The Taliban leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, said on Sunday that democracy has come to an end in Afghanistan and there was no need for Western laws at all since sharia was already in effect. &ldquo;Democracy has come to an end in Afghanistan, and sharia is in effect,&rdquo; said Akhundzada during a sermon marking Eid ul-Fitr in Kandahar&rsquo;s Eidgah Mosque. &ldquo;There is no need for laws that originate from the West. We will create our own laws,&rdquo; Akhundzada said, speaking in Pashto while emphasising the importance of Islamic laws.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firm-with-china-link-faces-inquiry-after-bangkok-skyscraper-collapse-in-quake-8907316" rel="dofollow">Firm with China link faces inquiry after Bangkok skyscraper collapse in quake</a>
Akhundzada also criticised the West, saying &lsquo;non-believers&rsquo; had united against Muslims and that the U.S. and others were united in their hostility toward Islam, citing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. He added that those who supported democracy were trying to create a divide between the people of Afghanistan and the Taliban government. The 50-minute audio of Akhundzada&rsquo;s message was published on X by the Taliban government&rsquo;s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmars-military-dropped-bombs-3-hours-after-quake-devastation-un-slams-junta-8907065" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Myanmar&rsquo;s military dropped bombs 3 hours after quake devastation; UN slams junta</a>
Akhundzada has taken a stronger hand in directing policy since the Taliban regained control of the country in 2021 even though some officials had initially promised a more moderate rule.
The Taliban&rsquo;s interpretation of sharia has led to several bans on Afghan women and girls, prohibiting them from education, many jobs, and public spaces. These measures have drawn a flak and isolated the Taliban on the world stage, although they have succeeded in establishing diplomatic ties with countries including China and the United&nbsp;Arab Emirates.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/done-with-cost-cutting-elon-musk-to-exit-doge-in-may-8905029" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Done with cost cutting&rsquo;: Elon Musk to exit DOGE in May?</a> Some senior figures in the Afghanistan administration, though, criticise the Taliban leadership&rsquo;s decision-making and concentration of power, but there is no challenge to the latter&rsquo;s authority. Some Taliban want more engagement with the international community and seek the scrapping of harsh policies to get more outside support. In recent months, however, there has been increased engagement between the Taliban and the U.S. under President Donald Trump, mostly because of prisoner exchanges and releases.
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World | South Asia | Afghanistan: Akhundzada also criticised the West, saying ‘non-believers’ had united against Muslims and that the U.S. and others were united in their hostility toward Islam, citing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The Taliban leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, said on Sunday that democracy has come to an end in Afghanistan and there was no need for Western laws at all since sharia was already in effect. “Democracy has come to an end in Afghanistan, and sharia is in effect,” said Akhundzada during a sermon marking Eid ul-Fitr in Kandahar’s Eidgah Mosque. “There is no need for laws that originate from the West. We will create our own laws,” Akhundzada said, speaking in Pashto while emphasising the importance of Islamic laws. Also read | Firm with China link faces inquiry after Bangkok skyscraper collapse in quake Akhundzada also criticised the West, saying ‘non-believers’ had united against Muslims and that the U.S. and others were united in their hostility toward Islam, citing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. He added that those who supported democracy were trying to create a divide between the people of Afghanistan and the Taliban government. The 50-minute audio of Akhundzada’s message was published on X by the Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid. Also read | Myanmar’s military dropped bombs 3 hours after quake devastation; UN slams junta Akhundzada has taken a stronger hand in directing policy since the Taliban regained control of the country in 2021 even though some officials had initially promised a more moderate rule. The Taliban’s interpretation of sharia has led to several bans on Afghan women and girls, prohibiting them from education, many jobs, and public spaces. These measures have drawn a flak and isolated the Taliban on the world stage, although they have succeeded in establishing diplomatic ties with countries including China and the United Arab Emirates. Also read | ‘Done with cost cutting’: Elon Musk to exit DOGE in May? Some senior figures in the Afghanistan administration, though, criticise the Taliban leadership’s decision-making and concentration of power, but there is no challenge to the latter’s authority. Some Taliban want more engagement with the international community and seek the scrapping of harsh policies to get more outside support. In recent months, however, there has been increased engagement between the Taliban and the U.S. under President Donald Trump, mostly because of prisoner exchanges and releases. (With inputs from agencies)

Democracy dead and sharia in effect, we don’t need Western laws: Taliban leader Akhundzada

Taliban authorities on Thursday freed US citizen George Glezmann after more than two years of detention, in a deal brokered by Qatar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced.
The release was announced after the Taliban government's foreign minister hosted US hostage envoy Adam Boehler and other US officials in the Afghan capital.
"Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra," Rubio said in a statement.
"George's release is a positive and constructive step. &nbsp;It is also a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan," he added.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-porn-star-whitney-wright-visits-taliban-ruled-afghanistan-who-is-she-8766153">US porn star Whitney Wright 'visits' Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Who is she?</a>
Glezmann was en route to Qatar, a source with knowledge of the release told AFP.
Ahead of the announcement, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi hosted Boehler, who was accompanied by Washington's former envoy to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad, the ministry said.
"Today is a good day," Khalilzad said on X.&nbsp;
The Taliban authorities decided to free Glezmann on "humanitarian grounds" and as a "goodwill gesture".
The prisoner release reflects "Afghanistan's readiness to genuinely engage all sides, particularly the United States of America, on the basis of mutual respect and interests", a foreign ministry statement said.
The US delegation was the first from Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January, foreign ministry spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad told AFP.
Contacts between the two sides since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 has usually taken place in third countries.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-spying-on-millions-of-citizens-using-90000-cctv-cameras-report-8765923">Afghanistan Taliban spying on millions of citizens using 90,000 CCTV cameras - Report</a>
<h2>'New chapter'</h2>
Taliban authorities announced late last month the arrest of a Chinese-American woman on February 1 in the province of Bamiyan, a tourist attraction west of Kabul known for its giant Buddhas until they were destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban.&nbsp;
Officials have refused to detail the reasons for her arrest.&nbsp;
At least one other American, Mahmood Habibi, is detained in Afghanistan.
In July, Kabul announced it was in discussions with Washington over a prisoner exchange.
The talks took place in Qatar during an international conference that brought together UN representatives, Taliban authorities, and envoys for Afghanistan -- generally those based in neighbouring countries or within the region.
In January, two Americans detained in Afghanistan -- Ryan Corbett and William McKenty -- were freed in exchange for an Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammed, who was convicted of narco-terrorism in the United States.&nbsp;
Two weeks later, a Canadian former soldier, David Lavery, was released after more than two months held in Afghanistan, in a deal brokered by Qatar.
Trump signed a peace deal with the Taliban authorities during his first term in office and, following his re-election, the Kabul government expressed hopes for a "new chapter" with Washington.
The government in Kabul is not recognised by any country, but several including Russia, China and Turkey have kept their embassies open in the Afghan capital.
Delegations from these countries, both diplomatic and economic, make frequent visits to Kabul.&nbsp;
The Taliban government also reports less frequent visits from Western officials, notably British and Norwegian.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: The release was announced after the Taliban government's foreign minister hosted US hostage envoy Adam Boehler and other US officials in the Afghan capital.

Taliban authorities on Thursday freed US citizen George Glezmann after more than two years of detention, in a deal brokered by Qatar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced. The release was announced after the Taliban government's foreign minister hosted US hostage envoy Adam Boehler and other US officials in the Afghan capital. "Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra," Rubio said in a statement. "George's release is a positive and constructive step. It is also a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan," he added. Also read: US porn star Whitney Wright 'visits' Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Who is she? Glezmann was en route to Qatar, a source with knowledge of the release told AFP. Ahead of the announcement, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi hosted Boehler, who was accompanied by Washington's former envoy to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad, the ministry said. "Today is a good day," Khalilzad said on X. The Taliban authorities decided to free Glezmann on "humanitarian grounds" and as a "goodwill gesture". The prisoner release reflects "Afghanistan's readiness to genuinely engage all sides, particularly the United States of America, on the basis of mutual respect and interests", a foreign ministry statement said. The US delegation was the first from Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January, foreign ministry spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad told AFP. Contacts between the two sides since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 has usually taken place in third countries. Also read: Afghanistan Taliban spying on millions of citizens using 90,000 CCTV cameras - Report 'New chapter' Taliban authorities announced late last month the arrest of a Chinese-American woman on February 1 in the province of Bamiyan, a tourist attraction west of Kabul known for its giant Buddhas until they were destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban. Officials have refused to detail the reasons for her arrest. At least one other American, Mahmood Habibi, is detained in Afghanistan. In July, Kabul announced it was in discussions with Washington over a prisoner exchange. The talks took place in Qatar during an international conference that brought together UN representatives, Taliban authorities, and envoys for Afghanistan -- generally those based in neighbouring countries or within the region. In January, two Americans detained in Afghanistan -- Ryan Corbett and William McKenty -- were freed in exchange for an Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammed, who was convicted of narco-terrorism in the United States. Two weeks later, a Canadian former soldier, David Lavery, was released after more than two months held in Afghanistan, in a deal brokered by Qatar. Trump signed a peace deal with the Taliban authorities during his first term in office and, following his re-election, the Kabul government expressed hopes for a "new chapter" with Washington. The government in Kabul is not recognised by any country, but several including Russia, China and Turkey have kept their embassies open in the Afghan capital. Delegations from these countries, both diplomatic and economic, make frequent visits to Kabul. The Taliban government also reports less frequent visits from Western officials, notably British and Norwegian. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US citizen George Glezmann released by Taliban after more than two years

Twenty-nine people died in two provinces in Afghanistan due to hail and heavy rain, officials said Tuesday.&nbsp;
"Twenty-one people were killed and six others were injured" because of hail in western Farah province, said Mohammad Israel Sayar, head of the province's Disaster Management Department.
The victims are members of two families who had gone for a picnic, he said.
In southern Kandahar, the local disaster management department said in a statement that eight people&mdash;including women and children&mdash;were killed in several locations due to heavy rain.&nbsp;
"Today, four women who were busy washing clothes were swept away by floodwaters... and only one woman survived," the statement said.
It added that a child drowned in Kandahar while a roof collapsed on a family, killing one woman and three children.
Among the poorest countries in the world after decades of war, Afghanistan is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change, which scientists say is spurring extreme weather.
It is ranked as the country sixth most vulnerable to climate change.
Drought, floods, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity are key threats, the UN development agency's representative in Afghanistan, Stephen Rodriques, said in 2023.&nbsp;
Flash floods in May last year killed hundreds and swamped swaths of agricultural land in Afghanistan, where 80 per cent of people depend on farming to survive.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

South Asia Afghanistan: Among the poorest countries in the world after decades of war, Afghanistan is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change, which scientists say is spurring extreme weather.

Twenty-nine people died in two provinces in Afghanistan due to hail and heavy rain, officials said Tuesday. "Twenty-one people were killed and six others were injured" because of hail in western Farah province, said Mohammad Israel Sayar, head of the province's Disaster Management Department. The victims are members of two families who had gone for a picnic, he said. In southern Kandahar, the local disaster management department said in a statement that eight people—including women and children—were killed in several locations due to heavy rain. "Today, four women who were busy washing clothes were swept away by floodwaters... and only one woman survived," the statement said. It added that a child drowned in Kandahar while a roof collapsed on a family, killing one woman and three children. Among the poorest countries in the world after decades of war, Afghanistan is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change, which scientists say is spurring extreme weather. It is ranked as the country sixth most vulnerable to climate change. Drought, floods, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity are key threats, the UN development agency's representative in Afghanistan, Stephen Rodriques, said in 2023. Flash floods in May last year killed hundreds and swamped swaths of agricultural land in Afghanistan, where 80 per cent of people depend on farming to survive. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

29 dead due to hail, rain in Afghanistan

At least five people were killed and seven were injured, on Tuesday (Feb 11), when a suicide bomber laden with explosives, detonated outside a bank in northeastern Afghanistan, said the police.
The explosion occurred at 8:35 a.m. (0405 GMT) near the Kabul Bank branch in Kunduz province, claiming the lives of the bank's security guard and four others including civilians and Taliban security forces.
The seven people wounded in the blast targeted a queue who was waiting to collect their salaries from the bank in the city of Kunduz, the capital of Kunduz province.&nbsp;
"A suicide bomber, who had improvised explosive devices, detonated himself," said Jumadin Khaksar, police spokesman for Kunduz province.
He said that civil servants, civilians and members of the Taliban security forces were among those killed.&nbsp;
"The Kunduz Province Police Command is working with relevant organisations to find the perpetrators of the incident and bring them to justice."
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-in-farewell-foreign-policy-speech-slams-president-elect-donald-trump-claims-america-stronger-on-world-stage-8619679">Also read: Joe Biden in farewell foreign policy speech slams Trump, defends Afghanistan withdrawal</a>
In March 2024, a suicide bomber killed at least three people when he exploded a bomb outside a bank in the southern city of Kandahar, in an attack whose responsibility was claimed by the regional chapter of the Islamic State (IS).
No outfit has yet claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack.
The number of explosions and suicide attacks has witnessed a significant declined since the Taliban ended their insurgency after seizing power in August 2021, ousting the US-backed government.
However, several groups, including IS, still remain a threat.
(With inputs from agencies)

World news: In March 2024, a suicide bomber killed at least three people when he exploded a bomb outside a bank in the southern city of Kandahar, in an attack whose responsibility was claimed by the regional chapter of the Islamic State (IS).

At least five people were killed and seven were injured, on Tuesday (Feb 11), when a suicide bomber laden with explosives, detonated outside a bank in northeastern Afghanistan, said the police. The explosion occurred at 8:35 a.m. (0405 GMT) near the Kabul Bank branch in Kunduz province, claiming the lives of the bank's security guard and four others including civilians and Taliban security forces. The seven people wounded in the blast targeted a queue who was waiting to collect their salaries from the bank in the city of Kunduz, the capital of Kunduz province. "A suicide bomber, who had improvised explosive devices, detonated himself," said Jumadin Khaksar, police spokesman for Kunduz province. He said that civil servants, civilians and members of the Taliban security forces were among those killed. "The Kunduz Province Police Command is working with relevant organisations to find the perpetrators of the incident and bring them to justice." Also read: Joe Biden in farewell foreign policy speech slams Trump, defends Afghanistan withdrawal In March 2024, a suicide bomber killed at least three people when he exploded a bomb outside a bank in the southern city of Kandahar, in an attack whose responsibility was claimed by the regional chapter of the Islamic State (IS). No outfit has yet claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack. The number of explosions and suicide attacks has witnessed a significant declined since the Taliban ended their insurgency after seizing power in August 2021, ousting the US-backed government. However, several groups, including IS, still remain a threat. (With inputs from agencies)

Suicide bomber kills five outside bank in Afghanistan: Police

Police said Wednesday a Chinese national was killed in an attack in Afghanistan which the Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for, as the Taliban government attempts to project an image of security to encourage investment from Beijing.
The Chinese citizen was travelling on Tuesday evening in northern Takhar province bordering Tajikistan when he was killed by "unknown armed men", provincial police spokesman Mohammad Akbar Haqqani told AFP.
He said the man was travelling "for an unknown reason" and without informing security officials, who typically accompany Chinese nationals on trips in the country.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-in-farewell-foreign-policy-speech-slams-president-elect-donald-trump-claims-america-stronger-on-world-stage-8619679" rel="dofollow">Joe Biden in farewell foreign policy speech slams Trump, defends Afghanistan withdrawal</a>
A translator travelling with the man was unharmed, Haqqani added.
The Islamic State (IS) group's regional chapter claimed responsibility for the attack later Wednesday, according to jihadist monitor SITE.&nbsp;
"The IS issued a communique... reporting that fighters fired at a vehicle carrying a 'communist Chinese' in Takhar, a province in which the group was last active in 2022," the monitor said.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/xi-jinping-welcomes-taliban-ambassador-to-china-as-kabul-beijing-ties-move-forward-685428" rel="dofollow">Xi Jinping welcomes Taliban ambassador to China as Kabul-Beijing ties move forward</a>
Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed the details of the killing and said the Chinese citizen was a business owner with a contract to mine in Afghanistan.
China's embassy in Kabul did not immediately respond to a request for comment by AFP.
The Taliban government is touting Afghanistan's vast natural resources, largely untapped during two decades of war, as a lifeline for the ravaged economy and a lucrative opportunity for foreign speculators.
Despite lingering security concerns, neighbouring China is emerging as a potential investment partner.
Chinese and Afghan officials gathered in Kabul on Tuesday for an event marking 70 years of diplomatic ties.
"I would like to assure my Chinese friends that there is peace and security in Afghanistan," Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai told attendees.
"We invite Chinese businessmen and investors to come and invest in Afghanistan with confidence," he said.
Security has drastically improved in Afghanistan since foreign troops withdrew in 2021 and the Taliban ended their insurgency as they swept back to power.
However, the regional chapter of IS regularly stages attacks on civilians, security forces, Taliban government officials, and foreigners in Afghanistan.
At least five Chinese nationals were wounded when gunmen stormed a Kabul hotel popular with Beijing businessmen in a 2022 attack claimed by IS.&nbsp;
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World | Afghanistan: The Chinese citizen was travelling on Tuesday evening in northern Takhar province bordering Tajikistan when he was killed by "unknown armed men". 

Police said Wednesday a Chinese national was killed in an attack in Afghanistan which the Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for, as the Taliban government attempts to project an image of security to encourage investment from Beijing. The Chinese citizen was travelling on Tuesday evening in northern Takhar province bordering Tajikistan when he was killed by "unknown armed men", provincial police spokesman Mohammad Akbar Haqqani told AFP. He said the man was travelling "for an unknown reason" and without informing security officials, who typically accompany Chinese nationals on trips in the country. Also read: Joe Biden in farewell foreign policy speech slams Trump, defends Afghanistan withdrawal A translator travelling with the man was unharmed, Haqqani added. The Islamic State (IS) group's regional chapter claimed responsibility for the attack later Wednesday, according to jihadist monitor SITE. "The IS issued a communique... reporting that fighters fired at a vehicle carrying a 'communist Chinese' in Takhar, a province in which the group was last active in 2022," the monitor said. Also read: Xi Jinping welcomes Taliban ambassador to China as Kabul-Beijing ties move forward Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed the details of the killing and said the Chinese citizen was a business owner with a contract to mine in Afghanistan. China's embassy in Kabul did not immediately respond to a request for comment by AFP. The Taliban government is touting Afghanistan's vast natural resources, largely untapped during two decades of war, as a lifeline for the ravaged economy and a lucrative opportunity for foreign speculators. Despite lingering security concerns, neighbouring China is emerging as a potential investment partner. Chinese and Afghan officials gathered in Kabul on Tuesday for an event marking 70 years of diplomatic ties. "I would like to assure my Chinese friends that there is peace and security in Afghanistan," Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai told attendees. "We invite Chinese businessmen and investors to come and invest in Afghanistan with confidence," he said. Security has drastically improved in Afghanistan since foreign troops withdrew in 2021 and the Taliban ended their insurgency as they swept back to power. However, the regional chapter of IS regularly stages attacks on civilians, security forces, Taliban government officials, and foreigners in Afghanistan. At least five Chinese nationals were wounded when gunmen stormed a Kabul hotel popular with Beijing businessmen in a 2022 attack claimed by IS. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Chinese national killed in attack in Afghanistan, ISIS claims responsibility

<div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">New Delhi: Moscow has called for adding India to the Quad grouping on Afghanistan that currently has China, Pakistan, Iran and Russia.&nbsp;Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday (Jan 14) at a briefing: "It is more important to strengthen trust within the SCO [Shanghai Cooperation Organisation], within the format that is currently working on Afghanistan (Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran). We are confident that the inclusion of India would be the right step."&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">The "Afghanistan Quad" last met at the foreign ministers' level in November of 2024 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Defence Minister Muhammad Asif were present at the meeting.&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"> Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-trying-to-convert-quad-into-military-bloc-india-fully-aware-russias-lavrov-8621142">US trying to convert QUAD into military bloc, India 'fully aware': Russia's Lavrov</a></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"> A joint statement after the meeting called for support for Afghanistan's "national sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity."</div>
<h2 class="x_elementToProof" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Afghan Quad on terrorism</h2>
Terrorism was a key issue that was discussed, with the joint statement expressing concerns over the "security situation related to terrorism in Afghanistan".
<div class="x_elementToProof">Significantly during the presser, Lavrov termed Pakistan a "victim of terrorism" and said for Islamabad to "fight against terrorism requires joining efforts with your Afghan neighbours, with India, with all SCO members, because Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan are used by "bad people" to plan and implement their criminal plans.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">SCO had an Afghanistan Contact Group which had all members including India, but the group has become defunct since Taliban took power in in 2021.</div>
<h2 class="x_elementToProof">India's engagement with new Afghan regime</h2>
The Russian minister's comments are significant at a time when New Delhi has increased its engagement with the Taliban government in Kabul.&nbsp;
<div class="x_elementToProof">Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-in-farewell-foreign-policy-speech-slams-president-elect-donald-trump-claims-america-stronger-on-world-stage-8619679">Joe Biden in farewell foreign policy speech slams Trump, defends Afghanistan withdrawal</a></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">In early January, Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi met in Dubai and discussed Chabahar port and Indian humanitarian assistance among other issues.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">India had opened a "technical office" in Kabul in 2022 and since has had engagement with the Taliban government in Kabul, despite not recognising it.&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">India had first "shared the table" with Taliban under the Moscow Format on Afghanistan in 2018, which was represented at "non-official level" by two former Indian diplomats: Amar Sinha, who was India's ambassador to Afghanistan and TCA Raghavan, who was India's High Commissioner to Pakistan.</div>
</div>
<div id="x_Signature">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper"></div>
</div>

India news, World, South Asia: The "Afghanistan Quad" last met at the foreign ministers' level in November of 2024 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. 

New Delhi: Moscow has called for adding India to the Quad grouping on Afghanistan that currently has China, Pakistan, Iran and Russia. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday (Jan 14) at a briefing: "It is more important to strengthen trust within the SCO [Shanghai Cooperation Organisation], within the format that is currently working on Afghanistan (Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran). We are confident that the inclusion of India would be the right step." The "Afghanistan Quad" last met at the foreign ministers' level in November of 2024 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Defence Minister Muhammad Asif were present at the meeting. Also read: US trying to convert QUAD into military bloc, India 'fully aware': Russia's Lavrov A joint statement after the meeting called for support for Afghanistan's "national sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity." Afghan Quad on terrorism Terrorism was a key issue that was discussed, with the joint statement expressing concerns over the "security situation related to terrorism in Afghanistan". Significantly during the presser, Lavrov termed Pakistan a "victim of terrorism" and said for Islamabad to "fight against terrorism requires joining efforts with your Afghan neighbours, with India, with all SCO members, because Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan are used by "bad people" to plan and implement their criminal plans. SCO had an Afghanistan Contact Group which had all members including India, but the group has become defunct since Taliban took power in in 2021. India's engagement with new Afghan regime The Russian minister's comments are significant at a time when New Delhi has increased its engagement with the Taliban government in Kabul. Also read: Joe Biden in farewell foreign policy speech slams Trump, defends Afghanistan withdrawal In early January, Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi met in Dubai and discussed Chabahar port and Indian humanitarian assistance among other issues. India had opened a "technical office" in Kabul in 2022 and since has had engagement with the Taliban government in Kabul, despite not recognising it. India had first "shared the table" with Taliban under the Moscow Format on Afghanistan in 2018, which was represented at "non-official level" by two former Indian diplomats: Amar Sinha, who was India's ambassador to Afghanistan and TCA Raghavan, who was India's High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Lavrov calls for adding India to 'Afghan Quad' that currently has Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran

United States President Joe Biden's administration has been negotiating with Afghanistan to swap Americans detained in the country for at least one high-profile prisoner held in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=Guantanamo+Bay" rel="dofollow">Guantanamo Bay </a>with alleged ties to former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;
The administration is seeking the return of three Americans seized in 2022, including Corbett, George Glezmann, and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani, according to the report.&nbsp;
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-biden-order-release-of-911-terrorists-from-guantanamo-bay-know-the-truth-8598935">Did Biden order release of 9/11 terrorists from Guantanamo Bay? Know the truth</a>
However, neither the US State Department nor the White House responded to a request for comment on the report. Moreover, the Afghan Taliban also did not immediately respond.&nbsp;
Rahim was a senior aide in Al Qaeda, however, others have cast doubt on his role in the organisation, the US government said.&nbsp;
It further suggested that he was a courier and a translator and would not cause any threat to the US if released.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-administration-weighs-using-guantanamo-bay-for-haitian-migrant-influx-699865" rel="dofollow">Also read: Biden administration weighs using Guantanamo Bay for Haitian migrant influx</a>
Meanwhile, the Taliban have acknowledged holding two Americas.&nbsp;
George Glezmann, a former airline mechanic, was taken prisoner in December 2022, while he was touring Afghanistan.&nbsp;
Ryan Corbett, on the contrary, had long lived in Afghanistan with his family, before the fall of the US-backed government. He was on a business trip when he was seized in August 2022.&nbsp;
The Taliban have refused to comment on whether they are holding a third American.&nbsp;
Sean Savett, a National Security Council spokesman, said the Biden administration had negotiated the return of more than 75 Americans held overseas.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-transfers-two-guantanamo-bay-detainees-abdul-rabbani-and-mohammed-rabbani-to-pakistan-565645" rel="dofollow">Also read: US transfers two Guantanamo Bay detainees, Abdul Rabbani and Mohammed Rabbani, to Pakistan</a>
Savett added that the officials were "working around the clock" to ensure the return of Glezmann, Corbett, and Habibi.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The administration will do so throughout the remainder of the term,&rdquo; he added.
Moreover, earlier, the Biden administration made an offer to secure the release of the three men on November 14 last year, according to the Wall Street Journal report.&nbsp;
Notably, the US Defence Department is legally required to notify Congress 30 days before a detainee is released from Guant&aacute;namo.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The administration is seeking return of three Americans seized in 2022, including Corbett, George Glezmann, and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani. 

United States President Joe Biden's administration has been negotiating with Afghanistan to swap Americans detained in the country for at least one high-profile prisoner held in Guantanamo Bay with alleged ties to former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. The administration is seeking the return of three Americans seized in 2022, including Corbett, George Glezmann, and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani, according to the report. Also read:Did Biden order release of 9/11 terrorists from Guantanamo Bay? Know the truth However, neither the US State Department nor the White House responded to a request for comment on the report. Moreover, the Afghan Taliban also did not immediately respond. Rahim was a senior aide in Al Qaeda, however, others have cast doubt on his role in the organisation, the US government said. It further suggested that he was a courier and a translator and would not cause any threat to the US if released. Also read: Biden administration weighs using Guantanamo Bay for Haitian migrant influx Meanwhile, the Taliban have acknowledged holding two Americas. George Glezmann, a former airline mechanic, was taken prisoner in December 2022, while he was touring Afghanistan. Ryan Corbett, on the contrary, had long lived in Afghanistan with his family, before the fall of the US-backed government. He was on a business trip when he was seized in August 2022. The Taliban have refused to comment on whether they are holding a third American. Sean Savett, a National Security Council spokesman, said the Biden administration had negotiated the return of more than 75 Americans held overseas. Also read: US transfers two Guantanamo Bay detainees, Abdul Rabbani and Mohammed Rabbani, to Pakistan Savett added that the officials were "working around the clock" to ensure the return of Glezmann, Corbett, and Habibi. “The administration will do so throughout the remainder of the term,” he added. Moreover, earlier, the Biden administration made an offer to secure the release of the three men on November 14 last year, according to the Wall Street Journal report. Notably, the US Defence Department is legally required to notify Congress 30 days before a detainee is released from Guantánamo. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden administration in talks with Taliban for release of Americans held in Afghanistan: Report

On Tuesday (December 24) night, Pakistani fighter jets carried out airstrikes on four locations in Afghanistan&rsquo;s eastern Paktika province, targeting camps linked to the banned group, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to security officials, several suspected militants were killed or injured in the operation. The Afghan defence ministry, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that Pakistani forces had carried out the airstrikes. However, the Afghan Taliban claimed that the attack also caused casualties among civilians, including children.&nbsp;
Sources revealed that the airstrikes targeted TTP camps in the Murgha and Laman areas of Bernal district. One of the camps was reportedly used by key figures, including Sher Zaman, also known as Mukhlis Yar, Commander Abu Hamza, Commander Akhtar Muhammad and the head of TTP&rsquo;s media wing, Umar Media.&nbsp;
This was reportedly the second time since March that Pakistan had carried out an attack targeting what it claims are hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in areas along the Afghan border. Pakistan often accuses the TTP of using Afghan territory as a base to plan and launch attacks on its soil. However, Afghanistan&rsquo;s government has denied these allegations.&nbsp;
The airstrikes happened on the same day that a Pakistani delegation, led by Special Representative Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, visited Kabul. They met interim Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi to restart diplomatic talks after a year-long break.&nbsp;
Pakistan has faced a rise in violence since the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban, ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. In 2023 alone, over 700 attacks claimed nearly 1,000 lives.&nbsp;
The Pakistani government blames the Afghan Taliban for giving shelter to the TTP. Over the years, Pakistan has tried different ways to control the TTP, such as holding talks, building a border fence with Afghanistan and urging the Afghan government to stop supporting the group. In October 2023, Pakistan expelled over 500,000 Afghan refugees and, in July 2024, a second phase began to expel another 800,000.&nbsp;
Pakistan has little control over the violence in its border areas with Afghanistan. It can no longer use its past support for the Taliban during the US war to stop the TTP. Pakistan is, thus, stuck in a problem it created itself. The Taliban leaders it supported during the 20-year war in Afghanistan are now protecting militant groups that attack Pakistan.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-launches-airstrike-in-afghanistan-civilians-suffer-no-official-confirmation-from-islamabad-786628" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pakistan launches overnight airstrike on Afghanistan, targets Taliban hideouts</a>
<h2>Cause of Conflict Between Former Allies&nbsp;</h2>
Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a troubled relationship in recent years, but the main issues&mdash;disputes over the border and violence across it&mdash;have been problems for a long time. Since Pakistan became independent, no Afghan government, including the current Taliban leadership, has accepted the official border, says Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. Both countries have also accused each other for years of hiding militants who launch attacks across the border, according to TIME.com.&nbsp;
The Durand Line, a border drawn during colonial times, spans over 1,640 miles (2,640 km) and officially separates Pakistan from Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan has never accepted this border and the Taliban have taken an even tougher stance on the issue. This has led to several clashes between Taliban fighters and Pakistani soldiers working on border fencing, often causing the closure of key border crossings.&nbsp;
Border tensions have worsened because the Taliban have taken a more forceful stand on the issue, says Kugelman. The border runs through tribal areas mostly populated by Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group living on both sides. Pakistan has promised to finish building a barbed-wire fence along the internationally accepted border, but the Taliban argue that it divides families.&nbsp;
Now that the war in Afghanistan is over, the Taliban no longer rely on Pakistan for safe havens or wartime help. Instead, it is focussing on gaining more support within Afghanistan, where many people have always been suspicious of Pakistan&rsquo;s government. According to Kugelman, by criticizing Pakistan, the Taliban hope to win some favour from among the Afghan people.&nbsp;
<h2>Pressure From China Cause of Operation?&nbsp;</h2>
Officials from Pakistan told BBC that the country&rsquo;s new military operation is being carried out because of pressure from China. Many Chinese workers are involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects under the &lsquo;Belt and Road&rsquo; initiative. In March, a suicide bomber, who Pakistan claimed was an Afghan citizen, attacked their convoy in northwest Pakistan, killing five Chinese engineers.&nbsp;
China has a lot of influence over the Taliban because it can invest in Afghanistan, which is struggling under sanctions. Kugelman explains that, if China uses the promise of investment to persuade the Taliban to reduce militant activities both inside Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan, it would benefit both China and Pakistan.&nbsp;
<h2>Pakistan&rsquo;s Ongoing Battle for Stability&nbsp;</h2>
The TTP was formed in 2007 as a group that brought together several hardline Sunni Islamist factions operating in Pakistan. This happened after Pakistan&rsquo;s military launched operations against al-Qaeda-linked militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).&nbsp;
Before merging with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018, FATA covered 27,220 square kilometres along Pakistan&rsquo;s border with Afghanistan. The region was home to about 5 million people, mostly Pashtun tribes. It spanned a long, narrow strip with varying widths and included seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions. The region operated under a separate administrative system governed by colonial-era laws called the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), which gave significant authority to tribal elders while limiting the role of Pakistan&rsquo;s central government.&nbsp;
Known for its rugged terrain, tribal traditions and strategic location, FATA was historically challenging to govern due to its remote geography and the independence of its tribal communities. Following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the region became a hub for such militant groups as the Taliban and al-Qaeda. In 2018, FATA was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province in Pakistan, to integrate it into the country&rsquo;s mainstream legal and administrative system. This merger aimed to improve governance, boost development and strengthen security in the region.&nbsp;
The TTP was formed under the leadership of Baitullah Mehsud, who is no longer alive. The group is based along the Pak-Afghan border. It is estimated that the TTP has a membership of around 30,000 to 35,000 fighters. While the TTP operates in regions populated by Pashtuns, it does not represent the Pashtun people as a whole. In fact, many Pashtuns oppose the TTP and have been victims of their violence.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-government-spokesperson-claims-46-killed-in-pakistans-overnight-strike-786677" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Afghanistan: Taliban government spokesperson claims 46 killed in Pakistan's overnight strike</a>
The United Nations states that the main goal of the TTP is to overthrow Pakistan&rsquo;s elected government and replace it with an emirate&mdash;a government led by a religious leader or ruler under Islamic law&mdash;based on their strict interpretation of Islamic principles. The TTP has tried to weaken Pakistan by targeting the army and assassinating politicians. They have carried out many attacks, including suicide bombings, which have killed hundreds of soldiers, police officers and civilians.&nbsp;
The group has carried out some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan, targeting such places as churches and schools. They were also behind the 2012 attack on Malala Yousafzai, who was shot for speaking out against their attempts to stop women from getting educated. Despite the attack, Malala survived and continued her campaign for education rights.&nbsp;
After the Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, it gave new confidence to the TTP, whose leaders and fighters are hiding in Afghanistan. Since November 2022, when the TTP broke a ceasefire with the Pakistani government, attacks on Pakistani soldiers and police have increased. The ceasefire had been agreed upon during talks hosted by Afghanistan&rsquo;s government in Kabul, but the discussions failed. In recent months, the TTP has carried out numerous attacks in Pakistan, killing and injuring many soldiers.&nbsp;
<h2>Roots of Conflict &amp; Strategic Advantage&nbsp;</h2>
The main demand of the TTP is to undo the merger of FATA with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. This issue has remained a key focus for the group and they continue to push for it for several reasons. Although the TTP is not a single, unified group, its most influential faction has been the Mehsud group, mainly made up of Pashtuns, an ethnic community largely found in the FATA and KP regions of Pakistan.&nbsp;
The TTP uses the FATA regions to strengthen its operations and recruit new members because many local and migrant Pashtuns live in these areas. The TTP takes advantage of their unique political problems and dissatisfaction to gain support. Second, the FATA region gives the TTP a strategic advantage because of its location near the Afghan border. This allows the group to carry out cross-border operations and use Afghanistan as a safe hiding place. They also work with other militant groups, such as the Haqqani Network, taking advantage of shared ethnic and militant ties.&nbsp;

Pakistan has faced a rise in violence since the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban, ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. In 2023 alone, over 700 attacks claimed nearly 1,000 lives.

On Tuesday (December 24) night, Pakistani fighter jets carried out airstrikes on four locations in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, targeting camps linked to the banned group, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to security officials, several suspected militants were killed or injured in the operation. The Afghan defence ministry, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that Pakistani forces had carried out the airstrikes. However, the Afghan Taliban claimed that the attack also caused casualties among civilians, including children. Sources revealed that the airstrikes targeted TTP camps in the Murgha and Laman areas of Bernal district. One of the camps was reportedly used by key figures, including Sher Zaman, also known as Mukhlis Yar, Commander Abu Hamza, Commander Akhtar Muhammad and the head of TTP’s media wing, Umar Media. This was reportedly the second time since March that Pakistan had carried out an attack targeting what it claims are hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in areas along the Afghan border. Pakistan often accuses the TTP of using Afghan territory as a base to plan and launch attacks on its soil. However, Afghanistan’s government has denied these allegations. The airstrikes happened on the same day that a Pakistani delegation, led by Special Representative Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, visited Kabul. They met interim Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi to restart diplomatic talks after a year-long break. Pakistan has faced a rise in violence since the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban, ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. In 2023 alone, over 700 attacks claimed nearly 1,000 lives. The Pakistani government blames the Afghan Taliban for giving shelter to the TTP. Over the years, Pakistan has tried different ways to control the TTP, such as holding talks, building a border fence with Afghanistan and urging the Afghan government to stop supporting the group. In October 2023, Pakistan expelled over 500,000 Afghan refugees and, in July 2024, a second phase began to expel another 800,000. Pakistan has little control over the violence in its border areas with Afghanistan. It can no longer use its past support for the Taliban during the US war to stop the TTP. Pakistan is, thus, stuck in a problem it created itself. The Taliban leaders it supported during the 20-year war in Afghanistan are now protecting militant groups that attack Pakistan. Also read | Pakistan launches overnight airstrike on Afghanistan, targets Taliban hideouts Cause of Conflict Between Former Allies Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a troubled relationship in recent years, but the main issues—disputes over the border and violence across it—have been problems for a long time. Since Pakistan became independent, no Afghan government, including the current Taliban leadership, has accepted the official border, says Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. Both countries have also accused each other for years of hiding militants who launch attacks across the border, according to TIME.com. The Durand Line, a border drawn during colonial times, spans over 1,640 miles (2,640 km) and officially separates Pakistan from Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan has never accepted this border and the Taliban have taken an even tougher stance on the issue. This has led to several clashes between Taliban fighters and Pakistani soldiers working on border fencing, often causing the closure of key border crossings. Border tensions have worsened because the Taliban have taken a more forceful stand on the issue, says Kugelman. The border runs through tribal areas mostly populated by Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group living on both sides. Pakistan has promised to finish building a barbed-wire fence along the internationally accepted border, but the Taliban argue that it divides families. Now that the war in Afghanistan is over, the Taliban no longer rely on Pakistan for safe havens or wartime help. Instead, it is focussing on gaining more support within Afghanistan, where many people have always been suspicious of Pakistan’s government. According to Kugelman, by criticizing Pakistan, the Taliban hope to win some favour from among the Afghan people. Pressure From China Cause of Operation? Officials from Pakistan told BBC that the country’s new military operation is being carried out because of pressure from China. Many Chinese workers are involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects under the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. In March, a suicide bomber, who Pakistan claimed was an Afghan citizen, attacked their convoy in northwest Pakistan, killing five Chinese engineers. China has a lot of influence over the Taliban because it can invest in Afghanistan, which is struggling under sanctions. Kugelman explains that, if China uses the promise of investment to persuade the Taliban to reduce militant activities both inside Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan, it would benefit both China and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Ongoing Battle for Stability The TTP was formed in 2007 as a group that brought together several hardline Sunni Islamist factions operating in Pakistan. This happened after Pakistan’s military launched operations against al-Qaeda-linked militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Before merging with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018, FATA covered 27,220 square kilometres along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. The region was home to about 5 million people, mostly Pashtun tribes. It spanned a long, narrow strip with varying widths and included seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions. The region operated under a separate administrative system governed by colonial-era laws called the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), which gave significant authority to tribal elders while limiting the role of Pakistan’s central government. Known for its rugged terrain, tribal traditions and strategic location, FATA was historically challenging to govern due to its remote geography and the independence of its tribal communities. Following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the region became a hub for such militant groups as the Taliban and al-Qaeda. In 2018, FATA was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province in Pakistan, to integrate it into the country’s mainstream legal and administrative system. This merger aimed to improve governance, boost development and strengthen security in the region. The TTP was formed under the leadership of Baitullah Mehsud, who is no longer alive. The group is based along the Pak-Afghan border. It is estimated that the TTP has a membership of around 30,000 to 35,000 fighters. While the TTP operates in regions populated by Pashtuns, it does not represent the Pashtun people as a whole. In fact, many Pashtuns oppose the TTP and have been victims of their violence. Also read | Afghanistan: Taliban government spokesperson claims 46 killed in Pakistan's overnight strike The United Nations states that the main goal of the TTP is to overthrow Pakistan’s elected government and replace it with an emirate—a government led by a religious leader or ruler under Islamic law—based on their strict interpretation of Islamic principles. The TTP has tried to weaken Pakistan by targeting the army and assassinating politicians. They have carried out many attacks, including suicide bombings, which have killed hundreds of soldiers, police officers and civilians. The group has carried out some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan, targeting such places as churches and schools. They were also behind the 2012 attack on Malala Yousafzai, who was shot for speaking out against their attempts to stop women from getting educated. Despite the attack, Malala survived and continued her campaign for education rights. After the Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, it gave new confidence to the TTP, whose leaders and fighters are hiding in Afghanistan. Since November 2022, when the TTP broke a ceasefire with the Pakistani government, attacks on Pakistani soldiers and police have increased. The ceasefire had been agreed upon during talks hosted by Afghanistan’s government in Kabul, but the discussions failed. In recent months, the TTP has carried out numerous attacks in Pakistan, killing and injuring many soldiers. Roots of Conflict & Strategic Advantage The main demand of the TTP is to undo the merger of FATA with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. This issue has remained a key focus for the group and they continue to push for it for several reasons. Although the TTP is not a single, unified group, its most influential faction has been the Mehsud group, mainly made up of Pashtuns, an ethnic community largely found in the FATA and KP regions of Pakistan. The TTP uses the FATA regions to strengthen its operations and recruit new members because many local and migrant Pashtuns live in these areas. The TTP takes advantage of their unique political problems and dissatisfaction to gain support. Second, the FATA region gives the TTP a strategic advantage because of its location near the Afghan border. This allows the group to carry out cross-border operations and use Afghanistan as a safe hiding place. They also work with other militant groups, such as the Haqqani Network, taking advantage of shared ethnic and militant ties.

Why Pakistan bombed four Afghan locations

afghanistan

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