At least three militants affiliated with the terror outfit Islamic State (IS) terrorist group have been killed in the US drone strikes in Afghanistan&#39;s eastern Kunar province.

&quot;The latest drone strikes were carried out in the vicinity of Manogi district,&quot; reported Afghan&#39;s Khaama Press, citing the Afghan military, as saying on Sunday.

&quot;The hideouts of the terror group were targeted in the air raids and as a result, three militants were killed,&quot; it added.

A local leader of the group who has been identified as Mohib was also among those killed.

Earlier, at least three IS militants were killed and five others were injured during a cleanup operation by security forces in Sarkanay district of Afghanistan&#39;s eastern Kunar province on Tuesday.&nbsp;

No comments have been received from the anti-government armed militant and terrorist groups including the IS in connection with the report, by far.

A local leader of the group who has been identified as Mohib was also among those killed

At least three militants affiliated with the terror outfit Islamic State (IS) terrorist group have been killed in the US drone strikes in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province. "The latest drone strikes were carried out in the vicinity of Manogi district," reported Afghan's Khaama Press, citing the Afghan military, as saying on Sunday. "The hideouts of the terror group were targeted in the air raids and as a result, three militants were killed," it added. A local leader of the group who has been identified as Mohib was also among those killed. Earlier, at least three IS militants were killed and five others were injured during a cleanup operation by security forces in Sarkanay district of Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province on Tuesday. No comments have been received from the anti-government armed militant and terrorist groups including the IS in connection with the report, by far.

3 IS militants killed in US drone strikes in Afghanistan

At least nine Taliban militants were killed and three others were left injured in northern Baghlan province in Afghanistan on Saturday.&nbsp;

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces carried out military operations in the area and attacked Taliban hideouts in Tala-o-Barfak, an army spokesman in the northern region Major Mohammad Hamid Rezai said on Sunday.&nbsp;

The militants were killed during Alburz-24 operations after forces launched a coordinated attack on militants, reports said.&nbsp;

The operations, which were conducted in Turmosh valley in Tala Barfak district, destroyed a check post established by the militants.

The check post was being used to collect money from the vehicles carrying coal, the report said.

No comments have been received by the anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban militants with respect to the report, so far.&nbsp;

The attack comes after Taliban militants <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-23-killed-in-multiple-suicide-bombings-in-afghanistan-33913">stormed an army base</a> in the western province of Farah overnight, killing at least 18 soldiers on Saturday.

The attack comes after Taliban militants stormed an army base in the western province of Farah overnight, killing at least 18 soldiers on Saturday

At least nine Taliban militants were killed and three others were left injured in northern Baghlan province in Afghanistan on Saturday. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces carried out military operations in the area and attacked Taliban hideouts in Tala-o-Barfak, an army spokesman in the northern region Major Mohammad Hamid Rezai said on Sunday. The militants were killed during Alburz-24 operations after forces launched a coordinated attack on militants, reports said. The operations, which were conducted in Turmosh valley in Tala Barfak district, destroyed a check post established by the militants. The check post was being used to collect money from the vehicles carrying coal, the report said. No comments have been received by the anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban militants with respect to the report, so far. The attack comes after Taliban militants stormed an army base in the western province of Farah overnight, killing at least 18 soldiers on Saturday.

9 Taliban militants killed by Afghan forces

At least three people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in multiple suicide bombings in Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said, the latest in a series of attacks in the war-torn country.

One suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the diplomatic area of Kabul during the morning rush hour, killing at least one person and wounding six others, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP.

A security source who requested not to be named said the explosion happened near a compound belonging to the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency. The NDS compound is located near the NATO headquarters and the US embassy.

&quot;I was driving nearby when I heard a big explosion, the windows of my car were smashed. I saw several wounded people on the street near me,&quot; a witness told Tolonews TV adding that security forces swarmed the area, closing off the main road leading to the attack site.

In December, a suicide attacker on foot blew himself up near the same compound, killing at least six civilians. &nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack in Kabul, which in recent months has become one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians.

Since mid-January, militants have stormed a luxury hotel, bombed a crowded street and raided a military compound in the capital, killing more than 130 people as the city remains on high alert fearing further violence.

In separate attacks on Saturday in volatile southern Helmand province, two suicide car bombs killed at least two soldiers and wounded more than a dozen others, officials said.

In the first incident, militants used a Humvee to attack an army base in Nad Ali district but the vehicle was destroyed when soldiers identified it and hit it with a rocket propelled grenade, provincial spokesman Omar Zawak told AFP.

&quot;Unfortunately, two soldiers were killed in the attack and seven wounded,&quot; he said.

The Nad Ali attack was followed by a second suicide car bombing in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah that wounded seven people.

The attack was against an NDS compound and near a police headquarters in the city, Helmand police spokesman Salaam Afghan told AFP.

The Taliban claimed both attacks in Helmand.

Militants including the Taliban and the Islamic State group have stepped up their attacks on beleaguered Afghan troops and police in recent months, sapping morale already hit by desertions and corruption.

Afghan soldiers have taken what the UN describes as &quot;shocking&quot; casualties since international forces ended their combat role at the end of 2014, though troop casualty figures are no longer released.

One suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the diplomatic area of Kabul during the morning rush hour, killing at least one person and wounding six others, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told

At least three people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in multiple suicide bombings in Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said, the latest in a series of attacks in the war-torn country. One suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the diplomatic area of Kabul during the morning rush hour, killing at least one person and wounding six others, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP. A security source who requested not to be named said the explosion happened near a compound belonging to the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency. The NDS compound is located near the NATO headquarters and the US embassy. "I was driving nearby when I heard a big explosion, the windows of my car were smashed. I saw several wounded people on the street near me," a witness told Tolonews TV adding that security forces swarmed the area, closing off the main road leading to the attack site. In December, a suicide attacker on foot blew himself up near the same compound, killing at least six civilians. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack in Kabul, which in recent months has become one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians. Since mid-January, militants have stormed a luxury hotel, bombed a crowded street and raided a military compound in the capital, killing more than 130 people as the city remains on high alert fearing further violence. In separate attacks on Saturday in volatile southern Helmand province, two suicide car bombs killed at least two soldiers and wounded more than a dozen others, officials said. In the first incident, militants used a Humvee to attack an army base in Nad Ali district but the vehicle was destroyed when soldiers identified it and hit it with a rocket propelled grenade, provincial spokesman Omar Zawak told AFP. "Unfortunately, two soldiers were killed in the attack and seven wounded," he said. The Nad Ali attack was followed by a second suicide car bombing in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah that wounded seven people. The attack was against an NDS compound and near a police headquarters in the city, Helmand police spokesman Salaam Afghan told AFP. The Taliban claimed both attacks in Helmand. Militants including the Taliban and the Islamic State group have stepped up their attacks on beleaguered Afghan troops and police in recent months, sapping morale already hit by desertions and corruption. Afghan soldiers have taken what the UN describes as "shocking" casualties since international forces ended their combat role at the end of 2014, though troop casualty figures are no longer released.

Suicide bombers kill three, wound dozen in Afghanistan

India is willing to help the US with aviation maintenance in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

The Pentagon also praised India&#39;s developmental role in the war-torn country.

&quot;India has been very supportive, and they&#39;ve pledged additional developmental aid in Afghanistan. They&#39;ve been willing to help with aviation maintenance,&quot; Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana White told reporters.

&quot;All of that is very helpful in ensuring, again, that this regional approach works. India is an important part of that,&quot; she said.

Responding to another question, White said that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis believes that Pakistan has an opportunity to do more with respect to the regional security and that it&#39;s in its interests to do more with respect to regional security.

&quot;It&#39;s an opportunity, and we would welcome Pakistan&#39;s involvement,&quot; White said.

The Pentagon also praised India's developmental role in the war-torn country

India is willing to help the US with aviation maintenance in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said. The Pentagon also praised India's developmental role in the war-torn country. "India has been very supportive, and they've pledged additional developmental aid in Afghanistan. They've been willing to help with aviation maintenance," Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana White told reporters. "All of that is very helpful in ensuring, again, that this regional approach works. India is an important part of that," she said. Responding to another question, White said that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis believes that Pakistan has an opportunity to do more with respect to the regional security and that it's in its interests to do more with respect to regional security. "It's an opportunity, and we would welcome Pakistan's involvement," White said.

India willing to help US with aviation maintenance in Afghanistan: Pentagon

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed on Saturday to step up efforts to bring stability to war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Modi reiterated India`s commitment to help Afghanistan become &quot;a peaceful, secure, permanent, prosperous and pluralistic country&quot; after holding talks with Rouhani in New Delhi on the last day of his three-day visit.

&quot;Looking at our common interests, we are committed to stopping the expansion of such forces that promote international organised crime in terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, cyber-crime and various forms,&quot; Modi said

&quot;We want to see our region and the world free from terrorism.&quot;

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The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/98bYhcSERn">pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964787964470579200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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There was no mention of financial assistance or providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants by either leader.

They did not name Pakistan but it has long been accused of supporting insurgents in Afghanistan.

India has been a key supporter of Kabul&#39;s government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001.

In 2016, India offered $1 billion in economic aid to strengthen various sectors in the war-torn nation including education, health and agriculture.

Modi said both countries wanted to increase economic cooperation, regional connectivity and improve energy security to reach landlocked Afghanistan and central Asia via the southern Iranian port of Chabahar.

The port, which was inaugurated in December, has been touted as a way for India to establish trade routes that bypass its rival Pakistan.

India has been a key purchaser of Iranian oil and gas, and maintained trade ties even as international sanctions were imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme between 2012 and 2016.

However, local Indian media have reported frustrations over delays in awarding a contract to develop a major gas field known as Farzad B in the Gulf.

India&#39;s foreign ministry said Saturday that &quot;discussions continue&quot; on Farzad B.&nbsp;

The two leaders also signed agreements for avoidance of double taxation and the implementation of an extradition treaty from 2008.

As part of a lease contract, India will help Iran run a multi-purpose container terminal at Chabahar for 18 months.

India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a three-way transit agreement in 2016 to develop Chabahar port aiming to boost economic growth in the region.

 
&nbsp;

India has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed on Saturday to step up efforts to bring stability to war-ravaged Afghanistan. Modi reiterated India`s commitment to help Afghanistan become "a peaceful, secure, permanent, prosperous and pluralistic country" after holding talks with Rouhani in New Delhi on the last day of his three-day visit. "Looking at our common interests, we are committed to stopping the expansion of such forces that promote international organised crime in terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, cyber-crime and various forms," Modi said "We want to see our region and the world free from terrorism." The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × There was no mention of financial assistance or providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants by either leader. They did not name Pakistan but it has long been accused of supporting insurgents in Afghanistan. India has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001. In 2016, India offered $1 billion in economic aid to strengthen various sectors in the war-torn nation including education, health and agriculture. Modi said both countries wanted to increase economic cooperation, regional connectivity and improve energy security to reach landlocked Afghanistan and central Asia via the southern Iranian port of Chabahar. The port, which was inaugurated in December, has been touted as a way for India to establish trade routes that bypass its rival Pakistan. India has been a key purchaser of Iranian oil and gas, and maintained trade ties even as international sanctions were imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme between 2012 and 2016. However, local Indian media have reported frustrations over delays in awarding a contract to develop a major gas field known as Farzad B in the Gulf. India's foreign ministry said Saturday that "discussions continue" on Farzad B. The two leaders also signed agreements for avoidance of double taxation and the implementation of an extradition treaty from 2008. As part of a lease contract, India will help Iran run a multi-purpose container terminal at Chabahar for 18 months. India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a three-way transit agreement in 2016 to develop Chabahar port aiming to boost economic growth in the region.

India, Iran agree to step up efforts to help Afghanistan

The Taliban said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end Afghanistan&rsquo;s 17-year war through talks while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against US&nbsp;forces would go on.

Taliban&nbsp;insurgents issued an astounding 17,000-word appeal to the &quot;American people.&quot;&nbsp;The letter emailed to the media in English and four other languages contained official statistics about the human and economic costs of war.

The letter, sent under the banner of &quot;The Islamic Emirate of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>,&quot; was issued just weeks after a blitz of deadly insurgent attacks in the Afghan capital.

A more aggressive US&nbsp;strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centers and two provincial capitals.

But the militants control large parts of the countryside and have responded to the more aggressive US&nbsp;strategy with two attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people.

The attacks have toughened both the US&nbsp;and Afghan governments&rsquo; stand against initiating talks with the insurgents, although neither side seems capable of winning the conflict.

&ldquo;Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue,&rdquo; the Taliban said.

&quot;Prolonging the war in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;and maintaining American troop presence is neither beneficial for America nor for anyone else,&quot; the letter said.

&quot;Stubbornly seeking the protraction of this war will have dreadful consequences for the region and the stability of America herself,&quot; the document added.

&quot;As confirmed by your own military authorities, 3546 American and foreign soldiers have been killed, more than 20,000 American forces injured and tens of thousands more are suffering mentally,&quot; the letter said, asserting that the actual casualty figures were much higher but were being &quot;concealed&quot; by the U.S. leaders.

The overall message of these arguments was that the American people should make a &quot;rational&quot; assessment of the war.

&quot;You proclaim to be a developed and civilized nation. We leave it to your judgment to decide whether the prevailing conditions of insecurity, chaos and soaring drug problems in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;constitute reforms or crimes against humanity,&quot; it concluded.

The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the US-backed government, said the United States must end its &ldquo;occupation&rdquo; and accept the Taliban right to form a government &ldquo;consistent with the beliefs of our people&rdquo;.

In their statement, the Taliban did not mention a January&nbsp;27 raids on a top Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bomb attack on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100. They claimed both attacks.

The militants only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds. A government spokesman declined to comment on the statement.

A spokesman for Afghanistan&rsquo;s NATO-led military mission said the recent Taliban attacks on civilians demonstrated they were not ready to enter &ldquo;good-faith peace negotiations&rdquo; while the government had on numerous occasions made clear it was willing to begin a peace process.

&ldquo;The Taliban statement alone does not show willingness to engage in peace talks. The recent attacks speak louder than these words,&rdquo; said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback.

The Taliban said it was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side &ldquo;through healthy politics and dialogue&rdquo;, adding the chances for dialogue were &ldquo;not exhausted&rdquo;.

Preliminary talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled.

But low-level contacts between the government, international groups including the United Nations and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated.

The Taliban said their willingness to play a &ldquo;constructive role in finding a peaceful solution&rdquo; should not be taken as a sign of weakness.

&ldquo;This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped,&rdquo; they said.

They said they had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Taliban insurgents issued an astounding 17,000-word appeal sent under the banner of "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," to the "American people"

The Taliban said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end Afghanistan’s 17-year war through talks while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against US forces would go on. Taliban insurgents issued an astounding 17,000-word appeal to the "American people." The letter emailed to the media in English and four other languages contained official statistics about the human and economic costs of war. The letter, sent under the banner of "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," was issued just weeks after a blitz of deadly insurgent attacks in the Afghan capital. A more aggressive US strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centers and two provincial capitals. But the militants control large parts of the countryside and have responded to the more aggressive US strategy with two attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people. The attacks have toughened both the US and Afghan governments’ stand against initiating talks with the insurgents, although neither side seems capable of winning the conflict. “Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue,” the Taliban said. "Prolonging the war in Afghanistan and maintaining American troop presence is neither beneficial for America nor for anyone else," the letter said. "Stubbornly seeking the protraction of this war will have dreadful consequences for the region and the stability of America herself," the document added. "As confirmed by your own military authorities, 3546 American and foreign soldiers have been killed, more than 20,000 American forces injured and tens of thousands more are suffering mentally," the letter said, asserting that the actual casualty figures were much higher but were being "concealed" by the U.S. leaders. The overall message of these arguments was that the American people should make a "rational" assessment of the war. "You proclaim to be a developed and civilized nation. We leave it to your judgment to decide whether the prevailing conditions of insecurity, chaos and soaring drug problems in Afghanistan constitute reforms or crimes against humanity," it concluded. The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the US-backed government, said the United States must end its “occupation” and accept the Taliban right to form a government “consistent with the beliefs of our people”. In their statement, the Taliban did not mention a January 27 raids on a top Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bomb attack on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100. They claimed both attacks. The militants only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds. A government spokesman declined to comment on the statement. A spokesman for Afghanistan’s NATO-led military mission said the recent Taliban attacks on civilians demonstrated they were not ready to enter “good-faith peace negotiations” while the government had on numerous occasions made clear it was willing to begin a peace process. “The Taliban statement alone does not show willingness to engage in peace talks. The recent attacks speak louder than these words,” said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback. The Taliban said it was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side “through healthy politics and dialogue”, adding the chances for dialogue were “not exhausted”. Preliminary talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled. But low-level contacts between the government, international groups including the United Nations and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated. The Taliban said their willingness to play a “constructive role in finding a peaceful solution” should not be taken as a sign of weakness. “This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped,” they said. They said they had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else. (With inputs from Reuters)

Want to end war through dialogue: Afghan Taliban

Afghanistan Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that at least 35 insurgents were killed in southern Kandahar province.&nbsp;

An airstrike was carried out by the Afghan forces in n Nesh district of the province as part of a clearance operation, the MoD said in a statement, adding that a number of villages have been cleared of insurgents.

&quot;Thirty-five insurgents were killed, seven vehicles and some weapons and ammunition were destroyed in ANA airstrikes in Nesh district of Kandahar,&quot; the MoD said in a statement.&#39;

Meanwhile, nearly 2,300 civilians were killed or wounded in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/2300-civilians-killed-or-wounded-in-suicide-bombings-in-afghanistan-last-year-un-report-32953">suicide bombings and attacks </a>in Afghanistan in 2017, more than any previous year of the conflict on record, a UN report said on Thursday.

The figures come as militants ramp up their assaults on urban areas after US President Donald Trump said last August the American presence in Afghanistan would remain open-ended and Washington stepped up airstrikes on rural militant strongholds.&nbsp;

An airstrike was carried out by the Afghan forces in n Nesh district of the province as part of a clearance operation, the MoD said in a statement, adding that a number of villages have been cleared of insurgents

Afghanistan Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that at least 35 insurgents were killed in southern Kandahar province. An airstrike was carried out by the Afghan forces in n Nesh district of the province as part of a clearance operation, the MoD said in a statement, adding that a number of villages have been cleared of insurgents. "Thirty-five insurgents were killed, seven vehicles and some weapons and ammunition were destroyed in ANA airstrikes in Nesh district of Kandahar," the MoD said in a statement.' Meanwhile, nearly 2,300 civilians were killed or wounded in suicide bombings and attacks in Afghanistan in 2017, more than any previous year of the conflict on record, a UN report said on Thursday. The figures come as militants ramp up their assaults on urban areas after US President Donald Trump said last August the American presence in Afghanistan would remain open-ended and Washington stepped up airstrikes on rural militant strongholds.

35 insurgents killed in Kandahar following airstrike

&nbsp;Nearly 2,300 civilians were killed or wounded in suicide bombings and attacks in Afghanistan in 2017, more than any previous year of the conflict on record, a UN report said today.

The figures come as militants ramp up their assaults on urban areas, after US President Donald Trump said last August the American presence in Afghanistan would remain open-ended and Washington stepped up airstrikes on rural militant strongholds.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that civilian deaths across the country dipped by nine per cent in 2017, with 10,453 total civilian casualties including 3,438 deaths and 7,015 wounded.

But as the Taliban and the Islamic State group have come under more pressure they have increasingly carried out indiscriminate assaults in cities.

As a result, casualties from suicide bombings and attacks jumped by 17 per cent.

&quot;2017 recorded the highest number of civilian casualties from suicide and complex attacks in a single year in Afghanistan,&quot; the report said, with 605 killed and 1,690 wounded from such incidents.

The capital remained a top target, with 16 per cent of all casualties during the year - a total of 1,831 people killed and wounded - occurring in Kabul alone.

&quot;Afghan civilians have been killed going about their daily lives -- travelling on a bus, praying in a mosque, simply walking past a building that was targeted,&quot; Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, was quoted as saying in the report.

&quot;When we see civilians being deliberately targeted, you wonder how long that this (has) to go on,&quot; Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN&#39;s special representative in Afghanistan, told a press conference in Kabul Thursday. 
Militants claim to represent Afghan interests but are &quot;killing people in the most appalling manner, creating terror and suffering&quot;, he said.

Things have not improved so far in 2018, and he warned the UN is concerned it will see &quot;greater harm this year&quot;.

Since January 20, militants have stormed a luxury hotel, bombed a crowded street and raided a military compound in Kabul, killing more than 130 people.

The majority of the victims in 2017 were killed or wounded by anti-government insurgents, according to the report.

However pro-government forces, including international troops, were responsible for 20 per cent of the civilian casualties -- a seven percent increase from 2016.

The casualties by pro-government forces were mainly caused by the increase in aerial bombings by Afghan and foreign forces, the UNAMA said. The US is the only international force known to be carrying out airstrikes in Afghanistan.

More than 28,000 civilians have been killed and over 52,000 wounded in Afghanistan since 2009 when officials started documenting the casualties, according to the UN.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported that civilian deaths across the country dipped by nine per cent in 2017

Nearly 2,300 civilians were killed or wounded in suicide bombings and attacks in Afghanistan in 2017, more than any previous year of the conflict on record, a UN report said today. The figures come as militants ramp up their assaults on urban areas, after US President Donald Trump said last August the American presence in Afghanistan would remain open-ended and Washington stepped up airstrikes on rural militant strongholds. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that civilian deaths across the country dipped by nine per cent in 2017, with 10,453 total civilian casualties including 3,438 deaths and 7,015 wounded. But as the Taliban and the Islamic State group have come under more pressure they have increasingly carried out indiscriminate assaults in cities. As a result, casualties from suicide bombings and attacks jumped by 17 per cent. "2017 recorded the highest number of civilian casualties from suicide and complex attacks in a single year in Afghanistan," the report said, with 605 killed and 1,690 wounded from such incidents. The capital remained a top target, with 16 per cent of all casualties during the year - a total of 1,831 people killed and wounded - occurring in Kabul alone. "Afghan civilians have been killed going about their daily lives -- travelling on a bus, praying in a mosque, simply walking past a building that was targeted," Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, was quoted as saying in the report. "When we see civilians being deliberately targeted, you wonder how long that this (has) to go on," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN's special representative in Afghanistan, told a press conference in Kabul Thursday. Militants claim to represent Afghan interests but are "killing people in the most appalling manner, creating terror and suffering", he said. Things have not improved so far in 2018, and he warned the UN is concerned it will see "greater harm this year". Since January 20, militants have stormed a luxury hotel, bombed a crowded street and raided a military compound in Kabul, killing more than 130 people. The majority of the victims in 2017 were killed or wounded by anti-government insurgents, according to the report. However pro-government forces, including international troops, were responsible for 20 per cent of the civilian casualties -- a seven percent increase from 2016. The casualties by pro-government forces were mainly caused by the increase in aerial bombings by Afghan and foreign forces, the UNAMA said. The US is the only international force known to be carrying out airstrikes in Afghanistan. More than 28,000 civilians have been killed and over 52,000 wounded in Afghanistan since 2009 when officials started documenting the casualties, according to the UN.

2,300 civilians killed or wounded in suicide bombings in Afghanistan last year: UN report

The Taliban said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end Afghanistan&#39;s 17-year war through talks, while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against U.S. forces would go on.

A more aggressive US&nbsp;strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centres and two provincial capitals.

But the militants control large parts of the countryside and have responded to the more aggressive U.S. strategy with two attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people.

The attacks have toughened both the U.S. and Afghan governments&#39; stand against initiating talks with the insurgents, although neither side seems capable of winning the conflict.

&quot;Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue,&quot; the Taliban said.

The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the U.S.-backed government, said the United States must end its &quot;occupation&quot; and accept the Taliban right to form a government &quot;consistent with the beliefs of our people&quot;.

In their statement, the Taliban did not mention a Jan. 27 raid on a top Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bomb attack on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100. They claimed both attacks.

The militants only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds. A government spokesman declined to comment on the statement.

&#39;Louder than words&#39;

A spokesman for Afghanistan&#39;s NATO-led military mission said the recent Taliban attacks on civilians demonstrated they were not ready to enter &quot;good-faith peace negotiations&quot; while the government had on numerous occasions made clear it was willing to begin a peace process.

&quot;The Taliban statement alone does not show willingness to engage in peace talks. The recent attacks speak louder than these words,&quot; said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback.

The Taliban said it was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side &quot;through healthy politics and dialogue&quot;, adding the chances for dialogue were &quot;not exhausted&quot;.

Preliminary talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled.

But low-level contacts between the government, international groups including the United Nations and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated.

Progress has been blocked by the deep mistrust between the government and the Taliban, as well as uncertainty about the role of neighbours including&nbsp;Pakistan, which Afghanistan has long accused of aiding the insurgents.

Pakistan&nbsp;rejects accusations that it sponsors the Taliban.

The Taliban said their willingness to play a &quot;constructive role in finding a peaceful solution&quot; should not be taken as a sign of weakness.

&quot;This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped,&quot; they said.

They said they had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A more aggressive US strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centres and two provincial capitals.

The Taliban said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end Afghanistan's 17-year war through talks, while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against U.S. forces would go on. A more aggressive US strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centres and two provincial capitals. But the militants control large parts of the countryside and have responded to the more aggressive U.S. strategy with two attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people. The attacks have toughened both the U.S. and Afghan governments' stand against initiating talks with the insurgents, although neither side seems capable of winning the conflict. "Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue," the Taliban said. The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the U.S.-backed government, said the United States must end its "occupation" and accept the Taliban right to form a government "consistent with the beliefs of our people". In their statement, the Taliban did not mention a Jan. 27 raid on a top Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bomb attack on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100. They claimed both attacks. The militants only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds. A government spokesman declined to comment on the statement. 'Louder than words' A spokesman for Afghanistan's NATO-led military mission said the recent Taliban attacks on civilians demonstrated they were not ready to enter "good-faith peace negotiations" while the government had on numerous occasions made clear it was willing to begin a peace process. "The Taliban statement alone does not show willingness to engage in peace talks. The recent attacks speak louder than these words," said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback. The Taliban said it was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side "through healthy politics and dialogue", adding the chances for dialogue were "not exhausted". Preliminary talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled. But low-level contacts between the government, international groups including the United Nations and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated. Progress has been blocked by the deep mistrust between the government and the Taliban, as well as uncertainty about the role of neighbours including Pakistan, which Afghanistan has long accused of aiding the insurgents. Pakistan rejects accusations that it sponsors the Taliban. The Taliban said their willingness to play a "constructive role in finding a peaceful solution" should not be taken as a sign of weakness. "This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped," they said. They said they had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else.

Afghan Taliban say they want to end war through dialogue

Gunmen stormed the office compound of&nbsp;the Save the Children charity in&nbsp;Jalalabad about 9 am Wednesday morning.

A car bomb was set off at the office after which a gun battle was underway.

So far, two are reported dead with 12 wounded.&nbsp;

The local Tolo News channel reported security forces to have cordoned off the compound.&nbsp;

It is unclear at the moment how many gunmen there are. Or how many employees are trapped inside.&nbsp;

No one has as yet claimed responsibility for the attack however, Taliban has distanced itself from the attack denying its involvement in a Twitter post.&nbsp;

A string of attacks started at about 9 am&nbsp; -- when employees begin to show up at work -- in Afghanistan recently.&nbsp;

TOLOnews reports four attackers to be currently inside the compound while &quot;plumes of black smoke rise from the organization&rsquo;s compound&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;According to Attaullah Khoghyani, Provencial governor&#39;s spokesman, one security force member and a civilian have lost their&nbsp;life. Twelve others were reported.

Save the Children tweeted out saying that, &quot;We are devastated at the news that our Save the Children office at Jalalabad, Afghanistan came under attack this morning as armed men entered the building about 0900 today local time. Our primary concern is for the safety and security of our staff. We are awaiting further information from our team and cannot comment further at this time,&quot; noted the tweet.&nbsp;

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BREAKING: horrific news of an ongoing attack targeting Save the Children compound in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalalabad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jalalabad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>, with reports of several injured. <a href="https://t.co/7p2iKP7cbT">pic.twitter.com/7p2iKP7cbT</a>
&mdash; SavetheChildren News (@SaveUKNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaveUKNews/status/956064810461999107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The local Tolo News channel reported security forces to have cordoned off the compound

Gunmen stormed the office compound of the Save the Children charity in Jalalabad about 9 am Wednesday morning. A car bomb was set off at the office after which a gun battle was underway. So far, two are reported dead with 12 wounded. The local Tolo News channel reported security forces to have cordoned off the compound. It is unclear at the moment how many gunmen there are. Or how many employees are trapped inside. No one has as yet claimed responsibility for the attack however, Taliban has distanced itself from the attack denying its involvement in a Twitter post. A string of attacks started at about 9 am -- when employees begin to show up at work -- in Afghanistan recently. TOLOnews reports four attackers to be currently inside the compound while "plumes of black smoke rise from the organization’s compound". According to Attaullah Khoghyani, Provencial governor's spokesman, one security force member and a civilian have lost their life. Twelve others were reported. Save the Children tweeted out saying that, "We are devastated at the news that our Save the Children office at Jalalabad, Afghanistan came under attack this morning as armed men entered the building about 0900 today local time. Our primary concern is for the safety and security of our staff. We are awaiting further information from our team and cannot comment further at this time," noted the tweet. BREAKING: horrific news of an ongoing attack targeting Save the Children compound in #Jalalabad #Afghanistan, with reports of several injured. pic.twitter.com/7p2iKP7cbT — SavetheChildren News (@SaveUKNews) January 24, 2018 ×

Video: 2 dead, 12 wounded in attack at Save the Children office in Afghanistan

Pakistan on Wednesday condemned a &quot;unilateral&quot; US military drone strike inside its territory that security officials said killed two members of the Afghan Taliban-allied Haqqani network, adding to already tense relations between the uneasy allies.

The unmanned aircraft&#39;s missiles &quot;targeted an Afghan refugee&quot; camp in Pakistan&#39;s northwestern Kurram region, a statement from the Pakistani foreign office said.

&quot;Such unilateral actions, as that of today, are detrimental to the spirit of cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism,&quot; the Pakistani statement said.

The US-led military mission in Afghanistan, which trains and assists Afghan government forces fighting the Taliban, said it &quot;regularly conducts offensive operations within the borders of Afghanistan with the intent of bringing security and stability not only to Afghanistan, but also the entire region&quot;, but said it had no information on the drone strike reports.

Two missiles hit a house and killed Haqqani network militants Ahsan Khorai and Nasir Mehmood in the village of Dapa Mamozai in Kurram, according to a police officer and an intelligence official.

&quot;Two militants from Haqqani network were killed in the drone attack,&quot; the intelligence official based in the area said.

There has been an uptick in US drone strikes inside Pakistan in the mountainous border regions bordering Afghanistan since US President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, though they are a long way off their peak in 2010.

Earlier this month, one man was severely wounded in a suspected drone attack in FATA, while another Haqqani militant was killed on December 26 in a suspected US drone strike inside Pakistan.

Trump has taken a hardline stance on Pakistan, which he says provides safe haven to high-level commanders from the Haqqani network, a group which often conducts deadly attacks in Afghanistan.

Relations between Washington and Islamabad have frayed over the past month in the wake of Trump&#39;s angry tweet on January 1 about Pakistan&#39;s &quot;lies and deceit&quot; over its alleged support for the Afghan Taliban and their allies. The United States this month also suspended military assistance worth about $2 billion.

Islamabad denies sheltering militants and accuses Washington of not respecting Pakistan&#39;s vast sacrifices in the war on militancy.

Over the past decade, almost all US drone strikes inside Pakistan have taken place within the border areas, but some Pakistani officials fear the United States under Trump will begin carrying out strikes outside the tribal areas.

Relations between Pakistan and the United States have endured strain during the 16-year war in Afghanistan, especially after al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces inside Pakistan in 2011.

The unmanned aircraft's missiles 'targeted an Afghan refugee' camp in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram region, a statement from the Pakistani foreign office said

Pakistan on Wednesday condemned a "unilateral" US military drone strike inside its territory that security officials said killed two members of the Afghan Taliban-allied Haqqani network, adding to already tense relations between the uneasy allies. The unmanned aircraft's missiles "targeted an Afghan refugee" camp in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram region, a statement from the Pakistani foreign office said. "Such unilateral actions, as that of today, are detrimental to the spirit of cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism," the Pakistani statement said. The US-led military mission in Afghanistan, which trains and assists Afghan government forces fighting the Taliban, said it "regularly conducts offensive operations within the borders of Afghanistan with the intent of bringing security and stability not only to Afghanistan, but also the entire region", but said it had no information on the drone strike reports. Two missiles hit a house and killed Haqqani network militants Ahsan Khorai and Nasir Mehmood in the village of Dapa Mamozai in Kurram, according to a police officer and an intelligence official. "Two militants from Haqqani network were killed in the drone attack," the intelligence official based in the area said. There has been an uptick in US drone strikes inside Pakistan in the mountainous border regions bordering Afghanistan since US President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, though they are a long way off their peak in 2010. Earlier this month, one man was severely wounded in a suspected drone attack in FATA, while another Haqqani militant was killed on December 26 in a suspected US drone strike inside Pakistan. Trump has taken a hardline stance on Pakistan, which he says provides safe haven to high-level commanders from the Haqqani network, a group which often conducts deadly attacks in Afghanistan. Relations between Washington and Islamabad have frayed over the past month in the wake of Trump's angry tweet on January 1 about Pakistan's "lies and deceit" over its alleged support for the Afghan Taliban and their allies. The United States this month also suspended military assistance worth about $2 billion. Islamabad denies sheltering militants and accuses Washington of not respecting Pakistan's vast sacrifices in the war on militancy. Over the past decade, almost all US drone strikes inside Pakistan have taken place within the border areas, but some Pakistani officials fear the United States under Trump will begin carrying out strikes outside the tribal areas. Relations between Pakistan and the United States have endured strain during the 16-year war in Afghanistan, especially after al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces inside Pakistan in 2011.

Pakistan condemns 'unilateral' US drone strike on its territory

At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and around 10 were left wounded in an airstrike in Afghanistan&#39;s northern province of Sari Pul on Wednesday, reports said.&nbsp;

The airstrike operations by the Afghan forces took place on Tuesday night and targeted Taliban hideouts at Shah Toot locality, Sayyad district after Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force struck a militants&#39; position where three militants were killed and one wounded.&nbsp;

The Afghan forces also conducted operations in Nad-e-Ali district where three more Taliban militants were killed.

On Wednesday, one militant named Mohammad Akram was killed and two militants were wounded, after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were carrying to plant along a main road, detonated accidentally in Archi district of neighbouring Kunduz province.&nbsp;

The Afghan forces discovered and confiscated 20 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) during the same operations, the report said. 
&nbsp;

The airstrike operations by the Afghan forces took place on Tuesday night and targeted Taliban hideouts at Shah Toot locality, Sayyad district after Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force struck a militants' position where three militants were killed and one wounded

At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and around 10 were left wounded in an airstrike in Afghanistan's northern province of Sari Pul on Wednesday, reports said. The airstrike operations by the Afghan forces took place on Tuesday night and targeted Taliban hideouts at Shah Toot locality, Sayyad district after Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force struck a militants' position where three militants were killed and one wounded. The Afghan forces also conducted operations in Nad-e-Ali district where three more Taliban militants were killed. On Wednesday, one militant named Mohammad Akram was killed and two militants were wounded, after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were carrying to plant along a main road, detonated accidentally in Archi district of neighbouring Kunduz province. The Afghan forces discovered and confiscated 20 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) during the same operations, the report said.

15 Taliban militants killed during airstike in Afghanistan

Four heavily-armed gunmen raided Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, shooting at guests and staff and setting the building on fire, officials said, in an hours-long assault that is still ongoing.

Local television channel Tolo News is reporting that at least 15 people have been killed or wounded.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Special forces were lowered by helicopters onto the roof of the luxury hilltop hotel during the siege, interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP, adding two attackers had been killed.&nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest assault in the war-torn Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners.

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It is not clear how many people are still inside the hotel, which was previously attacked by Taliban militants in 2011, or whether any foreigners are among them.

&quot;Four attackers are inside the building,&quot; an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are &quot;shooting at guests&quot;, he said.

A guest hiding in a room told AFP he could hear gunfire inside the 1960s hotel where dozens of people attending an information technology conference on Sunday were staying.

&quot;I don`t know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor,&quot; the man, who did not want to be named, said by telephone.

&quot;We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us.&quot;

His phone was switched off when AFP tried to contact him again.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184" target="_blank">Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel under attack &#39;by at least four gunmen&#39;</a>

Rahimi said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they stormed the hotel, which is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and political gatherings.

&quot;Seven wounded people have been taken to hospital,&quot; Rahimi said.

&quot;Some other guests have been rescued. We will be able to release casualty figures once the operation ends.&quot;&nbsp;

But several hours after the attack started Afghan security spokesmen switched off their mobile phones or refused to answer AFP`s calls for an update.

Afghan media is reporting multiple casualties in the attack, which comes days after a UN Security Council delegation visited Kabul for a close-up view of the conflict.

The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.The last major attack on a high-end hotel in Kabul was in March 2014 when four teenage gunmen raided the Serena, killing nine people including an AFP journalist.&nbsp;

The Intercontinental was targeted in June 2011 when a suicide attack claimed by the Taliban killed 21 people, including 10 civilians.

Even before Saturday`s attack was over, authorities were questioning how the assailants got past the hotel`s security, which was taken over by a private company two weeks ago, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP.

&quot;They probably used a back door in the kitchen to enter,&quot; he said.

Abdullah Sabet, an official at the communications and information technology ministry, said IT officials from around the country were staying at the hotel ahead of a conference on Sunday.&nbsp;

&quot;There were 40 of them in the hotel. We don`t know if any of them have been killed or wounded,&quot; Sabet said.

Security at the Intercontinental, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, is relatively lax compared with other luxury hotels in Kabul.

A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held in one of its function rooms earlier Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy`s political counsellor Zhang Zhixin.

An AFP reporter who attended the conference passed through two vehicle security checkpoints. At the entrance to the building, there was a physical inspection that could be easily evaded by scaling a low-level barrier and entering the lobby.&nbsp;

Security alerts sent in recent days to foreigners living in the Afghan capital warned that &quot;extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul&quot; as well as public gatherings and other locations &quot;where foreigners are known to congregate&quot;.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said it was not known if any American citizens had been caught up in the attack.

Security in Kabul has been tightened since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others -- mostly civilians. No group has yet claimed that attack.

The Islamic State group has claimed most of the recent attacks in the Afghan capital, but authorities suspect that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network has been involved in at least some of them.&nbsp;

The deadliest of the recent attacks happened at a Shiite cultural centre on December 29 when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing more than 40 people.

The attack began Saturday. 'Four attackers are inside the building,' an official at the National Directorate of Security spy agency said. They are 'shooting at guests'

Four heavily-armed gunmen raided Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, shooting at guests and staff and setting the building on fire, officials said, in an hours-long assault that is still ongoing. Local television channel Tolo News is reporting that at least 15 people have been killed or wounded. Special forces were lowered by helicopters onto the roof of the luxury hilltop hotel during the siege, interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP, adding two attackers had been killed. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest assault in the war-torn Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners. We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us' × It is not clear how many people are still inside the hotel, which was previously attacked by Taliban militants in 2011, or whether any foreigners are among them. "Four attackers are inside the building," an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are "shooting at guests", he said. A guest hiding in a room told AFP he could hear gunfire inside the 1960s hotel where dozens of people attending an information technology conference on Sunday were staying. "I don`t know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor," the man, who did not want to be named, said by telephone. "We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us." His phone was switched off when AFP tried to contact him again. Also read: Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen' Rahimi said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they stormed the hotel, which is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and political gatherings. "Seven wounded people have been taken to hospital," Rahimi said. "Some other guests have been rescued. We will be able to release casualty figures once the operation ends." But several hours after the attack started Afghan security spokesmen switched off their mobile phones or refused to answer AFP`s calls for an update. Afghan media is reporting multiple casualties in the attack, which comes days after a UN Security Council delegation visited Kabul for a close-up view of the conflict. The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.The last major attack on a high-end hotel in Kabul was in March 2014 when four teenage gunmen raided the Serena, killing nine people including an AFP journalist. The Intercontinental was targeted in June 2011 when a suicide attack claimed by the Taliban killed 21 people, including 10 civilians. Even before Saturday`s attack was over, authorities were questioning how the assailants got past the hotel`s security, which was taken over by a private company two weeks ago, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP. "They probably used a back door in the kitchen to enter," he said. Abdullah Sabet, an official at the communications and information technology ministry, said IT officials from around the country were staying at the hotel ahead of a conference on Sunday. "There were 40 of them in the hotel. We don`t know if any of them have been killed or wounded," Sabet said. Security at the Intercontinental, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, is relatively lax compared with other luxury hotels in Kabul. A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held in one of its function rooms earlier Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy`s political counsellor Zhang Zhixin. An AFP reporter who attended the conference passed through two vehicle security checkpoints. At the entrance to the building, there was a physical inspection that could be easily evaded by scaling a low-level barrier and entering the lobby. Security alerts sent in recent days to foreigners living in the Afghan capital warned that "extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul" as well as public gatherings and other locations "where foreigners are known to congregate". US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said it was not known if any American citizens had been caught up in the attack. Security in Kabul has been tightened since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others -- mostly civilians. No group has yet claimed that attack. The Islamic State group has claimed most of the recent attacks in the Afghan capital, but authorities suspect that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network has been involved in at least some of them. The deadliest of the recent attacks happened at a Shiite cultural centre on December 29 when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing more than 40 people.

Attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel continues, several dead

Anger was growing in Kabul Sunday, a day after a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kabul-explosion-death-toll-increases-to-103-30982">killed 103 people</a> and wounded scores more, highlighting the ability of insurgents to strike at the heart of Afghanistan.

The attack, which was claimed by the Taliban, took lives of 103 people and left 235 wounded.

It came as both the insurgents and the Islamic State group have escalated their attacks on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-40-dead-140-wounded-after-massive-suicide-bomb-explosion-rocks-kabul-30897">Kabul</a>, one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians.&nbsp;

Ordinary Afghans took to social media to express their anguish and sorrow at rapidly worsening security, as the Taliban and the Islamic State group step up attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians.

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I am crossing this way everyday, I am afraid that tomorrow I will not see the guy who was polishing shoes, the one selling pens, the other one selling juice and many other poor civilians who were working on the street to feed their kids. Tragedy! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KabulAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KabulAttack</a> <a href="https://t.co/ucyLPxiOYm">pic.twitter.com/ucyLPxiOYm</a>
&mdash; Abdullah Yadgare (@Abdullahyadgare) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abdullahyadgare/status/957196931637358592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Tired of mourning the loss of innocent lives and feeling utterly helpless. Will there ever be an end to all this? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KabulAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KabulAttack</a>
&mdash; Mursal Juya (@juyamursal) <a href="https://twitter.com/juyamursal/status/957185780606296064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It is a massacre! 
Terrorists targeted populated civilian road next to a hospital where 100s were receiving treatment. 
Almost all of the 180+ casualties are civilians and those getting medical care in the Jamhouriyat Hospital. This is inhuman and barbaric! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KabulAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KabulAttack</a>
&mdash; Javid Faisal (@Javidfaisal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Javidfaisal/status/957196169071022080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This time the terrorists used an ambulance as a weapon. The creativity of their depravity is sickening. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KabulAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KabulAttack</a>
&mdash; Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelKugelman/status/957235710783782912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At a basic level, people expect govt to provide them w/ security. If a govt can&#39;t guarantee that, then there&#39;s no need for such a govt. Hotel attack killed dozens last week &amp; an ambulance filled w. explosives kill more than 40 today. That&#39;s a lot of blood. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KabulAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KabulAttack</a>
&mdash; Abid Amiri (@abidamiri) <a href="https://twitter.com/abidamiri/status/957205620255592448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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US President Donald on Sunday asked countries to take <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-attack-donald-trump-seeks-decisive-action-against-taliban-30943">decisive action</a> against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them, in an indirect but obvious reference to Pakistan.

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-explosion-the-perpetrators-of-these-dastardly-attacks-should-be-brought-to-justice-says-ministry-of-external-affairs-30922"> Ministry of External Affairs</a> has strongly condemned the massive suicide-bomb&nbsp;explosion in Kabul.&nbsp;The official release noted that the &quot;barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment.&quot;

<a href="http://wioncms.cloudapp.net/dashboard/webdesk/addeditstory.aspx">Pakistan</a>, on Saturday, strongly condemned the&nbsp;terror attack in Kabul that claimed at least 95 lives and called for cooperation among countries for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism.

The attack, which was claimed by the Taliban, took lives of 95 people and left 191 wounded

Anger was growing in Kabul Sunday, a day after a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance killed 103 people and wounded scores more, highlighting the ability of insurgents to strike at the heart of Afghanistan. The attack, which was claimed by the Taliban, took lives of 103 people and left 235 wounded. It came as both the insurgents and the Islamic State group have escalated their attacks on Kabul, one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians. Ordinary Afghans took to social media to express their anguish and sorrow at rapidly worsening security, as the Taliban and the Islamic State group step up attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians. I am crossing this way everyday, I am afraid that tomorrow I will not see the guy who was polishing shoes, the one selling pens, the other one selling juice and many other poor civilians who were working on the street to feed their kids. Tragedy! #KabulAttack pic.twitter.com/ucyLPxiOYm — Abdullah Yadgare (@Abdullahyadgare) January 27, 2018 × Tired of mourning the loss of innocent lives and feeling utterly helpless. Will there ever be an end to all this? #KabulAttack — Mursal Juya (@juyamursal) January 27, 2018 × It is a massacre! Terrorists targeted populated civilian road next to a hospital where 100s were receiving treatment. Almost all of the 180+ casualties are civilians and those getting medical care in the Jamhouriyat Hospital. This is inhuman and barbaric! #Kabul #KabulAttack — Javid Faisal (@Javidfaisal) January 27, 2018 × This time the terrorists used an ambulance as a weapon. The creativity of their depravity is sickening. #KabulAttack — Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) January 27, 2018 × At a basic level, people expect govt to provide them w/ security. If a govt can't guarantee that, then there's no need for such a govt. Hotel attack killed dozens last week & an ambulance filled w. explosives kill more than 40 today. That's a lot of blood. #KabulAttack — Abid Amiri (@abidamiri) January 27, 2018 × US President Donald on Sunday asked countries to take decisive action against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them, in an indirect but obvious reference to Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the massive suicide-bomb explosion in Kabul. The official release noted that the "barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment." Pakistan, on Saturday, strongly condemned the terror attack in Kabul that claimed at least 95 lives and called for cooperation among countries for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism.

Anger grows in Kabul after attack kills 103

Local media of Afghanistan has reported the arrest of five persons in connection with the January 21 <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-five-dead-in-kabul-hotel-attack-afghan-spy-agency-30204">attack on the Intercontinental hotel in&nbsp;Kabul.</a>

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Breaking : Five persons arrested in connection with attack on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/intercontinentalhotel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#intercontinentalhotel</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>
&mdash; Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) <a href="https://twitter.com/pajhwok/status/957555713584390145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At least four <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184">Taliban gunmen attacked Kabul&#39;s landmark Intercontinental Hotel </a>on Saturday and started shooting at guests, which went on for 12 hours.

The overnight attack killed at least 22 people, the majority of them were foreigners including citizens from Venezuela, the Ukraine, Germany and Kazakhstan and America.

About 100 people were kept hostage who later were released after the attack.

During the investigation after the attack, many<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-hotel-guests-describe-lax-security-before-deadly-attack-30537"> issues relating to security </a>came to the light.

A witness and a security source said that at least two of the gunmen were armed and inside the hotel before the attack began, and questions have been raised &mdash; including by the country&#39;s interior minister &mdash; over whether the militants had inside help.

Constantly under threat, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kabul-explosion-death-toll-increases-to-103-30982">Kabul also faced another deadly attack </a>on Saturday, in which 103 were killed and 235 were wounded.

An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years.

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-explosion-the-perpetrators-of-these-dastardly-attacks-should-be-brought-to-justice-says-ministry-of-external-affairs-30922"> Ministry of External Affairs&nbsp;strongly condemned t</a>he&nbsp;suicide-bomb explosion on Saturday.&nbsp;

At least four Taliban gunmen attacked Kabul's landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday and started shooting at guests, which went on for 12-hours

Local media of Afghanistan has reported the arrest of five persons in connection with the January 21 attack on the Intercontinental hotel in Kabul. Breaking : Five persons arrested in connection with attack on #intercontinentalhotel in #Kabul.#Afghanistan — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) January 28, 2018 × At least four Taliban gunmen attacked Kabul's landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday and started shooting at guests, which went on for 12 hours. The overnight attack killed at least 22 people, the majority of them were foreigners including citizens from Venezuela, the Ukraine, Germany and Kazakhstan and America. About 100 people were kept hostage who later were released after the attack. During the investigation after the attack, many issues relating to security came to the light. A witness and a security source said that at least two of the gunmen were armed and inside the hotel before the attack began, and questions have been raised — including by the country's interior minister — over whether the militants had inside help. Constantly under threat, Kabul also faced another deadly attack on Saturday, in which 103 were killed and 235 were wounded. An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years. The Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the suicide-bomb explosion on Saturday.

Five arrested over Kabul Intercontinental hotel shooting

The attack on the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel continues, reporters at the site have told WION.&nbsp;

The reporters, stationed outside the hotel, said the sound of gunfire and explosions could still be heard from inside. It is thought two attackers are still within the premises.&nbsp;

Afghanistan&#39;s Interior Ministry has said earlier on Sunday that the attack on the hotel was over.&nbsp;

The interior ministry had said then that three attackers had been killed, and that 126 people, including 41 foreigners, had been rescued.&nbsp;

It added that five civilians had been killed and six wounded.&nbsp;

The Taliban however, which has now taken responsibility for the attack, has said there were five attackers involved. If that is correct, that means two gunmen are still somewhere inside the hotel premise.&nbsp;

Media outlets are now also reporting the death toll as six, not five. The sixth victim they are saying is a foreigner -- a woman.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-five-dead-in-kabul-hotel-attack-afghan-spy-agency-30204" target="_blank">At least 5 dead in Kabul hotel attack, 100 hostages rescued</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184" target="_blank">Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel under attack &#39;by at least four gunmen&#39;</a>

The attackers had barged into the hotel on Saturday night, which was due to host an IT conference today.&nbsp;

&quot;Four attackers are inside the building,&quot; an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are &quot;shooting at guests&quot;, he said.

Hotel guests inside, speaking to people outside, said they saw scenes of celebration turn into a chaotic nightmare in a minute. And that they saw people running in terror, some of them falling as they got hit by bullets.&nbsp;

News reports had quoted a number of guests saying over the phone that were hiding in their rooms, and begging the security services to come rescue them. Later, the reports said, they found the guests&#39; phones switched off.&nbsp;

Special forces were early Sunday morning dropped onto the roof of the luxury hotel by helicopter.&nbsp;

By late Sunday morning, thick black smoke was billowing out of parts of the hotel.&nbsp;

The Taliban had also attacked the Intercontinental in 2011.&nbsp;

Afghanistan's Interior Ministry had said earlier that the siege was over and that three attackers had been killed

The attack on the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel continues, reporters at the site have told WION. The reporters, stationed outside the hotel, said the sound of gunfire and explosions could still be heard from inside. It is thought two attackers are still within the premises. Afghanistan's Interior Ministry has said earlier on Sunday that the attack on the hotel was over. The interior ministry had said then that three attackers had been killed, and that 126 people, including 41 foreigners, had been rescued. It added that five civilians had been killed and six wounded. The Taliban however, which has now taken responsibility for the attack, has said there were five attackers involved. If that is correct, that means two gunmen are still somewhere inside the hotel premise. Media outlets are now also reporting the death toll as six, not five. The sixth victim they are saying is a foreigner -- a woman. Also read: At least 5 dead in Kabul hotel attack, 100 hostages rescued Also read: Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen' The attackers had barged into the hotel on Saturday night, which was due to host an IT conference today. "Four attackers are inside the building," an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are "shooting at guests", he said. Hotel guests inside, speaking to people outside, said they saw scenes of celebration turn into a chaotic nightmare in a minute. And that they saw people running in terror, some of them falling as they got hit by bullets. News reports had quoted a number of guests saying over the phone that were hiding in their rooms, and begging the security services to come rescue them. Later, the reports said, they found the guests' phones switched off. Special forces were early Sunday morning dropped onto the roof of the luxury hotel by helicopter. By late Sunday morning, thick black smoke was billowing out of parts of the hotel. The Taliban had also attacked the Intercontinental in 2011.

Kabul hotel attack continues, now in its 17th hour

As gunmen went on a night-time rampage through <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/gunfire-and-explosions-rock-kabul-hotel-as-siege-draws-to-an-end-30232" target="_blank">Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel</a> on Saturday, Aziz Tayeb posted a desperate plea on Facebook: &quot;Pray for me. I may die.&quot;&nbsp;

The telecom executive hid behind a pillar as four heavily-armed attackers stormed the luxury hotel and began spraying terrified guests and staff with bullets.&nbsp;

At least six people were killed, including a foreigner, and eight wounded in the 12-hour ordeal as the attackers engaged in a fierce gunfight with Afghan security forces.&nbsp;

&quot;I saw people who were enjoying themselves a second ago screaming and fleeing like crazy, and some of them falling down, hit by bullets,&quot; Tayeb told AFP on Sunday, hours after his traumatic experience ended.

One colleague, who had been stuck on the fifth floor of the six-storey building throughout the attack, told Tayeb that some areas of the hotel resembled a butcher&#39;s shop with blood everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The attackers were eventually killed.&nbsp;

Tayeb, a regional director for Afghan Telecom in the western city of Herat, was staying at the hilltop hotel -- not part of the global InterContinental chain -- with dozens of industry colleagues from around the country ahead of an annual conference due to begin on Sunday.

The gunmen shot at people who had been enjoying dinner in one of the hotel restaurants before breaking into guest rooms and taking dozens of hostages including foreigners, witnesses said. 
Tayeb and a few friends managed to escape to the hotel&#39;s outdoor pool area where they hid, listening to the horrifying attack metres away.&nbsp;

&quot;I could repeatedly hear blasts one after another, hand grenades, they used many grenades,&quot; he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

&quot;We contacted security officials who arrived an hour later and as we were being escorted out I saw five or six bodies outside the hotel.

&quot;The second, third and fifth floors were on fire -- the fifth floor was engulfed in flames.&quot;&nbsp;

Once he was a safe distance from the hotel, Tayeb called his colleagues still trapped inside the burning building.&nbsp;

&quot;Some were crying that they would die of smoke inhalation,&quot; he said.

Dramatic television footage from Afghanistan&#39;s Tolo News showed people trapped on balconies at the top of the building climbing down bedsheets to escape, with at least one losing his grip and falling.

Security staff fled

A witness told AFP that the hotel&#39;s security team fled &quot;without a fight&quot;, leaving guests to their fate.

&quot;They didn&#39;t attack. They didn&#39;t do anything to them. They had no experience,&quot; said the 24-year-old man, a hotel employee who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

He ran from the hotel with some of them, he said. &quot;I was asking them, where should I go?&quot;

An interior ministry spokesman has confirmed to AFP that the hotel&#39;s security had been taken over by a private company just three weeks earlier. No hotel official was immediately able to comment.&nbsp;

As he waited for news of his colleagues, Tayeb updated his Facebook status to thank his friends for their prayers.

&quot;Staying alive in this country is a mere coincidence,&quot; he wrote, before making another plea.&nbsp;

&quot;More than a 100 of my colleagues and friends are caught between life and death. Please pray for them.&quot;

It was too late for one of them: the interior ministry confirmed at least one person involved in the conference was among the dead.

At least six people were killed, including a foreigner, and eight wounded in the 12-hour ordeal as the attackers engaged in a fierce gunfight with Afghan security forces

As gunmen went on a night-time rampage through Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, Aziz Tayeb posted a desperate plea on Facebook: "Pray for me. I may die." The telecom executive hid behind a pillar as four heavily-armed attackers stormed the luxury hotel and began spraying terrified guests and staff with bullets. At least six people were killed, including a foreigner, and eight wounded in the 12-hour ordeal as the attackers engaged in a fierce gunfight with Afghan security forces. "I saw people who were enjoying themselves a second ago screaming and fleeing like crazy, and some of them falling down, hit by bullets," Tayeb told AFP on Sunday, hours after his traumatic experience ended. One colleague, who had been stuck on the fifth floor of the six-storey building throughout the attack, told Tayeb that some areas of the hotel resembled a butcher's shop with blood everywhere. The attackers were eventually killed. Tayeb, a regional director for Afghan Telecom in the western city of Herat, was staying at the hilltop hotel -- not part of the global InterContinental chain -- with dozens of industry colleagues from around the country ahead of an annual conference due to begin on Sunday. The gunmen shot at people who had been enjoying dinner in one of the hotel restaurants before breaking into guest rooms and taking dozens of hostages including foreigners, witnesses said. Tayeb and a few friends managed to escape to the hotel's outdoor pool area where they hid, listening to the horrifying attack metres away. "I could repeatedly hear blasts one after another, hand grenades, they used many grenades," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "We contacted security officials who arrived an hour later and as we were being escorted out I saw five or six bodies outside the hotel. "The second, third and fifth floors were on fire -- the fifth floor was engulfed in flames." Once he was a safe distance from the hotel, Tayeb called his colleagues still trapped inside the burning building. "Some were crying that they would die of smoke inhalation," he said. Dramatic television footage from Afghanistan's Tolo News showed people trapped on balconies at the top of the building climbing down bedsheets to escape, with at least one losing his grip and falling. Security staff fled A witness told AFP that the hotel's security team fled "without a fight", leaving guests to their fate. "They didn't attack. They didn't do anything to them. They had no experience," said the 24-year-old man, a hotel employee who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity. He ran from the hotel with some of them, he said. "I was asking them, where should I go?" An interior ministry spokesman has confirmed to AFP that the hotel's security had been taken over by a private company just three weeks earlier. No hotel official was immediately able to comment. As he waited for news of his colleagues, Tayeb updated his Facebook status to thank his friends for their prayers. "Staying alive in this country is a mere coincidence," he wrote, before making another plea. "More than a 100 of my colleagues and friends are caught between life and death. Please pray for them." It was too late for one of them: the interior ministry confirmed at least one person involved in the conference was among the dead.

'Pray for me': Kabul hotel guest's plea during bloody siege

Afghanistan&#39;s Interior Ministry has said the attack on Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel is over.&nbsp;

The siege -- which began on Saturday night -- lasted for close to 12 hours.&nbsp;

The interior ministry said three attackers had been killed. It added that 126 people, including 41 foreigners, had been rescued.&nbsp;

And that five civilians had been killed and six wounded.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-five-dead-in-kabul-hotel-attack-afghan-spy-agency-30204" target="_blank">At least 5 dead in Kabul hotel attack, 100 hostages rescued: Afghan spy agency</a>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184">Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel under attack &#39;by at least four gunmen&#39;</a>

The attackers had barged into the hotel on Saturday night, which was due to host an IT conference today.&nbsp;

&quot;Four attackers are inside the building,&quot; an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are &quot;shooting at guests&quot;, he said.

Hotel guests inside, speaking to people outside, said they saw scenes of celebration turn into a chaotic nightmare in a minute. And that they saw people running in terror, some of them falling as they got hit by bullets.&nbsp;

News reports had quoted a number of guests saying over the phone that were hiding in their rooms, and begging the security services to come rescue them. Later, the reports said, they found the guests&#39; phones switched off.&nbsp;

Special forces were early Sunday morning dropped onto the roof of the luxury hotel by helicopter.&nbsp;

By the time the siege got over, thick black smoke was billowing out of parts of the hotel.&nbsp;

Local television channel TOLO News however is still reporting that the sound of gunfire can be heard emanating from the hotel.&nbsp;

And some media outlets are reporting that the final death count is six, not five. And that the dead include a foreigner -- a woman.&nbsp;

So far, nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Kabul Intercontinental however was also attacked in 2011 by the Taliban.&nbsp;

Afghanistan's Interior Ministry said 126 people, including 41 foreigners, had been rescued

Afghanistan's Interior Ministry has said the attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel is over. The siege -- which began on Saturday night -- lasted for close to 12 hours. The interior ministry said three attackers had been killed. It added that 126 people, including 41 foreigners, had been rescued. And that five civilians had been killed and six wounded. Also read: At least 5 dead in Kabul hotel attack, 100 hostages rescued: Afghan spy agency Also read: Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen' The attackers had barged into the hotel on Saturday night, which was due to host an IT conference today. "Four attackers are inside the building," an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are "shooting at guests", he said. Hotel guests inside, speaking to people outside, said they saw scenes of celebration turn into a chaotic nightmare in a minute. And that they saw people running in terror, some of them falling as they got hit by bullets. News reports had quoted a number of guests saying over the phone that were hiding in their rooms, and begging the security services to come rescue them. Later, the reports said, they found the guests' phones switched off. Special forces were early Sunday morning dropped onto the roof of the luxury hotel by helicopter. By the time the siege got over, thick black smoke was billowing out of parts of the hotel. Local television channel TOLO News however is still reporting that the sound of gunfire can be heard emanating from the hotel. And some media outlets are reporting that the final death count is six, not five. And that the dead include a foreigner -- a woman. So far, nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Kabul Intercontinental however was also attacked in 2011 by the Taliban.

Kabul hotel siege over after close to 12 hours, 3 attackers killed: Government

At least four gunmen attacked Kabul&#39;s landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday and started shooting at guests, officials said, in an assault that is still under way.

&quot;Four attackers are inside the building,&quot; news agency AFP quoted an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency.

They are &quot;shooting at guests&quot;, he said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest in a long series of attacks to hit Kabul.

A guest hiding in a room told AFP he could hear gunfire inside the state-owned 1960s hotel.

&quot;I don&#39;t know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor,&quot; he said by telephone without giving his name.

&quot;We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us.&quot;

Some of the occupants inside the hotel are hiding on the second floor, a security source said.

Electricity was cut after an initial explosion at the hilltop hotel, a counterterrorism source said.

News agency Reuters spoke to hotel manager Ahmad Haris Nayab, who managed to escape unhurt. He said the attackers had managed to get inside and people were fleeing amid bursts of gunfire on all sides, but he could say nothing about any casualties.

Afghan interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said details of the raid, which came days after a US embassy warning of possible attacks on hotels in the capital, were unclear, but the attackers appeared to have included suicide bombers.

Another official said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they blasted their way into the hotel, which often hosts weddings, conferences and political gatherings.

A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held at the hotel earlier on Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy&#39;s political counsellor Zhang Zhixin.

The hotel, located on a hilltop and heavily protected like most public buildings in the city, was previously attacked by Taliban fighters in 2011.

It is one of Kabul&#39;s two main luxury hotels and is used for events including conferences attended by government officials.

On Thursday, the US embassy in Kabul issued a warning to US citizens, saying &quot;We are aware of reports that extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul&quot;.

Although the NATO-led Resolute Support mission says the Taliban has come under pressure after the United States increased assistance to Afghan security forces and stepped up air strikes against the insurgents, security remains precarious.

As pressure on the battlefield has increased, security officials have warned that the danger of attacks on high profile targets in Kabul and other cities would increase.

While it shares the same name, the hotel in Kabul is not part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which issued a statement in 2011 saying that &quot;the hotel Inter-continental in Kabul is not part of IHG and has not been since 1980&quot;.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest in a long series of attacks to hit Afghanistan's capital.

At least four gunmen attacked Kabul's landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday and started shooting at guests, officials said, in an assault that is still under way. "Four attackers are inside the building," news agency AFP quoted an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency. They are "shooting at guests", he said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest in a long series of attacks to hit Kabul. A guest hiding in a room told AFP he could hear gunfire inside the state-owned 1960s hotel. "I don't know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor," he said by telephone without giving his name. "We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us." Some of the occupants inside the hotel are hiding on the second floor, a security source said. Electricity was cut after an initial explosion at the hilltop hotel, a counterterrorism source said. News agency Reuters spoke to hotel manager Ahmad Haris Nayab, who managed to escape unhurt. He said the attackers had managed to get inside and people were fleeing amid bursts of gunfire on all sides, but he could say nothing about any casualties. Afghan interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said details of the raid, which came days after a US embassy warning of possible attacks on hotels in the capital, were unclear, but the attackers appeared to have included suicide bombers. Another official said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they blasted their way into the hotel, which often hosts weddings, conferences and political gatherings. A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held at the hotel earlier on Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy's political counsellor Zhang Zhixin. The hotel, located on a hilltop and heavily protected like most public buildings in the city, was previously attacked by Taliban fighters in 2011. It is one of Kabul's two main luxury hotels and is used for events including conferences attended by government officials. On Thursday, the US embassy in Kabul issued a warning to US citizens, saying "We are aware of reports that extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul". Although the NATO-led Resolute Support mission says the Taliban has come under pressure after the United States increased assistance to Afghan security forces and stepped up air strikes against the insurgents, security remains precarious. As pressure on the battlefield has increased, security officials have warned that the danger of attacks on high profile targets in Kabul and other cities would increase. While it shares the same name, the hotel in Kabul is not part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which issued a statement in 2011 saying that "the hotel Inter-continental in Kabul is not part of IHG and has not been since 1980".

Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen'

At least five senior members of Al-Qaeda have been killed in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in an operation of the security forces on Thursday.&nbsp;

The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday in night Toato locality.&nbsp;

The five senior leaders including one from Afghanistan, one from Pakistan, and three from Chechnya, had been assigned to prepare militants for suicide and other terrorist attacks in the country.

According to an official statement by the provincial government said, &quot;Five senior&nbsp;Al-Qaeda&nbsp;network leaders, hailing from&nbsp;Afghanistan,&nbsp;Pakistan, and Chechnya, were actively involved in planning and coordinating suicide attacks in the country&quot;.

As per reports, the Afghan member has been identified as&nbsp;Mulla Sondai, known as Seraj, who was in-charge of the propaganda campaign.

The Afghan security forces found four Ak-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, a pistol and some ammunition after the operations.

No casualties were reported so far.

The Taliban and Al-Qaeda affiliates have not yet given an official statement regarding the development.

The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday night at the Toato locality in Nangarhar province

At least five senior members of Al-Qaeda have been killed in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in an operation of the security forces on Thursday. The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday in night Toato locality. The five senior leaders including one from Afghanistan, one from Pakistan, and three from Chechnya, had been assigned to prepare militants for suicide and other terrorist attacks in the country. According to an official statement by the provincial government said, "Five senior Al-Qaeda network leaders, hailing from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Chechnya, were actively involved in planning and coordinating suicide attacks in the country". As per reports, the Afghan member has been identified as Mulla Sondai, known as Seraj, who was in-charge of the propaganda campaign. The Afghan security forces found four Ak-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, a pistol and some ammunition after the operations. No casualties were reported so far. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda affiliates have not yet given an official statement regarding the development.

At least 5 Al-Qaeda members killed in Afghanistan

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<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-claims-attack-on-jalalabad-in-afghanistan-30653" target="_blank">Islamic State claims attack on Jalalabad in Afghanistan</a>

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack that hit Afghanistan&rsquo;s eastern city of Jalalabad on Wednesday, according to the militant group&rsquo;s news agency Amaq, though it did not provide immediate evidence for the claim.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/office-of-profit-caseoffice-of-profit-case-delhi-hc-orders-ec-to-make-no-bypoll-announcement-until-29-january-30636" target="_blank">Office of profit: Delhi High Court asks Election Commission not to make </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/office-of-profit-caseoffice-of-profit-case-delhi-hc-orders-ec-to-make-no-bypoll-announcement-until-29-january-30636" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/office-of-profit-caseoffice-of-profit-case-delhi-hc-orders-ec-to-make-no-bypoll-announcement-until-29-january-30636" target="_blank"> announcement until January 29</a>

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to pass any interim order on staying the Centre&#39;s notification disqualifying 20 AAP MLAs in &#39;Office of Profit&#39; case. The court also asked the Election Commission not to make any announcement regarding bypolls in Delhi until January 29, the next date of hearing in the case.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/15-taliban-militants-killed-during-airstike-in-afghanistan-30646" target="_blank">15 Taliban militants killed during </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/15-taliban-militants-killed-during-airstike-in-afghanistan-30646" target="_blank">airstike</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/15-taliban-militants-killed-during-airstike-in-afghanistan-30646" target="_blank"> in Afghanistan</a>

At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and around 10 were left wounded in an airstrike in Afghanistan&#39;s northern province of Sari Pul on Wednesday, reports said.&nbsp;

Watch: From Gurugram to Mumbai, violent protests rock cities ahead of Padmaavat release As Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum-opus Padmaavat is all set to hit theatres on January 25, violence erupted in several parts of the country with buses being torched and cinema halls being vandalised. China welcomes PM Modi's speech at Davos, looks forward to working with India China welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Davos speech against protectionism as being “as dangerous as terrorism,” saying that the two countries can fight this practice together. Islamic State claims attack on Jalalabad in Afghanistan Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack that hit Afghanistan’s eastern city of Jalalabad on Wednesday, according to the militant group’s news agency Amaq, though it did not provide immediate evidence for the claim. Office of profit: Delhi High Court asks Election Commission not to make bypoll announcement until January 29 The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to pass any interim order on staying the Centre's notification disqualifying 20 AAP MLAs in 'Office of Profit' case. The court also asked the Election Commission not to make any announcement regarding bypolls in Delhi until January 29, the next date of hearing in the case. 15 Taliban militants killed during airstike in Afghanistan At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and around 10 were left wounded in an airstrike in Afghanistan's northern province of Sari Pul on Wednesday, reports said.

WION Evening News Brief, January 24, 2018

The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the massive suicide-bomb&nbsp;explosion in Kabul.&nbsp;

The official release noted that the &quot;barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment.&quot;

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India stands in solidarity with Govt &amp; people of Afghanistan at this difficult time of mindless violence &amp; terror imposed on them. We convey our heartfelt condolences to next of kins of victims of these terror attacks &amp; pray for speedy recovery to those injured: MEA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KabulAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KabulAttack</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957229857150189570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Ministry called the attack &quot;reprehensible&quot; noting that no justification for the tragedy would suffice.

&quot;The perpetrators of these attacks and their supporters should be brought to justice,&quot; the release noted.&nbsp;

The Indian External Affairs department expressed its complete solidarity and utmost support with the Government and the people of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

&quot;We convey our heartfelt condolences to the next of kins of victims of these terror attacks and pray for a speedy recovery to those injured,&quot; noted the release which was tweeted by Raveesh Kumar, the official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, India.&nbsp;

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India strongly condemns the barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul today. Full Press Release available at <a href="https://t.co/pPMhgb3tdz">https://t.co/pPMhgb3tdz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianEmbKabul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianEmbKabul</a>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/957235485033705472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The MEA also worded its commitment to extend &quot;all possible assistance, including for treatment of those injured.&quot;

An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-40-dead-140-wounded-after-massive-suicide-bomb-explosion-rocks-kabul-30897">Kabul on Saturday</a>&nbsp;in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years.

The horrific explosion came just a couple of days after gunmen stormed the office compound of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-blast-outside-save-the-children-in-jalalabad-30587">Save the Children charity in Jalalabad</a>, Afghanistan on Wednesday morning.

The Ministry further called the attack "reprehensible" noting that no justification for the tragedy would suffice.

The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the massive suicide-bomb explosion in Kabul. The official release noted that the "barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment." India stands in solidarity with Govt & people of Afghanistan at this difficult time of mindless violence & terror imposed on them. We convey our heartfelt condolences to next of kins of victims of these terror attacks & pray for speedy recovery to those injured: MEA #KabulAttack — ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2018 × The Ministry called the attack "reprehensible" noting that no justification for the tragedy would suffice. "The perpetrators of these attacks and their supporters should be brought to justice," the release noted. The Indian External Affairs department expressed its complete solidarity and utmost support with the Government and the people of Afghanistan. "We convey our heartfelt condolences to the next of kins of victims of these terror attacks and pray for a speedy recovery to those injured," noted the release which was tweeted by Raveesh Kumar, the official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, India. India strongly condemns the barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul today. Full Press Release available at https://t.co/pPMhgb3tdz @IndianEmbKabul — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 27, 2018 × The MEA also worded its commitment to extend "all possible assistance, including for treatment of those injured." An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul on Saturday in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years. The horrific explosion came just a couple of days after gunmen stormed the office compound of the Save the Children charity in Jalalabad, Afghanistan on Wednesday morning.

India reacts to Kabul explosion: 'The perpetrators should be brought to justice,' says MEA

A police spokesman informed on Saturday that at least two of the four suspected gunmen have been killed during an attack in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-multiple-casualties-30186" target="_blank">Intercontinental Hotel</a> in Kabul, Afghanistan.&nbsp;

According to reports, the Kabul police said that the security forces had cleared the fourth floor and were heading up the building, battling the raiders, who appeared to have a large supply of hand grenades.&nbsp;

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Hotel manager Ahmad Haris Nayab, who escaped unhurt, said the attackers had got into the main part of the hotel through a kitchen and people tried to get out amid bursts of gunfire.

Interior Minister Barmak said 16 people were rescued from the first floor of the hotel. The minister said that a private security company had taken responsibility for the protection of the hotel around two weeks ago.

Other details about the attack, including whether any civilians had been killed, were not immediately clear.

Special forces had been lowered by helicopters onto the rooftop of the hotel, he added.

The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.

&quot;The operation will soon end and the attackers will be killed,&quot; interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.&nbsp;

According to reports, the Kabul police said that the security forces had cleared the fourth floor and were heading up the building, battling the raiders, who appeared to have a large supply of hand grenades

A police spokesman informed on Saturday that at least two of the four suspected gunmen have been killed during an attack in the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to reports, the Kabul police said that the security forces had cleared the fourth floor and were heading up the building, battling the raiders, who appeared to have a large supply of hand grenades. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Hotel manager Ahmad Haris Nayab, who escaped unhurt, said the attackers had got into the main part of the hotel through a kitchen and people tried to get out amid bursts of gunfire. Interior Minister Barmak said 16 people were rescued from the first floor of the hotel. The minister said that a private security company had taken responsibility for the protection of the hotel around two weeks ago. Other details about the attack, including whether any civilians had been killed, were not immediately clear. Special forces had been lowered by helicopters onto the rooftop of the hotel, he added. The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said. "The operation will soon end and the attackers will be killed," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.

2 gunmen killed during attack at Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel

Afghanistan Sunday declared a day of national mourning as the toll for those killed by a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance in Kabul topped 100 people and tensions remained high after insurgents struck in the city for the second time in a week.&nbsp;

At least 103 people were killed and 235 wounded in Saturday`s lunchtime attack claimed by the Taliban, which caused panic in the war-torn capital and overwhelmed its hospitals.&nbsp;

Kabul remained on high alert as the presidential palace declared a national day of mourning for Sunday, with flags flying at half-mast. The attack was one of the worst to strike the capital in recent years.&nbsp;

Central Kabul was unusually quiet on Sunday, a normal workday in Afghanistan, with little traffic and few people on the streets.&nbsp;

In contrast, security checkpoints have been beefed up, particularly near the blast scene, as the city braced for the possibility of further violence.&nbsp;

A security alert issued on Sunday warned that the Islamic State group -- which claimed a deadly attack on Save the Children`s office in Afghanistan`s east on Wednesday -- was planning to attack supermarkets and shops in Kabul frequented by foreigners.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump called for &quot;decisive action&quot; against the Taliban over the assault as other international leaders also condemned the attack.

Afghan authorities gave an updated toll Sunday for those killed and maimed in the huge blast.&nbsp;

&quot;Unfortunately a number of wounded people have died in hospital. The number of martyrs is now 103 and wounded is 235,&quot; Interior Minister Wais Barmak told reporters.&nbsp;

Most of the victims were relatives of patients at a nearby hospital, said Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, the head of Afghanistan`s spy agency, describing the attack as a reaction by the Taliban to losses on the battlefield.&nbsp;

&quot;It does not mean a lapse (in security). We have foiled many attacks, but some are difficult to control,&quot; the head of National Directorate of Security told reporters.

Ordinary Afghans took to social media to express their anguish and sorrow at rapidly worsening security as the Taliban and IS militants step up attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians.&nbsp;

&quot;We are so heartbroken in Kabul that we don`t know how to start our new day,&quot; Freshta Karim wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

&quot;Shall we stay home or go to work, shall we meet our friends and cry or shall we force ourselves to create an illusion of hope? How are you starting your day in Kabul?&quot;&nbsp;

Naser Danesh tweeted: &quot;In Kabul starting a day without explosion, it would be a surprise. One could only imagine that kind of a day.&quot;

On Facebook, Naweed Qaderi wrote: &quot;It is a big shame for the government, they repeatedly fail to protect people. The leaders must lose a son or daughter to feel the pain of poor people.&quot;&nbsp;

The blast happened in a crowded area of the city where several high-profile organisations including the European Union have offices.

The force of the explosion shook the windows of buildings hundreds of metres away and caused some low-rise structures in the immediate vicinity to collapse.

The scene of the attack was scattered with body parts, blood and debris. Children were among the wounded. The government has blamed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, which Afghan and Western officials suspect of involvement in at least some of the recent attacks in the capital.&nbsp;

Aerial footage showed two ambulances -- the second one driven by the suicide attacker -- approaching the first checkpoint, Barmak told reporters.&nbsp;

Police checked the first vehicle and, assuming the two ambulances were together, waved them through, he said.&nbsp;

Both ambulances went to the parking lot of the Jamhuriat hospital. After 20 minutes the suicide attacker drove on to the second checkpoint.&nbsp;

&quot;At the second checkpoint he was recognised and blew (up) his explosive-laden car,&quot; interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said earlier. He said four suspects had been arrested.

The attack came exactly a week after Taliban insurgents stormed Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental hotel and killed at least 25 people, the majority foreigners.

But there is still confusion over the true toll from that attack with conflicting figures given by officials and Afghan media reporting higher numbers.

Stanekzai said five people had been arrested so far over the hotel raid.&nbsp;

Some foreign organisations are reassessing their presence in Afghanistan following the spate of deadly violence.

The Aga Khan Foundation is moving its foreign staff out of the country, several sources told AFP.

At least one Western humanitarian group is relocating its foreign staff to other cities in Afghanistan, a source said.

At least 103 people were killed and 235 wounded in Saturday`s lunchtime attack claimed by the Taliban, which caused panic in the war-torn capital and overwhelmed its hospitals.

Afghanistan Sunday declared a day of national mourning as the toll for those killed by a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance in Kabul topped 100 people and tensions remained high after insurgents struck in the city for the second time in a week. At least 103 people were killed and 235 wounded in Saturday`s lunchtime attack claimed by the Taliban, which caused panic in the war-torn capital and overwhelmed its hospitals. Kabul remained on high alert as the presidential palace declared a national day of mourning for Sunday, with flags flying at half-mast. The attack was one of the worst to strike the capital in recent years. Central Kabul was unusually quiet on Sunday, a normal workday in Afghanistan, with little traffic and few people on the streets. In contrast, security checkpoints have been beefed up, particularly near the blast scene, as the city braced for the possibility of further violence. A security alert issued on Sunday warned that the Islamic State group -- which claimed a deadly attack on Save the Children`s office in Afghanistan`s east on Wednesday -- was planning to attack supermarkets and shops in Kabul frequented by foreigners. US President Donald Trump called for "decisive action" against the Taliban over the assault as other international leaders also condemned the attack. Afghan authorities gave an updated toll Sunday for those killed and maimed in the huge blast. "Unfortunately a number of wounded people have died in hospital. The number of martyrs is now 103 and wounded is 235," Interior Minister Wais Barmak told reporters. Most of the victims were relatives of patients at a nearby hospital, said Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, the head of Afghanistan`s spy agency, describing the attack as a reaction by the Taliban to losses on the battlefield. "It does not mean a lapse (in security). We have foiled many attacks, but some are difficult to control," the head of National Directorate of Security told reporters. Ordinary Afghans took to social media to express their anguish and sorrow at rapidly worsening security as the Taliban and IS militants step up attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians. "We are so heartbroken in Kabul that we don`t know how to start our new day," Freshta Karim wrote on Twitter. "Shall we stay home or go to work, shall we meet our friends and cry or shall we force ourselves to create an illusion of hope? How are you starting your day in Kabul?" Naser Danesh tweeted: "In Kabul starting a day without explosion, it would be a surprise. One could only imagine that kind of a day." On Facebook, Naweed Qaderi wrote: "It is a big shame for the government, they repeatedly fail to protect people. The leaders must lose a son or daughter to feel the pain of poor people." The blast happened in a crowded area of the city where several high-profile organisations including the European Union have offices. The force of the explosion shook the windows of buildings hundreds of metres away and caused some low-rise structures in the immediate vicinity to collapse. The scene of the attack was scattered with body parts, blood and debris. Children were among the wounded. The government has blamed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, which Afghan and Western officials suspect of involvement in at least some of the recent attacks in the capital. Aerial footage showed two ambulances -- the second one driven by the suicide attacker -- approaching the first checkpoint, Barmak told reporters. Police checked the first vehicle and, assuming the two ambulances were together, waved them through, he said. Both ambulances went to the parking lot of the Jamhuriat hospital. After 20 minutes the suicide attacker drove on to the second checkpoint. "At the second checkpoint he was recognised and blew (up) his explosive-laden car," interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said earlier. He said four suspects had been arrested. The attack came exactly a week after Taliban insurgents stormed Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental hotel and killed at least 25 people, the majority foreigners. But there is still confusion over the true toll from that attack with conflicting figures given by officials and Afghan media reporting higher numbers. Stanekzai said five people had been arrested so far over the hotel raid. Some foreign organisations are reassessing their presence in Afghanistan following the spate of deadly violence. The Aga Khan Foundation is moving its foreign staff out of the country, several sources told AFP. At least one Western humanitarian group is relocating its foreign staff to other cities in Afghanistan, a source said.

Kabul on high alert after ambulance bomb toll tops 100

Pakistan and Afghanistan concluded their bilateral talks on Saturday and had &quot;good discussions&quot;, an official noted.

The dialogue took place in Islamabad&nbsp;under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).&nbsp;

The plan aims to boost cooperation between the two countries and address issues related to counter-terrorism, reduction of violence, peace and reconciliation, refugees&#39; repatriation and joint economic development.

Afghanistan&#39;s Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai led a high-level delegation to Islamabad. The Pakistani delegation was headed by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.

This dialogue took place in the second round of APAPPS and reflected determination on both sides to pursue policy formulation.

The first round of APAPPS took place on February 3 in Kabul.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-buys-weapons-from-international-companies-sells-to-taliban-through-its-domestic-markets-afghan-envoy-to-us-tells-wion-31297">Pakistan buys weapons from international companies, sells to Taliban through domestic markets: Afghan envoy to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-buys-weapons-from-international-companies-sells-to-taliban-through-its-domestic-markets-afghan-envoy-to-us-tells-wion-31297">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-buys-weapons-from-international-companies-sells-to-taliban-through-its-domestic-markets-afghan-envoy-to-us-tells-wion-31297"> tells WION</a>

Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal took to Twitter and stated that although the meeting witnessed &quot;good discussions&quot; some agreements would require further work.

On the other hand, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said no progress was made on counter-terrorism issues.

In an exclusive interview with WION <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-was-planned-in-pakistan-afghan-envoy-to-us-31193">Afghanistan&#39;s envoy to the United States</a>, Majeed Qarar alleged Pakistan&#39;s involvement in the terrorist attack on Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel.&nbsp;

&quot;The country has been supplying military-grade equipment to terror forces. Instead of solving the matter they meddle with our internal issues. We admit that we have issues, we faced wars for years,&quot; noted Qarar.

Taliban-claimed attacks in Kabul on January 20 and January 27 killed nearly 125 people and injured over 250. Pakistan had offered a joint investigation into the attacks, Kabul had blamed the Haqqani Network for the same.

 
&nbsp;

This dialogue took place in the second round of APAPPS and reflected determination on both sides to pursue policy formulation

Pakistan and Afghanistan concluded their bilateral talks on Saturday and had "good discussions", an official noted. The dialogue took place in Islamabad under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS). The plan aims to boost cooperation between the two countries and address issues related to counter-terrorism, reduction of violence, peace and reconciliation, refugees' repatriation and joint economic development. Afghanistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai led a high-level delegation to Islamabad. The Pakistani delegation was headed by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. This dialogue took place in the second round of APAPPS and reflected determination on both sides to pursue policy formulation. The first round of APAPPS took place on February 3 in Kabul. Also read: Pakistan buys weapons from international companies, sells to Taliban through domestic markets: Afghan envoy to US tells WION Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal took to Twitter and stated that although the meeting witnessed "good discussions" some agreements would require further work. On the other hand, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said no progress was made on counter-terrorism issues. In an exclusive interview with WION Afghanistan's envoy to the United States, Majeed Qarar alleged Pakistan's involvement in the terrorist attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel. "The country has been supplying military-grade equipment to terror forces. Instead of solving the matter they meddle with our internal issues. We admit that we have issues, we faced wars for years," noted Qarar. Taliban-claimed attacks in Kabul on January 20 and January 27 killed nearly 125 people and injured over 250. Pakistan had offered a joint investigation into the attacks, Kabul had blamed the Haqqani Network for the same.

No progress made on counter-terrorism issues: Afghanistan on talks with Pakistan

A US drone strike has killed a deputy commander of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan along with three Haqqani network terrorists in in Afghanistan and North Waziristan of Pakistan.

The strike was carried out on Thursday in Pakistan&#39;s Federally Administered Tribal Areas which killed TTP Deputy Commander Khan Said Sajna when two missiles were fired at a compound close to the Afghan border.&nbsp;

Since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has assumed office, there has been an increase in drone strikes inside Pakistan in the restive mountainous regions bordering Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Earlier in January the United States&nbsp; carried out its first drone strike of the year near border area of the Hangu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming to kill two&nbsp; alleged Taliban commanders.

&nbsp;

The strike was carried out on Thursday in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas which killed TTP Deputy Commander Khan Said Sajna when two missiles were fired at a compound close to the Afghan border.

A US drone strike has killed a deputy commander of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan along with three Haqqani network terrorists in in Afghanistan and North Waziristan of Pakistan. The strike was carried out on Thursday in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas which killed TTP Deputy Commander Khan Said Sajna when two missiles were fired at a compound close to the Afghan border. Since US President Donald Trump has assumed office, there has been an increase in drone strikes inside Pakistan in the restive mountainous regions bordering Afghanistan. Earlier in January the United States carried out its first drone strike of the year near border area of the Hangu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming to kill two alleged Taliban commanders.

US drone strike kills Taliban deputy commander, 3 Haqqani network militants

A multi-million dollar plan to issue new electronic identity cards ahead of elections in Afghanistan has stirred heated debate and ethnic animosity, raising political tension just as the country faces a stepped-up campaign of Taliban attacks.

The dispute is over how nationality will be designated on the new cards, with leading figures from some ethnic groups rejecting the term &quot;Afghan&quot;.

The controversy highlights the difficulties of reaching agreement on just about anything in the diverse, faction-ridden country and comes as President Ashraf Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, is locked in confrontation with the powerful ethnic Tajik governor of a northern province.

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<h5>President Ashraf Ghani, who is Pashtun, has delayed the launch of the cards and called for a solution</h5>
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Politicians from Afghanistan&#39;s main ethnic group, the Pashtuns, say nationalities should be recorded as &quot;Afghan&quot;. But that is a term that in the past was used to refer to Pashtuns, and members of other ethnic groups object to its use.

&quot;Our ethnicity is our identity and any ID card with the name &#39;Afghan&#39; on it, will never be acceptable to us. There&#39;s no compromise,&quot; said Farhad Sediqi, an outspoken Tajik lawmaker.

&quot;We&#39;d prefer to have &#39;Islamic Republic of Afghanistan&#39; on the identity cards and that covers everything.&quot;

President Ashraf Ghani, who is Pashtun, has delayed the launch of the cards and called for a solution.

But tempers are running high and several sessions of parliament called to debate the matter in recent weeks have ended with exchanges of barbs and threats.

One Pashtun member of parliament, Saheb Khan, warned the assembly he would fight to the death against anyone who did not accept the word Afghan on the ID cards.

&quot;I will defend to the last drop of my blood my identity that is Afghan and it must be included in the document,&quot; he later told Reuters.

The dispute has sparked some protests in Kabul by Pashtuns calling on the government not to bow to the demands of other groups.

No census has been conducted in Afghanistan for decades and estimates of the size of different groups are contentious. Pashtuns and Tajiks are the two main groups with smaller numbers of Hazara, Uzbeks and others.

Hazara member of parliament Mohammad Akbari said the use of the word Afghan was an unfair imposition on non-Pashtuns.

&quot;This is a country of all of us, not only Pashtuns,&quot; Akbari told Reuters.

Fragile government

Ghani issued a decree last year on amendments to the law to include nationality, ethnicity and religion on the cards but parliament rejected it. Various amendments have been floated since then but the deadlock continues.

Afghanistan&#39;s former kings were Pashtun, as was Ghani&#39;s predecessor, Hamid Karzai. But ethnic Tajiks rose to powerful positions in government, the military and security services after the ouster of the mostly Pashtun Taliban in 2001.

The current government emerged from a U.S.-brokered power-sharing deal after a disputed 2014 election when both Ghani and his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, who draws support from Tajiks, claimed victory amid accusations of fraud on both sides.

The deal has been beset by disputes, partly over appointments being carved up along ethnic lines.

Ghani&#39;s stand-off with Balkh Governor Atta Mohammad Noor, who is Tajik and who is defying efforts to replace him, has threatened to destabilise the administration and raised fears the government could try to use force to break the stalemate.

Such fears revive memories of civil war in the 1990s, fought largely along ethnic lines, in which more than 100,000 people were killed.

Ghani is also facing pressure to improve security after a Taliban bomb in Kabul killed 103 people, a week after a raid on a hotel killed some 30 people.

The ID cards, known as e-Tazkira, are seen as an important step to avoid fraud in delayed parliamentary elections, due this year, and a presidential election next year.

The dispute is over how nationality will be designated on the new cards, with leading figures from some ethnic groups rejecting the term 'Afghan'

A multi-million dollar plan to issue new electronic identity cards ahead of elections in Afghanistan has stirred heated debate and ethnic animosity, raising political tension just as the country faces a stepped-up campaign of Taliban attacks. The dispute is over how nationality will be designated on the new cards, with leading figures from some ethnic groups rejecting the term "Afghan". The controversy highlights the difficulties of reaching agreement on just about anything in the diverse, faction-ridden country and comes as President Ashraf Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, is locked in confrontation with the powerful ethnic Tajik governor of a northern province. President Ashraf Ghani, who is Pashtun, has delayed the launch of the cards and called for a solution × Politicians from Afghanistan's main ethnic group, the Pashtuns, say nationalities should be recorded as "Afghan". But that is a term that in the past was used to refer to Pashtuns, and members of other ethnic groups object to its use. "Our ethnicity is our identity and any ID card with the name 'Afghan' on it, will never be acceptable to us. There's no compromise," said Farhad Sediqi, an outspoken Tajik lawmaker. "We'd prefer to have 'Islamic Republic of Afghanistan' on the identity cards and that covers everything." President Ashraf Ghani, who is Pashtun, has delayed the launch of the cards and called for a solution. But tempers are running high and several sessions of parliament called to debate the matter in recent weeks have ended with exchanges of barbs and threats. One Pashtun member of parliament, Saheb Khan, warned the assembly he would fight to the death against anyone who did not accept the word Afghan on the ID cards. "I will defend to the last drop of my blood my identity that is Afghan and it must be included in the document," he later told Reuters. The dispute has sparked some protests in Kabul by Pashtuns calling on the government not to bow to the demands of other groups. No census has been conducted in Afghanistan for decades and estimates of the size of different groups are contentious. Pashtuns and Tajiks are the two main groups with smaller numbers of Hazara, Uzbeks and others. Hazara member of parliament Mohammad Akbari said the use of the word Afghan was an unfair imposition on non-Pashtuns. "This is a country of all of us, not only Pashtuns," Akbari told Reuters. Fragile government Ghani issued a decree last year on amendments to the law to include nationality, ethnicity and religion on the cards but parliament rejected it. Various amendments have been floated since then but the deadlock continues. Afghanistan's former kings were Pashtun, as was Ghani's predecessor, Hamid Karzai. But ethnic Tajiks rose to powerful positions in government, the military and security services after the ouster of the mostly Pashtun Taliban in 2001. The current government emerged from a U.S.-brokered power-sharing deal after a disputed 2014 election when both Ghani and his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, who draws support from Tajiks, claimed victory amid accusations of fraud on both sides. The deal has been beset by disputes, partly over appointments being carved up along ethnic lines. Ghani's stand-off with Balkh Governor Atta Mohammad Noor, who is Tajik and who is defying efforts to replace him, has threatened to destabilise the administration and raised fears the government could try to use force to break the stalemate. Such fears revive memories of civil war in the 1990s, fought largely along ethnic lines, in which more than 100,000 people were killed. Ghani is also facing pressure to improve security after a Taliban bomb in Kabul killed 103 people, a week after a raid on a hotel killed some 30 people. The ID cards, known as e-Tazkira, are seen as an important step to avoid fraud in delayed parliamentary elections, due this year, and a presidential election next year.

Who is an Afghan? Row over ID cards fuels ethnic tension

At least 25 terrorists belonging to the Islamic State were killed in an airstrike carried out by the United States in Afghanistan&#39;s northern Jawzjan province bordering Turkmenistan, officials said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

US forces used Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a subsonic bomber aircraft to conduct the airstrikes.

The B-52 warplane targeted an Islamic State terrorist group hideout in Darzaab district of the province on Tuesday.

&quot;Twenty-five [Daesh] militants were killed. They included Uzbek, Chechen and Arab militants,&quot; Mohammad Reza said, adding there were no civilian casualties.

Earlier reports said that 13 IS militants lost their lives after the bombing which occurred in Sar Dara locality of the mountainous Darzab district in Jawzjan, 390 km north of Kabul.

Since last week, the US forces in Afghanistan have conducted air operations to target Taliban training facilities in Badakhshan province according to a report by NATO-led Resolute Support Mission.

US forces used Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a subsonic bomber aircraft to conduct the airstrikes

At least 25 terrorists belonging to the Islamic State were killed in an airstrike carried out by the United States in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan province bordering Turkmenistan, officials said on Tuesday. US forces used Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a subsonic bomber aircraft to conduct the airstrikes. The B-52 warplane targeted an Islamic State terrorist group hideout in Darzaab district of the province on Tuesday. "Twenty-five [Daesh] militants were killed. They included Uzbek, Chechen and Arab militants," Mohammad Reza said, adding there were no civilian casualties. Earlier reports said that 13 IS militants lost their lives after the bombing which occurred in Sar Dara locality of the mountainous Darzab district in Jawzjan, 390 km north of Kabul. Since last week, the US forces in Afghanistan have conducted air operations to target Taliban training facilities in Badakhshan province according to a report by NATO-led Resolute Support Mission.

US airstrike kills 25 IS terrorists in Afghanistan

The US House of Representatives<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-is-the-centre-of-the-taliban-says-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-31620"> moved a bill to end &quot;non-defence aid&quot; to </a>Pakistan. The bill seeks to divert the money for infrastructure projects in the United States.

President Trump has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/protest-in-kabul-as-afghan-officials-press-pakistan-over-attacks-31477">repeatedly warned Pakistan about </a>stopping aid and lashed out at the government for not doing enough to stop terrorists operating on its soil.

The bill introduced by Congressmen Mark Sanford from South Carolina and Thomas Massie from Kentucky seeks to prohibit the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from sending American taxpayer money to Pakistan.

&ldquo;When the American people support other nations, our generosity shouldn&rsquo;t be used to reward terrorists with US taxpayer dollars,&rdquo; Sanford said while presenting the bill.

Last month the US had suspended security assistance to Pakistan for failing to take &quot;decisive action&quot; against Taliban.

President Trump had earlier said the US has &quot;foolishly&quot; spent $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years and &quot;got nothing but lies &amp; deceit&quot; in return. &nbsp;

Foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier said Pakistan is better off without the US aid while addressing the Senate Standing Committee on Finance in Pakistan.

&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s bring that money home and use it to help rebuild our infrastructure instead of giving it to a nation that persecutes Christians and imprisons people such as the doctor that helped us get Osama bin Laden,&rdquo; Senator Paul said.

President Trump has repeatedly warned Pakistan about stopping aid and lashed out at the government for not doing enough to stop terrorists operating on its soil.

The US House of Representatives moved a bill to end "non-defence aid" to Pakistan. The bill seeks to divert the money for infrastructure projects in the United States. President Trump has repeatedly warned Pakistan about stopping aid and lashed out at the government for not doing enough to stop terrorists operating on its soil. The bill introduced by Congressmen Mark Sanford from South Carolina and Thomas Massie from Kentucky seeks to prohibit the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from sending American taxpayer money to Pakistan. “When the American people support other nations, our generosity shouldn’t be used to reward terrorists with US taxpayer dollars,” Sanford said while presenting the bill. Last month the US had suspended security assistance to Pakistan for failing to take "decisive action" against Taliban. President Trump had earlier said the US has "foolishly" spent $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years and "got nothing but lies & deceit" in return. Foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier said Pakistan is better off without the US aid while addressing the Senate Standing Committee on Finance in Pakistan. “Let’s bring that money home and use it to help rebuild our infrastructure instead of giving it to a nation that persecutes Christians and imprisons people such as the doctor that helped us get Osama bin Laden,” Senator Paul said.

US House of Representatives moves bill to end 'non-defence aid' to Pakistan

At least 25 Taliban militants have been killed and 13 others have been injured in the central Ghazni province of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The Provincial Police Office&#39;s statement on Monday said&nbsp;that the militants were killed on Sunday during an ongoing military operation.

The &#39;Nabard-e-Ahanin&#39; operation was launched a week ago in Deh Yak district of the province to clear the area of insurgents.

Officials say that the operation is still underway adding that &quot;the air force is also supporting the forces.&quot;

Separately, 12 militants were killed as Afghan military warplanes attacked Taliban hideouts in the northern Badakhshan, Faryab and Sari Pul provinces on Monday.&nbsp;

The government attacked the hideouts with bombs in Badakhshan province&rsquo;s Wardoj district, killing six insurgents.&nbsp;

On Sunday, at least 100 militants were killed in total by the security forces in the country. This comes following three major militant attacks in Kabul during the past two weeks.

The Provincial Police Office's statement on Monday as saying that the militants were killed on Sunday during an ongoing military operation

At least 25 Taliban militants have been killed and 13 others have been injured in the central Ghazni province of Afghanistan. The Provincial Police Office's statement on Monday said that the militants were killed on Sunday during an ongoing military operation. The 'Nabard-e-Ahanin' operation was launched a week ago in Deh Yak district of the province to clear the area of insurgents. Officials say that the operation is still underway adding that "the air force is also supporting the forces." Separately, 12 militants were killed as Afghan military warplanes attacked Taliban hideouts in the northern Badakhshan, Faryab and Sari Pul provinces on Monday. The government attacked the hideouts with bombs in Badakhshan province’s Wardoj district, killing six insurgents. On Sunday, at least 100 militants were killed in total by the security forces in the country. This comes following three major militant attacks in Kabul during the past two weeks.

At least 25 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan

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