Taliban fighters with heavy weapons and night-vision equipment fought their way close to the centre of the western city of Farah on Tuesday, as Afghan government forces backed by US&nbsp;air strikes battled to keep control, officials and residents said.

Residents of the city, capital of Farah province on the border with Iran, have warned for months the city was vulnerable and the attack threatened a repeat of the Taliban's capture of the northern city of Kunduz, which fell briefly in 2015.

"The Taliban are moving very fast, if the government does not take serious and speedy action, the province is going to collapse to Taliban," said Hamidullah, a resident of the city reached by telephone.

Residents said Taliban forces began their attack at around 2.00 am&nbsp;(2130 GMT Monday) from several directions.

Mohammad Radmanish, a spokesman for the defence ministry in Kabul, said security forces from neighbouring provinces had been ordered to Farah to protect civilians and government buildings and said the Taliban had been pushed out of the city.

"Fortunately, special forces and commandos are in the city and there is no danger of it falling," he said, adding that the Afghan air force was attacking Taliban positions.

The NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Kabul said in a statement the city remained under government control and US&nbsp;A-10 attack aircraft were supporting Afghan forces in defending it.

However, the attack adds to the problems facing President Ashraf Ghani's government, which has come under increasing public pressure over worsening security ahead of parliamentary elections due in October.

There were no immediate casualty assessments but residents said there were wounded and dead on both sides as well as among the civilian population.

In one incident, at least 18 soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber in the Askarabad area of the city, Farid Bakhtawar, head of a provincial council said. However, Radmanish said only two soldiers were killed in the blast.

Officials said the insurgents were close to overrunning four police districts and the city's headquarters of the National Directorate of Security, the main intelligence service, was under heavy attack.

"Farah is in dire need of air support," Dadullah Qane, a provincial council member, said by telephone. "The Taliban are well equipped with heavy arms and night vision equipment."

He said fighting had come close to the provincial governor's house and police headquarters and the governor and other officials had left the city.

Many officials, including the governor's spokesman, were not answering their telephones and it was not immediately possible to confirm the governor's whereabouts.

New US strategy

The fighting adds to the growing number of crisis points around Afghanistan since the Taliban began their annual spring offensive last month, including a series of deadly suicide attacks in the capital, Kabul.

District centres have been lost or threatened in the northern provinces of Baghlan and Badakhshan and there has been heavy fighting in Faryab in the northwest and Ghazni and Zabul, south of Kabul.

Although the insurgents have been unable to take and hold any provincial centre, they are active across Afghanistan and the government has firm control over no more than 56 percent of the country, according to U.S. estimates.

The United States has boosted its assistance to the government under a new strategy announced by President Donald Trump last year, sending thousands of additional troops and advisers and stepping up air strikes to support Afghan forces.

Although US&nbsp;commanders have been relatively upbeat about improvements in the performance of Afghan forces, the Taliban appear to have made significant gains this year.

Farah, a remote and sparsely populated province on the border with Iran, has seen months of heavy fighting, with hundreds of police and soldiers killed and severe losses inflicted even on elite special forces units.

Farah residents have said Taliban forces were being supported by Iran. The governor of the province stepped down in January, denouncing worsening security and what he said was political interference and corruption.

The province, which also borders the opium-rich Taliban heartland of Helmand province, has key smuggling routes into Iran. Hundreds of fighters have moved there as US&nbsp;and Afghan forces have stepped up operations in Helmand.

As the fighting raged on Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi warned civilians to remain in their houses.

"Mujahideen have nothing to do with civilians, only military positions are the target," he said in a statement, referring to Taliban fighters.

Residents said shops, schools and government offices were closed and the Taliban had set up posts around the city and were checking identity cards and preventing people from fleeing.

Residents of the city, capital of Farah province on the border with Iran, have warned for months the city was vulnerable

Taliban fighters with heavy weapons and night-vision equipment fought their way close to the centre of the western city of Farah on Tuesday, as Afghan government forces backed by US air strikes battled to keep control, officials and residents said. Residents of the city, capital of Farah province on the border with Iran, have warned for months the city was vulnerable and the attack threatened a repeat of the Taliban's capture of the northern city of Kunduz, which fell briefly in 2015. "The Taliban are moving very fast, if the government does not take serious and speedy action, the province is going to collapse to Taliban," said Hamidullah, a resident of the city reached by telephone. Residents said Taliban forces began their attack at around 2.00 am (2130 GMT Monday) from several directions. Mohammad Radmanish, a spokesman for the defence ministry in Kabul, said security forces from neighbouring provinces had been ordered to Farah to protect civilians and government buildings and said the Taliban had been pushed out of the city. "Fortunately, special forces and commandos are in the city and there is no danger of it falling," he said, adding that the Afghan air force was attacking Taliban positions. The NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Kabul said in a statement the city remained under government control and US A-10 attack aircraft were supporting Afghan forces in defending it. However, the attack adds to the problems facing President Ashraf Ghani's government, which has come under increasing public pressure over worsening security ahead of parliamentary elections due in October. There were no immediate casualty assessments but residents said there were wounded and dead on both sides as well as among the civilian population. In one incident, at least 18 soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber in the Askarabad area of the city, Farid Bakhtawar, head of a provincial council said. However, Radmanish said only two soldiers were killed in the blast. Officials said the insurgents were close to overrunning four police districts and the city's headquarters of the National Directorate of Security, the main intelligence service, was under heavy attack. "Farah is in dire need of air support," Dadullah Qane, a provincial council member, said by telephone. "The Taliban are well equipped with heavy arms and night vision equipment." He said fighting had come close to the provincial governor's house and police headquarters and the governor and other officials had left the city. Many officials, including the governor's spokesman, were not answering their telephones and it was not immediately possible to confirm the governor's whereabouts. New US strategy The fighting adds to the growing number of crisis points around Afghanistan since the Taliban began their annual spring offensive last month, including a series of deadly suicide attacks in the capital, Kabul. District centres have been lost or threatened in the northern provinces of Baghlan and Badakhshan and there has been heavy fighting in Faryab in the northwest and Ghazni and Zabul, south of Kabul. Although the insurgents have been unable to take and hold any provincial centre, they are active across Afghanistan and the government has firm control over no more than 56 percent of the country, according to U.S. estimates. The United States has boosted its assistance to the government under a new strategy announced by President Donald Trump last year, sending thousands of additional troops and advisers and stepping up air strikes to support Afghan forces. Although US commanders have been relatively upbeat about improvements in the performance of Afghan forces, the Taliban appear to have made significant gains this year. Farah, a remote and sparsely populated province on the border with Iran, has seen months of heavy fighting, with hundreds of police and soldiers killed and severe losses inflicted even on elite special forces units. Farah residents have said Taliban forces were being supported by Iran. The governor of the province stepped down in January, denouncing worsening security and what he said was political interference and corruption. The province, which also borders the opium-rich Taliban heartland of Helmand province, has key smuggling routes into Iran. Hundreds of fighters have moved there as US and Afghan forces have stepped up operations in Helmand. As the fighting raged on Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi warned civilians to remain in their houses. "Mujahideen have nothing to do with civilians, only military positions are the target," he said in a statement, referring to Taliban fighters. Residents said shops, schools and government offices were closed and the Taliban had set up posts around the city and were checking identity cards and preventing people from fleeing.

Taliban battle into west Afghan city in new crisis for government

Afghan security forces and Taliban clashed in the&nbsp;poppy-growing western city of Farah on Tuesday after terrorists launched an overnight attack with gunfire and explosions.

At least 100 government&nbsp;commandos launched an attack on the Taliban on Tuesday morning. "Heavy fighting continues inside the city and aircraft have just started bombarding Taliban positions," &nbsp;local provincial council member Jamila Amini told AFP Tuesday from inside the city.

At least 1 convoy was hit by suicide bombers, reports said.

Earlier in the week, at least 10 people were killed and over 40 injured after terrorists stormed a government building in Jalalabad.

The attack began after terrorists noted a car bomb outside the finance department. The Islamic State group claimed it carried out the attack.

At least 100 government launched an attack on the Taliban on Tuesday morning.

Afghan security forces and Taliban clashed in the poppy-growing western city of Farah on Tuesday after terrorists launched an overnight attack with gunfire and explosions. At least 100 government commandos launched an attack on the Taliban on Tuesday morning. "Heavy fighting continues inside the city and aircraft have just started bombarding Taliban positions," local provincial council member Jamila Amini told AFP Tuesday from inside the city. At least 1 convoy was hit by suicide bombers, reports said. Earlier in the week, at least 10 people were killed and over 40 injured after terrorists stormed a government building in Jalalabad. The attack began after terrorists noted a car bomb outside the finance department. The Islamic State group claimed it carried out the attack.

Afghan commandos, Taliban clash in Farah after overnight attack

About 15 people were killed and over 42 others injured in the Jalalabad attack in Afghanistan on Sunday.

A group of six attackers armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades had stormed into the government building on Sunday.

Afghanistan has been witnessing a series of terrorist attacks this year killing hundreds of civilians. The attacks have put a pressure on the Western-backed government led by President Ashraf Ghani.

The United States had increased its support to the Afghan forces last year in its attempt to force the Taliban to enter peace negotiations.

A spokesperson for the provincial government later confirmed that all the security forces had killed all the attackers&nbspthat had attacked the government building on Sunday.

The Islamic State took responsibility for the attack.

&nbsp

&nbsp

A group of six attackers armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades had stormed into the government building on Sunday

About 15 people were killed and over 42 others injured in the Jalalabad attack in Afghanistan on Sunday. A group of six attackers armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades had stormed into the government building on Sunday. Afghanistan has been witnessing a series of terrorist attacks this year killing hundreds of civilians. The attacks have put a pressure on the Western-backed government led by President Ashraf Ghani. The United States had increased its support to the Afghan forces last year in its attempt to force the Taliban to enter peace negotiations. A spokesperson for the provincial government later confirmed that all the security forces had killed all the attackers&nbspthat had attacked the government building on Sunday. The Islamic State took responsibility for the attack.

Multiple blasts, gun battle in eastern Afghan city killed 15

Afghanistan's capital city Kabul was jolted by an explosion earlier today. An explosion went off in a residential neighbourhood.

According to reports, the blast was caused by an explosive that was placed near a park. One person has been reported wounded so far.&nbsp;

Afghanistan has been hit by a series of attacks since the beginning of the year. Hundreds of civilians lost their lives in attacks that targetted Kabul this year.&nbsp;

Last week, gunmen mounted coordinated attacks in Kabul and battled security forces for hours in the main commercial area after setting off three large explosions.

The latest incidents of violence and unrest in the country have put heavy pressure on the Western-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

According to reports, the blast was caused by an explosive that was placed near a park

Afghanistan's capital city Kabul was jolted by an explosion earlier today. An explosion went off in a residential neighbourhood. According to reports, the blast was caused by an explosive that was placed near a park. One person has been reported wounded so far. Afghanistan has been hit by a series of attacks since the beginning of the year. Hundreds of civilians lost their lives in attacks that targetted Kabul this year. Last week, gunmen mounted coordinated attacks in Kabul and battled security forces for hours in the main commercial area after setting off three large explosions. The latest incidents of violence and unrest in the country have put heavy pressure on the Western-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani. (With inputs from Reuters)

Afghanistan: Blast wounds one in capital city Kabul 

Muslim scholars from three countries issued an edict on Saturday saying that violent extremism and terrorism, including suicide attacks, are against Islamic principles, in an effort to convince the Taliban to end their violence.

Seventy prominent scholars from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia issued the fatwa, or edict, at a conference in Indonesia on ways to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Taliban urged Islamic clerics to boycott the Bogor conference and warned Afghan clerics, "Do not afford an opportunity to the invading infidels in Afghanistan to misuse your name and participation in this conference as means of attaining their malicious objective."&nbsp

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who opened the one-day meeting, stressed Indonesia's commitment to helping build peace in the country. Jokowi said the conference was part of Indonesia's efforts to encourage the role of Islamic clerics, or ulema, in promoting peace in Afghanistan.

"Through the voice of ulema, mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia, presumably the spirit of brotherhood for peace in Afghanistan can be strengthened," Jokowi said.

He said "ulema are the agent of peace ... They have the power to form the face of peaceful people." In a declaration, the scholars said Islam was a religion of peace and denounced all kinds of violent extremism and terrorism.

"We reaffirm that violence and terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, as violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestation including violence against civilians and suicide attacks are against the holy principles of Islam," the declaration said.

The conference at the presidential palace in Bogor, a West Java town on the outskirts of Jakarta, was organized by the Indonesian Ulema Council.

Seventy prominent scholars from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia issued the fatwa, or edict, at a conference in Indonesia on ways to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan

Muslim scholars from three countries issued an edict on Saturday saying that violent extremism and terrorism, including suicide attacks, are against Islamic principles, in an effort to convince the Taliban to end their violence. Seventy prominent scholars from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia issued the fatwa, or edict, at a conference in Indonesia on ways to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Taliban urged Islamic clerics to boycott the Bogor conference and warned Afghan clerics, "Do not afford an opportunity to the invading infidels in Afghanistan to misuse your name and participation in this conference as means of attaining their malicious objective." Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who opened the one-day meeting, stressed Indonesia's commitment to helping build peace in the country. Jokowi said the conference was part of Indonesia's efforts to encourage the role of Islamic clerics, or ulema, in promoting peace in Afghanistan. "Through the voice of ulema, mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia, presumably the spirit of brotherhood for peace in Afghanistan can be strengthened," Jokowi said. He said "ulema are the agent of peace ... They have the power to form the face of peaceful people." In a declaration, the scholars said Islam was a religion of peace and denounced all kinds of violent extremism and terrorism. "We reaffirm that violence and terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, as violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestation including violence against civilians and suicide attacks are against the holy principles of Islam," the declaration said. The conference at the presidential palace in Bogor, a West Java town on the outskirts of Jakarta, was organized by the Indonesian Ulema Council.

Violent extremism, terrorism is against Islamic principles: Muslim scholars

At least twelve militants have been killed during the operations of the Afghan army Commandos and the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Special Forces in Afghanistan's eastern Laghman province.

The operation was conducted in the vicinity of Alingar district and this operation led to the killing of at least five militants, including two key militant figures, reported Khaama Press, citing a statement released by the governor's office in Laghman.

Meanwhile, the Afghan army commandos conducted operations in Qasaba and Salingar areas of the district and as a result at least seven militants have been killed, the statement added.

A suspect was also arrested during the operation and a weapons depot was eliminated.

Commander of the militants identified as Mohibullah also famous as Khyber was among those killed, the report said.

However, it is unclear as to which terror outfits did these militants belong to.&nbsp

The operation was conducted in the vicinity of Alingar district and this operation led to the killing of at least five militants, including two key militant figures

At least twelve militants have been killed during the operations of the Afghan army Commandos and the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Special Forces in Afghanistan's eastern Laghman province. The operation was conducted in the vicinity of Alingar district and this operation led to the killing of at least five militants, including two key militant figures, reported Khaama Press, citing a statement released by the governor's office in Laghman. Meanwhile, the Afghan army commandos conducted operations in Qasaba and Salingar areas of the district and as a result at least seven militants have been killed, the statement added. A suspect was also arrested during the operation and a weapons depot was eliminated. Commander of the militants identified as Mohibullah also famous as Khyber was among those killed, the report said. However, it is unclear as to which terror outfits did these militants belong to.

12 militants killed in Afghanistan

A deadline for Afghans to register to vote in the October 20 legislative elections has been extended, officials said Friday, as figures show hundreds of civilians have already been killed or wounded in poll-related violence.

Enrolment for the long-delayed parliamentary and district council elections began on April 14 and was originally scheduled to finish in mid-June.

By Thursday, just over 1.5 million adults had signed up to vote, a spokesman for the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP -- a fraction of the 14 million it had hoped to register during the two-month process.

"The election commission of Afghanistan has extended the voting registration process for one month," the IEC said in a statement, without explaining the reason for the decision.

There are fears that a low turnout could erode the credibility of the elections, which are seen as a test run for next year's presidential poll.

The vote was supposed to be held in 2015 but has been repeatedly pushed back due to security fears and logistical issues within the fragile unity government.

The decision came as UN figures released Thursday showed 86 civilians had been killed and 185 wounded in 23 election-related security incidents since registration began.

Most of the casualties happened on April 22 when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration centre in Kabul, killing 60 and wounding 138, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said.

The majority of the casualties were women and children, the report said. It added that 26 civilians also had been abducted.

"I am outraged by these attacks deliberately targeting civilians seeking to exercise their constitutional right to vote," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN secretary general's special representative for Afghanistan, said.

Yamamoto urged the Taliban to take up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's February offer of peace talks "to put an end to the suffering of the Afghan people".

The Taliban and Islamic State groups have made clear their intentions to disrupt the elections.

Meanwhile, the IEC said it would allow voters to use a copy of their national identification certificate, or tazkira, to register.

There had been concerns that a sticker placed on people's tazkira when they signed up could put those in restive districts at risk of being targeted by militants.

Stickers will now be placed on the copy, but voters will be required to bring their original tazkira when they cast their ballot, the IEC said.

The Taliban and Islamic State groups have made clear their intentions to disrupt the elections

A deadline for Afghans to register to vote in the October 20 legislative elections has been extended, officials said Friday, as figures show hundreds of civilians have already been killed or wounded in poll-related violence. Enrolment for the long-delayed parliamentary and district council elections began on April 14 and was originally scheduled to finish in mid-June. By Thursday, just over 1.5 million adults had signed up to vote, a spokesman for the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP -- a fraction of the 14 million it had hoped to register during the two-month process. "The election commission of Afghanistan has extended the voting registration process for one month," the IEC said in a statement, without explaining the reason for the decision. There are fears that a low turnout could erode the credibility of the elections, which are seen as a test run for next year's presidential poll. The vote was supposed to be held in 2015 but has been repeatedly pushed back due to security fears and logistical issues within the fragile unity government. The decision came as UN figures released Thursday showed 86 civilians had been killed and 185 wounded in 23 election-related security incidents since registration began. Most of the casualties happened on April 22 when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration centre in Kabul, killing 60 and wounding 138, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said. The majority of the casualties were women and children, the report said. It added that 26 civilians also had been abducted. "I am outraged by these attacks deliberately targeting civilians seeking to exercise their constitutional right to vote," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN secretary general's special representative for Afghanistan, said. Yamamoto urged the Taliban to take up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's February offer of peace talks "to put an end to the suffering of the Afghan people". The Taliban and Islamic State groups have made clear their intentions to disrupt the elections. Meanwhile, the IEC said it would allow voters to use a copy of their national identification certificate, or tazkira, to register. There had been concerns that a sticker placed on people's tazkira when they signed up could put those in restive districts at risk of being targeted by militants. Stickers will now be placed on the copy, but voters will be required to bring their original tazkira when they cast their ballot, the IEC said.

Afghanistan extends deadline for voter registration amid violence

The seven <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/taliban-suspected-in-abduction-of-indian-engineers-sources-to-wion-135052">Indian&nbspengineers who were abducted</a> in Afghanistan on Sunday, at least four belonged to Jharkhand, report said.

The Indians belonged to&nbspJhargram in Jharkhand's populous Giridih district. All the engineers&nbspworked for a private company named KEC.

They were abducted by unidentified gunmen on Sunday.&nbspReports said Taliban could be behind the kidnappings but there has been no confirmation so far.

The Indian government continues to engage with the Afghanistan&nbspgovernment over the abduction of seven engineers.

The engineers were travelling in a bus to the power plant when they were abducted by unknown gunmen in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan.

India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has been in touch with the Afghanistan foreign minister with very little information available on the ground.

Nearly a week after the incident, there is no news of the abducted Indians and no organizations has yet taken responsibility for the abduction.

The engineers were travelling in a bus to the power plant when they were abducted by unknown gunmen in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan.

The seven Indian&nbspengineers who were abducted in Afghanistan on Sunday, at least four belonged to Jharkhand, report said. The Indians belonged to&nbspJhargram in Jharkhand's populous Giridih district. All the engineers&nbspworked for a private company named KEC. They were abducted by unidentified gunmen on Sunday.&nbspReports said Taliban could be behind the kidnappings but there has been no confirmation so far. The Indian government continues to engage with the Afghanistan&nbspgovernment over the abduction of seven engineers. The engineers were travelling in a bus to the power plant when they were abducted by unknown gunmen in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan. India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has been in touch with the Afghanistan foreign minister with very little information available on the ground. Nearly a week after the incident, there is no news of the abducted Indians and no organizations has yet taken responsibility for the abduction.

Indians abducted in Afghanistan: 4 belonged to Jharkhand

Islamic&nbspState&nbspclaimed&nbspresponsibility&nbspon Wednesday for an attack on a police compound in the Afghan capital Kabul, a&nbspnews agency reported.

It said the attack occurred in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi district but gave no details on any casualties.

The news agency reported that the attack occurred in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi district but gave no details on any casualties

Islamic&nbspState&nbspclaimed&nbspresponsibility&nbspon Wednesday for an attack on a police compound in the Afghan capital Kabul, a&nbspnews agency reported. It said the attack occurred in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi district but gave no details on any casualties.

Islamic state claims responsibility for Afghan capital attack: Agency

Gunmen set off at least three explosions in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday and then battled security forces from buildings they occupied in the latest in a spate of violence to rock the city.

Six wounded were brought into the trauma hospital run by Italian medical aid group Emergency, of whom one was dead on arrival. Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Majroh said the casualty toll was likely to rise once security forces were able to get a clearer picture of the attack.

As police cordoned off part of the city's main commercial area, an official from a branch of Afghanistan International Bank reached by telephone said customers were sheltering in the bank premises as gunfire continued in the street outside.

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"We can hear the gun shots and we are waiting inside the bank's safe room until the clashes end," he said.

Afghanistan's Western-backed government is fighting an intensifying war with both the Taliban and the Islamic State that has turned much of Kabul into a high security zone of concrete blast walls and razor wire.

But despite repeated government pledges to tighten security, hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in attacks in the city since the beginning of the year and authorities have appeared powerless to stop the bloodshed.

Islamic State claimed responsibility of one of the three blasts on its Amaq new agency but many officials doubt the group, which has its stronghold in a remote eastern border region of Nangarhar province, has the capacity to mount such complex attacks.

A senior Afghan security official said intelligence services believe the Haqqani network, a militant group affiliated to the Taliban which has a long record of urban attacks, was the real organiser of the attack.

ELECTION PREPARATIONS A TARGET

The initial blast on Wednesday hit a police station in western Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi district, at around midday, said police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai.

Minutes later, two back-to-back explosions went off in Shar-e Naw, the city's main business district, near the office of a travel agency that processes visa applications for India.

Najib Danish, spokesman for interior ministry, said gunmen had followed the blasts and fought intense gunbattles with security forces from nearby buildings.

A senior official at the Indian embassy confirmed that one blast took place outside a travel company's office and many security guards were injured.

The Afghan capital has seen an increase in bombings and other attacks against the security forces and civilians since the Taliban announced the beginning of their spring offensive on April 25.

With preparations for elections now underway across much of the country, more attacks are expected.

Fighting traditionally picks up in Afghanistan as warmer weather melts snow in mountain passes, allowing insurgents to move around more easily and the Taliban have put security forces under heavy pressure in many areas of the country.

Wednesday's attack comes just over a week after twin blasts in Kabul killed 26 people including nine journalists on April 30.

Six wounded were brought into the trauma hospital run by Italian medical aid group Emergency, of whom one was dead on arrival. Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Majroh said the casualty toll was likely to rise once security forces were able to get a clearer picture of the attack

Gunmen set off at least three explosions in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday and then battled security forces from buildings they occupied in the latest in a spate of violence to rock the city. Six wounded were brought into the trauma hospital run by Italian medical aid group Emergency, of whom one was dead on arrival. Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Majroh said the casualty toll was likely to rise once security forces were able to get a clearer picture of the attack. As police cordoned off part of the city's main commercial area, an official from a branch of Afghanistan International Bank reached by telephone said customers were sheltering in the bank premises as gunfire continued in the street outside. As police cordoned off part of the city's main commercial area, an official from a branch of Afghanistan International Bank reached by telephone said customers were sheltering in the bank premises as gunfire continued in the street outside × "We can hear the gun shots and we are waiting inside the bank's safe room until the clashes end," he said. Afghanistan's Western-backed government is fighting an intensifying war with both the Taliban and the Islamic State that has turned much of Kabul into a high security zone of concrete blast walls and razor wire. But despite repeated government pledges to tighten security, hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in attacks in the city since the beginning of the year and authorities have appeared powerless to stop the bloodshed. Islamic State claimed responsibility of one of the three blasts on its Amaq new agency but many officials doubt the group, which has its stronghold in a remote eastern border region of Nangarhar province, has the capacity to mount such complex attacks. A senior Afghan security official said intelligence services believe the Haqqani network, a militant group affiliated to the Taliban which has a long record of urban attacks, was the real organiser of the attack. ELECTION PREPARATIONS A TARGET The initial blast on Wednesday hit a police station in western Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi district, at around midday, said police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai. Minutes later, two back-to-back explosions went off in Shar-e Naw, the city's main business district, near the office of a travel agency that processes visa applications for India. Najib Danish, spokesman for interior ministry, said gunmen had followed the blasts and fought intense gunbattles with security forces from nearby buildings. A senior official at the Indian embassy confirmed that one blast took place outside a travel company's office and many security guards were injured. The Afghan capital has seen an increase in bombings and other attacks against the security forces and civilians since the Taliban announced the beginning of their spring offensive on April 25. With preparations for elections now underway across much of the country, more attacks are expected. Fighting traditionally picks up in Afghanistan as warmer weather melts snow in mountain passes, allowing insurgents to move around more easily and the Taliban have put security forces under heavy pressure in many areas of the country. Wednesday's attack comes just over a week after twin blasts in Kabul killed 26 people including nine journalists on April 30.

Gunmen launch coordinated strikes in Afghan capital Kabul with bombs, bullets; at least 1 dead

Taliban fighters seized a district in the northern province of Baghlan on Tuesday and kept up pressure on the central city of Ghazni as heavy fighting continued across Afghanistan following the start of the insurgents` annual spring offensive last month.

Police officials said security forces had abandoned the district centre of Tala-wa Bafrak after becoming cut off from supplies during days of fighting.

"The Taliban have been attacking the district for a few days and at 11 am we had to retreat," said provincial police spokesman Zabihullah Shuja.

The loss follows Taliban pressure last week on the northern province of Badakhshan, where the insurgents took control of a district centre and have been battling government forces who claimed to have retaken it.

In Ghazni province, south of the capital Kabul, government forces backed by air strikes have been battling for control of a key highway and fierce fighting continued on Tuesday, with the Taliban saying it had killed more than 100 government troops.

Mohammad Zaman, police chief of Ghazni said five Taliban militants were killed and their bodies were left at the site of the attack.

Security officials said around 100 Taliban fighters had been killed in clashes in four provinces over the past 48 hours, with heavy fighting also seen in Faryab province in the northwest.

Estimates of enemy casualties on both sides in the Afghan conflict are often inflated but the numbers point to heavy fighting, underlining the challenge for the government as it prepares for parliamentary elections in October.

Dozens of people have been killed in suicide attacks in Kabul in recent weeks, including some 60 people at a voter registration centre and nine journalists in a blast on April 30.

The elections are seen as a key test of the government`s credibility and require millions of voters to register at vulnerable election centres across the country.&nbsp

In addition to the attack in Kabul, at least 17 people were killed by a blast at a mosque that housed a voter centre in the eastern province of Khost last week.

A military spokesman said 66 Taliban militants had been killed and 28 injured during ongoing operations in five districts in Baghlan and Faryab provinces.

In Nangarhar, an eastern province, officials said 19 suspected Taliban militants, including seven Pakistani citizens, were killed in clashes with special forces units, Attaullah Khogyani, the provincial governor`s spokesman said.&nbsp

Taliban fighters seized a district in the northern province of Baghlan on Tuesday and kept up pressure on the central city of Ghazni as heavy fighting continued across Afghanistan following the start of the insurgents` annual spring offensive last month

Taliban fighters seized a district in the northern province of Baghlan on Tuesday and kept up pressure on the central city of Ghazni as heavy fighting continued across Afghanistan following the start of the insurgents` annual spring offensive last month. Police officials said security forces had abandoned the district centre of Tala-wa Bafrak after becoming cut off from supplies during days of fighting. "The Taliban have been attacking the district for a few days and at 11 am we had to retreat," said provincial police spokesman Zabihullah Shuja. The loss follows Taliban pressure last week on the northern province of Badakhshan, where the insurgents took control of a district centre and have been battling government forces who claimed to have retaken it. In Ghazni province, south of the capital Kabul, government forces backed by air strikes have been battling for control of a key highway and fierce fighting continued on Tuesday, with the Taliban saying it had killed more than 100 government troops. Mohammad Zaman, police chief of Ghazni said five Taliban militants were killed and their bodies were left at the site of the attack. Security officials said around 100 Taliban fighters had been killed in clashes in four provinces over the past 48 hours, with heavy fighting also seen in Faryab province in the northwest. Estimates of enemy casualties on both sides in the Afghan conflict are often inflated but the numbers point to heavy fighting, underlining the challenge for the government as it prepares for parliamentary elections in October. Dozens of people have been killed in suicide attacks in Kabul in recent weeks, including some 60 people at a voter registration centre and nine journalists in a blast on April 30. The elections are seen as a key test of the government`s credibility and require millions of voters to register at vulnerable election centres across the country. In addition to the attack in Kabul, at least 17 people were killed by a blast at a mosque that housed a voter centre in the eastern province of Khost last week. A military spokesman said 66 Taliban militants had been killed and 28 injured during ongoing operations in five districts in Baghlan and Faryab provinces. In Nangarhar, an eastern province, officials said 19 suspected Taliban militants, including seven Pakistani citizens, were killed in clashes with special forces units, Attaullah Khogyani, the provincial governor`s spokesman said.

Taliban seize another district centre as Afghan fighting continues

Ajinkya Rahane to lead India in Afghanistan Test, Karun Nair replaces Virat Kohli

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced Ajinkya Rahane as the new skipper for the historic one-off Test against debutants Afghanistan, beginning on June 14 in Bengaluru.

However, he has been left out of the 16-man ODI squad for the three-match series in England in July.&nbsp;

KL Rahul, who is in the middle of a splendid IPL season, makes his way back while 27-year-old Punjab speedster Siddarth Kaul has been included in both, the ODI and T20I squads.

The BCCI selectors met in Bengaluru to pick six squads on Tuesday, including two T20I squads to face Ireland and England and ODI outfit to face England.

Kohli, who will skip the historic encounter as he will be playing for Surrey in the English County Championship, to prepare for the series against England, has been replaced by Karun Nair.

Barring Kohli, it will be the regular Test team that will play against Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma will come back from England for the match.&nbsp;

Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Capt.), Shikhar Dhawan, M. Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Shardul Thakur

T20s against England: Virat Kohli (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni(wk), Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav

ODIs against England: Virat Kohli (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(wk), Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav

'A' team for one-day tri-series in UK: Shreyas Iyer (Capt), Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Shubhman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), Vijay Shankar, K. Gowtham, Axar Patel, Krunal Pandya, Prasidh Krishna, Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Shardul Thakur

'A' team for four-day matches in UK: Karun Nair (Capt), R. Samarth, Mayank Agarwal, AR Easwaran, Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari, Ankit Bawne, Vijay Shankar, KS Bharat (wk), Jayant Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem, Ankit Rajpoot, Momammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Rajneesh Gurbani&nbsp;

Rahane, however, he has been left out of the 16-man ODI squad for the three-match series in England in July.

Ajinkya Rahane to lead India in Afghanistan Test, Karun Nair replaces Virat Kohli The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced Ajinkya Rahane as the new skipper for the historic one-off Test against debutants Afghanistan, beginning on June 14 in Bengaluru. However, he has been left out of the 16-man ODI squad for the three-match series in England in July. KL Rahul, who is in the middle of a splendid IPL season, makes his way back while 27-year-old Punjab speedster Siddarth Kaul has been included in both, the ODI and T20I squads. The BCCI selectors met in Bengaluru to pick six squads on Tuesday, including two T20I squads to face Ireland and England and ODI outfit to face England. Kohli, who will skip the historic encounter as he will be playing for Surrey in the English County Championship, to prepare for the series against England, has been replaced by Karun Nair. Barring Kohli, it will be the regular Test team that will play against Afghanistan. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma will come back from England for the match. Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Capt.), Shikhar Dhawan, M. Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Shardul Thakur T20s against England: Virat Kohli (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni(wk), Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav ODIs against England: Virat Kohli (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(wk), Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav 'A' team for one-day tri-series in UK: Shreyas Iyer (Capt), Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Shubhman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), Vijay Shankar, K. Gowtham, Axar Patel, Krunal Pandya, Prasidh Krishna, Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Shardul Thakur 'A' team for four-day matches in UK: Karun Nair (Capt), R. Samarth, Mayank Agarwal, AR Easwaran, Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari, Ankit Bawne, Vijay Shankar, KS Bharat (wk), Jayant Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem, Ankit Rajpoot, Momammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Rajneesh Gurbani

Ajinkya Rahane to lead India in Afghanistan Test, Karun Nair replaces Virat Kohli

Rockets and heavy machines guns fired from Afghan government helicopters killed and wounded at least 107 boys and men attending a religious ceremony near the northern city of Kunduz last month, according to a United Nations report on Monday.

Last month, villagers in Dasht-i Archi district of Kunduz said dozens of people including many children had been killed in an attack on a religious ceremony, prompting the UN to launch an investigation.

The UN report underlined the risks of a new strategy, developed with US advisers, which has seen a big build up in Afghan air power, with rocket-equipped helicopters and attack aircraft deployed to try to break a stalemate with the Taliban.

"A key finding of this report is that the government used rockets and heavy machinegun fire on a religious gathering, resulting in high numbers of child casualties," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said.

It said at least 36 people, including 30 children, were killed and 71 wounded and there were questions "as to the government's respect of the rules of precaution and proportionality under international humanitarian law".

Investigators verified 107 victims but had received victims' lists from various sources indicating over 200 casualties, the report said.

It said there were serious concerns about the incident that required further investigation but said it was not in a position to determine whether the attack amounted to a violation of international law.

The UN report underlined the risks of a new strategy, developed with US advisers, which has seen a big build up in Afghan air power, with rocket-equipped helicopters and attack aircraft deployed to try to break a stalemate with the Taliban

Rockets and heavy machines guns fired from Afghan government helicopters killed and wounded at least 107 boys and men attending a religious ceremony near the northern city of Kunduz last month, according to a United Nations report on Monday. Last month, villagers in Dasht-i Archi district of Kunduz said dozens of people including many children had been killed in an attack on a religious ceremony, prompting the UN to launch an investigation. The UN report underlined the risks of a new strategy, developed with US advisers, which has seen a big build up in Afghan air power, with rocket-equipped helicopters and attack aircraft deployed to try to break a stalemate with the Taliban. "A key finding of this report is that the government used rockets and heavy machinegun fire on a religious gathering, resulting in high numbers of child casualties," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said. It said at least 36 people, including 30 children, were killed and 71 wounded and there were questions "as to the government's respect of the rules of precaution and proportionality under international humanitarian law". Investigators verified 107 victims but had received victims' lists from various sources indicating over 200 casualties, the report said. It said there were serious concerns about the incident that required further investigation but said it was not in a position to determine whether the attack amounted to a violation of international law.

Afghan gunships killed and wounded 107 boys and men in attack last month: United Nations

Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal underwent two successful consecutive surgeries&nbspon Monday after being shot in an apparent assassination bid by a religious fanatic during an election rally in Punjab province, as another suspect has been taken into custody.

Iqbal, 59, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, was hit by the bullet on his right shoulder in the attack on Sunday.

An official at the Services Hospital here said that the surgery was successful and Iqbal is recovering well.

"Iqbal is out of danger and recovering fast," he added.

Iqbal underwent two consecutive surgeries and has now been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

"The abdominal laparoscopy of Iqbal has been performed. Bullet has not breached peritoneum and all intra-abdominal organs are intact. No expanding hematoma. Decision not to remove the bullet from his abdomen has been taken by the group of senior doctors considering that it may lead to more tissue damage," the official of the hospital where the procedure was performed said.&nbsp

He said the bullet had also penetrated the right elbow joint of the minister.&nbsp

Meanwhile, police have booked suspect Abdi Hussain, 21, under attempted murder and terrorism charges of Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act. Azeem, an accomplice of Hussain, who reached the rally along with him has also been arrested.

Iqbal was leaving a venue after addressing the election rally in his hometown Narowal, some 80 kms from Lahore on Sunday at 6.15pm when Hussain opened fire at him, injuring his arm and abdomen.&nbsp

Narowal senior police officer Imran Kishwar said the suspect could not get a chance to open second fire on the minister.&nbsp

"The moment Hussain opened the fire on the interior minister the PML-N workers present there grabbed him," he said.&nbsp

Hussain belongs to the religious outfit - Tehreek-e-Labbaik Yarasoolallah Pakistan (TLYP), according to preliminary investigation.

"The suspect who opened fire on the interior minister belongs to the TLYP. We know the motive of this attack but I want to tell that this is a very dangerous game being played against the PML-N," Information Minister Marrium Aurengzeb said. Talking to reporters she said "this politics of hatred" should be stopped now.

A senior police officer said that the suspect told investigators that he opened fire on the minister to take revenge on the ruling PML-N for trying to delete the clause related to the Khatm-e-Nabuwat (the finality of Prophet Muhammad) from the Constitution.&nbsp

"The suspect belongs to a religious family and a worker of the TLYP," he said.

Today, he said Hussain had made a confessional statement saying "he acted alone because his religious sentiments were hurt by the PML-N government's decision.

A couple of months ago Iqbal had also faced a shoe-attack in his hometown. However, the shoe-attacker was arrested and later freed after Iqbal pardoned him.&nbsp

The suspect then claimed that he hurled the shoe at him because he was not happy with the PML-N government to change the clause from the Constitution related to the finality of the Prophet.

PML-N federal ministers Khwaja Saad Rafique and Talal Chaudhry have expressed their fear that the attack could be a conspiracy to delay election or stop the PML-N from taking part in upcoming general election.

Iqbal, 59, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, was hit by the bullet on his right shoulder in the attack on Sunday

Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal underwent two successful consecutive surgeries&nbspon Monday after being shot in an apparent assassination bid by a religious fanatic during an election rally in Punjab province, as another suspect has been taken into custody. Iqbal, 59, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, was hit by the bullet on his right shoulder in the attack on Sunday. An official at the Services Hospital here said that the surgery was successful and Iqbal is recovering well. "Iqbal is out of danger and recovering fast," he added. Iqbal underwent two consecutive surgeries and has now been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. "The abdominal laparoscopy of Iqbal has been performed. Bullet has not breached peritoneum and all intra-abdominal organs are intact. No expanding hematoma. Decision not to remove the bullet from his abdomen has been taken by the group of senior doctors considering that it may lead to more tissue damage," the official of the hospital where the procedure was performed said. He said the bullet had also penetrated the right elbow joint of the minister. Meanwhile, police have booked suspect Abdi Hussain, 21, under attempted murder and terrorism charges of Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act. Azeem, an accomplice of Hussain, who reached the rally along with him has also been arrested. Iqbal was leaving a venue after addressing the election rally in his hometown Narowal, some 80 kms from Lahore on Sunday at 6.15pm when Hussain opened fire at him, injuring his arm and abdomen. Narowal senior police officer Imran Kishwar said the suspect could not get a chance to open second fire on the minister. "The moment Hussain opened the fire on the interior minister the PML-N workers present there grabbed him," he said. Hussain belongs to the religious outfit - Tehreek-e-Labbaik Yarasoolallah Pakistan (TLYP), according to preliminary investigation. "The suspect who opened fire on the interior minister belongs to the TLYP. We know the motive of this attack but I want to tell that this is a very dangerous game being played against the PML-N," Information Minister Marrium Aurengzeb said. Talking to reporters she said "this politics of hatred" should be stopped now. A senior police officer said that the suspect told investigators that he opened fire on the minister to take revenge on the ruling PML-N for trying to delete the clause related to the Khatm-e-Nabuwat (the finality of Prophet Muhammad) from the Constitution. "The suspect belongs to a religious family and a worker of the TLYP," he said. Today, he said Hussain had made a confessional statement saying "he acted alone because his religious sentiments were hurt by the PML-N government's decision. A couple of months ago Iqbal had also faced a shoe-attack in his hometown. However, the shoe-attacker was arrested and later freed after Iqbal pardoned him. The suspect then claimed that he hurled the shoe at him because he was not happy with the PML-N government to change the clause from the Constitution related to the finality of the Prophet. PML-N federal ministers Khwaja Saad Rafique and Talal Chaudhry have expressed their fear that the attack could be a conspiracy to delay election or stop the PML-N from taking part in upcoming general election.

Pakistan minister undergoes surgery after assassination attempt; another suspect arrested

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought the assistance of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-parliament-a-highway-dams-what-india-is-building-in-the-country-135177">Afghanistan government</a> for liberating the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/taliban-suspected-in-abduction-of-indian-engineers-sources-to-wion-135052">seven engineers who were abducted by the Taliban militants</a> on Sunday.

Swaraj made a telephonic call to her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani and requested him to provide all possible help in freeing the seven engineers abducted from the restive northern Baghlan province.

The Afghan Foreign Minister in return has assured Swaraj that his government would make all possible efforts for tracing the Indian engineers.

"Rabbani, in the conversation, assured the Indian External Affairs Minister that the Afghan security forces would not spare any efforts in rescuing and ensuring the security and safety of the engineers," the Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Indian engineers abducted were employed in KEC International, an RPG group company and were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station in the country.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Swaraj made a telephonic call to her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani and requested him to provide all possible help in freeing the seven engineers abducted from the restive northern Baghlan province

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought the assistance of Afghanistan government for liberating the seven engineers who were abducted by the Taliban militants on Sunday. Swaraj made a telephonic call to her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani and requested him to provide all possible help in freeing the seven engineers abducted from the restive northern Baghlan province. The Afghan Foreign Minister in return has assured Swaraj that his government would make all possible efforts for tracing the Indian engineers. "Rabbani, in the conversation, assured the Indian External Affairs Minister that the Afghan security forces would not spare any efforts in rescuing and ensuring the security and safety of the engineers," the Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The Indian engineers abducted were employed in KEC International, an RPG group company and were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station in the country. (With inputs from PTI)

Sushma Swaraj seeks help from Afghan counterpart for liberating abducted Indians

An Afghan freelance journalist was attacked by unidentified miscreants and sustained wounds here on Sunday.

The journalist, Nematullah Tanin was quoted by TOLO news as saying that he was attacked by the assailants when he came out of the house in Kabul's PD5 in Afshar area and was going somewhere for work.

The journalist added that a bullet whizzed past his head and he suffered a shrapnel injury as a result.

The miscreants fled after the attack.

On a related note, two suicide bombers killed almost 30 people in the double bombing in Shash Darak area of Kabul city. Nine journalists were also killed in the incident, who were covering the first attack at that time.

The second attacker impersonated as a member of the media fraternity.

Afghan Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali on Friday dwelled upon the killing of nine journalists saying, "This was the bloodiest year for Afghan media. This was an attack on global media. More importantly, this attack was on Afghan youth."

According to the 2018 World Press Freedom Index, Afghanistan ranks a lowly 118 out of 180 countries.

The journalist, Nematullah Tanin was quoted by TOLO news as saying that he was attacked by the assailants when he came out of the house in Kabul's PD5 in Afshar area and was going somewhere for work

An Afghan freelance journalist was attacked by unidentified miscreants and sustained wounds here on Sunday. The journalist, Nematullah Tanin was quoted by TOLO news as saying that he was attacked by the assailants when he came out of the house in Kabul's PD5 in Afshar area and was going somewhere for work. The journalist added that a bullet whizzed past his head and he suffered a shrapnel injury as a result. The miscreants fled after the attack. On a related note, two suicide bombers killed almost 30 people in the double bombing in Shash Darak area of Kabul city. Nine journalists were also killed in the incident, who were covering the first attack at that time. The second attacker impersonated as a member of the media fraternity. Afghan Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali on Friday dwelled upon the killing of nine journalists saying, "This was the bloodiest year for Afghan media. This was an attack on global media. More importantly, this attack was on Afghan youth." According to the 2018 World Press Freedom Index, Afghanistan ranks a lowly 118 out of 180 countries.

Afghanistan journalist attacked in Kabul

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/seven-indian-engineers-kidnapped-in-afghanistan-police-134950">seven Indians and an Afghan national</a> who were abducted when they were traveling to a government-run power station in a minibus on Sunday are suspected to be kidnapped by the terrorist-outfit Taliban, sources told WION on Monday.&nbsp;

The Afghanistan foreign Minister has since contacted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for help. There has been no information on their whereabouts or the reason behind the abduction yet.&nbsp;

The seven Indians were engineers working for a power plant in Afghanistan&nbsp;were on their way when unknown gunmen abducted them and their Afghan driver, Zabihullah Shuja.&nbsp;

Two officials at the Indian embassy in Kabul confirmed the kidnapping of the engineers, all working for the Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) that operates power generating stations.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VH9VezeFp2o" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The seven Indians were engineers working for a power plant in Afghanistan who were on their way when unknown gunmen abducted them and their Afghan driver

The seven Indians and an Afghan national who were abducted when they were traveling to a government-run power station in a minibus on Sunday are suspected to be kidnapped by the terrorist-outfit Taliban, sources told WION on Monday. The Afghanistan foreign Minister has since contacted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for help. There has been no information on their whereabouts or the reason behind the abduction yet. The seven Indians were engineers working for a power plant in Afghanistan were on their way when unknown gunmen abducted them and their Afghan driver, Zabihullah Shuja. Two officials at the Indian embassy in Kabul confirmed the kidnapping of the engineers, all working for the Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) that operates power generating stations.

Taliban suspected in abduction of seven Indian engineers: Sources to WION

Afghanistan's poverty rate has worsened sharply over the past five years as the economy has stalled and the Taliban insurgency has spread, with more than half the population living on less than a dollar a day, a survey published on Monday showed.

The Afghanistan Living Conditions Survey (ALCS), a joint study by the European Union and Afghanistan's Central Statistics Organisation, showed the national poverty rate rising to 55 per cent in 2016-17 from 38 per cent in 2011-12.

"The high poverty rates represent the combined effect of stagnating economic growth, increasing demographic pressures, and a deteriorating security situation," Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank director for Afghanistan, said in a commentary about the survey.

The report underlines the problems facing the Western-backed government in Kabul which needs economic growth to help replace foreign aid and to provide jobs for its fast-growing population.

As international forces have withdrawn and the billions of dollars in foreign aid that once poured in have dried up, Afghanistan's battered agricultural economy has struggled.

More than a decade and a half after a US-led campaign toppled the Taliban in 2001, the poverty line was defined as an income of 70 afghanis, or about one US dollar, per person a day.

The ALCS report comes at a time when 20 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are suffering from serious drought and international aid agencies are seeking millions of dollars to help them.

Food insecurity has risen from 30.1 per cent to 44.6 per cent in five years, meaning many more people are forced to sell their land, take their children out of school to work or depend on food aid, the survey found.

Chaudhuri said the survey was the first estimate of the economic situation since Afghan forces took over security responsibilities in 2014 from international troops.

"In recent years, as population growth outstripped economic growth, an increase in poverty was inevitable," he said on the World Bank blog site.

The survey found that 50 per cent of the population is younger than 15.

This month, President Ashraf Ghani's government said it had listed job creation among its priorities and aimed at creating 2.1 million jobs within three years.

However, according to the IMF, the economy is set to grow at 2.5-3 per cent in 2017-18, too slowly to stop unemployment from rising.

The needs to produce some 400,000 new jobs a year to keep pace with population growth and tens of thousands of qualified people struggle to find work in cities, and farmers were unable to earn a sustainable livelihood due to the drought.

Officials at the European Union said the ALCS report was based on data collected from 21,000 households over 12 months.

Afghanistan's poverty rate has worsened sharply over the past five years as the economy has stalled and the Taliban insurgency has spread, with more than half the population living on less than a dollar a day, a survey published on Monday showed

Afghanistan's poverty rate has worsened sharply over the past five years as the economy has stalled and the Taliban insurgency has spread, with more than half the population living on less than a dollar a day, a survey published on Monday showed. The Afghanistan Living Conditions Survey (ALCS), a joint study by the European Union and Afghanistan's Central Statistics Organisation, showed the national poverty rate rising to 55 per cent in 2016-17 from 38 per cent in 2011-12. "The high poverty rates represent the combined effect of stagnating economic growth, increasing demographic pressures, and a deteriorating security situation," Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank director for Afghanistan, said in a commentary about the survey. The report underlines the problems facing the Western-backed government in Kabul which needs economic growth to help replace foreign aid and to provide jobs for its fast-growing population. As international forces have withdrawn and the billions of dollars in foreign aid that once poured in have dried up, Afghanistan's battered agricultural economy has struggled. More than a decade and a half after a US-led campaign toppled the Taliban in 2001, the poverty line was defined as an income of 70 afghanis, or about one US dollar, per person a day. The ALCS report comes at a time when 20 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are suffering from serious drought and international aid agencies are seeking millions of dollars to help them. Food insecurity has risen from 30.1 per cent to 44.6 per cent in five years, meaning many more people are forced to sell their land, take their children out of school to work or depend on food aid, the survey found. Chaudhuri said the survey was the first estimate of the economic situation since Afghan forces took over security responsibilities in 2014 from international troops. "In recent years, as population growth outstripped economic growth, an increase in poverty was inevitable," he said on the World Bank blog site. The survey found that 50 per cent of the population is younger than 15. This month, President Ashraf Ghani's government said it had listed job creation among its priorities and aimed at creating 2.1 million jobs within three years. However, according to the IMF, the economy is set to grow at 2.5-3 per cent in 2017-18, too slowly to stop unemployment from rising. The needs to produce some 400,000 new jobs a year to keep pace with population growth and tens of thousands of qualified people struggle to find work in cities, and farmers were unable to earn a sustainable livelihood due to the drought. Officials at the European Union said the ALCS report was based on data collected from 21,000 households over 12 months.

Afghanistan's poverty rate rises as economy suffers

Afghanistan Police saved dozens of lives on Monday after they prevented a suicide bomber from attacking a busy area in the capital city Kabul.&nbsp;

The police shot dead a suicide bomber who was apparently planning to attack an outdoor blood donor facility in central Kabul.

The police opened fire at him as he approached the centre, in a park in the Shar-e-Naw commercial district.&nbsp;

Besides the bomber, nobody else was injured in the area.&nbsp;

Afghanistan has been witnessing a series of bomb blasts in the recent weeks. Nine journalists were killed in twin blasts that jolted capital city Kabul on April 30.

The country is undergoing an increase in bombings and other attacks since April 25, after the Taliban announced the onset of their spring season.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The suicide bomber was apparently planning to attack an outdoor blood donor facility in central Kabul

Afghanistan Police saved dozens of lives on Monday after they prevented a suicide bomber from attacking a busy area in the capital city Kabul. The police shot dead a suicide bomber who was apparently planning to attack an outdoor blood donor facility in central Kabul. The police opened fire at him as he approached the centre, in a park in the Shar-e-Naw commercial district. Besides the bomber, nobody else was injured in the area. Afghanistan has been witnessing a series of bomb blasts in the recent weeks. Nine journalists were killed in twin blasts that jolted capital city Kabul on April 30. The country is undergoing an increase in bombings and other attacks since April 25, after the Taliban announced the onset of their spring season.

Afghanistan Police prevent attack, shoot dead suicide bomber in Kabul

India has always maintained cordial relations with Afghanistan through it's consistent infrastructural, healthcare, education and financial support to the country.&nbsp

The various assistance&nbspprovided to Afghanistan over the years has made India very popular in the country.&nbsp

India has been one of the biggest donors in the war-torn area since November 2001. The country has donated about $3.1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan.

Besides building the Afghan Parliament which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in December 2015, Indian has also contributed in the construction of the Salma Dam. The dam was collectively built by Afghan and Indian engineers and was later renamed as Afghanistan and Indian Friendship Dam.

One of the most expensive projects that India had undertaken in Afghanistan was the hydel power and irrigation projects accounting for about $275 million.&nbsp

Delaram to Zarang highway is also one of the finest examples of growing India and Afghanistan relations. The highway opened a shorter route between Afghanistan and Iran. It provides India with an easy access to Afghanistan via Iran.

Since 2017 India has been a constant supplier of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port.

At the Wuham summit, PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed a project for a joint Indo-Afghan connectivity project through Afghanistan connecting China with Iran. India&nbsphas also initiated projects with the US in Afghanistan and has also held a dialogue over the situation with Russia.

In September India took up projects to assist in development projects like the Shatoot dam and drinking water supply for Kabul, low cost housing for returning refugees, water supply network for Charikar city and a polyclinic in Mazar-e-Sharif. The plans also incuded strengthening assistance for the Afghan national defence and security forces in fighting terrorism, organised crime, trafficking of narcotics and money laundering. An agreement on&nbspa vehicular movement&nbspto boost overland transit between India and Afghanistan was also signed between the two countries.

The growing popularity and friendship between India and Afghanistan has always been a cause of concern for Pakistan.

India has been one of the biggest donors in the war-torn area since November 2001. The country has donated about $3.1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan

India has always maintained cordial relations with Afghanistan through it's consistent infrastructural, healthcare, education and financial support to the country. The various assistance&nbspprovided to Afghanistan over the years has made India very popular in the country. India has been one of the biggest donors in the war-torn area since November 2001. The country has donated about $3.1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan. Besides building the Afghan Parliament which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in December 2015, Indian has also contributed in the construction of the Salma Dam. The dam was collectively built by Afghan and Indian engineers and was later renamed as Afghanistan and Indian Friendship Dam. One of the most expensive projects that India had undertaken in Afghanistan was the hydel power and irrigation projects accounting for about $275 million. Delaram to Zarang highway is also one of the finest examples of growing India and Afghanistan relations. The highway opened a shorter route between Afghanistan and Iran. It provides India with an easy access to Afghanistan via Iran. Since 2017 India has been a constant supplier of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port. At the Wuham summit, PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed a project for a joint Indo-Afghan connectivity project through Afghanistan connecting China with Iran. India&nbsphas also initiated projects with the US in Afghanistan and has also held a dialogue over the situation with Russia. In September India took up projects to assist in development projects like the Shatoot dam and drinking water supply for Kabul, low cost housing for returning refugees, water supply network for Charikar city and a polyclinic in Mazar-e-Sharif. The plans also incuded strengthening assistance for the Afghan national defence and security forces in fighting terrorism, organised crime, trafficking of narcotics and money laundering. An agreement on&nbspa vehicular movement&nbspto boost overland transit between India and Afghanistan was also signed between the two countries. The growing popularity and friendship between India and Afghanistan has always been a cause of concern for Pakistan.

Afghanistan's parliament, a highway, dams: What India is building in the country

Security officials in Afghanistan are working with local tribal elders to trace the seven Indian engineers <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/taliban-suspected-in-abduction-of-indian-engineers-sources-to-wion-135052">abducted by Taliban gunmen</a> in the restive northern Baghlan province, media reports said today.

Provincial police spokesman Zabiullah Shuja said the Indian engineers of KEC International, an RPG group company, were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station.&nbsp;

They were abducted by the militants from the vicinity of Cheshma-e-Sher area yesterday while they were travelling to inspect the work progress.

Shuja said the Afghan driver of the engineers is also missing and an operation is underway for their release, according to media reports.

The security officials in the province said efforts are underway by the Afghan forces and the government officials as well as the local tribal elders for the release of the Indian engineers.&nbsp;

Provincial governor Abdul Nemati said the security forces and the local officials are busy tracking the missing engineers and their driver.

He said apart from the security forces and the government officials, the local tribal elders have also stepped up efforts for the release of the Indian nationals.

Nemati assured that the missing Indian engineers and their driver will be released soon.

Baghlan Governor had yesterday said the terror group had abducted the Indian engineers and their driver, believing they were government employees.

No group has, however, claimed responsibility for the abduction.

The External Affairs Ministry had said in New Delhi it is in touch with authorities in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Many of the earlier abductions in the war-torn country have been linked to Taliban.&nbsp;

In 2016, 40-year-old Indian aid worker Judith D'Souza was kidnapped in Kabul. She was released after 40 days.

India has provided at least USD 2 billion aid to Afghanistan for the economic development of the war-torn nation.&nbsp;

The engineers, employees of KEC International, an RPG group company, were working on the construction of a power sub-station. They were kidnapped on Sunday

Security officials in Afghanistan are working with local tribal elders to trace the seven Indian engineers abducted by Taliban gunmen in the restive northern Baghlan province, media reports said today. Provincial police spokesman Zabiullah Shuja said the Indian engineers of KEC International, an RPG group company, were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station. They were abducted by the militants from the vicinity of Cheshma-e-Sher area yesterday while they were travelling to inspect the work progress. Shuja said the Afghan driver of the engineers is also missing and an operation is underway for their release, according to media reports. The security officials in the province said efforts are underway by the Afghan forces and the government officials as well as the local tribal elders for the release of the Indian engineers. Provincial governor Abdul Nemati said the security forces and the local officials are busy tracking the missing engineers and their driver. He said apart from the security forces and the government officials, the local tribal elders have also stepped up efforts for the release of the Indian nationals. Nemati assured that the missing Indian engineers and their driver will be released soon. Baghlan Governor had yesterday said the terror group had abducted the Indian engineers and their driver, believing they were government employees. No group has, however, claimed responsibility for the abduction. The External Affairs Ministry had said in New Delhi it is in touch with authorities in Afghanistan. Many of the earlier abductions in the war-torn country have been linked to Taliban. In 2016, 40-year-old Indian aid worker Judith D'Souza was kidnapped in Kabul. She was released after 40 days. India has provided at least USD 2 billion aid to Afghanistan for the economic development of the war-torn nation.

Afghan officials working with tribal elders to find 7 abducted Indian engineers

In the absence of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane is the front-runner to lead the Indian team in the one-off Test against debutants Afghanistan in Bengaluru, starting June 14.

The selection committee will meet in Bengaluru on May 8 to pick six different squads ahead of the summer that sees India tour England.

Kohli will leave for Surrey in June to participate in the County Championship ahead of India’s long tour England this year.

The skipper will be back with the team once India land in Ireland to embark on what will be a long series of two T20Is in Ireland, followed by three T20Is in England, three ODIs in England and the five Tests.

India's three-match T20I series against England begins on July 3 while their ODI assignment against England, starts on July 12.

As per reports, Cheteshwar Pujara, who is currently playing county cricket with Yorkshire will head back home and will play the Test against Afghanistan.&nbsp

Aside from that, the other regulars in the Test squad, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya are also expected to feature in the game.&nbsp

India's T20 squad for the tour of England along with the tour of Ireland and the squad for the three-match ODI series against England will also be picked on Tuesday.&nbsp

Kohli will leave for Surrey in June to participate in the County Championship

In the absence of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane is the front-runner to lead the Indian team in the one-off Test against debutants Afghanistan in Bengaluru, starting June 14. The selection committee will meet in Bengaluru on May 8 to pick six different squads ahead of the summer that sees India tour England. Kohli will leave for Surrey in June to participate in the County Championship ahead of India’s long tour England this year. The skipper will be back with the team once India land in Ireland to embark on what will be a long series of two T20Is in Ireland, followed by three T20Is in England, three ODIs in England and the five Tests. India's three-match T20I series against England begins on July 3 while their ODI assignment against England, starts on July 12. As per reports, Cheteshwar Pujara, who is currently playing county cricket with Yorkshire will head back home and will play the Test against Afghanistan. Aside from that, the other regulars in the Test squad, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya are also expected to feature in the game. India's T20 squad for the tour of England along with the tour of Ireland and the squad for the three-match ODI series against England will also be picked on Tuesday.

In Kohli's absence, Ajinkya Rahane may lead India against Afghanistan

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/seven-indian-engineers-kidnapped-in-afghanistan-police-134950">Seven Indian engineers kidnapped in Afghanistan: Police</a>

Seven Indian engineers and an Afghan national working for a power plant in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan were kidnapped on Sunday, news agency Reuters reported quoting officials.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/blast-at-mosque-in-eastern-afghanistan-kills-13-official-134952">Blast at </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/blast-at-mosque-in-eastern-afghanistan-kills-13-official-134952">mosque</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/blast-at-mosque-in-eastern-afghanistan-kills-13-official-134952"> in eastern Afghanistan kills 13: Official</a>

An explosion at a mosque in the eastern Afghan province of Khost on Sunday killed at least 13&nbsppeople and wounded 31, news agency Reuters reported quoting a local police official.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-emmanuel-macron-warns-of-risk-of-war-if-trump-withdraws-from-iran-deal-134967">French President warns of risk of war if Donald Trump withdraws from Iran deal</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that war could ensue if US&nbspPresident Donald Trump withdraws from the 2015 deal in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/clashes-breaks-out-in-jk-following-terrorist-encounter-5-civilians-killed-134954">5 civilians killed in clashes following </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/clashes-breaks-out-in-jk-following-terrorist-encounter-5-civilians-killed-134954">terrorist</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/clashes-breaks-out-in-jk-following-terrorist-encounter-5-civilians-killed-134954"> encounter</a>

Five civilians were killed in the clashes that broke out between civilians and security forces on Sunday in parts of Jammu and Kashmir&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/encounter-between-security-forces-terrorists-in-jks-shopian-134867">following the encounter of five terrorists</a>.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-watchdog-orders-cambridge-analytica-to-hand-over-americans-personal-data-134968">UK watchdog orders Cambridge Analytica to hand over American's personal data</a>

Britain's data privacy watchdog has ordered Cambridge Analytica to hand over all the personal information it holds on a US academic, confirming the right of people abroad to seek data held by a UK firm.

&nbsp

Seven Indian engineers kidnapped in Afghanistan: Police Seven Indian engineers and an Afghan national working for a power plant in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan were kidnapped on Sunday, news agency Reuters reported quoting officials. Blast at mosque in eastern Afghanistan kills 13: Official An explosion at a mosque in the eastern Afghan province of Khost on Sunday killed at least 13&nbsppeople and wounded 31, news agency Reuters reported quoting a local police official. French President warns of risk of war if Donald Trump withdraws from Iran deal French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that war could ensue if US&nbspPresident Donald Trump withdraws from the 2015 deal in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. 5 civilians killed in clashes following terrorist encounter Five civilians were killed in the clashes that broke out between civilians and security forces on Sunday in parts of Jammu and Kashmir following the encounter of five terrorists. UK watchdog orders Cambridge Analytica to hand over American's personal data Britain's data privacy watchdog has ordered Cambridge Analytica to hand over all the personal information it holds on a US academic, confirming the right of people abroad to seek data held by a UK firm.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Seven Indian engineers and an Afghan national working for a power plant in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan were kidnapped on Sunday, news agency Reuters reported quoting officials.&nbsp;

Engineers were travelling to a government-run power station in a minibus when unknown gunmen abducted them and their Afghan driver, Zabihullah Shuja, spokesman for Baghlan police said.

Two officials at the Indian embassy in Kabul confirmed the kidnapping of the engineers, all working for the Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) that operates power generating stations.

A senior Indian embassy official said over 150 Indian engineers and technical experts are currently working across Afghanistan on large infrastructure projects.

"We are working out ways to ensure the release of our engineers," an official said.

It is not known who is responsible for the kidnapping or whether a ransom has been sought for their release.

In response to queries on reports of abduction of Indian nationals in Afghanistan, MEA Spokesperson said, "we are aware of the abduction of Indian nationals from Baghlan province in Afghanistan. We are in contact with Afghan authorities and&nbsp;further details are being ascertained"

&nbsp;

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In response to queries on reports of abduction of Indian nationals in Afghanistan, MEA Spokesperson said, "we are aware of the abduction of Indian nationals from Baghlan province in Afghanistan. We are in contact with Afghan authorities & further details are being ascertained"
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Kidnapping of locals for extortions are common in Afghanistan. Rampant poverty and rising unemployment have&nbsp;worsened the situation.

In 2016, an Indian aid worker was kidnapped in Kabul. She was released after 40 days.

The Indian government regularly issues a security alert for Indians residing in Afghanistan and travelling to the war-torn country.

Two officials at the Indian embassy in Kabul confirmed the kidnapping of the engineers

Seven Indian engineers and an Afghan national working for a power plant in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan were kidnapped on Sunday, news agency Reuters reported quoting officials. Engineers were travelling to a government-run power station in a minibus when unknown gunmen abducted them and their Afghan driver, Zabihullah Shuja, spokesman for Baghlan police said. Two officials at the Indian embassy in Kabul confirmed the kidnapping of the engineers, all working for the Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) that operates power generating stations. A senior Indian embassy official said over 150 Indian engineers and technical experts are currently working across Afghanistan on large infrastructure projects. "We are working out ways to ensure the release of our engineers," an official said. It is not known who is responsible for the kidnapping or whether a ransom has been sought for their release. In response to queries on reports of abduction of Indian nationals in Afghanistan, MEA Spokesperson said, "we are aware of the abduction of Indian nationals from Baghlan province in Afghanistan. We are in contact with Afghan authorities and further details are being ascertained" In response to queries on reports of abduction of Indian nationals in Afghanistan, MEA Spokesperson said, "we are aware of the abduction of Indian nationals from Baghlan province in Afghanistan. We are in contact with Afghan authorities & further details are being ascertained" — ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2018 × Kidnapping of locals for extortions are common in Afghanistan. Rampant poverty and rising unemployment have worsened the situation. In 2016, an Indian aid worker was kidnapped in Kabul. She was released after 40 days. The Indian government regularly issues a security alert for Indians residing in Afghanistan and travelling to the war-torn country.

Seven Indian engineers kidnapped in Afghanistan: Police

Afghanistan on Friday said it welcomed joint development ventures by India and China in the country which were announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week.

Shaida Abdali, the Afghan envoy to India, also said the Chabahar port in Iran "is open for everyone".&nbsp

In March, Iran had invited Pakistan to participate in the Chabahar project.&nbsp

India has played a crucial role in building of the port which is being used by India to transport goods to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. It has also been envisaged as an alternate route to reach the Central Asian market.&nbsp

"We fully welcome and support the joint ventures in Afghanistan by India and China to ensure that we have regional support for stability, peace and development. We look forward to it," Abdali said.

This, he said, would lead all neighbours of Afghanistan to support regional economic projects in the war-torn country.

In an informal summit between Modi and Xi held at Wuhan last week, the two countries agreed to work jointly on an economic project in Afghanistan, a development that can be expected to discomfit Pakistan that has worked strenuously to exclude India from a region it considers its strategic backyard.&nbsp

"Unfortunatley, Afghanistan is affected by issues that are in the region between neighbours. We really want tensions to be finished. We hope all, including Pakistan, will support such initiatives because the resolve of this initiative would be peace and stability," he said.

Abdali was responding to a question at an event organised by the Foreign Correspondent's Club.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had invited Pakistan to participate in Chabahar seaport project and development of its link with Gwadar Port.

When asked about Iran's move, Abdali said, "That is what we look at regional initiatives. That means Chabahar port is open for everyone but with sincerity to come and invest in Chabahar and look at it as a regional hub and not as a threat to anything else."&nbsp

He noted that the Chabahar project had helped Afghanistan diversify its trade links with India.&nbsp

India and Afghanistan started an air-corridor last year that gave better Kabul a better access to Indian markets.&nbsp

Abdali said the air corridor was doing very well and after Mumbai and Delhi, there were plans to have direct air-connectivity to Amritsar and Hyderabad.

The trade volume between India and Afghanistan is nearly USD 2 billion.

The major thrust of the event was a terror strike in Kabul that killed 11 journalists.&nbsp

Abdali described it as the "bloodiest year for journalists" and the message behind the attack was to "shut down voice of justice, equality".

The Ministry of External Affairs also sent its representative to the event, as a mark of solidarity.

Shaida Abdali, the Afghan envoy to India, also said the Chabahar port in Iran 'is open for everyone'

Afghanistan on Friday said it welcomed joint development ventures by India and China in the country which were announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. Shaida Abdali, the Afghan envoy to India, also said the Chabahar port in Iran "is open for everyone". In March, Iran had invited Pakistan to participate in the Chabahar project. India has played a crucial role in building of the port which is being used by India to transport goods to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. It has also been envisaged as an alternate route to reach the Central Asian market. "We fully welcome and support the joint ventures in Afghanistan by India and China to ensure that we have regional support for stability, peace and development. We look forward to it," Abdali said. This, he said, would lead all neighbours of Afghanistan to support regional economic projects in the war-torn country. In an informal summit between Modi and Xi held at Wuhan last week, the two countries agreed to work jointly on an economic project in Afghanistan, a development that can be expected to discomfit Pakistan that has worked strenuously to exclude India from a region it considers its strategic backyard. "Unfortunatley, Afghanistan is affected by issues that are in the region between neighbours. We really want tensions to be finished. We hope all, including Pakistan, will support such initiatives because the resolve of this initiative would be peace and stability," he said. Abdali was responding to a question at an event organised by the Foreign Correspondent's Club. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had invited Pakistan to participate in Chabahar seaport project and development of its link with Gwadar Port. When asked about Iran's move, Abdali said, "That is what we look at regional initiatives. That means Chabahar port is open for everyone but with sincerity to come and invest in Chabahar and look at it as a regional hub and not as a threat to anything else." He noted that the Chabahar project had helped Afghanistan diversify its trade links with India. India and Afghanistan started an air-corridor last year that gave better Kabul a better access to Indian markets. Abdali said the air corridor was doing very well and after Mumbai and Delhi, there were plans to have direct air-connectivity to Amritsar and Hyderabad. The trade volume between India and Afghanistan is nearly USD 2 billion. The major thrust of the event was a terror strike in Kabul that killed 11 journalists. Abdali described it as the "bloodiest year for journalists" and the message behind the attack was to "shut down voice of justice, equality". The Ministry of External Affairs also sent its representative to the event, as a mark of solidarity.

Afghanistan welcomes joint development ventures by India, China

Afghan security forces arrested seven suspected militants who were planning to attack a government-run hospital and an interior ministry office in the capital Kabul on Thursday, officials said.

The arrests come two days after twin blasts near government buildings in Kabul killed at least 26 people including nine journalists.

Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in a series of high profile attacks in Kabul in recent months, exposing the inability of security officials and the government to pre-empt or prevent them.

Last month, the Taliban announced the start of its annual spring offensive or the fighting season, saying it will target U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, officials at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the seven alleged militants were interrogated and confessed plans to attack an old compound of the interior ministry and the Ghazi Amanullah Khan hospital that provides treatment to Afghan security forces.

The arrested men, according to the NDS statement, were brought to Kabul by a facilitator after they were equipped to mount attacks and become suicide bombers.

An NDS official said the seven youths were trained in different madrassas (religious schools) located in Chaman district, situated on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Afghanistan’s Western-backed government has long accused Pakistan of harbouring Afghan Taliban insurgents, a charge that Islamabad denies.

Islamabad, in turn, accuses Afghanistan of not doing enough to eradicate Pakistani Taliban militants, many of whom are based in Afghanistan and mostly carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in a series of high profile attacks in Kabul in recent months, exposing the inability of security officials and the government to Kabul or prevent them.

Afghan security forces arrested seven suspected militants who were planning to attack a government-run hospital and an interior ministry office in the capital Kabul on Thursday, officials said. The arrests come two days after twin blasts near government buildings in Kabul killed at least 26 people including nine journalists. Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in a series of high profile attacks in Kabul in recent months, exposing the inability of security officials and the government to pre-empt or prevent them. Last month, the Taliban announced the start of its annual spring offensive or the fighting season, saying it will target U.S. forces in Afghanistan. On Thursday, officials at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the seven alleged militants were interrogated and confessed plans to attack an old compound of the interior ministry and the Ghazi Amanullah Khan hospital that provides treatment to Afghan security forces. The arrested men, according to the NDS statement, were brought to Kabul by a facilitator after they were equipped to mount attacks and become suicide bombers. An NDS official said the seven youths were trained in different madrassas (religious schools) located in Chaman district, situated on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Afghanistan’s Western-backed government has long accused Pakistan of harbouring Afghan Taliban insurgents, a charge that Islamabad denies. Islamabad, in turn, accuses Afghanistan of not doing enough to eradicate Pakistani Taliban militants, many of whom are based in Afghanistan and mostly carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Afghan forces say attacks on government building, hospital foiled

The White House on Tuesday condemned a double suicide blast in Kabul that killed at least 25 people, including nine journalists, saying there was no justification for such a senseless and heinous act.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference that the Trump administration "strongly condemns" the attacks that rocked the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, killing several members of the media.

"These journalists were in the area to cover a bomb blast when a second explosion occurred. Afghanistan's press corps is a powerful illustration of how that country has transformed. There's absolutely no justification for such a senseless and heinous act," she said.

Responding to a question, Sanders said the Trump administration laid out its Afghanistan strategy just a few months ago and "there is no change to that policy at this point".

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference that the Trump administration "strongly condemns" the attacks that rocked the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, killing several members of the media

The White House on Tuesday condemned a double suicide blast in Kabul that killed at least 25 people, including nine journalists, saying there was no justification for such a senseless and heinous act. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference that the Trump administration "strongly condemns" the attacks that rocked the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, killing several members of the media. "These journalists were in the area to cover a bomb blast when a second explosion occurred. Afghanistan's press corps is a powerful illustration of how that country has transformed. There's absolutely no justification for such a senseless and heinous act," she said. Responding to a question, Sanders said the Trump administration laid out its Afghanistan strategy just a few months ago and "there is no change to that policy at this point".

No justification for senseless act: White House on Kabul blasts

At least six terrorists of the Taliban terror outfit were killed in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The deaths were the result of the raids conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Khaama Press reported.

The operation was conducted in the vicinity of Khogyani district according to the statement issued by the provincial government media office.

The Taliban leader killed during the operation has been identified as Faridullah who was also famous as Zindani, the statement added.

Two other individuals, identified as Ezatullah and Hejratullah have been arrested on suspicion of having connections with the Taliban, according to the report.

Last week, Taliban fighters seized a district center in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, while a bomb at an army base in the southern province of Helmand killed at least five people.

Fighters captured the governor’s house and police headquarters in Aq Tapa, in the Qala-e Zal district of Kunduz province and Afghan government forces were fighting to drive them out, said Sayed Assadullah Sadat, a provincial council member.

The Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters had captured a police headquarters, 10 security check posts and a market in Qala-e Zal, north of Kunduz city.&nbsp;

The deaths were the result of the raids conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Khaama Press reported

At least six terrorists of the Taliban terror outfit were killed in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Wednesday. The deaths were the result of the raids conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Khaama Press reported. The operation was conducted in the vicinity of Khogyani district according to the statement issued by the provincial government media office. The Taliban leader killed during the operation has been identified as Faridullah who was also famous as Zindani, the statement added. Two other individuals, identified as Ezatullah and Hejratullah have been arrested on suspicion of having connections with the Taliban, according to the report. Last week, Taliban fighters seized a district center in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, while a bomb at an army base in the southern province of Helmand killed at least five people. Fighters captured the governor’s house and police headquarters in Aq Tapa, in the Qala-e Zal district of Kunduz province and Afghan government forces were fighting to drive them out, said Sayed Assadullah Sadat, a provincial council member. The Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters had captured a police headquarters, 10 security check posts and a market in Qala-e Zal, north of Kunduz city.

6 Taliban terrorists killed in Afghanistan during raids by Special Operations Forces

Iran said today that it is ready to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/now-india-pak-afghan-officials-bond-over-tapi-gas-pipeline-33808">swap the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India)</a> pipeline from&nbspTurkmenistan to India but it is unlikely to become operational, Iran's FARS news agency reported.

The 1,840-kilometre gas pipeline is set to run from &nbspTurkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. India's participation in the pipeline has been in doubt for several years over its relations with Pakistan with Indian authorities fearing terrorists may disrupt the gas line.

"I see it unlikely for the TAPI pipeline to become operational and Iran is ready for this swap to Pakistan," head of National Iranian Gas Company, Hamidreza Araqi, said.

The pipeline is set to pump gas from Turkmenistan's Galkynysh gas field in 2020.

"We have announced our readiness to Turkmenistan for exporting their natural gas to Pakistan, but have not received any response from them," Araqi added.

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, MJ Akbar had said earlier that the TAPI project was "a dove in a storm" underscoring the importance it held for India.

"Given Iran's situation in the centre of the region, we can join every gas pipeline that passes around the country," Araqi told FARS.

The pipeline showcases the complex geopolitical matrix in the region with strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan also between India and Pakistan.

The pipeline will have a capacity to carry 33 billion cubic meters gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan.

India's MoS MJ Akbar had said TAPI should be become "People's Pipeline." 
&nbsp

The pipeline is set to pump gas from Turkmenistan's Galkynysh gas field in 2020.

Iran said today that it is ready to swap the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline from&nbspTurkmenistan to India but it is unlikely to become operational, Iran's FARS news agency reported. The 1,840-kilometre gas pipeline is set to run from &nbspTurkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. India's participation in the pipeline has been in doubt for several years over its relations with Pakistan with Indian authorities fearing terrorists may disrupt the gas line. "I see it unlikely for the TAPI pipeline to become operational and Iran is ready for this swap to Pakistan," head of National Iranian Gas Company, Hamidreza Araqi, said. The pipeline is set to pump gas from Turkmenistan's Galkynysh gas field in 2020. "We have announced our readiness to Turkmenistan for exporting their natural gas to Pakistan, but have not received any response from them," Araqi added. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, MJ Akbar had said earlier that the TAPI project was "a dove in a storm" underscoring the importance it held for India. "Given Iran's situation in the centre of the region, we can join every gas pipeline that passes around the country," Araqi told FARS. The pipeline showcases the complex geopolitical matrix in the region with strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan also between India and Pakistan. The pipeline will have a capacity to carry 33 billion cubic meters gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan. India's MoS MJ Akbar had said TAPI should be become "People's Pipeline."

Turkmenistan-India gas pipeline unlikely: Iran gas company

The number of Afghan security forces decreased by nearly 11 percent in the past year, the US&nbsp;government`s top watchdog on Afghanistan said on Tuesday, an indication of the difficulty Kabul will have in dealing with its precarious security situation.

Twin blasts in the Afghan capital Kabul killed at least 26 people on Monday, including nine journalists who had arrived to report on the first explosion and were apparently targeted by a suicide bomber.

The attacks, a week after 60 people were killed as they waited at a voter registration center in the city, underlined mounting insecurity despite repeated government pledges to tighten defenses.

The attacks in rapid succession were a grim reminder of the strength of both the Taliban and Islamic State`s emerging Afghanistan branch to wreak violence despite stepped up air attacks under US&nbsp;President Donald Trump`s new policy for the 16-year-old war.

In a report released on Tuesday, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, said the number of forces in the Afghan National Defense and Security forces (ANDSF), which includes the army, air force and police, totaled an estimated 296,400 personnel as of January. That was a drop of 10.6 percent compared to the same month in 2017.&nbsp;

The authorized strength of the ANDSF is 334,000 personnel.&nbsp;

The United States has for nearly two decades been seeking to build Afghan security forces capable of defending and holding territory.

"Building up the Afghan forces is a top priority for the US&nbsp;and our international allies, so it is worrisome to see Afghan force strength decreasing," John Sopko, the head of SIGAR, told Reuters.

Thousands more US&nbsp;troops have been sent to Afghanistan to help train the army, and commanders have been given greater authority to carry out air strikes against the militants in a major reversal of the previous policy of phased withdrawal of American forces.

Publicly, US&nbsp;officials have presented an optimistic view of the situation in Afghanistan. The top US&nbsp;general in Afghanistan said late last year that the country had "turned the corner."

Asked what his goal in Afghanistan was in the next year, US. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told a Congressional hearing he wanted "a more capable Afghan force, between their military and their police (and) the violence levels going down."

On Monday, Mattis said the spate of recent attacks had been expected and the militants were "on their backfoot."

"This is the normal stuff by people who cannot win at the ballot box, so they turn to bombs," Mattis said.&nbsp;

Privately, however, US officials have been more circumspect.

US intelligence officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that despite extensive US training and support, the vast majority of Afghan forces are incapable of preventing the Taliban from retaking much of the territory the militant group lost after the United States invaded the country in 2001.

"While Afghan forces are stronger now than they were a decade ago, they continue to struggle in a big way. Ultimately, that`s a failure of US. policy," said Michael Kugelman, with the Wilson Center think tank in Washington.

SIGAR added in the report that the percentage of population controlled or influenced by the Afghan government increased to 65 percent as of January 2018, up 1 percent compared to October.

The United States has for nearly two decades been seeking to build Afghan security forces capable of defending and holding territory

The number of Afghan security forces decreased by nearly 11 percent in the past year, the US government`s top watchdog on Afghanistan said on Tuesday, an indication of the difficulty Kabul will have in dealing with its precarious security situation. Twin blasts in the Afghan capital Kabul killed at least 26 people on Monday, including nine journalists who had arrived to report on the first explosion and were apparently targeted by a suicide bomber. The attacks, a week after 60 people were killed as they waited at a voter registration center in the city, underlined mounting insecurity despite repeated government pledges to tighten defenses. The attacks in rapid succession were a grim reminder of the strength of both the Taliban and Islamic State`s emerging Afghanistan branch to wreak violence despite stepped up air attacks under US President Donald Trump`s new policy for the 16-year-old war. In a report released on Tuesday, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, said the number of forces in the Afghan National Defense and Security forces (ANDSF), which includes the army, air force and police, totaled an estimated 296,400 personnel as of January. That was a drop of 10.6 percent compared to the same month in 2017. The authorized strength of the ANDSF is 334,000 personnel. The United States has for nearly two decades been seeking to build Afghan security forces capable of defending and holding territory. "Building up the Afghan forces is a top priority for the US and our international allies, so it is worrisome to see Afghan force strength decreasing," John Sopko, the head of SIGAR, told Reuters. Thousands more US troops have been sent to Afghanistan to help train the army, and commanders have been given greater authority to carry out air strikes against the militants in a major reversal of the previous policy of phased withdrawal of American forces. Publicly, US officials have presented an optimistic view of the situation in Afghanistan. The top US general in Afghanistan said late last year that the country had "turned the corner." Asked what his goal in Afghanistan was in the next year, US. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told a Congressional hearing he wanted "a more capable Afghan force, between their military and their police (and) the violence levels going down." On Monday, Mattis said the spate of recent attacks had been expected and the militants were "on their backfoot." "This is the normal stuff by people who cannot win at the ballot box, so they turn to bombs," Mattis said. Privately, however, US officials have been more circumspect. US intelligence officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that despite extensive US training and support, the vast majority of Afghan forces are incapable of preventing the Taliban from retaking much of the territory the militant group lost after the United States invaded the country in 2001. "While Afghan forces are stronger now than they were a decade ago, they continue to struggle in a big way. Ultimately, that`s a failure of US. policy," said Michael Kugelman, with the Wilson Center think tank in Washington. SIGAR added in the report that the percentage of population controlled or influenced by the Afghan government increased to 65 percent as of January 2018, up 1 percent compared to October.

Afghan forces see drop in numbers as security deteriorates: Report

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed outrage over the series of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, with a top UN official in the country saying the attacks on journalists ahead of World Press Freedom Day is a "direct assault on the freedom of expression".

Twin suicide blasts, claimed by the ISIS, in the Afghan capital Kabul yesterday killed 25 people, including 10 journalists, in what Reporters Without Borders said was the most lethal single attack on the media since the fall of the Taliban.

In a third attack 11 children were killed and 16 people wounded, including foreign and Afghan security force members, when a suicide attacker exploded his bomb-laden car near a convoy in the southern province of Kandahar.

Top UN officials underscored the need to bring those behind the attacks to justice.

The attacks in Kabul and Kandahar caused numerous casualties among civilians, emergency responders, and school children, Guterres said in a statement attributable to his spokesperson.

"The deliberate targeting of journalists in the attack highlights once again the risks media professionals face in carrying out their essential work. Those responsible for such crimes must be swiftly brought to justice," the UN chief said.

The Secretary-General extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

Strongly condemning the terrorist attacks, senior United Nations officials also stressed the need to bring those behind the attacks to justice.

"These attacks caused untold human suffering to Afghan families UNAMA condemns them in the strongest possible terms," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Tadamichi Yamamoto said in a separate news release.

He said is "outraged" by the attack which appears to have deliberately targeted journalists, coming just ahead of World Press Freedom Day. This, he said, is a "direct assault on the freedom of expression."

"There is no justification whatsoever for such attacks. Those who have organised and enabled these attacks must be brought to justice and held to account," the UN envoy said.&nbsp

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed outrage over the series of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, with a top UN official in the country saying the attacks on journalists ahead of World Press Freedom Day is a 'direct assault on the freedom of expression'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed outrage over the series of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, with a top UN official in the country saying the attacks on journalists ahead of World Press Freedom Day is a "direct assault on the freedom of expression". Twin suicide blasts, claimed by the ISIS, in the Afghan capital Kabul yesterday killed 25 people, including 10 journalists, in what Reporters Without Borders said was the most lethal single attack on the media since the fall of the Taliban. In a third attack 11 children were killed and 16 people wounded, including foreign and Afghan security force members, when a suicide attacker exploded his bomb-laden car near a convoy in the southern province of Kandahar. Top UN officials underscored the need to bring those behind the attacks to justice. The attacks in Kabul and Kandahar caused numerous casualties among civilians, emergency responders, and school children, Guterres said in a statement attributable to his spokesperson. "The deliberate targeting of journalists in the attack highlights once again the risks media professionals face in carrying out their essential work. Those responsible for such crimes must be swiftly brought to justice," the UN chief said. The Secretary-General extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. Strongly condemning the terrorist attacks, senior United Nations officials also stressed the need to bring those behind the attacks to justice. "These attacks caused untold human suffering to Afghan families UNAMA condemns them in the strongest possible terms," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Tadamichi Yamamoto said in a separate news release. He said is "outraged" by the attack which appears to have deliberately targeted journalists, coming just ahead of World Press Freedom Day. This, he said, is a "direct assault on the freedom of expression." "There is no justification whatsoever for such attacks. Those who have organised and enabled these attacks must be brought to justice and held to account," the UN envoy said.

UN chief 'outraged' by terror attacks in Afghanistan

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