaged has dwindled during the Trump administration, which is why our diplomatic contact and dialogue with the current US administration is almost next to none, he said.&nbsp;

Khan said the US had used sanctions as a means to "pressure Pakistan" but the government "tried not to overreact".

"We want continuous and sustainable dialogue at all levels of interaction with the US side," the outgoing foreign minister said.

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W6W3He0OV9I" width="560"></iframe>

The minister blamed the US's failure to win the war in Afghanistan for being responsible for the deteriorating relations with the US.

Pakistan's outgoing defence and foreign minister Khurram Dastagir Khan said relations with the US are going through a difficult phase but it is not at the lowest. "I don't think that our relations with the US are at the lowest ebb. The lowest was in 2011 post-Osama bin Laden, Raymond Davis and the Salalah incidents," Khurram said at a press conference. The minister blamed the US's failure to win the war in Afghanistan for being responsible for the deteriorating relations with the US. Khan said the Pakistan economy had incurred a loss of $1 trillion and lost several thousand soldiers in its fight against terrorists but there was no end in sight. Khan said: "They(the US) are bound to pin their failures in Afghanistan on someone else and Pakistan is an easy target for them." Khan said the lack of communication and mistrust was mainly because the working-level dialogue was not being carried out at the "leadership level" even though high-level meetings were taking place, most recently between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and US Vice President Mike Pence. "This desire to remain engaged has dwindled during the Trump administration, which is why our diplomatic contact and dialogue with the current US administration is almost next to none, he said. Khan said the US had used sanctions as a means to "pressure Pakistan" but the government "tried not to overreact". "We want continuous and sustainable dialogue at all levels of interaction with the US side," the outgoing foreign minister said.

Our diplomatic contact with the US is almost next to none: Pak foreign minister

Senior Taliban officials have been secretly negotiating with Afghan officials on a possible ceasefire, the Pentagon said Wednesday, even as US forces killed over 50 Taliban leaders in a series of strikes.

"A lot of the diplomatic activity and dialogue is occurring off the stage, and it's occurring at multiple levels," General John Nicholson said in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon.

He would not identify the figures involved in the negotiations, except to say that they included mid- and senior-level Taliban officials.

"I should point out they met in secret. This is how they were able to advance the talks," he said, adding that the success of the effort depends in part on the "confidentiality of the process."

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in late February proposed peace talks with the Taliban, saying they could be recognized as a political party if they accepted a ceasefire and recognized the country's 2004 constitution.

The Taliban have not officially responded, but deadly attacks have proliferated since then, particularly in Kabul, which has become the most dangerous place in the country for civilians.

On Wednesday, militants launched a gun and bomb attack on the Interior Ministry in Kabul, killing a policeman in another demonstration of their ability to strike at the heart of the Afghan capital.

The Taliban also claimed responsibility for a predawn attack on a police station in the capital of Logar province, about 70 kilometers (45 miles) southeast of Kabul.

Six police officers were killed and eight civilians were wounded, provincial police spokesman Shapoor Ahmadzai said.

But Nicholson, who has sought to drive the Taliban to the negotiating table by bringing to bear increased US military pressure, maintained that violence and progress can coexist.

He likened the situation in Afghanistan to that of Colombia where the fighting continued up until the FARC guerrilla group and the government signed a peace accord in 2016.

In a statement Wednesday, the US command in Afghanistan said the strikes against those behind a recent attack in the Helmand provincial capital of Farah resulted in "more than 50 casualties."

After pushing out fighters in Farah, Afghan and US forces continued to pursue them, Nicholson told reporters at the Pentagon via video link.

Under surveillance by the Marines, the Taliban fighters returned to their Helmand stronghold, a center for poppy cultivation.

On May 24, they were spotted in a known Taliban command center in Musa Qala.

Among the dead was the number two Taliban leader in Helmand, Abdul Manan, and several district governors and local leaders in Kandahar, Kunduz, Herat, Farah, Uruzgan and Helmand provinces.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in late February proposed peace talks with the Taliban

Senior Taliban officials have been secretly negotiating with Afghan officials on a possible ceasefire, the Pentagon said Wednesday, even as US forces killed over 50 Taliban leaders in a series of strikes. "A lot of the diplomatic activity and dialogue is occurring off the stage, and it's occurring at multiple levels," General John Nicholson said in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon. He would not identify the figures involved in the negotiations, except to say that they included mid- and senior-level Taliban officials. "I should point out they met in secret. This is how they were able to advance the talks," he said, adding that the success of the effort depends in part on the "confidentiality of the process." Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in late February proposed peace talks with the Taliban, saying they could be recognized as a political party if they accepted a ceasefire and recognized the country's 2004 constitution. The Taliban have not officially responded, but deadly attacks have proliferated since then, particularly in Kabul, which has become the most dangerous place in the country for civilians. On Wednesday, militants launched a gun and bomb attack on the Interior Ministry in Kabul, killing a policeman in another demonstration of their ability to strike at the heart of the Afghan capital. The Taliban also claimed responsibility for a predawn attack on a police station in the capital of Logar province, about 70 kilometers (45 miles) southeast of Kabul. Six police officers were killed and eight civilians were wounded, provincial police spokesman Shapoor Ahmadzai said. But Nicholson, who has sought to drive the Taliban to the negotiating table by bringing to bear increased US military pressure, maintained that violence and progress can coexist. He likened the situation in Afghanistan to that of Colombia where the fighting continued up until the FARC guerrilla group and the government signed a peace accord in 2016. In a statement Wednesday, the US command in Afghanistan said the strikes against those behind a recent attack in the Helmand provincial capital of Farah resulted in "more than 50 casualties." After pushing out fighters in Farah, Afghan and US forces continued to pursue them, Nicholson told reporters at the Pentagon via video link. Under surveillance by the Marines, the Taliban fighters returned to their Helmand stronghold, a center for poppy cultivation. On May 24, they were spotted in a known Taliban command center in Musa Qala. Among the dead was the number two Taliban leader in Helmand, Abdul Manan, and several district governors and local leaders in Kandahar, Kunduz, Herat, Farah, Uruzgan and Helmand provinces.

Taliban, Afghan officials in ceasefire talks: US general

The Islamic State on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack on Afghanistan's Interior Ministry in Kabul, which killed one police officer and wounded five people.&nbsp

The group accepted responsibility in a statement released online through Amaq news agency.

Gunmen armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers stormed the heavily fortified headquarters of the Afghan interior ministry, battling security forces for more than two hours in the latest attack on the capital Kabul.

A car bomb was detonated at the entrance of the ministry to launch the attack and then several gunmen managed to get inside the compound, said a senior police official.

Najib Danish, the ministry spokesman, confirmed the attack was carried out by a group of 10 militants and at least one policeman was killed and five were wounded.

A senior ministry official said one attacker blew himself up inside the compound and another was resisting from a watchtower as a plume of dust and smoke rose over the sprawling site.

Gunmen armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers stormed the heavily fortified headquarters of the Afghan interior ministry, battling security forces for more than two hours in the latest attack on the capital Kabul

The Islamic State on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack on Afghanistan's Interior Ministry in Kabul, which killed one police officer and wounded five people. The group accepted responsibility in a statement released online through Amaq news agency. Gunmen armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers stormed the heavily fortified headquarters of the Afghan interior ministry, battling security forces for more than two hours in the latest attack on the capital Kabul. A car bomb was detonated at the entrance of the ministry to launch the attack and then several gunmen managed to get inside the compound, said a senior police official. Najib Danish, the ministry spokesman, confirmed the attack was carried out by a group of 10 militants and at least one policeman was killed and five were wounded. A senior ministry official said one attacker blew himself up inside the compound and another was resisting from a watchtower as a plume of dust and smoke rose over the sprawling site.

Islamic State claims assault on Afghan interior ministry, 1 policeman killed

More than 50 Taliban commanders were killed during an artillery strike on a meeting in Afghanistan's Helmand province, officials&nbspinformed on Wednesday.&nbsp

Reports quoted officials as saying that a weapon system known as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, which is capable of firing GPS-guided rockets, destroyed a command-and-control position that was a known meeting place for high-level Taliban leaders.

He also added that because of a large number of leaders killed and their involvement in a range of attack planning, the impact of the HIMARS strike “will be felt beyond Helmand province.”

The attack on a meeting of commanders in the district of Musa Qala in Helmand, one of the heartlands of the Taliban insurgency, was a significant blow to the insurgents, said Lt. Col. Martin O'Donnell, spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

"It's certainly a notable strike," he said, adding that several other senior and lower level commanders had been killed during operations over a 10-day period this month.

The Taliban dismissed the report as "propaganda" and said the attack had hit two civilian houses in Musa Qala, killing five civilians and wounding three.

"This was a civilian residential area, which had no connection with the Taliban," spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said in a statement.

The statement further added that the structure was a known meeting location for prominent Taliban leaders, where they planned and facilitated attacks against Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, who are supporting election security in the area.&nbsp

The US&nbspmilitary said the May 24 meeting involved commanders from different Afghan provinces, including neighbouring Farah, where Taliban fighters briefly threatened to overrun the provincial capital this month.

"We think the meeting was to plan next steps," O'Donnell said. While the strike by an artillery rocket system would disrupt Taliban operations, it would not necessarily mean any interruption to the fighting, he said.

Reports quoted officials as saying that a weapon system known as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, which is capable of firing GPS-guided rockets, destroyed a command-and-control position

More than 50 Taliban commanders were killed during an artillery strike on a meeting in Afghanistan's Helmand province, officials&nbspinformed on Wednesday. Reports quoted officials as saying that a weapon system known as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, which is capable of firing GPS-guided rockets, destroyed a command-and-control position that was a known meeting place for high-level Taliban leaders. He also added that because of a large number of leaders killed and their involvement in a range of attack planning, the impact of the HIMARS strike “will be felt beyond Helmand province.” The attack on a meeting of commanders in the district of Musa Qala in Helmand, one of the heartlands of the Taliban insurgency, was a significant blow to the insurgents, said Lt. Col. Martin O'Donnell, spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. "It's certainly a notable strike," he said, adding that several other senior and lower level commanders had been killed during operations over a 10-day period this month. The Taliban dismissed the report as "propaganda" and said the attack had hit two civilian houses in Musa Qala, killing five civilians and wounding three. "This was a civilian residential area, which had no connection with the Taliban," spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said in a statement. The statement further added that the structure was a known meeting location for prominent Taliban leaders, where they planned and facilitated attacks against Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, who are supporting election security in the area. The US&nbspmilitary said the May 24 meeting involved commanders from different Afghan provinces, including neighbouring Farah, where Taliban fighters briefly threatened to overrun the provincial capital this month. "We think the meeting was to plan next steps," O'Donnell said. While the strike by an artillery rocket system would disrupt Taliban operations, it would not necessarily mean any interruption to the fighting, he said.

Over 50 Taliban leaders killed in rocket strike in Afghanistan

Kabul police said today that gunfire was head near the interior ministry building today.

A spokesman for the interior ministry Najib Danish confirmed that explosions occurred close to a new building at the ministry on airport road.

The spokesman&nbsp;said casualties are feared. Reports said gunfire is ongoing near the interior ministry building.

Security forces have reportedly blocked traffic on the road.

Kabul police said gunfire was heard near the interior ministry

Kabul police said today that gunfire was head near the interior ministry building today. A spokesman for the interior ministry Najib Danish confirmed that explosions occurred close to a new building at the ministry on airport road. The spokesman said casualties are feared. Reports said gunfire is ongoing near the interior ministry building. Security forces have reportedly blocked traffic on the road.

Afghanistan: Explosion near interior ministry building in Kabul

The SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group Meeting was held here today during which India underlined the security challenges posed by terrorism imposed from beyond the borders of the war-torn country.

The Indian delegation was led by Additional Secretary (Multilateral Diplomacy) Gitesh Sarma at the second meeting of SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"The meeting discussed issues on three agendas, namely the current situation of Afghanistan and its neighbouring regions, the reconciliation process in Afghanistan and role of SCO, and measures for cooperation between SCO and Afghanistan," the MEA said in a statement.

India shared its perspectives on the security situation in Afghanistan, including security challenges posed by terrorism and extremism imposed from beyond its borders, extended support to the peace offer made by the President of Afghanistan to the armed opposition for talks in February this year and the need for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled national peace and reconciliation in an environment free of terror and violence, it said.

India also stressed on continued assistance for socio-economic development based on priorities of the Afghan people and ensuring greater connectivity and regional integration for Afghanistan.

India reiterated its support to the membership of Afghanistan in the SCO, the statement said.

It also conveyed its readiness to work closely with the SCO member states in efforts to bring peace, prosperity and stability in Afghanistan.

On the sidelines of the Contact Group meeting, the Indian delegation held bilateral consultations with the delegations of China, Afghanistan, Russia and Tajikistan.

The SCO in which China plays an influential role is comprised of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan were admitted to the organisation last year.

Iran, along with Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia, is an observer in the SCO.&nbsp 
&nbsp

The Indian delegation was led by Additional Secretary (Multilateral Diplomacy) Gitesh Sarma at the second meeting of SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group

The SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group Meeting was held here today during which India underlined the security challenges posed by terrorism imposed from beyond the borders of the war-torn country. The Indian delegation was led by Additional Secretary (Multilateral Diplomacy) Gitesh Sarma at the second meeting of SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "The meeting discussed issues on three agendas, namely the current situation of Afghanistan and its neighbouring regions, the reconciliation process in Afghanistan and role of SCO, and measures for cooperation between SCO and Afghanistan," the MEA said in a statement. India shared its perspectives on the security situation in Afghanistan, including security challenges posed by terrorism and extremism imposed from beyond its borders, extended support to the peace offer made by the President of Afghanistan to the armed opposition for talks in February this year and the need for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled national peace and reconciliation in an environment free of terror and violence, it said. India also stressed on continued assistance for socio-economic development based on priorities of the Afghan people and ensuring greater connectivity and regional integration for Afghanistan. India reiterated its support to the membership of Afghanistan in the SCO, the statement said. It also conveyed its readiness to work closely with the SCO member states in efforts to bring peace, prosperity and stability in Afghanistan. On the sidelines of the Contact Group meeting, the Indian delegation held bilateral consultations with the delegations of China, Afghanistan, Russia and Tajikistan. The SCO in which China plays an influential role is comprised of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan were admitted to the organisation last year. Iran, along with Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia, is an observer in the SCO.

India flags security challenges faced by Afghanistan at SCO meet

At least 11 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in a drone attack by US and NATO-led coalition forces on Sunday.

The attack was carried out in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

According to the authorities, two IS militants were also wounded in the attack and three vehicles were destroyed.

Last year, the CIA had&nbsprequested the authorities to conduct covert drone strikes against terrorists in Afghanistan.&nbsp

&nbsp

The attack was carried out in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province

At least 11 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in a drone attack by US and NATO-led coalition forces on Sunday. The attack was carried out in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. According to the authorities, two IS militants were also wounded in the attack and three vehicles were destroyed. Last year, the CIA had&nbsprequested the authorities to conduct covert drone strikes against terrorists in Afghanistan.

11 IS militants killed in Afghanistan in US-led drone attack

More than 3.4 million people across Afghanistan have registered their names to vote ahead of the October elections, confirmed officials of the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC).

Kabul remains at the top of the list in terms of voter turnout, with 956,820 voters.

The IEC has also extended the voter registration process for another ten days.

However, elections monitoring groups and former heads of the IEC have alleged that the election commission does not have credible documents to substantiate as to how many people have genuinely registered.

"The election commission so far has not created a system to show how many people have registered, still there is the database and there is no proper system, what the election commission says is information gathered over the telephone which is not credible," the report quoted former IEC chief Fazel Ahmad Manavi, as saying.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Afghan CEO Abdullah Abdullah`s office has asked the IEC to step up the process of creating the voter database.

"The commission has enough time to enter all those names who registered into the database," said the CEO`s deputy spokesman Jawed Faisal.

Kabul remains at the top of the list in terms of voter turnout, with 956,820 voters

More than 3.4 million people across Afghanistan have registered their names to vote ahead of the October elections, confirmed officials of the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC). Kabul remains at the top of the list in terms of voter turnout, with 956,820 voters. The IEC has also extended the voter registration process for another ten days. However, elections monitoring groups and former heads of the IEC have alleged that the election commission does not have credible documents to substantiate as to how many people have genuinely registered. "The election commission so far has not created a system to show how many people have registered, still there is the database and there is no proper system, what the election commission says is information gathered over the telephone which is not credible," the report quoted former IEC chief Fazel Ahmad Manavi, as saying. Meanwhile, it has been reported that Afghan CEO Abdullah Abdullah`s office has asked the IEC to step up the process of creating the voter database. "The commission has enough time to enter all those names who registered into the database," said the CEO`s deputy spokesman Jawed Faisal.

Over 3.4 million Afghans register to vote: Report

Afghanistan and Pakistan held a meeting of senior military and intelligence officials on Sunday to discuss comprehensive bilateral mechanism on key areas.

The talks that&nbsp;majorly aimed at ensuring peace in the region were held at Pakistan army's headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Pakistan's Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa told the delegation that the two countries must develop trust that they will never try to intrude into other's territory nor they will allow their land to be used against the other.

Afghanistan has been putting pressure on Pakistan to stop the country from using its land for breeding terrorists against it.

This is the first time when a high-level official from Afghanistan has visited Pakistan after the two countries agreed on a comprehensive bilateral mechanism for dialogue on key areas.

The talks that majorly aimed at ensuring peace in the region were held at Pakistan army's headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi

Afghanistan and Pakistan held a meeting of senior military and intelligence officials on Sunday to discuss comprehensive bilateral mechanism on key areas. The talks that majorly aimed at ensuring peace in the region were held at Pakistan army's headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. Pakistan's Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa told the delegation that the two countries must develop trust that they will never try to intrude into other's territory nor they will allow their land to be used against the other. Afghanistan has been putting pressure on Pakistan to stop the country from using its land for breeding terrorists against it. This is the first time when a high-level official from Afghanistan has visited Pakistan after the two countries agreed on a comprehensive bilateral mechanism for dialogue on key areas.

Afghan, Pakistani military officials held talks to push for peace

After Hyderabad defeated&nbsp;Kolkata in the Qualifier 2, the franchise were celebrating their victory and the fact that&nbsp;they made it to finals against Chennai.

Afghanistan tweaker Rashid&nbsp;Khan was named 'Man of the match' after his brilliant haul of 34 runs in 10 balls, which helped Hyderabad taste victory.&nbsp;

Where everyone was seen partying and drinking, Rashid refused for Champagne&nbsp;as Islam does not permit for alcohol.&nbsp;

His simplicity won many hearts across the globe and was appreciated for following his religion&nbsp;with so much respect.

The video of the same went viral which shows that after cake-cutting&nbsp;a teammate&nbsp;offered him champagne but he refused to even touch the bottle.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3U8dm-u_1-Y" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Being picked up at a whopping price of Rs 4 crore, Afghanistan bowler proved that he's worth every penny of it. He had a great tournament overall and is praised by many.

Be his bowling or his performance&nbsp;in fielding he has shown&nbsp;great efforts in both.

On Sunday, Chennai defeated Hyderabad by eight wickets at Wankhede Stadium and claimed the IPL title for the third time in the league.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On Sunday, Chennai defeated Hyderabad and claimed the IPL trophy for the third time in the league

After Hyderabad defeated Kolkata in the Qualifier 2, the franchise were celebrating their victory and the fact that they made it to finals against Chennai. Afghanistan tweaker Rashid Khan was named 'Man of the match' after his brilliant haul of 34 runs in 10 balls, which helped Hyderabad taste victory. Where everyone was seen partying and drinking, Rashid refused for Champagne as Islam does not permit for alcohol. His simplicity won many hearts across the globe and was appreciated for following his religion with so much respect. The video of the same went viral which shows that after cake-cutting a teammate offered him champagne but he refused to even touch the bottle. × Being picked up at a whopping price of Rs 4 crore, Afghanistan bowler proved that he's worth every penny of it. He had a great tournament overall and is praised by many. Be his bowling or his performance in fielding he has shown great efforts in both. On Sunday, Chennai defeated Hyderabad by eight wickets at Wankhede Stadium and claimed the IPL title for the third time in the league.

Afghanistan tweaker Rashid Khan refuses to touch alcohol, video goes viral

Several soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, on Sunday.

The incident took place in the vicinity of Nad-e-Ali district after a suicide bomber detonated a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) near a military base, reported Khaama Press.

According to the reports, the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The number of casualties has not been confirmed yet, as, according to provincial governor's spokesman Omar Zwak, two soldiers have lost their lives, while another security official stated that eight Afghan soldiers were killed and nearly a dozen more injured.

Helmand is among the relatively volatile provinces in South of Afghanistan where the anti-government armed militant groups are actively operating in its various districts and often carry out insurgency activities.

On Friday, a ground-based rocket artillery was carried out against Taliban leaders in Musa Qala district in Helmand, Task Force-Southwest, under US Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A)

A ground-based rocket artillery was carried out against Taliban leaders in Musa Qala district in Helmand, Task Force-Southwest, under US Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A)

The incident took place in the vicinity of Nad-e-Ali district after a suicide bomber detonated a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) near a military base,

Several soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, on Sunday. The incident took place in the vicinity of Nad-e-Ali district after a suicide bomber detonated a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) near a military base, reported Khaama Press. According to the reports, the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. The number of casualties has not been confirmed yet, as, according to provincial governor's spokesman Omar Zwak, two soldiers have lost their lives, while another security official stated that eight Afghan soldiers were killed and nearly a dozen more injured. Helmand is among the relatively volatile provinces in South of Afghanistan where the anti-government armed militant groups are actively operating in its various districts and often carry out insurgency activities. On Friday, a ground-based rocket artillery was carried out against Taliban leaders in Musa Qala district in Helmand, Task Force-Southwest, under US Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) A ground-based rocket artillery was carried out against Taliban leaders in Musa Qala district in Helmand, Task Force-Southwest, under US Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A)

Several Afghan soldiers killed in suicide blast in Helmand

The Special Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), have foiled Taliban's bid to carry out a coordinated attack in Afghanistan's western Farah province.

The Special Forces of the directorate targeted a large compound of the Taliban in Farah Rod district which the terror outfit wanted to put to use for the attack, reported Afghan's news agency Khaama Press, citing, NDS, as saying, in a statement.

According to the report, senior commanders, leading a group of 100 insurgents, were using the compound to mobilize forces for the attack.

At least fifteen Taliban insurgents were killed during the operation including a commander of the group identified as Lawang.

According to the statement issued by NDS, the Special Forces also confiscated six tons of explosives along with several weapons and ammunition during the operation.

The Special Forces of the directorate targeted a large compound of the Taliban in Farah Rod district which the terror outfit wanted to put to use for the attack, reported Afghan's news agency Khaama Press, citing, NDS, as saying, in a statement

The Special Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), have foiled Taliban's bid to carry out a coordinated attack in Afghanistan's western Farah province. The Special Forces of the directorate targeted a large compound of the Taliban in Farah Rod district which the terror outfit wanted to put to use for the attack, reported Afghan's news agency Khaama Press, citing, NDS, as saying, in a statement. According to the report, senior commanders, leading a group of 100 insurgents, were using the compound to mobilize forces for the attack. At least fifteen Taliban insurgents were killed during the operation including a commander of the group identified as Lawang. According to the statement issued by NDS, the Special Forces also confiscated six tons of explosives along with several weapons and ammunition during the operation.

Afghanistan: Taliban's bid to conduct coordinated attack foiled

The United States wasted billions of dollars trying to stabilize fragile parts of Afghanistan from 2001-2017 and some efforts caused more harm than good, a US government watchdog said&nbsp;Thursday.

A report by the office of the Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction found that Washington had set unrealistic expectations for itself after the US-led invasion in 2001 and massively overestimated its ability to build and reform government institutions.

"Despite some heroic efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2017, the program mostly failed," Special Inspector General John Sopko said as he presented the report in Washington.

"This happened for a number of reasons, including the establishment of a set of unrealistic expectations about what could be achieved in just a few years' time."

The report found that the military pressured aid groups to build schools and infrastructure in areas that were still being contested by the Taliban, leading to the failure of many projects.

Most of the $4.7 billion in stabilization funds were spent after 2009 when a surge in troops to Afghanistan saw large area cleared of the Taliban -- a rush of Western experts then tried to build institutions in these areas.

But the "large sums of stabilization dollars the United States devoted to Afghanistan in search of quick gains often exacerbated conflicts, enabled corruption and bolstered support for insurgents," the report states.

"Opportunities for corruption and elite capture abounded, making many of those projects far more harmful than helpful," it adds.

The SIGAR analysis found that Washington had set expectations and programs not properly tailored for Afghanistan, and noted that successes in stabilizing Afghan districts rarely lasted longer than the physical presence of coalition troops and civilians.

"Under immense pressure to quickly stabilize insecure districts, US government agencies spent far too much money, far too quickly, in a country woefully unprepared to absorb it," SIGAR noted.

'Despite some heroic efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2017, the program mostly failed,' Special Inspector General John Sopko said

The United States wasted billions of dollars trying to stabilize fragile parts of Afghanistan from 2001-2017 and some efforts caused more harm than good, a US government watchdog said Thursday. A report by the office of the Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction found that Washington had set unrealistic expectations for itself after the US-led invasion in 2001 and massively overestimated its ability to build and reform government institutions. "Despite some heroic efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2017, the program mostly failed," Special Inspector General John Sopko said as he presented the report in Washington. "This happened for a number of reasons, including the establishment of a set of unrealistic expectations about what could be achieved in just a few years' time." The report found that the military pressured aid groups to build schools and infrastructure in areas that were still being contested by the Taliban, leading to the failure of many projects. Most of the $4.7 billion in stabilization funds were spent after 2009 when a surge in troops to Afghanistan saw large area cleared of the Taliban -- a rush of Western experts then tried to build institutions in these areas. But the "large sums of stabilization dollars the United States devoted to Afghanistan in search of quick gains often exacerbated conflicts, enabled corruption and bolstered support for insurgents," the report states. "Opportunities for corruption and elite capture abounded, making many of those projects far more harmful than helpful," it adds. The SIGAR analysis found that Washington had set expectations and programs not properly tailored for Afghanistan, and noted that successes in stabilizing Afghan districts rarely lasted longer than the physical presence of coalition troops and civilians. "Under immense pressure to quickly stabilize insecure districts, US government agencies spent far too much money, far too quickly, in a country woefully unprepared to absorb it," SIGAR noted.

US wasted billions in failed Afghan stabilization efforts: Official

The Pentagon is all set to name Lieutenant General Austin "Scott" Miller as the next commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan.

Miller will replace current Commander General John Nicholson, the Hill reported, citing senior military officers telling the Wall Street Journal.

Gen. Nicholson has been in charge of the 17-year-old Afghan war since March 2016.

According to the report, Miller has spent the last two years in charge of the military`s Joint Special Operations Command, which oversees the elite Special Mission Units.

Those units include the Navy`s SEAL Team Six and the Army`s Delta Force, which perform highly classified activities.

Throwing more light on his credentials, the report states that he was a captain and ground force commander in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, and was honoured a Bronze Star for his actions there.

Last year, US President Donald Trump revealed his new plan for Afghanistan, which includes sending about 4,000 additional troops to the war-torn South Asian country.

It is pertinent to mention that Miller will be the first commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan appointed under Trump.

Gen. Nicholson has been in charge of the 17-year-old Afghan war since March 2016

The Pentagon is all set to name Lieutenant General Austin "Scott" Miller as the next commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan. Miller will replace current Commander General John Nicholson, the Hill reported, citing senior military officers telling the Wall Street Journal. Gen. Nicholson has been in charge of the 17-year-old Afghan war since March 2016. According to the report, Miller has spent the last two years in charge of the military`s Joint Special Operations Command, which oversees the elite Special Mission Units. Those units include the Navy`s SEAL Team Six and the Army`s Delta Force, which perform highly classified activities. Throwing more light on his credentials, the report states that he was a captain and ground force commander in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, and was honoured a Bronze Star for his actions there. Last year, US President Donald Trump revealed his new plan for Afghanistan, which includes sending about 4,000 additional troops to the war-torn South Asian country. It is pertinent to mention that Miller will be the first commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan appointed under Trump.

Pentagon to appoint new US commander for Afghanistan

At least 16 people were killed and 38 wounded today when a minivan packed with explosives detonated as security forces were trying to defuse it in southern Afghanistan, officials said.

Security forces in Kandahar had already cleared the area around a bus station where the van was found, provincial governor spokesman Daud Ahmadi said.

"As the security forces were trying to defuse the van, it detonated," said police spokesman Mohammad Qasim Azad.

"The latest figures show 16 dead and 38 wounded people brought to the hospital. We still have two ambulances at the site because there might be more people under the rubble," Dr Nehmat Barak, chief of the Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar, said.

Ahmadi confirmed the toll, adding that the dead included four security forces personnel. At least five children and 10 members of the security forces were among the wounded.

The blast was so powerful that the majority of the casualties were passers-by outside the cleared area.

Ahmadi said security forces also found a large container of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades, suicide vests, and ammunition near the site.

The terrorists planned to conduct a big attack at end of Ramadan in the city among crowds of people as they went out shopping for Eid... Security forces prevented a disaster from happening," one security official told AFP. 
No group immediately claimed responsibility.

The blast comes as the Taliban step up their spring offensive across the war-torn country.

Last week the insurgent group attacked western Farah city, but were repelled by commandos backed by the Afghan and US Air Force.

Yesterday, the Taliban warned Kabul residents to avoid "military centres" in the heavily fortified city, saying they are planning more attacks in the Afghan capital.

A US government watchdog also warned yesterday that upbeat assessments of improving security in the country did not match facts on the ground.

The Pentagon's Office of the Inspector General said there were "few signs of progress" in the fight against the Taliban.

Top US officials and military commanders insist the Afghan security forces -- which have suffered thousands of casualties and are beset with low morale and corruption -- are now doing a better job of maintaining order.

But the Taliban still control swathes of the country and are staging repeated attacks, while the Islamic State group has conducted a series of high-profile suicide blasts in Kabul and elsewhere.&nbsp;

Nematullah Barak, a head of the Mirwais hospital in Kandahar, said 16 dead and 38 wounded, including several children, had been brought in but the final total could be higher as ambulances were still at the scene

At least 16 people were killed and 38 wounded today when a minivan packed with explosives detonated as security forces were trying to defuse it in southern Afghanistan, officials said. Security forces in Kandahar had already cleared the area around a bus station where the van was found, provincial governor spokesman Daud Ahmadi said. "As the security forces were trying to defuse the van, it detonated," said police spokesman Mohammad Qasim Azad. "The latest figures show 16 dead and 38 wounded people brought to the hospital. We still have two ambulances at the site because there might be more people under the rubble," Dr Nehmat Barak, chief of the Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar, said. Ahmadi confirmed the toll, adding that the dead included four security forces personnel. At least five children and 10 members of the security forces were among the wounded. The blast was so powerful that the majority of the casualties were passers-by outside the cleared area. Ahmadi said security forces also found a large container of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades, suicide vests, and ammunition near the site. The terrorists planned to conduct a big attack at end of Ramadan in the city among crowds of people as they went out shopping for Eid... Security forces prevented a disaster from happening," one security official told AFP. No group immediately claimed responsibility. The blast comes as the Taliban step up their spring offensive across the war-torn country. Last week the insurgent group attacked western Farah city, but were repelled by commandos backed by the Afghan and US Air Force. Yesterday, the Taliban warned Kabul residents to avoid "military centres" in the heavily fortified city, saying they are planning more attacks in the Afghan capital. A US government watchdog also warned yesterday that upbeat assessments of improving security in the country did not match facts on the ground. The Pentagon's Office of the Inspector General said there were "few signs of progress" in the fight against the Taliban. Top US officials and military commanders insist the Afghan security forces -- which have suffered thousands of casualties and are beset with low morale and corruption -- are now doing a better job of maintaining order. But the Taliban still control swathes of the country and are staging repeated attacks, while the Islamic State group has conducted a series of high-profile suicide blasts in Kabul and elsewhere.

16 killed, 38 wounded by minivan blast in Afghanistan's Kandahar

President Donald Trump's South Asia strategy has shown few signs of progress this quarter, a US&nbsp;government watchdog report said&nbsp;on Monday, despite public assertions by the US&nbsp;military that Taliban militants were on the back foot.

An inspector general report said that there had been few signs of significant progress by Afghan security forces and the Taliban continued to carry out deadly attacks.

"Available metrics showed few signs of progress, and during the quarter, the Taliban and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria - Khorasan each launched high-profile attacks in Kabul that killed hundreds," a statement accompanying the report said.

In August, Trump committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in&nbsp;Afghanistan, dispatching an additional 3,000 troops to the nearly 17-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands of Afghan civilians.

Publicly, US&nbsp;officials have presented an optimistic view of the situation in&nbsp;Afghanistan. U.S. Army General John Nicholson, who leads US&nbsp;and international forces in&nbsp;Afghanistan, in November said the country had "turned the corner."

Nicholson was the latest US&nbsp;military official to try and put a positive image on the war, despite few signs of an end to the conflict.

"This quarter the Taliban continued to hold territory and launched devastating terrorist attacks in Kabul and across the country," the watchdog report said.

The report covered the war in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;from January to the end of March and was compiled by the inspector generals from the Pentagon, State Department and US&nbsp;Agency for International Development.

A Pentagon spokesman said the military felt that progress was being made.

"Chaos and progress can coexist and that is exactly what we feel is happening in&nbsp;Afghanistan," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning said.

In a sign of the precarious security situation, Taliban fighters closed in on another district in Afghanistan&nbsp;over the weekend, a development at odds with the positive image US&nbsp;military officials have conveyed.

"Given the different audiences that US&nbsp;military officials have in mind when they make these (public) announcements, there is simply a very strong incentive to accentuate and even embellish the positives, (and) to minimize the negatives," said Michael Kugelman, with the Wilson Center think tank in Washington.

It is a war that many Americans don't support and don't understand and yet it is a war that is probably going to continue for the foreseeable future ... it is just like Vietnam.

There had been few signs of significant progress by Afghan security forces and the Taliban continued to carry out deadly attacks, stated the report

President Donald Trump's South Asia strategy has shown few signs of progress this quarter, a US government watchdog report said on Monday, despite public assertions by the US military that Taliban militants were on the back foot. An inspector general report said that there had been few signs of significant progress by Afghan security forces and the Taliban continued to carry out deadly attacks. "Available metrics showed few signs of progress, and during the quarter, the Taliban and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria - Khorasan each launched high-profile attacks in Kabul that killed hundreds," a statement accompanying the report said. In August, Trump committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan, dispatching an additional 3,000 troops to the nearly 17-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands of Afghan civilians. Publicly, US officials have presented an optimistic view of the situation in Afghanistan. U.S. Army General John Nicholson, who leads US and international forces in Afghanistan, in November said the country had "turned the corner." Nicholson was the latest US military official to try and put a positive image on the war, despite few signs of an end to the conflict. "This quarter the Taliban continued to hold territory and launched devastating terrorist attacks in Kabul and across the country," the watchdog report said. The report covered the war in Afghanistan from January to the end of March and was compiled by the inspector generals from the Pentagon, State Department and US Agency for International Development. A Pentagon spokesman said the military felt that progress was being made. "Chaos and progress can coexist and that is exactly what we feel is happening in Afghanistan," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning said. In a sign of the precarious security situation, Taliban fighters closed in on another district in Afghanistan over the weekend, a development at odds with the positive image US military officials have conveyed. "Given the different audiences that US military officials have in mind when they make these (public) announcements, there is simply a very strong incentive to accentuate and even embellish the positives, (and) to minimize the negatives," said Michael Kugelman, with the Wilson Center think tank in Washington. It is a war that many Americans don't support and don't understand and yet it is a war that is probably going to continue for the foreseeable future ... it is just like Vietnam.

Watchdog finds little progress in Afghanistan, despite US military optimism

Taliban fighters closed in on another district in Afghanistan on Sunday as officials sought to reassure an increasingly angry public that security would improve.

On Sunday, the insurgents were besieging the governor's compound in Ajrestan district in Ghazni, south of the capital Kabul, although officials said reinforcements had arrived and were relieving police defending the town.

The fighting in Ghazni, which has long had a heavy Taliban presence, follows several days of fighting in Farah province, on the other side of Afghanistan on the border with Iran where the insurgents came close to overrunning the provincial capital.

General John Nicholson, the top US&nbspcommander in Afghanistan visited Farah on Saturday with the ministers of the interior and defence and the head of the NDS intelligence service.

"Farah did not fall and Farah will never fall," he said, calling on the Taliban to accept President Ashraf Ghani's offer of peace talks. "We will stay with you until we bring this war to a peaceful conclusion," he said.

He met local officials in the governor`s compound and heard a bitter litany of complaints about the failure of the government to protect the city and the province, where the Taliban control many areas.

"If you want to make Farah better, then please, you should help before there`s an incident," said Belqis Roshan, a former senator. "We have 10 districts, and apart from the centres, they`re under Taliban rule," she said.

Reinforcements rushed in from other provinces and repeated strikes by Afghan and US&nbspair forces pushed the insurgents back from the city centre but bazaars remain deserted and the streets empty.

"People are still worried about the situation," said Farah resident Abdullah. "The Taliban have a strong presence in almost all districts and are still hiding in some parts of the city."

As the Taliban have continued the spring offensive they launched last month, heavy fighting has been seen from Badakhshan and Baghlan provinces in the north to Farah in the west and Ghazni and Zabul in the centre.

In Ajrestan district in Ghazni, Mohammad Arif Noori, a spokesman for the provincial governor said fresh commando forces had arrived and the Taliban pushed back from the town centre.

"Fighting is continuing but the attacks on the district center have been repelled," he said. 
 
However local officials said the centre remained under severe threat and the local governor had fled.

"Since last night, we have lost contact with officials and security forces in Ajrestan. Since then we have had no report on the situation in the district," said Mansoor Faqiri, a member of the Ghazni provincial council.

Taliban fighters closed in on another district in Afghanistan on Sunday as officials sought to reassure an increasingly angry public that security would improve

Taliban fighters closed in on another district in Afghanistan on Sunday as officials sought to reassure an increasingly angry public that security would improve. On Sunday, the insurgents were besieging the governor's compound in Ajrestan district in Ghazni, south of the capital Kabul, although officials said reinforcements had arrived and were relieving police defending the town. The fighting in Ghazni, which has long had a heavy Taliban presence, follows several days of fighting in Farah province, on the other side of Afghanistan on the border with Iran where the insurgents came close to overrunning the provincial capital. General John Nicholson, the top US&nbspcommander in Afghanistan visited Farah on Saturday with the ministers of the interior and defence and the head of the NDS intelligence service. "Farah did not fall and Farah will never fall," he said, calling on the Taliban to accept President Ashraf Ghani's offer of peace talks. "We will stay with you until we bring this war to a peaceful conclusion," he said. He met local officials in the governor`s compound and heard a bitter litany of complaints about the failure of the government to protect the city and the province, where the Taliban control many areas. "If you want to make Farah better, then please, you should help before there`s an incident," said Belqis Roshan, a former senator. "We have 10 districts, and apart from the centres, they`re under Taliban rule," she said. Reinforcements rushed in from other provinces and repeated strikes by Afghan and US&nbspair forces pushed the insurgents back from the city centre but bazaars remain deserted and the streets empty. "People are still worried about the situation," said Farah resident Abdullah. "The Taliban have a strong presence in almost all districts and are still hiding in some parts of the city." As the Taliban have continued the spring offensive they launched last month, heavy fighting has been seen from Badakhshan and Baghlan provinces in the north to Farah in the west and Ghazni and Zabul in the centre. In Ajrestan district in Ghazni, Mohammad Arif Noori, a spokesman for the provincial governor said fresh commando forces had arrived and the Taliban pushed back from the town centre. "Fighting is continuing but the attacks on the district center have been repelled," he said. However local officials said the centre remained under severe threat and the local governor had fled. "Since last night, we have lost contact with officials and security forces in Ajrestan. Since then we have had no report on the situation in the district," said Mansoor Faqiri, a member of the Ghazni provincial council.

Afghan government under pressure as Taliban threaten new district

Former Pakistani Army officer Lieutenant General (Retd.) Shahid Aziz has been reportedly killed in Afghanistan some time back.

Several media reports stated that his dead body has been recovered from Pak-Afghan border.

However, his son, Major (Retd.) Zeeshain calling the news of his father as false, told a local news channel that Lieutenant General Retd. Shahid Aziz is in Africa for tableegh, and he is in contact with the family.

Lt General (r) Aziz has also served as the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman. He served in Pakistan army for 37 years and retired in 2005.

While being in the army, he remained as the DGMO, the chief of general staff and Lahore corps commander.

In another news, former president Pervez Musharraf had maintained in a statement lately that Shahid Aziz had grown a beard and gone to Syria where he had been killed.

On that note, Former Chief of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Amrullah Saleh, reacted at the alleged killing of the former top Pakistani General in Afghanistan.

"Pak Army (retd) Gen. Aziz killed in Afg while mentoring terrorists to target @ResoluteSupport & ANDSF. He was a terrorist in uniform who led Talbn frm rear in 90s & one of d mastermind of SSG deployment in Knduz in July 2001 later evacuated in Evil Flights deal after 9/11," Saleh wrote on Twitter.

Lt General (r) Shahid Aziz had taken admission in Islamic Studies department of a university and had penned down a book titled "Yeh Khamoshi Kahan Tak" in which he is said to have disclosed staggering specifics about certain issues including the 1999 Kargil War.

The general's son however has refuted the reports, saying Lieutenant General (retd) Shahid Aziz is in Africa and in contact with the family

Former Pakistani Army officer Lieutenant General (Retd.) Shahid Aziz has been reportedly killed in Afghanistan some time back. Several media reports stated that his dead body has been recovered from Pak-Afghan border. However, his son, Major (Retd.) Zeeshain calling the news of his father as false, told a local news channel that Lieutenant General Retd. Shahid Aziz is in Africa for tableegh, and he is in contact with the family. Lt General (r) Aziz has also served as the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman. He served in Pakistan army for 37 years and retired in 2005. While being in the army, he remained as the DGMO, the chief of general staff and Lahore corps commander. In another news, former president Pervez Musharraf had maintained in a statement lately that Shahid Aziz had grown a beard and gone to Syria where he had been killed. On that note, Former Chief of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Amrullah Saleh, reacted at the alleged killing of the former top Pakistani General in Afghanistan. "Pak Army (retd) Gen. Aziz killed in Afg while mentoring terrorists to target @ResoluteSupport & ANDSF. He was a terrorist in uniform who led Talbn frm rear in 90s & one of d mastermind of SSG deployment in Knduz in July 2001 later evacuated in Evil Flights deal after 9/11," Saleh wrote on Twitter. Lt General (r) Shahid Aziz had taken admission in Islamic Studies department of a university and had penned down a book titled "Yeh Khamoshi Kahan Tak" in which he is said to have disclosed staggering specifics about certain issues including the 1999 Kargil War.

Ex-Pakistani general killed in Afghanistan: Reports

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Pakistan has seized vast amount of weapons and ammunition during a raid in Quetta.&nbsp;

The raid that was carried out along with the law enforcement agencies has recovered huge stock of explosives, weapons, suicide jackets.

The raid was conducted after the authorities received inputs from arrested terrorists.

The security forces had also evaded a major terrorist attack in Quetta recently by killing five suicide bombers who were aiming to enter&nbsp;into a Frontier Corps on an explosive-laden vehicle.

The raid that was carried out along with the law enforcement agencies has recovered huge stock of explosives, weapons, suicide jackets

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Pakistan has seized vast amount of weapons and ammunition during a raid in Quetta. The raid that was carried out along with the law enforcement agencies has recovered huge stock of explosives, weapons, suicide jackets. The raid was conducted after the authorities received inputs from arrested terrorists. The security forces had also evaded a major terrorist attack in Quetta recently by killing five suicide bombers who were aiming to enter into a Frontier Corps on an explosive-laden vehicle.

Large stock of weapons, ammunition seized in Quetta

US President Donald Trump`s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan`s economy, endangering a key goal of the US strategy to end America`s longest war.

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbour.

Building Afghanistan`s economy would also slash Kabul`s dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban`s main revenue source.

But Trump`s decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar`s viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing.

"President Trump`s decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty."

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July.

At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said.

In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan`s port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries.&nbsp

"We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender.

Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan`s trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.

Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers.

"The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan`s economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University`s Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy."

Foreign aid

Some 17 years after the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world`s poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid.

Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade.

Initially, Afghanistan would export agricultural produce – such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said.

Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for US firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said.

"The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former US&nbspArmy officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy.

&nbsp"There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can`t do it by air, you can`t do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do," said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar."

In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world.

That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks.

Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating through Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington.

"Now the uncertainty is that we don`t know what`s going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven`t heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."

 
&nbsp

US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan`s economy, endangering a key goal of the US strategy to end America`s longest war

US President Donald Trump`s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan`s economy, endangering a key goal of the US strategy to end America`s longest war. The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbour. Building Afghanistan`s economy would also slash Kabul`s dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban`s main revenue source. But Trump`s decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar`s viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing. "President Trump`s decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty." The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July. At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said. In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan`s port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries. "We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender. Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan`s trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves. Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers. "The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan`s economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University`s Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy." Foreign aid Some 17 years after the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world`s poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid. Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade. Initially, Afghanistan would export agricultural produce – such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said. Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for US firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said. "The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former US&nbspArmy officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy. "There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can`t do it by air, you can`t do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do," said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar." In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world. That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks. Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating through Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington. "Now the uncertainty is that we don`t know what`s going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven`t heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."

US sanctions on Iran threaten vital Afghanistan trade project

In his first telephonic conversation to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, United States Secretary of States Mike Pompeo has ensured the commitment of US investment in Afghanistan.

According to State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, the two discussed on maintaining peace in the restive state and in countering the growing terrorism.

The Secretary of States also praised the Afghan leader for his attempts at building a secure and prosperous future in the country and commended his efforts at reforming the country's institutions in order to ensure transparent, credible and timely elections.&nbsp

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, "Secretary Pompeo reinforced our enduring investment in Afghanistan, as outlined in the President's South Asia strategy, and expressed support for the Afghan military's defence of the city of Farah. The two discussed the strong partnership between the United States and Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism and our support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process".

(With inputs from PTI)

According to State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, the two discussed on maintaining peace in the restive state and in countering the growing terrorism

In his first telephonic conversation to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, United States Secretary of States Mike Pompeo has ensured the commitment of US investment in Afghanistan. According to State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, the two discussed on maintaining peace in the restive state and in countering the growing terrorism. The Secretary of States also praised the Afghan leader for his attempts at building a secure and prosperous future in the country and commended his efforts at reforming the country's institutions in order to ensure transparent, credible and timely elections. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, "Secretary Pompeo reinforced our enduring investment in Afghanistan, as outlined in the President's South Asia strategy, and expressed support for the Afghan military's defence of the city of Farah. The two discussed the strong partnership between the United States and Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism and our support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process". (With inputs from PTI)

Pompeo assures US investment in Afghanistan

Taliban fighters emerged from hiding in the dead of night to launch attacks in the Afghan city of Farah, battling government forces who thought they had cleared out the insurgents following heavy clashes earlier in the week, residents and officials said.

The heavily armed fighters had gone to ground in residential areas following their surprise attack on Tuesday, when they nearly overran Farah, before Afghan troops backed by US&nbspair power fought them off.

"From one side, there were Taliban and from the other side, war planes firing from the air. People were terrified," said city shopkeeper Qudratullah.

The Taliban fighters emerged from their hiding places about an hour before midnight on Wednesday, some of them firing on security forces from rooftops, with gunbattles raging into the early hours of Thursday.

At least one suicide bomb attack was launched near the city's police headquarters.

"The city has been turned into a military zone, people are worried and shops are closed," said resident Baz Mohammad.

"After what happened last night, anything can happen any time."

Schools were also declared closed for the whole of the month of Ramadan, which began on Thursday, because of the security situation, said Kabir Haqmal, media advisor to the ministry of education.

After months of relative calm over the winter, the latest fighting underlines the challenge facing the Kabul government and its US&nbspallies who are struggling to contain the Taliban insurgency.

The United States has sent thousands of extra trainers to help Afghan forces and stepped up air strikes dramatically, with the aim of pressing the Taliban to the negotiating table, but there has been little to indicate the plan is working.

Blaming Iran

In Farah, US&nbspforces have provided air support with A-10 attack aircraft and pilotless drones, while the Afghan air force has conducted numerous strikes with its own helicopters and A-29 ground attack aircraft.

Officials had earlier said the city was clear of Taliban but confirmed the fighting overnight.

"A number of Taliban clashed with Afghan forces in different parts of the city," said Fazel Ahmad Sherzad, the city's police chief.

"Right now there is no fighting but a search and clearance operation is underway," he said.

He said a number of foreign fighters appeared to be operating with the Taliban but there was no way of independently verifying that. Officials in Farah often blame neighbouring Iran for helping the Taliban in the area.

Fighting has increased across Afghanistan in recent weeks with government forces under heavy pressure in provinces including Badakhshan, Baghlan and Faryab in the north, Farah in the west and Zabul and Ghazni south of the capital Kabul.

In addition, Kabul itself has been targeted by a wave of suicide attacks that have killed and wounded hundreds of people since the beginning of the year.

Remote and sparsely populated Farah, on the border with Iran has seen heavy fighting for months with Taliban forces inflicting heavy casualties on the police and army and even on elite special forces units.

The Taliban fighters emerged from their hiding places about an hour before midnight on Wednesday

Taliban fighters emerged from hiding in the dead of night to launch attacks in the Afghan city of Farah, battling government forces who thought they had cleared out the insurgents following heavy clashes earlier in the week, residents and officials said. The heavily armed fighters had gone to ground in residential areas following their surprise attack on Tuesday, when they nearly overran Farah, before Afghan troops backed by US&nbspair power fought them off. "From one side, there were Taliban and from the other side, war planes firing from the air. People were terrified," said city shopkeeper Qudratullah. The Taliban fighters emerged from their hiding places about an hour before midnight on Wednesday, some of them firing on security forces from rooftops, with gunbattles raging into the early hours of Thursday. At least one suicide bomb attack was launched near the city's police headquarters. "The city has been turned into a military zone, people are worried and shops are closed," said resident Baz Mohammad. "After what happened last night, anything can happen any time." Schools were also declared closed for the whole of the month of Ramadan, which began on Thursday, because of the security situation, said Kabir Haqmal, media advisor to the ministry of education. After months of relative calm over the winter, the latest fighting underlines the challenge facing the Kabul government and its US&nbspallies who are struggling to contain the Taliban insurgency. The United States has sent thousands of extra trainers to help Afghan forces and stepped up air strikes dramatically, with the aim of pressing the Taliban to the negotiating table, but there has been little to indicate the plan is working. Blaming Iran In Farah, US&nbspforces have provided air support with A-10 attack aircraft and pilotless drones, while the Afghan air force has conducted numerous strikes with its own helicopters and A-29 ground attack aircraft. Officials had earlier said the city was clear of Taliban but confirmed the fighting overnight. "A number of Taliban clashed with Afghan forces in different parts of the city," said Fazel Ahmad Sherzad, the city's police chief. "Right now there is no fighting but a search and clearance operation is underway," he said. He said a number of foreign fighters appeared to be operating with the Taliban but there was no way of independently verifying that. Officials in Farah often blame neighbouring Iran for helping the Taliban in the area. Fighting has increased across Afghanistan in recent weeks with government forces under heavy pressure in provinces including Badakhshan, Baghlan and Faryab in the north, Farah in the west and Zabul and Ghazni south of the capital Kabul. In addition, Kabul itself has been targeted by a wave of suicide attacks that have killed and wounded hundreds of people since the beginning of the year. Remote and sparsely populated Farah, on the border with Iran has seen heavy fighting for months with Taliban forces inflicting heavy casualties on the police and army and even on elite special forces units.

Taliban emerge from hiding to battle Afghan forces in city near Iran

Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced on Tuesday that officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan finalised a joint action plan on peace, aimed at ensuring peace and stability between the two countries.

The plan, known as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), was agreed following Pakistan Prime Minister's Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's visited to Afghanistan last month.

The final touches to the plan were given at the fourth meeting of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity held in Islamabad with Abbasi and&nbsp; Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

The delegations were led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.

The action plan has been finalized in pursuance of the seven principals agreed in the meeting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Kabul last month.

"Six working committees have been formed. An agreement has been reached on issues such as war against terrorism, expansion of bilateral economic cooperation, security cooperation, curbing the scale of violence, the repatriation of refugees, political cooperation and cooperation in the peace process," MoFA deputy spokesman Sibghatullah Ahamdi was quoted by TOLOnews as saying.

"We hope that this time Pakistan acts honestly and acts upon what it has committed to," said interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish.

Political analysts questioned Islamabad's peace approach on Kabul, saying that it is based on "deceit and lies".

On Sunday, an agreement was signed between Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve problems regarding transit and trade between the two countries. In return, Afghan officials agreed to lift limitations and conditions on quarantine certificates for Afghan goods which are being exported to Pakistan.

On May 3, Pakistan reopened a major trade route with Afghanistan, the Ghulam Khan pass which wasn't functional for four years.

Pakistan also supported Ghani's latest peace initiative to the Taliban militant group, in what was seen as the first possible breakthrough in the thawing of frosty ties between Kabul and Islamabad.&nbsp;

The plan, known as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), was agreed following Pakistan Prime Minister's Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's visited to Afghanistan last month

Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced on Tuesday that officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan finalised a joint action plan on peace, aimed at ensuring peace and stability between the two countries. The plan, known as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), was agreed following Pakistan Prime Minister's Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's visited to Afghanistan last month. The final touches to the plan were given at the fourth meeting of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity held in Islamabad with Abbasi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The delegations were led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. The action plan has been finalized in pursuance of the seven principals agreed in the meeting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Kabul last month. "Six working committees have been formed. An agreement has been reached on issues such as war against terrorism, expansion of bilateral economic cooperation, security cooperation, curbing the scale of violence, the repatriation of refugees, political cooperation and cooperation in the peace process," MoFA deputy spokesman Sibghatullah Ahamdi was quoted by TOLOnews as saying. "We hope that this time Pakistan acts honestly and acts upon what it has committed to," said interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish. Political analysts questioned Islamabad's peace approach on Kabul, saying that it is based on "deceit and lies". On Sunday, an agreement was signed between Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve problems regarding transit and trade between the two countries. In return, Afghan officials agreed to lift limitations and conditions on quarantine certificates for Afghan goods which are being exported to Pakistan. On May 3, Pakistan reopened a major trade route with Afghanistan, the Ghulam Khan pass which wasn't functional for four years. Pakistan also supported Ghani's latest peace initiative to the Taliban militant group, in what was seen as the first possible breakthrough in the thawing of frosty ties between Kabul and Islamabad.

Afghanistan, Pakistan finalise 'Action Plan for Peace & Solidarity'

Heavy rains and flooding have claimed lives of 34 people in Afghanistan, reports said on Tuesday.

The flash floods which are caused by heavy rains continuing from a week also caused serious damage to property as well.

Mainly North and center provinces of Afghanistan are affected the most.

According to a report by the&nbsp;news agency, Reuters 900 houses and agricultural lands were damaged. Hundreds of cattle were also killed.

Afghanistan&nbsp;Natural Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) officials are still assessing the damage.

The mountainous area is often a victim of natural disasters.

Earlier this month parts of Afghanistan provinces were facing a serious threat of severe drought&nbsp;affecting&nbsp;lives of almost one million people living in the area.

A&nbsp;statement released by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in April read, "the extremely dry winter has affected 22 provinces across Afghanistan and now threatens to negatively impact the lives of one million people, with an additional two million who could feel its effects over the coming months".

Hashmat Khan Bahaduri, spokesman for the&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;Natural Disaster Management Authority said that the rugged mountainous terrain and the lack of roads mean it is often difficult to evaluate relief needs but "ANDMA had sufficient resources to deal with the problem for now," Reuters reported.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/million-lives-at-stake-as-afghanistan-is-hit-with-drought----132502">One million lives at stake as Afghanistan is hit by drought</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The flash floods which are caused by heavy rains continuing from a week also caused serious damage to property as well

Heavy rains and flooding have claimed lives of 34 people in Afghanistan, reports said on Tuesday. The flash floods which are caused by heavy rains continuing from a week also caused serious damage to property as well. Mainly North and center provinces of Afghanistan are affected the most. According to a report by the news agency, Reuters 900 houses and agricultural lands were damaged. Hundreds of cattle were also killed. Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) officials are still assessing the damage. The mountainous area is often a victim of natural disasters. Earlier this month parts of Afghanistan provinces were facing a serious threat of severe drought affecting lives of almost one million people living in the area. A statement released by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in April read, "the extremely dry winter has affected 22 provinces across Afghanistan and now threatens to negatively impact the lives of one million people, with an additional two million who could feel its effects over the coming months". Hashmat Khan Bahaduri, spokesman for the Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority said that the rugged mountainous terrain and the lack of roads mean it is often difficult to evaluate relief needs but "ANDMA had sufficient resources to deal with the problem for now," Reuters reported. Also read: One million lives at stake as Afghanistan is hit by drought

Afghanistan: Floods, heavy rains kill 34 people, damage hundreds of homes

afghanistan-0

Afghanistan, News on Afghanistan, stories on Afghanistan, articles on Afghanistan, Afghanistan stories at Wion, Afghanistan news, Afghanistan latest news

afghanistan 0