<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-13-year-old-girl-stripped-molested-by-gang-of-teens-attack-filmed-no-one-comes-to-her-rescue-133772">Bihar: 13-year-old girl stripped, molested by </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-13-year-old-girl-stripped-molested-by-gang-of-teens-attack-filmed-no-one-comes-to-her-rescue-133772">gang</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-13-year-old-girl-stripped-molested-by-gang-of-teens-attack-filmed-no-one-comes-to-her-rescue-133772"> of teens. Attack filmed, no one comes to her rescue</a>

News reports said police were conducting door-to-door searches in the area. The attack had taken place in Bihar's Ramdani village near Bharthua town.&nbsp;The reports said police were able to zero in on the attackers from a motorcycle seen in the video.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aiims-says-lalu-prasad-fit-to-discharge-rjd-chief-disagrees-133758">AIIMS says Lalu Prasad fit to be discharged, RJD chief disagrees</a>

AIIMS in its statement had said that Lalu's condition has improved significantly and as per advise of the medical board constituted for his treatment, he is being referred back to Ranchi Medical College.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-also-sold-data-to-cambridge-analytica-researcher-report-133788">Twitter also sold data to Cambridge Analytica researcher: Report</a>

After Facebook, another major social media outlet Twitter has now been caught up in the data scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, the British political consulting firm which collected the data of nearly 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge and permission, according to a media report.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-should-win-nobel-peace-prize-south-korea-president-133773">Donald Trump should win Nobel Peace Prize: South Korea President</a>

"President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace," Moon told a cabinet meeting, according to a presidential Blue House official who briefed media.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-rustom-uniform-auction-row-twinkle-tweets-of-taking-legal-action-against-navy-officer-for-threats-133726">'Rustom' uniform auction row: Twinkle tweets of taking legal action against Navy officer for threats</a>

Actress-turned-author Twinkle Khanna’s support for an auction involving her husband Akshay Kumar’s naval uniform he wore in the film Rustom has now taken an ugly turn as an Indian Navy officer threatened her for the act.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Read the top five stories of the day here

Bihar: 13-year-old girl stripped, molested by gang of teens. Attack filmed, no one comes to her rescue News reports said police were conducting door-to-door searches in the area. The attack had taken place in Bihar's Ramdani village near Bharthua town. The reports said police were able to zero in on the attackers from a motorcycle seen in the video. AIIMS says Lalu Prasad fit to be discharged, RJD chief disagrees AIIMS in its statement had said that Lalu's condition has improved significantly and as per advise of the medical board constituted for his treatment, he is being referred back to Ranchi Medical College. Twitter also sold data to Cambridge Analytica researcher: Report After Facebook, another major social media outlet Twitter has now been caught up in the data scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, the British political consulting firm which collected the data of nearly 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge and permission, according to a media report. Donald Trump should win Nobel Peace Prize: South Korea President "President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace," Moon told a cabinet meeting, according to a presidential Blue House official who briefed media. 'Rustom' uniform auction row: Twinkle tweets of taking legal action against Navy officer for threats Actress-turned-author Twinkle Khanna’s support for an auction involving her husband Akshay Kumar’s naval uniform he wore in the film Rustom has now taken an ugly turn as an Indian Navy officer threatened her for the act.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Around 11 madrassa students were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kandahar province of Afghanistan on Monday.

The students were killed by a suicide car bomber.

According to Tolo News, the attack was aimed at Romanian troops who were patrolling the area.

16 others were also injured which included five Romanian soldiers.

Tolo News further reported that no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to Tolo News, the attack was aimed at Romanian troops who were patrolling the area

Around 11 madrassa students were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kandahar province of Afghanistan on Monday. The students were killed by a suicide car bomber. According to Tolo News, the attack was aimed at Romanian troops who were patrolling the area. 16 others were also injured which included five Romanian soldiers. Tolo News further reported that no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Afghanistan: Suicide car bomb kills 11 students in Kandahar

According to Afghan media, at least 9 journalists have lost their lives in the twin blasts that jolted capital city Kabul earlier today.

French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) confirmed one of its chief photographers has died in the explosion.

“He died in a blast that was targeting a group of journalists who had rushed to the scene of a suicide attack in the Afghan capital,” read the news agency's tweet.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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AFP photographer Shah Marai killed in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>'s Kabul blast. <a href="https://t.co/kKWj7LrpJg">pic.twitter.com/kKWj7LrpJg</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/990825763187384320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A number of journalists were wounded in the second blast in Kabul that occurred shortly after the first one, TOLO News reported.

An Afghan news channel also confirmed a couple of its staff reporters dead in the blast.&nbsp;

At least 29 were killed and over 40 wounded in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explosion-heard-in-afghan-capital-kabul-report-133698">twin explosions that took place in Afghanistan's Kabul on Monday</a>.

According to reports, the first explosion took place in the Shashdarak area near Afghanistan's spy agency's office. Another explosion followed outside the headquarters of the ministry of urban development and housing, Reuters reported.

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Afghanistan: Visuals from the site of explosion in Kabul's Shashdarak area Four killed and five wounded so far, one AFP photographer was also killed in the explosion. <a href="https://t.co/oy8ctgh5oO">pic.twitter.com/oy8ctgh5oO</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/990829164814094336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The explosion comes over a week after a deadly blast claimed 60 lives at a voter registration centre in the west of the city.

According to a report published by NAI, a non-profit organisation that supports open media and journalists' rights in Afghanistan, 21 journalists lost their lives in Afghanistan in 2017.&nbsp;

Another report by the International Federation of Journalists claimed that as many as 21 journalists were killed while at their job last year across the globe, 250 were jailed.&nbsp;

Mexico saw the maximum numbers of reporters getting killed last year followed by countries Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

According to a report, 21 journalists lost their lives in Afghanistan in 2017

According to Afghan media, at least 9 journalists have lost their lives in the twin blasts that jolted capital city Kabul earlier today. French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) confirmed one of its chief photographers has died in the explosion. “He died in a blast that was targeting a group of journalists who had rushed to the scene of a suicide attack in the Afghan capital,” read the news agency's tweet. AFP photographer Shah Marai killed in #Afghanistan's Kabul blast. pic.twitter.com/kKWj7LrpJg — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2018 × A number of journalists were wounded in the second blast in Kabul that occurred shortly after the first one, TOLO News reported. An Afghan news channel also confirmed a couple of its staff reporters dead in the blast. At least 29 were killed and over 40 wounded in twin explosions that took place in Afghanistan's Kabul on Monday. According to reports, the first explosion took place in the Shashdarak area near Afghanistan's spy agency's office. Another explosion followed outside the headquarters of the ministry of urban development and housing, Reuters reported. Afghanistan: Visuals from the site of explosion in Kabul's Shashdarak area Four killed and five wounded so far, one AFP photographer was also killed in the explosion. pic.twitter.com/oy8ctgh5oO — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2018 × The explosion comes over a week after a deadly blast claimed 60 lives at a voter registration centre in the west of the city. According to a report published by NAI, a non-profit organisation that supports open media and journalists' rights in Afghanistan, 21 journalists lost their lives in Afghanistan in 2017. Another report by the International Federation of Journalists claimed that as many as 21 journalists were killed while at their job last year across the globe, 250 were jailed. Mexico saw the maximum numbers of reporters getting killed last year followed by countries Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. (With inputs from agencies)

Kabul twin blasts: Afghan media reports 9 journalists killed

After being allocated a transponder from the South Asia Satellite, Afghanistan has requested India for another one which it could use for Direct-to-Home television services, an official from the Department of Space has said.

However, unlike the South Asia Satellite or G SAT-9, which was a “gift” from India to its neighbours and one transponder was allocated to the participating SAARC countries for free, Afghanistan may have to pay for the services this time, the official said.

&nbsp“They have asked for another transponder and we are looking into it. Unlike in the case of the South Asia Satellite, Afghanistan may be charged for the second transponder. However, no decision has been made in this regard,” the official said, requesting anonymity.

The second transponder may not be from the South Asia Satellite.

In 2014, Afghanistan had launched its satellite AFGHANSAT-1 for wide-ranging services including DTH, broadcasting and internet services. The satellite was launched by a French company. But as demand increases, it looks to augment its supply side.

A transponder is a device that receives and transmits signals. It is essential for Direct-To-Home (DTH) services.

India and Afghanistan share a robust space cooperation. Last year, after a meeting between External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani, it was decided that New Delhi will extend assistance to Kabul in the area of remote sensing.

During the 2014 SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India would be launching a satellite as a gift to its SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) neighbours.

Pakistan did not join the project, stating it was working on its own satellite. It offered monetary and technical support though for the project, which was rejected by India.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the South Asia Satellite in 2017. The 2,230-kg communication spacecraft, with a mission life of 12 years, will support effective communication, broadcasting and internet services in a region that is geographically challenging, economically lagging and has limited technological resources.

The satellite provides the significant capability to each of the participating countries in terms of DTH (direct-to-home) services, besides linking the countries for disaster information transfer.

The satellite has 12 Ku band transponders which the six nations -- Afghanistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan -- can utilise to enhance communications. Each South Asian country will get access to one transponder through which it will be able to beam its own programming.

As a part of its commitment, India also assisted several countries to build ground stations and other infrastructure-related work to receive signals sent from transponders.

In countries like Bhutan, the project is running well, the official said.

The official added that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will also do a review of how the project is progressing.

In 2014, Afghanistan had launched its satellite AFGHANSAT-1 for wide-ranging services including DTH, broadcasting and internet services. The satellite was launched by a French company. But as demand increases, it looks to augment its supply side.

After being allocated a transponder from the South Asia Satellite, Afghanistan has requested India for another one which it could use for Direct-to-Home television services, an official from the Department of Space has said. However, unlike the South Asia Satellite or G SAT-9, which was a “gift” from India to its neighbours and one transponder was allocated to the participating SAARC countries for free, Afghanistan may have to pay for the services this time, the official said. “They have asked for another transponder and we are looking into it. Unlike in the case of the South Asia Satellite, Afghanistan may be charged for the second transponder. However, no decision has been made in this regard,” the official said, requesting anonymity. The second transponder may not be from the South Asia Satellite. In 2014, Afghanistan had launched its satellite AFGHANSAT-1 for wide-ranging services including DTH, broadcasting and internet services. The satellite was launched by a French company. But as demand increases, it looks to augment its supply side. A transponder is a device that receives and transmits signals. It is essential for Direct-To-Home (DTH) services. India and Afghanistan share a robust space cooperation. Last year, after a meeting between External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani, it was decided that New Delhi will extend assistance to Kabul in the area of remote sensing. During the 2014 SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India would be launching a satellite as a gift to its SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) neighbours. Pakistan did not join the project, stating it was working on its own satellite. It offered monetary and technical support though for the project, which was rejected by India. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the South Asia Satellite in 2017. The 2,230-kg communication spacecraft, with a mission life of 12 years, will support effective communication, broadcasting and internet services in a region that is geographically challenging, economically lagging and has limited technological resources. The satellite provides the significant capability to each of the participating countries in terms of DTH (direct-to-home) services, besides linking the countries for disaster information transfer. The satellite has 12 Ku band transponders which the six nations -- Afghanistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan -- can utilise to enhance communications. Each South Asian country will get access to one transponder through which it will be able to beam its own programming. As a part of its commitment, India also assisted several countries to build ground stations and other infrastructure-related work to receive signals sent from transponders. In countries like Bhutan, the project is running well, the official said. The official added that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will also do a review of how the project is progressing.

Afghanistan requests India for transponder for DTH services

Taliban fighters seized a district centre in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, while a bomb at an army base in the southern province of Helmand killed at least five people.

The latest violence came as insurgents pushed ahead with a spring offensive.

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.

At the other end of the country, in Helmand, insurgents launched a vehicle bomb attack on a military base in Nad Ali district, killing four civilians and a soldier, according to a statement from the provincial governor’s office.

The Taliban announced the official start of their annual spring offensive this week, continuing the heavy fighting seen across Afghanistan recently as warmer weather has set in.

Meanwhile, the Afghan president Ashraf Ghani criticized the Taliban’s spring operation and called it baseless. Ghani also said that all Taliban do not want to fight, but that it’s the minority of Taliban that have forced the majority of Taliban to fight.

Last year, the United States announced a more aggressive strategy with stepped up air strikes and more assistance to Afghan government forces fighting the insurgency, drawing a defiant response from the Taliban, who said they would target American forces in the spring campaign.

The fighting may threaten preparations for parliamentary and district council elections planned in October.

In the eastern province of Nangarhar, a rocket fired by Taliban fighters hit a house in the Hoodi area of Goshta district on Friday night. Five civilians were killed and three were injured.

Six Taliban militants, including a bomb making expert, were killed in a nighttime operation by intelligence officials in the Khogyani district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Friday.

The special National Directorate of Security or NDS forces conducted the operation in Adwar area last night, the Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the six slain rebels included Zarin, a bomb making expert. The security forces also confiscated two Kalashnikovs, one walkie-talkie and five magazines besides destroying some explosives.

The latest violence came as insurgents pushed ahead with a spring offensive

Taliban fighters seized a district centre in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, while a bomb at an army base in the southern province of Helmand killed at least five people. The latest violence came as insurgents pushed ahead with a spring offensive. 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. At the other end of the country, in Helmand, insurgents launched a vehicle bomb attack on a military base in Nad Ali district, killing four civilians and a soldier, according to a statement from the provincial governor’s office. The Taliban announced the official start of their annual spring offensive this week, continuing the heavy fighting seen across Afghanistan recently as warmer weather has set in. Meanwhile, the Afghan president Ashraf Ghani criticized the Taliban’s spring operation and called it baseless. Ghani also said that all Taliban do not want to fight, but that it’s the minority of Taliban that have forced the majority of Taliban to fight. Last year, the United States announced a more aggressive strategy with stepped up air strikes and more assistance to Afghan government forces fighting the insurgency, drawing a defiant response from the Taliban, who said they would target American forces in the spring campaign. The fighting may threaten preparations for parliamentary and district council elections planned in October. In the eastern province of Nangarhar, a rocket fired by Taliban fighters hit a house in the Hoodi area of Goshta district on Friday night. Five civilians were killed and three were injured. Six Taliban militants, including a bomb making expert, were killed in a nighttime operation by intelligence officials in the Khogyani district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Friday. The special National Directorate of Security or NDS forces conducted the operation in Adwar area last night, the Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok Afghan News. He said the six slain rebels included Zarin, a bomb making expert. The security forces also confiscated two Kalashnikovs, one walkie-talkie and five magazines besides destroying some explosives.

Taliban seize Afghanistan district centre, attack army base

Four civilians and two soldiers were killed in a Taliban suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan on Saturday.

The suicide bomber attacked an army base using a minivan in southern Helmand province.

The death toll in the attack may rise, an army corps commander spokesperson said.

While no one claimed responsibility for the attack, Taliban insurgents had announced on last Wednesday about their annual spring offensive.

The statement issued by the Taliban insurgents on Wednesday said that the "Al-Khandaq" offensive would make use of "new and intricate tactics" aimed at "crushing, killing and capturing American invaders and their supporters."&nbsp;

The outbreak of spring has traditionally brought an increase in violence in Afghanistan, as melting snow allows fighters to more easily cross the mountainous terrain.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Four civilians and two soldiers were killed in a Taliban suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan on Saturday

Four civilians and two soldiers were killed in a Taliban suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan on Saturday. The suicide bomber attacked an army base using a minivan in southern Helmand province. The death toll in the attack may rise, an army corps commander spokesperson said. While no one claimed responsibility for the attack, Taliban insurgents had announced on last Wednesday about their annual spring offensive. The statement issued by the Taliban insurgents on Wednesday said that the "Al-Khandaq" offensive would make use of "new and intricate tactics" aimed at "crushing, killing and capturing American invaders and their supporters." The outbreak of spring has traditionally brought an increase in violence in Afghanistan, as melting snow allows fighters to more easily cross the mountainous terrain. (With inputs from Reuters)

6 killed in suicide car bomb attack in Afghanistan

Villagers in Afghanistan say the Taliban have been telling them not to vote in elections planned later this year, threatening to burn down the house of anyone who does, in a bid to derail a vote seen as a major test of government credibility.

Parliament and district council elections scheduled for October represent an enormous challenge for a government which is under heavy pressure from its international backers to ensure a fair and credible vote.

But the Taliban, who launched their annual spring offensive this week, have already made it clear that they will not allow the process, seen as a dry run for next year's presidential election, to go ahead unhindered.

"They gathered us in the mosque and warned us that if we went to the registration centres and voted, they would burn down the village," said Kamal Uddin, a resident of Rahmat Abad village in the northern province of Balkh, after a visit to his area by Taliban fighters last week.

The complex process of registering voters at more than 7,000 centres around Afghanistan began this month in 34 provincial capitals, with district centres and villages due to begin next month.

With no room for hitches if some 14 million voters are to be registered by October, officials acknowledge that the process began slowly, with some 568,000 people signed up by Thursday, although they are hopeful it will gather pace.

There was a bloody reminder of the threats facing the process when a suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State group killed 60 people at a voter centre in Kabul this week. However, it is in the provinces that the difficulties may be greatest.

According to U.S. estimates, the government has firm control over no more than around 56 percent of the country and vulnerability will increase as the process continues into district centres and rural areas.

A small punishment

Balkh, one of Afghanistan's more stable provinces with valuable trade crossings into Central Asia, is a long way from the Taliban heartlands in the south and is considered far more secure than neighbouring Kunduz province, where the Taliban dominate many areas. But even here, the militants appear determined to lay down a marker.

Shams, a resident of Dowlat Abad district in the north of the province, said the most recent visit by Taliban tax collectors levying ushr (land tax) and zakat (an Islamic tax) included an explicit warning to stay away from the elections.

"They came with a great show of force because the elections are coming up and they wanted the people to see," he said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the movement was issuing warnings about burning houses but said they were telling people to stay away from the election. However, other Taliban officials were more open.

"Burning a house is a small punishment if they are caught in supporting this U.S. operation to prolong their stay in Afghanistan," said one Taliban commander, who asked not to be identified.

Afghan security forces have launched operations to drive the Taliban back and promise people will be able to vote in safety.

"We will not allow anyone to stop elections taking place in this province," said Balkh's provincial governor, Mohammad Isaaq Rahgozar. "If the Taliban has issued warnings, that's one of their techniques to intimidate people, but we are trying to make sure that nobody suffers any harm through this."

However, many Afghans in the area, who over the years have seen repeated military clearance operations followed by the return of the Taliban, are sceptical.

"The Taliban have had a presence in this area for a very long time," said Fazel Ahmad, a resident of Chemtal district in Balkh. "The government and the security forces don't have the capacity to provide security. If we vote, we'll be killed."

Afghan security forces have launched operations to drive the Taliban back and promise people will be able to vote in safety

Villagers in Afghanistan say the Taliban have been telling them not to vote in elections planned later this year, threatening to burn down the house of anyone who does, in a bid to derail a vote seen as a major test of government credibility. Parliament and district council elections scheduled for October represent an enormous challenge for a government which is under heavy pressure from its international backers to ensure a fair and credible vote. But the Taliban, who launched their annual spring offensive this week, have already made it clear that they will not allow the process, seen as a dry run for next year's presidential election, to go ahead unhindered. "They gathered us in the mosque and warned us that if we went to the registration centres and voted, they would burn down the village," said Kamal Uddin, a resident of Rahmat Abad village in the northern province of Balkh, after a visit to his area by Taliban fighters last week. The complex process of registering voters at more than 7,000 centres around Afghanistan began this month in 34 provincial capitals, with district centres and villages due to begin next month. With no room for hitches if some 14 million voters are to be registered by October, officials acknowledge that the process began slowly, with some 568,000 people signed up by Thursday, although they are hopeful it will gather pace. There was a bloody reminder of the threats facing the process when a suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State group killed 60 people at a voter centre in Kabul this week. However, it is in the provinces that the difficulties may be greatest. According to U.S. estimates, the government has firm control over no more than around 56 percent of the country and vulnerability will increase as the process continues into district centres and rural areas. A small punishment Balkh, one of Afghanistan's more stable provinces with valuable trade crossings into Central Asia, is a long way from the Taliban heartlands in the south and is considered far more secure than neighbouring Kunduz province, where the Taliban dominate many areas. But even here, the militants appear determined to lay down a marker. Shams, a resident of Dowlat Abad district in the north of the province, said the most recent visit by Taliban tax collectors levying ushr (land tax) and zakat (an Islamic tax) included an explicit warning to stay away from the elections. "They came with a great show of force because the elections are coming up and they wanted the people to see," he said. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the movement was issuing warnings about burning houses but said they were telling people to stay away from the election. However, other Taliban officials were more open. "Burning a house is a small punishment if they are caught in supporting this U.S. operation to prolong their stay in Afghanistan," said one Taliban commander, who asked not to be identified. Afghan security forces have launched operations to drive the Taliban back and promise people will be able to vote in safety. "We will not allow anyone to stop elections taking place in this province," said Balkh's provincial governor, Mohammad Isaaq Rahgozar. "If the Taliban has issued warnings, that's one of their techniques to intimidate people, but we are trying to make sure that nobody suffers any harm through this." However, many Afghans in the area, who over the years have seen repeated military clearance operations followed by the return of the Taliban, are sceptical. "The Taliban have had a presence in this area for a very long time," said Fazel Ahmad, a resident of Chemtal district in Balkh. "The government and the security forces don't have the capacity to provide security. If we vote, we'll be killed."

'If we vote, we'll be killed': Afghan villages face election threat

The Taliban announced the start of its annual spring offensive on Wednesday, dismissing an offer for peace talks by President Ashraf Ghani and saying it will focus on U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

The announcement of the Al Khandaq campaign, named after the so-called Battle of the Trench, fought by the Prophet Mohammad to defend the city of Medina in the early days of Islam, marks the symbolic start of the fighting season.

But heavy fighting has been going on in different parts of Afghanistan. Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in a series of high profile attacks in Kabul since the beginning of the year, despite Ghani's offer in February for peace talks "without preconditions".

A Taliban statement on Wednesday dismissed the peace overtures as a "conspiracy".

"Their main effort is to deviate public opinion from the illegitimate foreign occupation of the country, as the Americans have no serious or sincere intentions of bringing the war to an end," the Taliban said.

Acting U.S. Secretary of State John Sullivan said the Taliban announcement underscored the group's "responsibility for the insecurity that destroys the lives of thousands of Afghans each year."

"There is no need for a new 'fighting season'," Sullivan said. "Still, the Taliban announced another campaign of senseless violence targeting the democratically elected and internationally recognised Afghan government and their fellow Afghans."

The militants, fighting to restore their version of strict Islamic law to Afghanistan, said their campaign was a response to a more aggressive U.S. military strategy adopted last year, which aims to force the militants into peace talks.

"Its primary target will be the American invaders and their intelligence agents. Their internal supporters will be dealt with as a secondary target," the Taliban said.

Thousands more U.S. 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.

As in previous years, the Taliban pledged to protect the lives of civilians, and made no mention of incidents such as an attack it claimed in Kabul in January in which an explosives-packed ambulance blew up, killing about 100 people.

However, the announcement underlines the risk to parliamentary and district council elections scheduled for October as efforts to register voters in remote areas of Afghanistan get underway.

On Sunday, some 60 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a voter registration centre in Kabul in an attack claimed by Islamic State. There have been a number of other attacks outside the capital.

Estimates of Taliban territorial control vary but the Pentagon estimates that 56 percent of the country is under government control, while a BBC survey this year estimated the insurgents were active in 70 percent of Afghanistan.

The announcement of the Al Khandaq campaign, named after the so-called Battle of the Trench, fought by the Prophet Mohammad to defend the city of Medina in the early days of Islam, marks the symbolic start of the fighting season.

The Taliban announced the start of its annual spring offensive on Wednesday, dismissing an offer for peace talks by President Ashraf Ghani and saying it will focus on U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The announcement of the Al Khandaq campaign, named after the so-called Battle of the Trench, fought by the Prophet Mohammad to defend the city of Medina in the early days of Islam, marks the symbolic start of the fighting season. But heavy fighting has been going on in different parts of Afghanistan. Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in a series of high profile attacks in Kabul since the beginning of the year, despite Ghani's offer in February for peace talks "without preconditions". A Taliban statement on Wednesday dismissed the peace overtures as a "conspiracy". "Their main effort is to deviate public opinion from the illegitimate foreign occupation of the country, as the Americans have no serious or sincere intentions of bringing the war to an end," the Taliban said. Acting U.S. Secretary of State John Sullivan said the Taliban announcement underscored the group's "responsibility for the insecurity that destroys the lives of thousands of Afghans each year." "There is no need for a new 'fighting season'," Sullivan said. "Still, the Taliban announced another campaign of senseless violence targeting the democratically elected and internationally recognised Afghan government and their fellow Afghans." The militants, fighting to restore their version of strict Islamic law to Afghanistan, said their campaign was a response to a more aggressive U.S. military strategy adopted last year, which aims to force the militants into peace talks. "Its primary target will be the American invaders and their intelligence agents. Their internal supporters will be dealt with as a secondary target," the Taliban said. Thousands more U.S. 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. As in previous years, the Taliban pledged to protect the lives of civilians, and made no mention of incidents such as an attack it claimed in Kabul in January in which an explosives-packed ambulance blew up, killing about 100 people. However, the announcement underlines the risk to parliamentary and district council elections scheduled for October as efforts to register voters in remote areas of Afghanistan get underway. On Sunday, some 60 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a voter registration centre in Kabul in an attack claimed by Islamic State. There have been a number of other attacks outside the capital. Estimates of Taliban territorial control vary but the Pentagon estimates that 56 percent of the country is under government control, while a BBC survey this year estimated the insurgents were active in 70 percent of Afghanistan.

Taliban announces spring offensive, dismisses peace overtures

Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that he had spoken to both his Indian and Pakistani counterparts to resume the stalled SAARC process by sorting out their differences.

Unveiling a book titled 'Effectiveness of SAARC and Regional Conference' at a function organised by the Federal Parliament Secretariat here yesterday, Prime Minister Oli said that building friendly relations based on mutual understanding, cooperation and collaboration among SAARC member states were essential for maintaining peace and prosperity in the region.

The 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit was to be held in Islamabad in 2016 but after a major terror attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances" and stepped up diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.

The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate. There has been no progress since then.

Oli, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to India and Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during his trip to Nepal recently, had discussed about the need to restart the SAARC process.&nbsp;

"Nepal is the current chair of SAARC. There is a misunderstanding among some members. However, it is necessary to create cordial environment among them," Oli said, stressing the need for sorting out the differences between SAARC neighbours.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara, while expressing concern over the delay in convening the biennial summit, urged all the member states to take the SAARC process forward actively and effectively.

SAARC Summits are usually held biennially, hosted by a member state in alphabetical order. The member state hosting the summit assumes the Chair of the Association.

The last SAARC Summit in 2014 was held in Kathmandu.

Prime Minister Oli said that building friendly relations based on mutual understanding, cooperation and collaboration among SAARC member states were essential for maintaining peace and prosperity in the region

Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that he had spoken to both his Indian and Pakistani counterparts to resume the stalled SAARC process by sorting out their differences. Unveiling a book titled 'Effectiveness of SAARC and Regional Conference' at a function organised by the Federal Parliament Secretariat here yesterday, Prime Minister Oli said that building friendly relations based on mutual understanding, cooperation and collaboration among SAARC member states were essential for maintaining peace and prosperity in the region. The 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit was to be held in Islamabad in 2016 but after a major terror attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances" and stepped up diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate. There has been no progress since then. Oli, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to India and Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during his trip to Nepal recently, had discussed about the need to restart the SAARC process. "Nepal is the current chair of SAARC. There is a misunderstanding among some members. However, it is necessary to create cordial environment among them," Oli said, stressing the need for sorting out the differences between SAARC neighbours. Speaker of the House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara, while expressing concern over the delay in convening the biennial summit, urged all the member states to take the SAARC process forward actively and effectively. SAARC Summits are usually held biennially, hosted by a member state in alphabetical order. The member state hosting the summit assumes the Chair of the Association. The last SAARC Summit in 2014 was held in Kathmandu.

Oli speaks to prime ministers of India, Pakistan to resume stalled SAARC process

A soldier wounded by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan has received the world's first complete penis and scrotum transplant, officials at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore said on Monday.

A team of nine plastic surgeons and two urological surgeons operated on the veteran, whose nationality was not disclosed, for 14 hours on March 26, the hospital said in a statement.

The team transplanted an entire penis, a scrotum without testicles and a partial abdominal wall from a deceased donor. The wounded man, who requested anonymity, has recovered from the surgery and is expected to be discharged from the hospital this week.

“We are hopeful that this transplant will help restore near-normal urinary and sexual functions for this young man,” Dr&nbsp;WP&nbsp;Andrew Lee, the head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in the statement.

The soldier called his injury from an improvised explosive device "mind-boggling" and difficult to accept. Details of the incident were not released.

“When I first woke up (after surgery), I felt finally more normal ... (with) a level of confidence as well. Confidence ... like finally I’m OK,” he said in the statement.

Johns Hopkins surgeons had performed the first US&nbsp;double-arm transplant of two arms on a wounded service member in December.

A transplant in which a body part or tissue is transferred from one individual to another is called vascularized composite allotransplantation. The surgery involves transplanting skin, muscles and tendons, nerves, bone and blood vessels.

Lee said that although it is possible to reconstruct a penis using tissue from other body parts, a prosthesis implant would be necessary to achieve an erection, and that comes with a much higher rate of infection.

In addition, service personnel often do not have enough viable tissue from other parts of their bodies to use because of other injuries, he said.

A team of nine plastic surgeons and two urological surgeons operated on the soldier in the US

A soldier wounded by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan has received the world's first complete penis and scrotum transplant, officials at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore said on Monday. A team of nine plastic surgeons and two urological surgeons operated on the veteran, whose nationality was not disclosed, for 14 hours on March 26, the hospital said in a statement. The team transplanted an entire penis, a scrotum without testicles and a partial abdominal wall from a deceased donor. The wounded man, who requested anonymity, has recovered from the surgery and is expected to be discharged from the hospital this week. “We are hopeful that this transplant will help restore near-normal urinary and sexual functions for this young man,” Dr WP Andrew Lee, the head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in the statement. The soldier called his injury from an improvised explosive device "mind-boggling" and difficult to accept. Details of the incident were not released. “When I first woke up (after surgery), I felt finally more normal ... (with) a level of confidence as well. Confidence ... like finally I’m OK,” he said in the statement. Johns Hopkins surgeons had performed the first US double-arm transplant of two arms on a wounded service member in December. A transplant in which a body part or tissue is transferred from one individual to another is called vascularized composite allotransplantation. The surgery involves transplanting skin, muscles and tendons, nerves, bone and blood vessels. Lee said that although it is possible to reconstruct a penis using tissue from other body parts, a prosthesis implant would be necessary to achieve an erection, and that comes with a much higher rate of infection. In addition, service personnel often do not have enough viable tissue from other parts of their bodies to use because of other injuries, he said.

Soldier wounded in Afghanistan gets world's first penis transplant

At least 20 militants affiliated with the terror outfit Islamic State (IS) have been killed during the operations of the Afghan armed forces in war-torn country's eastern Nangarhar province.

The militants have been killed during the operations conducted by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces in three different districts of Nangarhar, namely, Haska Mina, Rodat, and Bati Kot districts, Khaama Press, quoted the Afghan Military, as saying.

This comes in tandem with various ongoing counter-terrorism operations in certain northern provinces as the militant and terrorist groups are attempting to expand their insurgency activities in the north.

The US military based in Afghanistan also conduct regular airstrikes against the IS, Taliban, and other militant and terrorist groups.

The US forces conduct airstrikes by using unmanned aerial vehicles in the province to clamp down the militants, according to the reports.

The militants have been killed during the operations conducted by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces in three different districts of Nangarhar, namely, Haska Mina, Rodat, and Bati Kot districts

At least 20 militants affiliated with the terror outfit Islamic State (IS) have been killed during the operations of the Afghan armed forces in war-torn country's eastern Nangarhar province. The militants have been killed during the operations conducted by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces in three different districts of Nangarhar, namely, Haska Mina, Rodat, and Bati Kot districts, Khaama Press, quoted the Afghan Military, as saying. This comes in tandem with various ongoing counter-terrorism operations in certain northern provinces as the militant and terrorist groups are attempting to expand their insurgency activities in the north. The US military based in Afghanistan also conduct regular airstrikes against the IS, Taliban, and other militant and terrorist groups. The US forces conduct airstrikes by using unmanned aerial vehicles in the province to clamp down the militants, according to the reports.

20 IS militants killed in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province

Traders from Pakistan have demanded an Afghan border point to be reopened. The route was closed last week following a deadly clash between both the sides.

According to reports, Pakistani traders have suffered setbacks in their business ever since the border point was closed after last Sunday's clash at the Laka Tega border post.

Workers and labourers have been sitting idle, watching their wares and produce spoil owing to the shutdown.&nbsp

The clash killed five Pakistani paramilitary soldiers. According to Pakistan's foreign ministry, the incident was addressed through "diplomatic and military channels."&nbsp

&nbsp

Workers and labourers have been sitting idle, watching their wares and produce spoil owing to the shutdown

Traders from Pakistan have demanded an Afghan border point to be reopened. The route was closed last week following a deadly clash between both the sides. According to reports, Pakistani traders have suffered setbacks in their business ever since the border point was closed after last Sunday's clash at the Laka Tega border post. Workers and labourers have been sitting idle, watching their wares and produce spoil owing to the shutdown. The clash killed five Pakistani paramilitary soldiers. According to Pakistan's foreign ministry, the incident was addressed through "diplomatic and military channels."

Pakistani traders want Afghan border point to reopen 

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a blast that targetted a voter registration centre in Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday.

The blast was carried out by a suicide bomber and claimed at least 48 lives wounding 112 others.

No other details were communicated by the AMAQ, the militant group's news agency.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said a bomber on foot approached the centre where officials had been issuing identity cards as part of a process of registering voters for parliamentary elections due this year.

The attack — the latest assault targeting a voter registration centre —occured in a heavily Shia-populated neighbourhood in the west of the Kabul city.&nbsp;

Afghanistan on April 14 began registering voters for long-delayed legislative elections scheduled for October.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

The blast was carried out by a suicide bomber and claimed at least 31 lives wounding 54 others

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a blast that targetted a voter registration centre in Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday. The blast was carried out by a suicide bomber and claimed at least 48 lives wounding 112 others. No other details were communicated by the AMAQ, the militant group's news agency. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said a bomber on foot approached the centre where officials had been issuing identity cards as part of a process of registering voters for parliamentary elections due this year. The attack — the latest assault targeting a voter registration centre —occured in a heavily Shia-populated neighbourhood in the west of the Kabul city. Afghanistan on April 14 began registering voters for long-delayed legislative elections scheduled for October. (With inputs from Reuters)

Kabul blast: Islamic State claims responsibility

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a summit in China's Wuhan city from April 27 to 28 for a "heart-to-heart" chat to explore a new paradigm for India-China ties and find ways to address the contentious issues like the border dispute.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-election-2018-many-killed-in-a-blast-at-voter-registration-centre-in-kabul-131999">Kabul suicide blast: Death toll reaches 48</a>

The death toll from Sunday's blast in the Afghan capital Kabul rose to 48, with 112 others wounded, a public health officer said. The attack follows several weeks of relative calm in Kabul.&nbsp;

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/congress-may-move-court-if-impeachment-notice-rejected-132066">Congress may move court if impeachment notice rejected</a>

As the Congress awaits the decision of Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on an impeachment notice moved by it and other parties against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, it is considering moving the Supreme Court if the petition is rejected, party leaders said.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/israel-hints-it-could-hit-irans-air-force-in-syria-132058">Israel hints it could hit Iran's 'air force' in Syria</a>

Israel released details on Tuesday about what it described as an Iranian "air force" deployed in neighbouring Syria, including civilian planes suspected of transferring arms, a signal that these could be attacked should tensions with Tehran escalate.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/i-am-also-ignored-amit-shah-doesnt-allow-any-of-my-programme-to-happen-subramanian-swamy-on-yashwant-sinha-132030">Subramanian Swamy accuses Amit Shah of ignoring him, but won't quit BJP</a>

Subramanian Swamy on Sunday claimed that he has often been ignored by party chief Amit Shah who, he said, has often did not allow his programmes to take place.

.

Modi-Xi to chart a new course for India-China ties at Wuhan summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a summit in China's Wuhan city from April 27 to 28 for a "heart-to-heart" chat to explore a new paradigm for India-China ties and find ways to address the contentious issues like the border dispute. Kabul suicide blast: Death toll reaches 48 The death toll from Sunday's blast in the Afghan capital Kabul rose to 48, with 112 others wounded, a public health officer said. The attack follows several weeks of relative calm in Kabul. Congress may move court if impeachment notice rejected As the Congress awaits the decision of Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on an impeachment notice moved by it and other parties against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, it is considering moving the Supreme Court if the petition is rejected, party leaders said. Israel hints it could hit Iran's 'air force' in Syria Israel released details on Tuesday about what it described as an Iranian "air force" deployed in neighbouring Syria, including civilian planes suspected of transferring arms, a signal that these could be attacked should tensions with Tehran escalate. Subramanian Swamy accuses Amit Shah of ignoring him, but won't quit BJP Subramanian Swamy on Sunday claimed that he has often been ignored by party chief Amit Shah who, he said, has often did not allow his programmes to take place. .

Five civilians were killed in a mine explosion in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Friday.

As per the officials, the incident occurred near Haska Mina district of Nangarhar province as a civilian vehicle hit an IED, reports the Tolo News.

Provincial governor's spokesperson Attaullah Khogyani has confirmed the incident and further said that nine other civilians were wounded in the incident including two children and two women.

Those wounded are in a critical condition. No terror group has claimed the responsibility for the attack as yet.

No terror group has claimed the responsibility for the attack as yet

Five civilians were killed in a mine explosion in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Friday. As per the officials, the incident occurred near Haska Mina district of Nangarhar province as a civilian vehicle hit an IED, reports the Tolo News. Provincial governor's spokesperson Attaullah Khogyani has confirmed the incident and further said that nine other civilians were wounded in the incident including two children and two women. Those wounded are in a critical condition. No terror group has claimed the responsibility for the attack as yet.

Afghanistan: 5 killed in mine explosion at Nangarhar

Five people kidnapped by Taliban from voter registration in Afghanistan were freed on Thursday.

The abducted persons were released without any ransom. However, some negotiation talks were&nbspdone by the tribal leaders and the local elders with the Taliban.

Kidnapped people includes three employees of Independent Election Commission (IEC) and two policemen. They were abducted from the Taliban-controlled area of Ghor after gunmen attacked the voter registration centre.

Voting will continue after security officials give the green light.

The attack raised concerns about the security in the war-torn area's upcoming legislative elections which are scheduled for October 20.

On Tuesday, armed men stormed the voter registration centre while the staff was registering voters. They destroyed voters' documents and kidnapped 3 three employees of Independent Election Commission and two policemen.

The&nbspattack was condemned by the United States as it hoped the process to continue peacefully.

Last weekend Afghanistan started registering voters as it seeks to ensure fraud-free and credible elections.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also urged religious leaders to encourage worshippers coming to the mosques to register themselves and their family members.

The IEC has also acknowledged the security concerns and said that ensuring security in voter registration centre would be a major challenge, especially in rural areas. 
&nbsp

The abducted persons were released without any ransom. However, some negotiation talks were done by the tribal leaders and the local elders with the Taliban

Five people kidnapped by Taliban from voter registration in Afghanistan were freed on Thursday. The abducted persons were released without any ransom. However, some negotiation talks were&nbspdone by the tribal leaders and the local elders with the Taliban. Kidnapped people includes three employees of Independent Election Commission (IEC) and two policemen. They were abducted from the Taliban-controlled area of Ghor after gunmen attacked the voter registration centre. Voting will continue after security officials give the green light. The attack raised concerns about the security in the war-torn area's upcoming legislative elections which are scheduled for October 20. On Tuesday, armed men stormed the voter registration centre while the staff was registering voters. They destroyed voters' documents and kidnapped 3 three employees of Independent Election Commission and two policemen. The&nbspattack was condemned by the United States as it hoped the process to continue peacefully. Last weekend Afghanistan started registering voters as it seeks to ensure fraud-free and credible elections. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also urged religious leaders to encourage worshippers coming to the mosques to register themselves and their family members. The IEC has also acknowledged the security concerns and said that ensuring security in voter registration centre would be a major challenge, especially in rural areas.

Kidnapped Afghan election staff freed by Taliban

At least four Taliban militants have been killed in a night raid conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

A local commander of the Taliban group identified as Abdullah alias Mazlumyar was among those killed, reported Khaama Press, citing provincial government media office, as saying, in a statement.

According to the report, a large number of weapons, ammunition, and explosives belonging to the Taliban militants have also been destroyed during the operation.

No comments have been received on the report from the anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban militants in connection with the report.

The raids are in tandem with the counter-terrorism ground operations which are being conducted by the Afghan security forces against the IS, Taliban and other militant groups in Nangarhar province.

A local commander of the Taliban group identified as Abdullah alias Mazlumyar was among those killed

At least four Taliban militants have been killed in a night raid conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. A local commander of the Taliban group identified as Abdullah alias Mazlumyar was among those killed, reported Khaama Press, citing provincial government media office, as saying, in a statement. According to the report, a large number of weapons, ammunition, and explosives belonging to the Taliban militants have also been destroyed during the operation. No comments have been received on the report from the anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban militants in connection with the report. The raids are in tandem with the counter-terrorism ground operations which are being conducted by the Afghan security forces against the IS, Taliban and other militant groups in Nangarhar province.

4 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-border fire from Afghanistan while working on a fence intended to cover nearly all of the disputed 2,500km border separating the countries, the Pakistani military said on Sunday.

Though security has improved in Pakistan's remote areas bordering Afghanistan, sectarian militant attacks, primarily targeting Shi'ite Muslims, still occur.&nbsp;

"Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties," the Pakistan Army's public relations department said, adding that five soldiers were wounded in the attack.&nbsp;

Afghan officials said that Pakistani troops crossed on to Afghan soil, prompting a response by border forces and the local tribal force.&nbsp;

"Two tribesmen were killed and the exchange of fire is ongoing," said Mohmud Zazai, a senior army commander in the area.&nbsp;

Pakistan has blamed Pakistani Taliban militants it says are based on Afghan soil for attacks that have taken place in the region over the past two years, urging Kabul to eradicate "sanctuaries" for militants.

Afghanistan, in turn, accuses Islamabad of sheltering the leadership of the Afghan Taliban militants who are battling the Western-backed government in Kabul.

A local political official, who asked not to be identified, said that Pakistani security forces had responded on Sunday by opening fire along the border.&nbsp;

Mosques in Pakistan's Kurram Agency region, where the attack took place, made announcements urging locals to assist the armed forces, prompting throngs of armed civilians to arrive at the border after the attack.&nbsp;

Kurram has been plagued by militancy over the past decade and was the location of many US&nbsp;drone strikes targeting commanders from al Qaeda and other militant groups.

Twin blasts in Kurram's most populous town, Parachinar, killed more than 75 people in June.&nbsp;

In a separate incident on Sunday in Pakistan's North Waziristan district, which also borders Afghanistan, a security forces vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device 15km from district capital Miranshah, a military official said.&nbsp;

A curfew has been imposed in the area, with security officials carrying out a search operation.&nbsp;

North Waziristan was a Taliban stronghold until 2014, when Pakistan's military launched a major offensive against the group and pushed many of its fighters across the border into Afghanistan. 
&nbsp;

A curfew has been imposed in the area, with security officials carrying out a search operation

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-border fire from Afghanistan while working on a fence intended to cover nearly all of the disputed 2,500km border separating the countries, the Pakistani military said on Sunday. Though security has improved in Pakistan's remote areas bordering Afghanistan, sectarian militant attacks, primarily targeting Shi'ite Muslims, still occur. "Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties," the Pakistan Army's public relations department said, adding that five soldiers were wounded in the attack. Afghan officials said that Pakistani troops crossed on to Afghan soil, prompting a response by border forces and the local tribal force. "Two tribesmen were killed and the exchange of fire is ongoing," said Mohmud Zazai, a senior army commander in the area. Pakistan has blamed Pakistani Taliban militants it says are based on Afghan soil for attacks that have taken place in the region over the past two years, urging Kabul to eradicate "sanctuaries" for militants. Afghanistan, in turn, accuses Islamabad of sheltering the leadership of the Afghan Taliban militants who are battling the Western-backed government in Kabul. A local political official, who asked not to be identified, said that Pakistani security forces had responded on Sunday by opening fire along the border. Mosques in Pakistan's Kurram Agency region, where the attack took place, made announcements urging locals to assist the armed forces, prompting throngs of armed civilians to arrive at the border after the attack. Kurram has been plagued by militancy over the past decade and was the location of many US drone strikes targeting commanders from al Qaeda and other militant groups. Twin blasts in Kurram's most populous town, Parachinar, killed more than 75 people in June. In a separate incident on Sunday in Pakistan's North Waziristan district, which also borders Afghanistan, a security forces vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device 15km from district capital Miranshah, a military official said. A curfew has been imposed in the area, with security officials carrying out a search operation. North Waziristan was a Taliban stronghold until 2014, when Pakistan's military launched a major offensive against the group and pushed many of its fighters across the border into Afghanistan.

2 Pakistani soldiers killed in cross-border fire from Afghanistan: Pak military

Several Afghan soldiers including a policeman and a local tribesman were killed in the ongoing clashes with Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps near the disputed border Durand Line on Saturday.

A regional Afghan police chief said that the clashes broke out along the Zazi Maidan border district in the southeastern province of Khost adjacent to Kurram as Pakistan initiated firing to force people outside the claimed Pakistan border, reported by Anadolu Agency.

Pakistani officials told Reuters that two Pakistani soldiers were killed.

Abdul Hanan, the acting provincial police chief in Khost said that clashes broke out in three locations along the border in the early hours of April 15 after Pakistani paramilitary troops ignored repeated warnings from locals and Afghan border police officers and crossed the border.

Though security has improved in Pakistan’s remote areas bordering Afghanistan, sectarian militant attacks, primarily targeting Shi’ite Muslims, still occur.

“Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties,” the Pakistan Army’s public relations department said, adding that five soldiers were wounded in the attack.

Afghan officials said that Pakistani troops crossed on to Afghan soil, prompting a response by border forces and the local tribal force.

“Two tribesmen were killed and the exchange of fire is ongoing,” said Mohmud Zazai, a senior army commander in the area.

Pakistan has blamed Pakistani Taliban militants it says are based on Afghan soil for attacks that have taken place in the region over the past two years, urging Kabul to eradicate “sanctuaries” for militants.

Afghanistan, in turn, accuses Islamabad of sheltering the leadership of the Afghan Taliban militants who are battling the Western-backed government in Kabul.

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a nearly 2,600-kilometer largely porous border. The Pakistani military has recently started constructing a robust fence on the border in its bid to prevent illegal crossings in either direction.

A regional Afghan police chief said that the clashes broke out along the Zazi Maidan border district in the southeastern province of Khost adjacent to Kurram as Pakistan initiated firing to force people outside the claimed Pakistan border

Several Afghan soldiers including a policeman and a local tribesman were killed in the ongoing clashes with Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps near the disputed border Durand Line on Saturday. A regional Afghan police chief said that the clashes broke out along the Zazi Maidan border district in the southeastern province of Khost adjacent to Kurram as Pakistan initiated firing to force people outside the claimed Pakistan border, reported by Anadolu Agency. Pakistani officials told Reuters that two Pakistani soldiers were killed. Abdul Hanan, the acting provincial police chief in Khost said that clashes broke out in three locations along the border in the early hours of April 15 after Pakistani paramilitary troops ignored repeated warnings from locals and Afghan border police officers and crossed the border. Though security has improved in Pakistan’s remote areas bordering Afghanistan, sectarian militant attacks, primarily targeting Shi’ite Muslims, still occur. “Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties,” the Pakistan Army’s public relations department said, adding that five soldiers were wounded in the attack. Afghan officials said that Pakistani troops crossed on to Afghan soil, prompting a response by border forces and the local tribal force. “Two tribesmen were killed and the exchange of fire is ongoing,” said Mohmud Zazai, a senior army commander in the area. Pakistan has blamed Pakistani Taliban militants it says are based on Afghan soil for attacks that have taken place in the region over the past two years, urging Kabul to eradicate “sanctuaries” for militants. Afghanistan, in turn, accuses Islamabad of sheltering the leadership of the Afghan Taliban militants who are battling the Western-backed government in Kabul. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a nearly 2,600-kilometer largely porous border. The Pakistani military has recently started constructing a robust fence on the border in its bid to prevent illegal crossings in either direction.

Several Afghan soldiers killed in border clashes with Pakistan

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-envoy-to-pakistan-not-allowed-to-meet-sikh-pilgrims-india-lodges-protests-130568">Indian envoy to Pakistan not allowed to meet Sikh pilgrims, India lodges protests</a>

India today lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even "compelling" the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara there.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-cm-mehbooba-mufti-accepts-resignation-of-bjp-state-ministers-130581">J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti accepts resignations of 2 BJP ministers</a>

The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has accepted&nbspthe resignation of BJP state ministers Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal&nbspSingh.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-soldiers-killed-in-attack-at-afghanistan-border-130604">Pakistani soldiers killed in attack at Afghanistan border</a>

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-border fire from Afghanistan while working on a fence intended to cover nearly all of the disputed 2,500km border separating the countries, the Pakistani military said on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-deeply-disturbed-by-lack-of-efforts-to-bring-peace-to-syria-130584">Pope deeply disturbed by lack of efforts to bring peace to Syria</a>

Pope Francis called on world leaders on Sunday to renew efforts to bring peace to Syria, saying he was deeply troubled by their failure to agree on a joint plan to end the bloodshed.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-gunmen-open-fire-at-home-of-supreme-court-judge-130560">Pakistan: Gunmen open fire at home of Supreme Court judge</a>

Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the residence of Pakistan's Supreme Court judge Ijaz ul Ahsan here in two separate incidents only hours apart, media reports said today.

&nbsp

&nbsp

Indian envoy to Pakistan not allowed to meet Sikh pilgrims, India lodges protests India today lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even "compelling" the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara there. J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti accepts resignations of 2 BJP ministers The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has accepted&nbspthe resignation of BJP state ministers Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal&nbspSingh. Pakistani soldiers killed in attack at Afghanistan border Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-border fire from Afghanistan while working on a fence intended to cover nearly all of the disputed 2,500km border separating the countries, the Pakistani military said on Sunday. Pope deeply disturbed by lack of efforts to bring peace to Syria Pope Francis called on world leaders on Sunday to renew efforts to bring peace to Syria, saying he was deeply troubled by their failure to agree on a joint plan to end the bloodshed. Pakistan: Gunmen open fire at home of Supreme Court judge Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the residence of Pakistan's Supreme Court judge Ijaz ul Ahsan here in two separate incidents only hours apart, media reports said today.

War-torn Afghanistan began registering voters this weekend. The country is expected to hold long-delayed legislative elections in October this year.

As many as 14 million adults at more than 7,000 polling centres will be registered in the next two months. Election Commission officials note insecurity, particularly in rural areas, as one of the major challenges in the face of the upcoming legislative election.

An Election Commission official here noted that adequate measures are being taken to increase the confidence in the public that is terrorised by militant groups like the Taliban and the Islamic State.

The polls will see candidates contesting 249 seats in the National Assembly for five-year terms. Regional elections will also be conducted in districts across the country.

Afghanistan's legislative polls were supposed to be held in 2015 after the presidential elections that took place in 2014. The elections were repeatedly stalled due to security fears among others issues that fraught the fragile government of the country.

An Aghan official noted that adequate measures are being taken to increase the confidence in the public that is terrorised by militant groups

War-torn Afghanistan began registering voters this weekend. The country is expected to hold long-delayed legislative elections in October this year. As many as 14 million adults at more than 7,000 polling centres will be registered in the next two months. Election Commission officials note insecurity, particularly in rural areas, as one of the major challenges in the face of the upcoming legislative election. An Election Commission official here noted that adequate measures are being taken to increase the confidence in the public that is terrorised by militant groups like the Taliban and the Islamic State. The polls will see candidates contesting 249 seats in the National Assembly for five-year terms. Regional elections will also be conducted in districts across the country. Afghanistan's legislative polls were supposed to be held in 2015 after the presidential elections that took place in 2014. The elections were repeatedly stalled due to security fears among others issues that fraught the fragile government of the country.

Amid violence, Afghans register to vote in long-delayed legislative elections

An Afghan official has alleged Pakistani forces for crossing into eastern Afghanistan and clashing with Afghan troops.

According to Colonel Abdul Hanan, the acting provincial police chief in the eastern Khost province, the clash broke out earlier today and is currently underway.&nbsp

Hanan did not confirm reports of the number casualties.

Both Afghanistan and Pakistan have shared a history of hurling accusations at each other for failing to crack down on militants operating along the porous border.

Meanwhile, a Taliban-led attack on an Afghan checkpoint killed at least 11, officials noted. A spokesman reported two other forces wounded in the attack that took place on late Saturday.&nbsp

According to reports, three insurgents were killed while four others were wounded. The attack, reportedly, targeted members of the Local Uprising Forces, militias supported by the government.

While no one claimed the attack, an Afghan official blamed the attack on the Taliban.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp

The clash broke out earlier today and believed to be underway

An Afghan official has alleged Pakistani forces for crossing into eastern Afghanistan and clashing with Afghan troops. According to Colonel Abdul Hanan, the acting provincial police chief in the eastern Khost province, the clash broke out earlier today and is currently underway. Hanan did not confirm reports of the number casualties. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan have shared a history of hurling accusations at each other for failing to crack down on militants operating along the porous border. Meanwhile, a Taliban-led attack on an Afghan checkpoint killed at least 11, officials noted. A spokesman reported two other forces wounded in the attack that took place on late Saturday. According to reports, three insurgents were killed while four others were wounded. The attack, reportedly, targeted members of the Local Uprising Forces, militias supported by the government. While no one claimed the attack, an Afghan official blamed the attack on the Taliban. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan, Pakistani forces clash near disputed border: Afghan official

A Taliban-led attack on an Afghan checkpoint killed at least 11, officials noted today. A spokesman reported two other forces wounded in the attack that took place on late Saturday.&nbsp;

According to reports, three insurgents were killed while four others were wounded. The attack, reportedly, targeted members of the Local Uprising Forces, militias supported by the government.

While no one claimed the attack, an Afghan official blamed the attack on the Taliban.

Meanwhile, reports also suggest an insurgent attack&nbsp;on two security checkpoints in the eastern Ghazni province. So far, four policemen are reported killed, five others have been wounded.&nbsp;

Arif Noori, a spokesman for the provincial governor, alleged that Taliban opened fire on the checkpoints targetting reinforcements with a roadside bomb.

The Taliban, who control large parts of the province, claimed the attack.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

While no one claimed the attack, an Afghan official blamed the attack on the Taliban

A Taliban-led attack on an Afghan checkpoint killed at least 11, officials noted today. A spokesman reported two other forces wounded in the attack that took place on late Saturday. According to reports, three insurgents were killed while four others were wounded. The attack, reportedly, targeted members of the Local Uprising Forces, militias supported by the government. While no one claimed the attack, an Afghan official blamed the attack on the Taliban. Meanwhile, reports also suggest an insurgent attack on two security checkpoints in the eastern Ghazni province. So far, four policemen are reported killed, five others have been wounded. Arif Noori, a spokesman for the provincial governor, alleged that Taliban opened fire on the checkpoints targetting reinforcements with a roadside bomb. The Taliban, who control large parts of the province, claimed the attack. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan: Insurgents attack checkpoint, kill 11

By Gulzar Ahmad & Rajat Tripathi

In a warm afternoon at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, a group of people gather around a man with snowy hair and eyes.

Fifty-eight-year-old Abdul Samad Nawabi, or "Chess chacha" as he is affectionately called, left his native town in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, and came to Delhi over three years ago.

He has become a well-known face for the people who visit Palika Bazar in central Delhi. Abdul Samad reaches Connaught Place every morning around 11am and sets his chess board. In a matter of minutes, a crowd of chess enthusiasts - most of whom is known to Samad - gathers at the spot.

Palika Bazar is a busy spot of New Delhi, where a major metro station exists and a large number of people visit the city's beautiful park. Samad travels from his residence in Ashram to Palika Bazaar. He carries three chessboards in a black box and attracts his fans whenever he arrives at this market place.

<img alt="chess 3.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="433" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/sports/chess%203.jpg" width="770" />

After travelling to and fro between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Samad arrived in India in 2014. Since his arrival in India, he has been living in a rented room in Ashram and has been playing chess across Delhi. He picked up chess while in college and the chequerboard has been his companion ever since.

From the fall of pro-Soviet 'Democratic Republic of Afghanistan' (DRA) and the rise of Mujahideen rule in Afghanistan in 1989, Samad fled with some of his family members to Pakistan. Samad's sons are in Afghanistan, whereas his daughter, sister and mother are now in the US. He claims he spent three years, from 1985-88, in a jail in Afghanistan, where he even played chess with the jailor.

Deepak Pokhrial, an advertising professional and a chess enthusiast, make it a point to visit Palika Bazar whenever he gets time. The regular game of chess in Palika Bazar has brought fame to Samad and a long list of friends. The spectators are always welcome to challenge him. He has some regular opponents too, who sometimes come for multiple bouts of the game during the course of the day. Before Palika Bazar, Samad used to play chess near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi and in Malviya Nagar. But now he visits Palika Bazar only.

<img alt="chess2.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/sports/chess2.jpg" width="770" />

A number of print and online media outlets in India last week published reports about Samad describing the Afghan man as "Chacha (uncle) of Love".

His personality and a sharp understanding of the game attracts hundreds of people who watch, and even join him.

The huge gathering of people every day soon caught the attention of Delhi Police and this has become a problem for Samad. He says the police doesn't want him to play chess with such huge gathering. The crowd in Palika Bazar can create problems, mainly traffic jams, pickpocketing and sometimes brawls too, the cops say. Samad is now forced to play chess only when there is no gathering of people. He is even planning to move to Hauz Khas or India Gate.

He misses the throng of spectators now, be it Indians or foreigners.

This year in May, his refugee card expires. If he does not get permission to stay on in India, he will have to return to Afghanistan.

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A number of print and online media outlets in India last week published reports about Abdul Samad describing the Afghan man as "Chacha (uncle) of Love".

By Gulzar Ahmad & Rajat Tripathi In a warm afternoon at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, a group of people gather around a man with snowy hair and eyes. Fifty-eight-year-old Abdul Samad Nawabi, or "Chess chacha" as he is affectionately called, left his native town in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, and came to Delhi over three years ago. He has become a well-known face for the people who visit Palika Bazar in central Delhi. Abdul Samad reaches Connaught Place every morning around 11am and sets his chess board. In a matter of minutes, a crowd of chess enthusiasts - most of whom is known to Samad - gathers at the spot. Palika Bazar is a busy spot of New Delhi, where a major metro station exists and a large number of people visit the city's beautiful park. Samad travels from his residence in Ashram to Palika Bazaar. He carries three chessboards in a black box and attracts his fans whenever he arrives at this market place. After travelling to and fro between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Samad arrived in India in 2014. Since his arrival in India, he has been living in a rented room in Ashram and has been playing chess across Delhi. He picked up chess while in college and the chequerboard has been his companion ever since. From the fall of pro-Soviet 'Democratic Republic of Afghanistan' (DRA) and the rise of Mujahideen rule in Afghanistan in 1989, Samad fled with some of his family members to Pakistan. Samad's sons are in Afghanistan, whereas his daughter, sister and mother are now in the US. He claims he spent three years, from 1985-88, in a jail in Afghanistan, where he even played chess with the jailor. Deepak Pokhrial, an advertising professional and a chess enthusiast, make it a point to visit Palika Bazar whenever he gets time. The regular game of chess in Palika Bazar has brought fame to Samad and a long list of friends. The spectators are always welcome to challenge him. He has some regular opponents too, who sometimes come for multiple bouts of the game during the course of the day. Before Palika Bazar, Samad used to play chess near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi and in Malviya Nagar. But now he visits Palika Bazar only. A number of print and online media outlets in India last week published reports about Samad describing the Afghan man as "Chacha (uncle) of Love". His personality and a sharp understanding of the game attracts hundreds of people who watch, and even join him. The huge gathering of people every day soon caught the attention of Delhi Police and this has become a problem for Samad. He says the police doesn't want him to play chess with such huge gathering. The crowd in Palika Bazar can create problems, mainly traffic jams, pickpocketing and sometimes brawls too, the cops say. Samad is now forced to play chess only when there is no gathering of people. He is even planning to move to Hauz Khas or India Gate. He misses the throng of spectators now, be it Indians or foreigners. This year in May, his refugee card expires. If he does not get permission to stay on in India, he will have to return to Afghanistan. ×

Checkmate: When there is more to the story than game of 'Chess'

Taliban militants attacked Afghan security posts in the western province of Herat on Thursday, killing nine soldiers and one police officer, a district governor said on Friday.

The attack occurred in Herat`s Shindand district, said the district`s governor, Shukrullah Shaker. Four people were wounded, he said.

The Taliban, seeking to restore strict Islamic rule after their 2001 defeat by US-led troops, did not immediately comment.

The attack happened just days after a blast in Shindand killed at least six people, including four children.

Earlier on Thursday, Taliban militants stormed a district in Ghazni province, killing more than a dozen people including the district`s governor before retreating.&nbsp;

Fighting in Afghanistan traditionally increases in the spring when warmer weather melts snow blocking mountain passes, increasing the mobility of the insurgents.&nbsp;

Taliban militants attacked Afghan security posts in the western province of Herat on Thursday, killing nine soldiers and one police officer, a district governor said on Friday

Taliban militants attacked Afghan security posts in the western province of Herat on Thursday, killing nine soldiers and one police officer, a district governor said on Friday. The attack occurred in Herat`s Shindand district, said the district`s governor, Shukrullah Shaker. Four people were wounded, he said. The Taliban, seeking to restore strict Islamic rule after their 2001 defeat by US-led troops, did not immediately comment. The attack happened just days after a blast in Shindand killed at least six people, including four children. Earlier on Thursday, Taliban militants stormed a district in Ghazni province, killing more than a dozen people including the district`s governor before retreating. Fighting in Afghanistan traditionally increases in the spring when warmer weather melts snow blocking mountain passes, increasing the mobility of the insurgents.

Taliban kills 10 security forces in Afghan province of Herat

The Trump administration is warning Pakistan it could lose U.S. civilian aid worth tens of millions of dollars this year if Washington finds that the South Asian nation has not done enough to combat human trafficking, U.S. officials said.

An aid cutback would deal a fresh blow to US-Pakistan relations following President Donald Trump’s suspension in January of some $2 billion in US&nbspsecurity assistance over what Trump said was Islamabad's failure to crack down on Afghan insurgent sanctuaries used for attacks into Afghanistan.

A large portion of US&nbspcivilian aid - $265 million in 2017, according to a source at the US&nbspEmbassy in Islamabad – could be withheld if the State Department puts Pakistan on a list of worst global offenders in human trafficking in an annual report due out in June.

The funding is relatively modest for the size of Pakistan's economy. But Islamabad could suffer a heavier jolt if Washington also decides to oppose new assistance from international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

These are all sanctions that the United States, under federal law, can impose on any country receiving the lowest grade on human trafficking unless Trump issues a full or partial waiver. He did so for most countries on last year's blacklist, following a pattern set by recent predecessors who were especially lenient on U.S. allies and partners.

By making good on its threat against Pakistan, the Trump administration would raise questions about whether it was using the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report to pressure Islamabad to do more on counter-terrorism.

The report is not supposed to be influenced by other geopolitical considerations, but human rights groups accused the Trump administration last year, and the Obama administration before it, of sometimes prioritizing economic and security interests over human trafficking concerns.

Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal told Reuters the country has "taken very stringent steps" against human trafficking and the issue "should not be used for political means to pressurize countries."

A senior Trump administration official said no decision on the ranking has been made, but that Pakistan, long an uneasy US&nbspally, has been told it can avoid a lower ranking - and a possible aid cut - only “if we see them making sincere efforts to address the problems that have been raised."

The U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, denied any link between Pakistan’s cooperation with Trump’s strategy to force the Afghan Taliban into peace talks and the possible loss of U.S. civilian assistance, stressing that any TIP decision would be based solely on Islamabad’s human trafficking record.

The State Department declined to comment, except to cite the penalties available under the US&nbspanti-human trafficking law.

Pakistan has long rejected U.S. accusations that it provides Afghan Taliban and allied Haqqani network militants with sanctuaries from which they attack the Kabul government and U.S.-led foreign forces in Afghanistan.

CIVILIAN AID HANGS IN BALANCE

Future civilian aid hinges on Pakistan's rating in the State Department’s 2018 TIP report, an assessment of how more than 180 countries and territories are fighting human smuggling, modern slavery and related issues like child soldiers.

Pakistan has been on the report’s Tier 2 "Watch List" for four years, the limit a country can remain at the second-to-worst ranking. Unless it is upgraded, Pakistan will drop to Tier 3, the lowest rung, alongside Iran, North Korea and Syria, among others.

This would trigger the suspension of civilian assistance, except for humanitarian and trade-related aid, unless Trump, who has been stridently critical of Pakistan, waives the penalties. A Tier 3 rating assesses that a country does not comply with minimum U.S. standards against human trafficking.

Pakistan has struggled to eradicate bonded labour practices, especially in dirty brick kilns where children often work.

Iqbal said Pakistan would soon enact tougher laws. He did not confirm, however, that Washington had warned his government about potential aid cuts related to human trafficking.

“This cause is much more valuable than billions of dollars in aid because this is about human dignity," he told Reuters. "There has to be more understanding of the efforts that countries like us are doing."

Pakistani officials dismissed the impact of a loss of US&nbspcivilian aid, most of which flows through non-governmental organizations, on the country's growing economy of nearly $300 billion.

Still, they have expressed concern that Washington wants international bodies to punish Pakistan for not heeding Trump's South Asia security agenda.

&nbspIn February, urged by the United States and European powers, the Financial Action Task Force, a global money-laundering watchdog, placed Pakistan on a terrorist financing watchlist.

Pakistan fears Washington could use its vote in the IMF, to which the United States is the largest contributor, to oppose new loans to Islamabad. Pakistan's economic growth has surged to above 5 percent, but many analysts expect Pakistan to seek a new IMF bailout this year due to a ballooning current account deficit and dwindling foreign currency reserves.

An aid cutback would deal a fresh blow to US-Pakistan relations following President Donald Trump’s suspension in January of some $2 billion in U.S. security assistance

The Trump administration is warning Pakistan it could lose U.S. civilian aid worth tens of millions of dollars this year if Washington finds that the South Asian nation has not done enough to combat human trafficking, U.S. officials said. An aid cutback would deal a fresh blow to US-Pakistan relations following President Donald Trump’s suspension in January of some $2 billion in US&nbspsecurity assistance over what Trump said was Islamabad's failure to crack down on Afghan insurgent sanctuaries used for attacks into Afghanistan. A large portion of US&nbspcivilian aid - $265 million in 2017, according to a source at the US&nbspEmbassy in Islamabad – could be withheld if the State Department puts Pakistan on a list of worst global offenders in human trafficking in an annual report due out in June. The funding is relatively modest for the size of Pakistan's economy. But Islamabad could suffer a heavier jolt if Washington also decides to oppose new assistance from international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These are all sanctions that the United States, under federal law, can impose on any country receiving the lowest grade on human trafficking unless Trump issues a full or partial waiver. He did so for most countries on last year's blacklist, following a pattern set by recent predecessors who were especially lenient on U.S. allies and partners. By making good on its threat against Pakistan, the Trump administration would raise questions about whether it was using the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report to pressure Islamabad to do more on counter-terrorism. The report is not supposed to be influenced by other geopolitical considerations, but human rights groups accused the Trump administration last year, and the Obama administration before it, of sometimes prioritizing economic and security interests over human trafficking concerns. Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal told Reuters the country has "taken very stringent steps" against human trafficking and the issue "should not be used for political means to pressurize countries." A senior Trump administration official said no decision on the ranking has been made, but that Pakistan, long an uneasy US&nbspally, has been told it can avoid a lower ranking - and a possible aid cut - only “if we see them making sincere efforts to address the problems that have been raised." The U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, denied any link between Pakistan’s cooperation with Trump’s strategy to force the Afghan Taliban into peace talks and the possible loss of U.S. civilian assistance, stressing that any TIP decision would be based solely on Islamabad’s human trafficking record. The State Department declined to comment, except to cite the penalties available under the US&nbspanti-human trafficking law. Pakistan has long rejected U.S. accusations that it provides Afghan Taliban and allied Haqqani network militants with sanctuaries from which they attack the Kabul government and U.S.-led foreign forces in Afghanistan. CIVILIAN AID HANGS IN BALANCE Future civilian aid hinges on Pakistan's rating in the State Department’s 2018 TIP report, an assessment of how more than 180 countries and territories are fighting human smuggling, modern slavery and related issues like child soldiers. Pakistan has been on the report’s Tier 2 "Watch List" for four years, the limit a country can remain at the second-to-worst ranking. Unless it is upgraded, Pakistan will drop to Tier 3, the lowest rung, alongside Iran, North Korea and Syria, among others. This would trigger the suspension of civilian assistance, except for humanitarian and trade-related aid, unless Trump, who has been stridently critical of Pakistan, waives the penalties. A Tier 3 rating assesses that a country does not comply with minimum U.S. standards against human trafficking. Pakistan has struggled to eradicate bonded labour practices, especially in dirty brick kilns where children often work. Iqbal said Pakistan would soon enact tougher laws. He did not confirm, however, that Washington had warned his government about potential aid cuts related to human trafficking. “This cause is much more valuable than billions of dollars in aid because this is about human dignity," he told Reuters. "There has to be more understanding of the efforts that countries like us are doing." Pakistani officials dismissed the impact of a loss of US&nbspcivilian aid, most of which flows through non-governmental organizations, on the country's growing economy of nearly $300 billion. Still, they have expressed concern that Washington wants international bodies to punish Pakistan for not heeding Trump's South Asia security agenda. &nbspIn February, urged by the United States and European powers, the Financial Action Task Force, a global money-laundering watchdog, placed Pakistan on a terrorist financing watchlist. Pakistan fears Washington could use its vote in the IMF, to which the United States is the largest contributor, to oppose new loans to Islamabad. Pakistan's economic growth has surged to above 5 percent, but many analysts expect Pakistan to seek a new IMF bailout this year due to a ballooning current account deficit and dwindling foreign currency reserves.

Pakistan could face US aid cuts over human trafficking: Sources

Several people died including district governor of &nbspKhawaja Omari district, Afghanistan on Thursday after Taliban militant attacked governor's compound and police check posts.

The local media reported seven people killed in the attack while nine other security forces were wounded.

The security checkpoints of Khawja Omari were reportedly attacked early morning around 2 am by Taliban insurgents and was followed with hours of the fierce gunfight. 
&nbsp 
Part of governor's compound was also torched.

Tolo news of Afghanistan reported citing an official statement that after the attack forces called for air support and 27 Talibanis were also killed during the air strikes and clashed.&nbsp

The Taliban militants have claimed the responsibility of the attack and claimed that they have captured district headquarters.

However local police have rejected these claims. 
&nbsp

Several people died including district governor of Khawaja Omari district, Afghanistan on Thursday after Taliban militant attacked governor's compound and police check posts

Several people died including district governor of &nbspKhawaja Omari district, Afghanistan on Thursday after Taliban militant attacked governor's compound and police check posts. The local media reported seven people killed in the attack while nine other security forces were wounded. The security checkpoints of Khawja Omari were reportedly attacked early morning around 2 am by Taliban insurgents and was followed with hours of the fierce gunfight. Part of governor's compound was also torched. Tolo news of Afghanistan reported citing an official statement that after the attack forces called for air support and 27 Talibanis were also killed during the air strikes and clashed. The Taliban militants have claimed the responsibility of the attack and claimed that they have captured district headquarters. However local police have rejected these claims.

Afghanistan: 7 killed in Taliban attack including district governor

According to an Afghan official, Pakistan has fired nearly 200 rockets across the border. Provincial government spokesman Abdul Ghani Musamim reported the attack yesterday.

He further stated that the attack targetted the northeastern province of Kunar and killed one person. Nearly 300 residents had to flee due to the attack, Musamim added.

Pakistan has not reacted to the report.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have experienced sour relations due to cross-border terrorism and militant activity along the porous border. Both the nations have accused each other of failing to crack down on the militant operations.

According to an Afghan official, Pakistan has fired nearly 200 rockets across the border. Provincial government spokesman Abdul Ghani Musamim reported the attack yesterday. He further stated that the attack targetted the northeastern province of Kunar and killed one person. Nearly 300 residents had to flee due to the attack, Musamim added. Pakistan has not reacted to the report. Afghanistan and Pakistan have experienced sour relations due to cross-border terrorism and militant activity along the porous border. Both the nations have accused each other of failing to crack down on the militant operations.

Pakistan fired 200 rockets across border: Afghan officials

New Zealand's Attorney General David Parker on Wednesday announced his government was launching an inquiry into a 2010 operation in Afghanistan involving New Zealand special forces to determine whether any civilians were killed.

The year-long review would also look into how the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) handled reports of civilian casualties from the raid in northern Afghanistan, according to an e-mailed government statement.

The raids became a hot public issue in New Zealand in 2017 after two journalists published a book about the operation, alleging six civilians were killed and more than a dozen injured.

The NZDF had said in response to the book that civilian casualties stemming from the raid were a possibility, but denied any misconduct.

The operation under scrutiny was carried out by New Zealand special forces, alongside US and Afghan armed forces, in Baghlan province when around 150,000 foreign troops were stationed in the country supporting Afghan security forces against the growing Taliban-led insurgency.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force investigated the incident soon after it happened and concluded that civilian casualties were possible due to the malfunction of a weapons system, according to an NZDF media briefing in 2017.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's Labour-led government, which took the helm in October, had promised it would consider an inquiry into the allegations during its election campaign.

The attorney-general said in the statement that he had viewed video footage provided by the NZDF when deciding whether to conduct the review and that it did not seem to match with "some key aspects" of the books` claims, but was not conclusive.

"In light of that, and bearing in mind the need for the public to have confidence in the NZDF, I have decided in the public interest that an inquiry is warranted," he said.

Defence Force Chief Lieutenant General Tim Keating said the NZDF would co-operate fully with the inquiry.&nbsp

"At all times throughout this operation the NZSAS acted professionally and conducted themselves to the high standards expected of our special forces," he said in a statement.

The raids became a hot public issue in New Zealand in 2017 after two journalists published a book about the operation

New Zealand's Attorney General David Parker on Wednesday announced his government was launching an inquiry into a 2010 operation in Afghanistan involving New Zealand special forces to determine whether any civilians were killed. The year-long review would also look into how the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) handled reports of civilian casualties from the raid in northern Afghanistan, according to an e-mailed government statement. The raids became a hot public issue in New Zealand in 2017 after two journalists published a book about the operation, alleging six civilians were killed and more than a dozen injured. The NZDF had said in response to the book that civilian casualties stemming from the raid were a possibility, but denied any misconduct. The operation under scrutiny was carried out by New Zealand special forces, alongside US and Afghan armed forces, in Baghlan province when around 150,000 foreign troops were stationed in the country supporting Afghan security forces against the growing Taliban-led insurgency. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force investigated the incident soon after it happened and concluded that civilian casualties were possible due to the malfunction of a weapons system, according to an NZDF media briefing in 2017. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's Labour-led government, which took the helm in October, had promised it would consider an inquiry into the allegations during its election campaign. The attorney-general said in the statement that he had viewed video footage provided by the NZDF when deciding whether to conduct the review and that it did not seem to match with "some key aspects" of the books` claims, but was not conclusive. "In light of that, and bearing in mind the need for the public to have confidence in the NZDF, I have decided in the public interest that an inquiry is warranted," he said. Defence Force Chief Lieutenant General Tim Keating said the NZDF would co-operate fully with the inquiry. "At all times throughout this operation the NZSAS acted professionally and conducted themselves to the high standards expected of our special forces," he said in a statement.

New Zealand launches inquiry into 2010 military raid in Afghanistan

At least three Afghanistan National Police soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Faryab province on Sunday.&nbsp;

As per security official Safar Mohammad, a police soldier was killed in an encounter with the Taliban on Dawlat Abad-Qaramqol highway in the Qaramqol district and one was injured.&nbsp;

He further informed that two national police soldiers, including Qaramqol’s district deputy director of the criminal department, were killed and one other soldier was wounded in a roadside bomb in Qaramqol.&nbsp;

Safar said that the electricity was also cut off during those clashes.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, at least six people including four children have reportedly lost their lives in a blast at Afghanistan's Herat province on Monday.

The blast is said to have taken place near a mosque at Shindand district in Afghanistan.

As per security official Safar Mohammad, a police soldier was killed in an encounter with the Taliban on Dawlat Abad-Qaramqol highway in the Qaramqol district and one was injured

At least three Afghanistan National Police soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Faryab province on Sunday. As per security official Safar Mohammad, a police soldier was killed in an encounter with the Taliban on Dawlat Abad-Qaramqol highway in the Qaramqol district and one was injured. He further informed that two national police soldiers, including Qaramqol’s district deputy director of the criminal department, were killed and one other soldier was wounded in a roadside bomb in Qaramqol. Safar said that the electricity was also cut off during those clashes. Meanwhile, at least six people including four children have reportedly lost their lives in a blast at Afghanistan's Herat province on Monday. The blast is said to have taken place near a mosque at Shindand district in Afghanistan.

3 Afghanistan security soldiers killed in separate incidents

A militant has been killed and three others have been wounded in an explosion triggered by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan's Paktia province.

The incident took place when a group of insurgents were considering planting an IED on a roadside in Zazai district, reported Khaama Press, citing, the Afghan Military, as saying.

The killed militant has been identified as Mohammad Wali.

Three improvised explosive devices have been discovered and defused in Paktia and Wardak provinces of the war-torn country.

The anti-government armed militant groups often use explosive materials for the roadside bombings to target the government staff and security personnel.

The killed militant has been identified as Mohammad Wali

A militant has been killed and three others have been wounded in an explosion triggered by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan's Paktia province. The incident took place when a group of insurgents were considering planting an IED on a roadside in Zazai district, reported Khaama Press, citing, the Afghan Military, as saying. The killed militant has been identified as Mohammad Wali. Three improvised explosive devices have been discovered and defused in Paktia and Wardak provinces of the war-torn country. The anti-government armed militant groups often use explosive materials for the roadside bombings to target the government staff and security personnel.

Afghanistan: 1 militant dead, 3 wounded in explosion

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News brief: Big stories of the day

Afghanistan: Suicide car bomb kills 11 students in Kandahar

Kabul twin blasts: Afghan media reports 9 journalists killed

Afghanistan requests India for transponder for DTH services

Taliban seize Afghanistan district centre, attack army base

6 killed in suicide car bomb attack in Afghanistan

'If we vote, we'll be killed': Afghan villages face election threat

Taliban announces spring offensive, dismisses peace overtures

Oli speaks to prime ministers of India, Pakistan to resume stalled SAARC process

Soldier wounded in Afghanistan gets world's first penis transplant

20 IS militants killed in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province

Pakistani traders want Afghan border point to reopen

Kabul blast: Islamic State claims responsibility

News brief: Big stories of the day

Afghanistan: 5 killed in mine explosion at Nangarhar

Kidnapped Afghan election staff freed by Taliban

4 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan

2 Pakistani soldiers killed in cross-border fire from Afghanistan: Pak military

Several Afghan soldiers killed in border clashes with Pakistan

News brief: Big stories of the day

Amid violence, Afghans register to vote in long-delayed legislative elections

Afghan, Pakistani forces clash near disputed border: Afghan official

Afghanistan: Insurgents attack checkpoint, kill 11

Checkmate: When there is more to the story than game of 'Chess'

Taliban kills 10 security forces in Afghan province of Herat

Pakistan could face US aid cuts over human trafficking: Sources