The new strategy of United States in Afghanistan, announced by President Donald Trump last summer, has been a game changer for the advancement of the country`s peace process, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-forms-team-to-negotiate-peace-with-taliban-179970">Afghan President Ashraf Ghani </a>said in Geneva on Wednesday.

Sputnik quoted Ghani saying in a statement during the Geneva Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan, "We would like to specifically recognize the commitment and blood and treasure that the United States has shown since 2001 as our key ally. The South Asia strategy of President Trump has been a game changer allowing us to focus in earnest on self-reliance, reforms and peace because it is a condition-based strategy."

The two-day Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan began in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the key consultations as part of the event are being held.

Last August, Trump unveiled his new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia. Among the changes provided in the document were the increase of the number of the US troops on the ground and the lifting of restrictions on the US forces attacking Taliban militants and other terrorist formations in Afghanistan which had been previously imposed by the administration of former US President Barack Obama.

Addressing the situation in the country, John Sopko, head of the Special Inspector General on Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), stated that `after 17 years of US and coalition effort and financial largesse, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest, least educated and most corrupt countries in the world`, Sputnik reported.

According to SIGAR, earlier this year Afghan authorities controlled or influenced a mere 55.5 per cent of the country, which was the lowest figure since the government oversight authority began keeping tabs on it in November 2015.

The new strategy of United States in Afghanistan, announced by President Donald Trump last summer, has been a game changer for the advancement of the country`s peace process, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in Geneva on Wednesday.

The new strategy of United States in Afghanistan, announced by President Donald Trump last summer, has been a game changer for the advancement of the country`s peace process, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in Geneva on Wednesday. Sputnik quoted Ghani saying in a statement during the Geneva Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan, "We would like to specifically recognize the commitment and blood and treasure that the United States has shown since 2001 as our key ally. The South Asia strategy of President Trump has been a game changer allowing us to focus in earnest on self-reliance, reforms and peace because it is a condition-based strategy." The two-day Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan began in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the key consultations as part of the event are being held. Last August, Trump unveiled his new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia. Among the changes provided in the document were the increase of the number of the US troops on the ground and the lifting of restrictions on the US forces attacking Taliban militants and other terrorist formations in Afghanistan which had been previously imposed by the administration of former US President Barack Obama. Addressing the situation in the country, John Sopko, head of the Special Inspector General on Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), stated that `after 17 years of US and coalition effort and financial largesse, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest, least educated and most corrupt countries in the world`, Sputnik reported. According to SIGAR, earlier this year Afghan authorities controlled or influenced a mere 55.5 per cent of the country, which was the lowest figure since the government oversight authority began keeping tabs on it in November 2015.

Trump strategy a 'game changer' for peace process in Afghanistan: Ashraf Ghani

At least 10 people were killed and 19 were wounded in an attack on a compound of the British security group G4S in the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, a health ministry spokesman said.

An interior ministry official said an unknown number of gunmen had entered the compound after a car bomb exploded near the facility and were battling security forces.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

A senior security official said the blast happened close to a compound of British security contractor group G4S, near an industrial park on the main road leading out of Kabul towards eastern Afghanistan.

The explosion came only hours after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-forms-team-to-negotiate-peace-with-taliban-179970">Afghan President Ashraf Ghani</a> told a UN-sponsored conference in Geneva of plans to seek a peace agreement with the Taliban.

As efforts to open peace talks with the Taliban have picked up following the appointment of US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, there has been no slackening in the violence which kills thousands of people in Afghanistan every year.

Three US service members were killed close to the central city of Ghazni on Tuesday and at least 30 Afghan civilians were killed in a US air strike overnight, officials and local residents said.

At least 10 people were killed and 19 were wounded in an attack on a compound of the British security group G4S in the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, a health ministry spokesman said.

At least 10 people were killed and 19 were wounded in an attack on a compound of the British security group G4S in the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, a health ministry spokesman said. An interior ministry official said an unknown number of gunmen had entered the compound after a car bomb exploded near the facility and were battling security forces. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A senior security official said the blast happened close to a compound of British security contractor group G4S, near an industrial park on the main road leading out of Kabul towards eastern Afghanistan. The explosion came only hours after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani told a UN-sponsored conference in Geneva of plans to seek a peace agreement with the Taliban. As efforts to open peace talks with the Taliban have picked up following the appointment of US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, there has been no slackening in the violence which kills thousands of people in Afghanistan every year. Three US service members were killed close to the central city of Ghazni on Tuesday and at least 30 Afghan civilians were killed in a US air strike overnight, officials and local residents said.

Afghanistan: At least 10 dead, 19 wounded in attack on G4S site in Kabul

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-makes-investment-pitch-at-un-conference-179818">Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani </a>has formed a 12-strong negotiating team to seek a peace agreement that would include the Taliban in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rights of women, he told a UN conference on Wednesday.

"I'm pleased to announce today that after several months of intensive consultation with our citizens across the country, we have formulated a roadmap for peace negotiations," Ghani said.

"We have formed the required bodies and mechanisms to pursue a peace agreement. We are now moving ahead into the next chapter of the peace process."

Ghani made an investment pitch at a UN conference on Tuesday, describing the business opportunities and challenges in a country where millions are displaced or close to starvation.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has formed a 12-strong negotiating team to seek a peace agreement that would include the Taliban in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rights of women, he told a UN conference on Wednesday.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has formed a 12-strong negotiating team to seek a peace agreement that would include the Taliban in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rights of women, he told a UN conference on Wednesday. "I'm pleased to announce today that after several months of intensive consultation with our citizens across the country, we have formulated a roadmap for peace negotiations," Ghani said. "We have formed the required bodies and mechanisms to pursue a peace agreement. We are now moving ahead into the next chapter of the peace process." Ghani made an investment pitch at a UN conference on Tuesday, describing the business opportunities and challenges in a country where millions are displaced or close to starvation.

Afghan president forms team to negotiate peace with Taliban

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani made an investment pitch at a UN&nbsp;conference on Tuesday, describing the business opportunities and challenges in a country where millions are displaced or close to starvation.

The two-day conference, jointly hosted by the Afghan government and the United Nations, will evaluate whether strategies and aid are helping to resolve the quagmire created by Afghanistan's 17-year war, clearing the way for the withdrawal of foreign troops.

"It's a different Afghanistan. We're open for business, I hope you're open for partnership," Ghani said, setting out a vision that would enable growth of "nine per cent and in double digits".

Afghanistan needed to focus on "market building", with individual entrepreneurs forming creditworthy companies that could build value chains to take advantage of available trade preferences.

"The main problem of the market is the firm," he said. "What we require is a national strategy of competition."

He said Afghanistan needed help with the renewables revolution to exploit its "amazing potential of 220,000 megaWatts of solar and 80,000 megaWatts of wind".

"We need to make a jump in energy, the way we took a jump in telecoms, going directly to mobiles instead of (land)lines," Ghani said.

The country also had $1 trillion in natural resources, and new mining and hydrocarbon laws have finally created the stable policy environment needed for investment, he said.

In a stark reminder of security challenges, three U.S. service members were killed and three wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated on Tuesday near the central Afghan city of Ghazni, the NATO-led Resolute Support mission said in a statement. The Taliban, who control large parts of Ghazni province, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Presidential Banking and Finance Adviser Ajmal Ahmady said laws passed in the last year had made it easier to start, invest in and close a business, and the next focus would be on making it easier to operate a business.

"We feel we’re finally ready to move from potential to production in our natural resources sector," Ahmady said.

The government has ended its monopoly in telecoms and planned to do the same in land development and other sectors this year and next, he said.

Afghanistan's location would also be "solid gold" in the next 50 years, at the crossroads of south, central and west Asia, a potential market of 4 billion people, Ghani said.

However, Afghanistan has the wrong education system to take advantage of the opportunities, and entrepreneurs could not get started because they lacked access to credit.

"Monetary policy is killing us," Ghani said. "In this environment entrepreneurial energy cannot be individual, it needs to become collective and supported."

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani made an investment pitch at a UN conference on Tuesday, describing the business opportunities and challenges in a country where millions are displaced or close to starvation.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani made an investment pitch at a UN conference on Tuesday, describing the business opportunities and challenges in a country where millions are displaced or close to starvation. The two-day conference, jointly hosted by the Afghan government and the United Nations, will evaluate whether strategies and aid are helping to resolve the quagmire created by Afghanistan's 17-year war, clearing the way for the withdrawal of foreign troops. "It's a different Afghanistan. We're open for business, I hope you're open for partnership," Ghani said, setting out a vision that would enable growth of "nine per cent and in double digits". Afghanistan needed to focus on "market building", with individual entrepreneurs forming creditworthy companies that could build value chains to take advantage of available trade preferences. "The main problem of the market is the firm," he said. "What we require is a national strategy of competition." He said Afghanistan needed help with the renewables revolution to exploit its "amazing potential of 220,000 megaWatts of solar and 80,000 megaWatts of wind". "We need to make a jump in energy, the way we took a jump in telecoms, going directly to mobiles instead of (land)lines," Ghani said. The country also had $1 trillion in natural resources, and new mining and hydrocarbon laws have finally created the stable policy environment needed for investment, he said. In a stark reminder of security challenges, three U.S. service members were killed and three wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated on Tuesday near the central Afghan city of Ghazni, the NATO-led Resolute Support mission said in a statement. The Taliban, who control large parts of Ghazni province, claimed responsibility for the attack. Presidential Banking and Finance Adviser Ajmal Ahmady said laws passed in the last year had made it easier to start, invest in and close a business, and the next focus would be on making it easier to operate a business. "We feel we’re finally ready to move from potential to production in our natural resources sector," Ahmady said. The government has ended its monopoly in telecoms and planned to do the same in land development and other sectors this year and next, he said. Afghanistan's location would also be "solid gold" in the next 50 years, at the crossroads of south, central and west Asia, a potential market of 4 billion people, Ghani said. However, Afghanistan has the wrong education system to take advantage of the opportunities, and entrepreneurs could not get started because they lacked access to credit. "Monetary policy is killing us," Ghani said. "In this environment entrepreneurial energy cannot be individual, it needs to become collective and supported."

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani makes investment pitch at UN conference

Afghan authorities are considering postponing a presidential election scheduled for April 20 next year, officials said, following heavy criticism of the chaotic organization of parliamentary elections last month.

Kubra Rezaie, a spokeswoman at the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said an option was being considered in which the presidential election, along with already delayed parliamentary elections in the central province of Ghazni and district council elections could be delayed by three months.

"But we cannot say they will be postponed because this is something at an initial stage," she said.

Last month's parliamentary elections, which saw huge delays at polling stations across Afghanistan, came in for heavy criticism over problems ranging from incomplete voter lists to malfunctioning biometric voter verification equipment.

However, any delay to the presidential ballot could provoke strong opposition from political groups, many of which suspect President Ashraf Ghani of trying to engineer his own re-election.

The issue is complicated by diplomatic efforts to start peace talks with the Taliban, who have met US&nbsp;special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad but who have refused to deal with the Afghan government, which they consider illegitimate.

The IEC has announced preliminary result for parliamentary elections in 10 of the 33 Afghan provinces where voting took place. The election was not held in Ghazni due to disputes over representation between different ethnic groups.

Results in the rest of the provinces have yet to be announced as recounting votes continues in some provinces, caused by the large number of complaints about fairness.

Afghan authorities are considering postponing a presidential election scheduled for April 20 next year, officials said, following heavy criticism of the chaotic organization of parliamentary elections last month.

Afghan authorities are considering postponing a presidential election scheduled for April 20 next year, officials said, following heavy criticism of the chaotic organization of parliamentary elections last month. Kubra Rezaie, a spokeswoman at the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said an option was being considered in which the presidential election, along with already delayed parliamentary elections in the central province of Ghazni and district council elections could be delayed by three months. "But we cannot say they will be postponed because this is something at an initial stage," she said. Last month's parliamentary elections, which saw huge delays at polling stations across Afghanistan, came in for heavy criticism over problems ranging from incomplete voter lists to malfunctioning biometric voter verification equipment. However, any delay to the presidential ballot could provoke strong opposition from political groups, many of which suspect President Ashraf Ghani of trying to engineer his own re-election. The issue is complicated by diplomatic efforts to start peace talks with the Taliban, who have met US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad but who have refused to deal with the Afghan government, which they consider illegitimate. The IEC has announced preliminary result for parliamentary elections in 10 of the 33 Afghan provinces where voting took place. The election was not held in Ghazni due to disputes over representation between different ethnic groups. Results in the rest of the provinces have yet to be announced as recounting votes continues in some provinces, caused by the large number of complaints about fairness.

Afghanistan considering delaying April presidential election

A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a packed mosque on an Afghan army base during Friday prayers, killing at least 27 people including several soldiers, officials said, in the latest bloody violence to rock the war-torn country.

At least 33 were wounded in the blast in the eastern province of Khost, which follows a wave of deadly attacks across Afghanistan in recent weeks as militants step up assaults amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts to end the 17-year conflict.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group has previously claimed most suicide attacks on mosques. &nbsp;

The attacker detonated his explosives after prayers started but there is no clarity on whether he entered the mosque.

Provincial public health director Gul Ahmad Shah said three bodies and 44 wounded had been taken to the Khost city hospital.&nbsp;

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack as "un-Islamic" and "inhumane".&nbsp;

A soldier, who was injured in the blast, said hundreds of worshippers were inside the mosque at the time of the attack.&nbsp;

"When the explosion happened my leg and hand started bleeding," Mufti, who like many Afghans uses only one name, told AFP from his hospital bed in Khost city.

"I don't know how I got to the hospital."&nbsp;

A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a packed mosque on an Afghan army base during Friday prayers, killing at least 27 people including several soldiers, officials said, in the latest bloody violence to rock the war-torn country.

A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a packed mosque on an Afghan army base during Friday prayers, killing at least 27 people including several soldiers, officials said, in the latest bloody violence to rock the war-torn country. At least 33 were wounded in the blast in the eastern province of Khost, which follows a wave of deadly attacks across Afghanistan in recent weeks as militants step up assaults amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts to end the 17-year conflict. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group has previously claimed most suicide attacks on mosques. The attacker detonated his explosives after prayers started but there is no clarity on whether he entered the mosque. Provincial public health director Gul Ahmad Shah said three bodies and 44 wounded had been taken to the Khost city hospital. President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack as "un-Islamic" and "inhumane". A soldier, who was injured in the blast, said hundreds of worshippers were inside the mosque at the time of the attack. "When the explosion happened my leg and hand started bleeding," Mufti, who like many Afghans uses only one name, told AFP from his hospital bed in Khost city. "I don't know how I got to the hospital."

Afghanistan: 27 killed in suicide attack on mosque in Khost

The Taliban in Afghanistan have not yet shown any sign they are serious about ending their 17-year insurgency despite US efforts to push a fresh peace process, the country's de facto prime minister has said.

Abdullah Abdullah, who serves as "chief executive" of the unity government in Kabul, struck a far more sceptical tone about the prospects of a deal than his political rival, President Ashraf Ghani, and his Western counterparts.

Ghani said earlier this month it was "not a question of if, but when" an agreement would be reached with the Taliban, while the US envoy to the country even raised the possibility of a breakthrough before presidential elections in April.

"Recently there are renewed efforts in terms of the international community and especially the US," Abdullah told AFP during a wide-ranging interview in Paris that also covered his own political ambitions.

"We are not judging it too prematurely, but I would say that our experience as of now has been that they (the Taliban) have not shown any intention to get seriously engaged in the peace negotiations," he added.

The comment on Wednesday came after the latest atrocity targeting civilians in Kabul when a bomber killed 55 people at a banquet hall at a ceremony to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.

Abdullah, a political veteran of the fight against Soviet forces in the 1980s and Taliban rule in the 90s, called it "beyond comprehension."&nbsp;

Beleaguered Afghan security forces are also suffering an unprecedented level of casualties across the country where the Taliban and the Islamic State group are stepping up attacks.

Returning to Kabul on Thursday after a three-day trip to France, Abdullah said he expected to be briefed fully about the latest round of talks between US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban, which are believed to have taken place in Qatar last week.

Whatever the outcome, he argued that Afghanistan should hold its presidential election as scheduled next April despite a recent upsurge in violence and suggestions from some that it should be delayed.

"My idea is to stick to the timing, make it work, because it's part of the system and legitimacy of the system depends on the elections," he said.&nbsp;

"At the same time, continue the efforts on peace with full vigour."&nbsp;

He downplayed any suggestion of a pre-election breakthrough with the Taliban.

"It will be very surprising if that happens, but should it happen ... That would be welcomed by the people of Afghanistan," he added.

Abdullah has kept up suspense about his own political ambitions after twice running for president in 2009 and 2014 in campaigns that ended bitterly amid accusations of fraud.

After being beaten in 2014 by Ghani, Abdullah agreed to become prime minister of the unity government in a US-brokered deal -- but the rivalry between the two men continues.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

"I will actively be involved one way or another, but I have not made that final decision," Abdullah said when asked if he would run in 2019.

Looking ahead to next April's vote, Abdullah was candid about the lack of progress made in correcting the weaknesses in Afghanistan's fraud-plagued electoral system.

He said he was "disappointed" by parliamentary elections in October, which were marred by a shambolic rollout of new biometric polling technology and missing or incomplete voter lists.

"Our expectations for the parliamentary elections and the conduct of them was much higher, and the people's expectations were much higher," he said.

There were thousands of complaints lodged against the Independent Electoral Commission, although four million voters did defy the security worries to turn out and cast a ballot.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The unity government had pledged to tackle problems that have repeatedly undermined faith in Afghan elections since the US-led invasion in 2001 overthrew the Taliban government in Kabul.

But Abdullah suggested that these efforts, like in other areas, have been hit by the fractious nature of decision-making in the multi-party government.

"It was the commitment of the unity government in 2014... That we will start implementing reforms. We started very late. Why did we do that?" he asked.

Abdullah's defeats in 2009 and then again in 2014 -- when he won the first round but slumped to a surprise defeat in the second -- led to political crises which threatened to unravel the country's fragile political system.

Should observers fear another tainted poll?&nbsp;

"There were a lot of lessons from the parliamentary elections. Should we and other relevant institutions deal with them thoroughly and seriously we can have and we should have better elections than in 2014," he said.

The Taliban in Afghanistan have not yet shown any sign they are serious about ending their 17-year insurgency despite US efforts to push a fresh peace process, the country's de facto prime minister has said.

The Taliban in Afghanistan have not yet shown any sign they are serious about ending their 17-year insurgency despite US efforts to push a fresh peace process, the country's de facto prime minister has said. Abdullah Abdullah, who serves as "chief executive" of the unity government in Kabul, struck a far more sceptical tone about the prospects of a deal than his political rival, President Ashraf Ghani, and his Western counterparts. Ghani said earlier this month it was "not a question of if, but when" an agreement would be reached with the Taliban, while the US envoy to the country even raised the possibility of a breakthrough before presidential elections in April. "Recently there are renewed efforts in terms of the international community and especially the US," Abdullah told AFP during a wide-ranging interview in Paris that also covered his own political ambitions. "We are not judging it too prematurely, but I would say that our experience as of now has been that they (the Taliban) have not shown any intention to get seriously engaged in the peace negotiations," he added. The comment on Wednesday came after the latest atrocity targeting civilians in Kabul when a bomber killed 55 people at a banquet hall at a ceremony to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. Abdullah, a political veteran of the fight against Soviet forces in the 1980s and Taliban rule in the 90s, called it "beyond comprehension." Beleaguered Afghan security forces are also suffering an unprecedented level of casualties across the country where the Taliban and the Islamic State group are stepping up attacks. Returning to Kabul on Thursday after a three-day trip to France, Abdullah said he expected to be briefed fully about the latest round of talks between US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban, which are believed to have taken place in Qatar last week. Whatever the outcome, he argued that Afghanistan should hold its presidential election as scheduled next April despite a recent upsurge in violence and suggestions from some that it should be delayed. "My idea is to stick to the timing, make it work, because it's part of the system and legitimacy of the system depends on the elections," he said. "At the same time, continue the efforts on peace with full vigour." He downplayed any suggestion of a pre-election breakthrough with the Taliban. "It will be very surprising if that happens, but should it happen ... That would be welcomed by the people of Afghanistan," he added. Abdullah has kept up suspense about his own political ambitions after twice running for president in 2009 and 2014 in campaigns that ended bitterly amid accusations of fraud. After being beaten in 2014 by Ghani, Abdullah agreed to become prime minister of the unity government in a US-brokered deal -- but the rivalry between the two men continues. "I will actively be involved one way or another, but I have not made that final decision," Abdullah said when asked if he would run in 2019. Looking ahead to next April's vote, Abdullah was candid about the lack of progress made in correcting the weaknesses in Afghanistan's fraud-plagued electoral system. He said he was "disappointed" by parliamentary elections in October, which were marred by a shambolic rollout of new biometric polling technology and missing or incomplete voter lists. "Our expectations for the parliamentary elections and the conduct of them was much higher, and the people's expectations were much higher," he said. There were thousands of complaints lodged against the Independent Electoral Commission, although four million voters did defy the security worries to turn out and cast a ballot. The unity government had pledged to tackle problems that have repeatedly undermined faith in Afghan elections since the US-led invasion in 2001 overthrew the Taliban government in Kabul. But Abdullah suggested that these efforts, like in other areas, have been hit by the fractious nature of decision-making in the multi-party government. "It was the commitment of the unity government in 2014... That we will start implementing reforms. We started very late. Why did we do that?" he asked. Abdullah's defeats in 2009 and then again in 2014 -- when he won the first round but slumped to a surprise defeat in the second -- led to political crises which threatened to unravel the country's fragile political system. Should observers fear another tainted poll? "There were a lot of lessons from the parliamentary elections. Should we and other relevant institutions deal with them thoroughly and seriously we can have and we should have better elections than in 2014," he said.

Afghan Taliban not serious about peace, says government chief

The death toll among Afghanistan's security forces is nearing 30,000 since the start of 2015, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said, a figure far higher than anything previously acknowledged.

Ghani appeared via video link this week at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, part of a university he once taught at as a professor of anthropology.

Since the start of 2015, when local police and army units succeeded NATO as bearing responsibility for Afghanistan's security, "28,529 of our security forces have lost their lives and become martyrs for our freedom," Ghani said.

In the same timeframe, 58 Americans have been killed, he said.

"I would like to salute the patriotism of the Afghan security forces, every single one of whom is a volunteer," Ghani said.&nbsp;

"We have no conscription, nobody is forced, and if there was not a patriotic impulse I don't think that people would sacrifice their lives for a pay of $200."

The rate at which Afghan forces are dying has long underscored the fragility of the country's security situation, the Taliban's continued strength and raised questions about US claims that the Afghan troops are becoming an increasingly effective fighting force.

In 2015, an estimated 5,000 Afghan security forces were killed and another 15,000 wounded.&nbsp;

The toll increased in 2016 and appears to have accelerated again in 2017 and 2018, contradicting a claim by general John Nicholson, who recently retired as head of NATO and US forces in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

In November 2017, he said casualty rates among Afghan security forces had started to drop as the US increased the tempo of air strikes against the Taliban and as reforms kicked in.

In a recent report, the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) cited the NATO mission in Kabul as saying this summer's toll has been worse than ever for Afghan forces.

"From the period of May 1 to the most current data as of October 1, 2018, the average number of casualties the (Afghan forces) suffered is the greatest it has ever been during like periods," SIGAR said.

Mattis this month said more than 1,000 "Afghan lads" were killed or wounded just in August and September.

More than 17 years since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, the conflict grinds on and America is trying to find a way out of the war.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad hopes to start a peace process with the Taliban, and on Saturday he met with Ghani.&nbsp;

A Taliban delegation met with Khalilzad in Doha in October to discuss ending the Afghan conflict.

The death toll among Afghanistan's security forces is nearing 30,000 since the start of 2015, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said, a figure far higher than anything previously acknowledged.

The death toll among Afghanistan's security forces is nearing 30,000 since the start of 2015, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said, a figure far higher than anything previously acknowledged. Ghani appeared via video link this week at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, part of a university he once taught at as a professor of anthropology. Since the start of 2015, when local police and army units succeeded NATO as bearing responsibility for Afghanistan's security, "28,529 of our security forces have lost their lives and become martyrs for our freedom," Ghani said. In the same timeframe, 58 Americans have been killed, he said. "I would like to salute the patriotism of the Afghan security forces, every single one of whom is a volunteer," Ghani said. "We have no conscription, nobody is forced, and if there was not a patriotic impulse I don't think that people would sacrifice their lives for a pay of $200." The rate at which Afghan forces are dying has long underscored the fragility of the country's security situation, the Taliban's continued strength and raised questions about US claims that the Afghan troops are becoming an increasingly effective fighting force. In 2015, an estimated 5,000 Afghan security forces were killed and another 15,000 wounded. The toll increased in 2016 and appears to have accelerated again in 2017 and 2018, contradicting a claim by general John Nicholson, who recently retired as head of NATO and US forces in Afghanistan. In November 2017, he said casualty rates among Afghan security forces had started to drop as the US increased the tempo of air strikes against the Taliban and as reforms kicked in. In a recent report, the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) cited the NATO mission in Kabul as saying this summer's toll has been worse than ever for Afghan forces. "From the period of May 1 to the most current data as of October 1, 2018, the average number of casualties the (Afghan forces) suffered is the greatest it has ever been during like periods," SIGAR said. Mattis this month said more than 1,000 "Afghan lads" were killed or wounded just in August and September. More than 17 years since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, the conflict grinds on and America is trying to find a way out of the war. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad hopes to start a peace process with the Taliban, and on Saturday he met with Ghani. A Taliban delegation met with Khalilzad in Doha in October to discuss ending the Afghan conflict.

Almost 30,000 Afghan troops killed since 2015: Ashraf Ghani

Asserting that Islamabad's support to violence has not benefitted either Pakistan or Afghanistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said that the "undeclared war" between the two neighbours must end.

Ghani said the spectre of violence needs to be removed and that Pakistan needs to support direct discussions between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

"The undeclared war between Afghanistan and Pakistan must end," he told a Washington audience through video conference from Kabul.

"We have not supported any movement against Pakistan from Afghanistan. The Afghan soil is not being used. We've exercised immense restraint and control because we seek a cooperative relationship," Ghani said in response to a question at the School of Advanced international Studies of the John Hopkins University on Monday.

Of the view that there is a need to define "what is a normal relationship" between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said Kabul can offer a lot in the way of cooperation. "We are the key to Central Asia. How will Pakistan get to Central Asia without a stable Afghanistan?" he asked.

Ghani said Afghanistan and Pakistan need to together agree with the US and the rest of the world community on counter terrorism. These three sets of relationship, he said are the key.

"From the day that President Donald Trump announced the South Asia strategy, I extended the hand of friendship. We have engaged in several rounds of discussion," he said, adding that Afghanistan and the US have arrived at a document on what is their expectation, what needs to be done to translate commitments into reality and to help reduce the level of violence in moving forward to lasting peace.

Ghani said that he has not seen "urgency" from the new Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding holding concrete dialogue with Afghanistan to fight terrorism or to assist in holding fruitful talks with the Taliban.

"We have not yet seen the sense of urgency. We hope that sense of urgency can be brought to the picture. We have a framework which is a Afghanistan-Pakistan agreement. The key is to move from talking to taking action," Ghani said.

"Our national interest is to keep engaging with Pakistan. We seek a stable Pakistan. We need to see substantive and measurable change. As of now that substantive and measurable change with the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has not been seen. This is what needs to take place," said the Afghan president.

Ghani said that the Taliban is not in a winning position. "Let them disclose their casualties. Let them answer to the mothers who have lost their children. Let them answer to the wounded and let them answer to communities that because of their interference, have been deprived of education, of health, of services. Where is the positive model of the strength?" he said.

Asserting that Islamabad's support to violence has not benefitted either Pakistan or Afghanistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said that the "undeclared war" between the two neighbours must end.

Asserting that Islamabad's support to violence has not benefitted either Pakistan or Afghanistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said that the "undeclared war" between the two neighbours must end. Ghani said the spectre of violence needs to be removed and that Pakistan needs to support direct discussions between the Afghan government and the Taliban. "The undeclared war between Afghanistan and Pakistan must end," he told a Washington audience through video conference from Kabul. "We have not supported any movement against Pakistan from Afghanistan. The Afghan soil is not being used. We've exercised immense restraint and control because we seek a cooperative relationship," Ghani said in response to a question at the School of Advanced international Studies of the John Hopkins University on Monday. Of the view that there is a need to define "what is a normal relationship" between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said Kabul can offer a lot in the way of cooperation. "We are the key to Central Asia. How will Pakistan get to Central Asia without a stable Afghanistan?" he asked. Ghani said Afghanistan and Pakistan need to together agree with the US and the rest of the world community on counter terrorism. These three sets of relationship, he said are the key. "From the day that President Donald Trump announced the South Asia strategy, I extended the hand of friendship. We have engaged in several rounds of discussion," he said, adding that Afghanistan and the US have arrived at a document on what is their expectation, what needs to be done to translate commitments into reality and to help reduce the level of violence in moving forward to lasting peace. Ghani said that he has not seen "urgency" from the new Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding holding concrete dialogue with Afghanistan to fight terrorism or to assist in holding fruitful talks with the Taliban. "We have not yet seen the sense of urgency. We hope that sense of urgency can be brought to the picture. We have a framework which is a Afghanistan-Pakistan agreement. The key is to move from talking to taking action," Ghani said. "Our national interest is to keep engaging with Pakistan. We seek a stable Pakistan. We need to see substantive and measurable change. As of now that substantive and measurable change with the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has not been seen. This is what needs to take place," said the Afghan president. Ghani said that the Taliban is not in a winning position. "Let them disclose their casualties. Let them answer to the mothers who have lost their children. Let them answer to the wounded and let them answer to communities that because of their interference, have been deprived of education, of health, of services. Where is the positive model of the strength?" he said.

'Undeclared war' between Afghanistan, Pak must end: Ashraf Ghani

Members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a body overseeing peace efforts, met Taliban officials at a conference in Moscow on Friday and repeated President Ashraf Ghani's offer of peace talks without pre-conditions.

For the first time, the meeting of regional officials on ways to end the war included a Taliban delegation, as moves towards achieving a political settlement pick up.

"We discussed the subject of direct talks with the Taliban and asked them to choose the place and the starting time," said Ehsan Tahiri, High Peace Council spokesman, according to Russia's RIA news agency.

The meeting, which underlines Russia's desire to be involved in any settlement in Afghanistan, took place as US&nbsp;special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad prepared for a fresh round of talks with Taliban officials in Qatar.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that "we reaffirm our position on the lack of alternative to a political settlement in Afghanistan and the need for active coordinated efforts by Afghanistan's neighbouring countries and regional partners".

Western officials and Ghani's government view the Moscow meeting with some suspicion, seeing it as an attempt by Russia to push its way into a process that they say must be led by Afghanistan.

As well as the five-member Taliban delegation, Russia brought to the meeting several senior Afghan political figures, including some who have clashed with Ghani in the past. Ghani's government sent only a delegation from the High Peace Council, a group set up to coordinate reconciliation efforts.

The Taliban issued a statement this week saying the conference was "not about negotiating with any particular side".

It said the meeting was "about holding comprehensive discussions on finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan quandary and ending the American occupation".

Ghani offered in February to talk to the Taliban without pre-conditions but the insurgents, who regard his government as a foreign-controlled regime, have refused, saying they will deal only with the United States.

Members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a body overseeing peace efforts, met Taliban officials at a conference in Moscow on Friday and repeated President Ashraf Ghani's offer of peace talks without pre-conditions.

Members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a body overseeing peace efforts, met Taliban officials at a conference in Moscow on Friday and repeated President Ashraf Ghani's offer of peace talks without pre-conditions. For the first time, the meeting of regional officials on ways to end the war included a Taliban delegation, as moves towards achieving a political settlement pick up. "We discussed the subject of direct talks with the Taliban and asked them to choose the place and the starting time," said Ehsan Tahiri, High Peace Council spokesman, according to Russia's RIA news agency. The meeting, which underlines Russia's desire to be involved in any settlement in Afghanistan, took place as US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad prepared for a fresh round of talks with Taliban officials in Qatar. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that "we reaffirm our position on the lack of alternative to a political settlement in Afghanistan and the need for active coordinated efforts by Afghanistan's neighbouring countries and regional partners". Western officials and Ghani's government view the Moscow meeting with some suspicion, seeing it as an attempt by Russia to push its way into a process that they say must be led by Afghanistan. As well as the five-member Taliban delegation, Russia brought to the meeting several senior Afghan political figures, including some who have clashed with Ghani in the past. Ghani's government sent only a delegation from the High Peace Council, a group set up to coordinate reconciliation efforts. The Taliban issued a statement this week saying the conference was "not about negotiating with any particular side". It said the meeting was "about holding comprehensive discussions on finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan quandary and ending the American occupation". Ghani offered in February to talk to the Taliban without pre-conditions but the insurgents, who regard his government as a foreign-controlled regime, have refused, saying they will deal only with the United States.

Afghan Peace Council tells Taliban it is ready for talks: RIA

Russia on Saturday said it will host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Moscow said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban have agreed to send delegations to the conference.

"It will be the first time that a delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement in Doha will take part in international talks (at) such a level," the foreign ministry's statement said.&nbsp;

The Afghan foreign ministry, however, did not confirm that the Kabul government will attend the talks.&nbsp;

"We are still negotiating and talking with Russian officials (about the conference). We have not reached an agreement yet," Sebghatullah Ahmadi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, told AFP.&nbsp;

Moscow said it had also invited representatives from the US as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia to take part.

"The Russian side reaffirms its position that there is no alternative to a political settlement in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement said.&nbsp;

Ghani -- who took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from Afghanistan -- announced Saturday that he will seek re-election in 2019.

He is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the only candidate who can end the 17-year conflict in the country.&nbsp;

A US government watchdog this week said Kabul's control of Afghanistan slipped in recent months as local security forces suffered record-level casualties while making minimal or no progress against the Taliban.

The US has renewed efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit.&nbsp;

Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Moscow has declared its readiness to serve as a platform for dialogue.

In April 2017, Russia hosted an international conference on Afghanistan.

The US was invited to that meeting but did not participate.

Russia on Saturday said it will host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Russia on Saturday said it will host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Moscow said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban have agreed to send delegations to the conference. "It will be the first time that a delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement in Doha will take part in international talks (at) such a level," the foreign ministry's statement said. The Afghan foreign ministry, however, did not confirm that the Kabul government will attend the talks. "We are still negotiating and talking with Russian officials (about the conference). We have not reached an agreement yet," Sebghatullah Ahmadi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, told AFP. Moscow said it had also invited representatives from the US as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia to take part. "The Russian side reaffirms its position that there is no alternative to a political settlement in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement said. Ghani -- who took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from Afghanistan -- announced Saturday that he will seek re-election in 2019. He is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the only candidate who can end the 17-year conflict in the country. A US government watchdog this week said Kabul's control of Afghanistan slipped in recent months as local security forces suffered record-level casualties while making minimal or no progress against the Taliban. The US has renewed efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit. Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Moscow has declared its readiness to serve as a platform for dialogue. In April 2017, Russia hosted an international conference on Afghanistan. The US was invited to that meeting but did not participate.

Russia to host international talks on Afghanistan 

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot.

Ghani, who was elected in a fraud-tainted poll in 2014 that was only resolved in a US-brokered power-sharing deal, is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the candidate who can end the 17-year conflict.

The acerbic academic, who has a reputation for shouting at subordinates and micromanaging the unity government, will try to capitalise on renewed US-led efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit.

"I can confirm that President Ghani is seeking re-election next year," presidential palace spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi told AFP.

Ghani, who chose the widely feared ethnic Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum as his first running mate in the 2014 election, has not yet announced who he will pick this time round.

It also is not certain who will challenge Ghani in the April 20 ballot.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's equivalent of prime minister, and former national security adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who quit in August, are among potential contenders.

Former Balkh provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor, whose refusal to stand down from his position sparked a months-long political crisis for Ghani, has previously expressed interest in the job.&nbsp;

Nominations open on November 10, the same day that the embattled Independent Election Commission is scheduled to release the results of last month's shambolic parliamentary poll.

Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, will need more than the support of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group if he is to succeed at the ballot box and he has already started trying to win over rival ethnicities.&nbsp;

Vice President Dostum's controversial return from exile in July was interpreted as an attempt by Ghani to secure votes from the minority group.&nbsp;

Ghani's presidency has been marred by growing militant violence, record-high civilian casualties, political infighting and deepening ethnic divisions.

He took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from the country, sparking a resurgence in the Taliban which also coincided with the emergence of the Islamic State group in the region.

In February, under growing pressure from the international community which provides critical financial and military backing to the government, Ghani made a peace offer to the Taliban.

That was followed in June by an unprecedented ceasefire between Afghan troops and Taliban fighters that lasted three days and spurred hopes that peace was possible. &nbsp;

Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot. Ghani, who was elected in a fraud-tainted poll in 2014 that was only resolved in a US-brokered power-sharing deal, is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the candidate who can end the 17-year conflict. The acerbic academic, who has a reputation for shouting at subordinates and micromanaging the unity government, will try to capitalise on renewed US-led efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit. "I can confirm that President Ghani is seeking re-election next year," presidential palace spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi told AFP. Ghani, who chose the widely feared ethnic Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum as his first running mate in the 2014 election, has not yet announced who he will pick this time round. It also is not certain who will challenge Ghani in the April 20 ballot. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's equivalent of prime minister, and former national security adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who quit in August, are among potential contenders. Former Balkh provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor, whose refusal to stand down from his position sparked a months-long political crisis for Ghani, has previously expressed interest in the job. Nominations open on November 10, the same day that the embattled Independent Election Commission is scheduled to release the results of last month's shambolic parliamentary poll. Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, will need more than the support of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group if he is to succeed at the ballot box and he has already started trying to win over rival ethnicities. Vice President Dostum's controversial return from exile in July was interpreted as an attempt by Ghani to secure votes from the minority group. Ghani's presidency has been marred by growing militant violence, record-high civilian casualties, political infighting and deepening ethnic divisions. He took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from the country, sparking a resurgence in the Taliban which also coincided with the emergence of the Islamic State group in the region. In February, under growing pressure from the international community which provides critical financial and military backing to the government, Ghani made a peace offer to the Taliban. That was followed in June by an unprecedented ceasefire between Afghan troops and Taliban fighters that lasted three days and spurred hopes that peace was possible. Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Ghani to seek re-election in Afghan presidential poll: Official

US Vice President Mike Pence has congratulated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the successful parliamentary elections in his country where a large number of people came out to vote despite threat by the Taliban, the White House said.

"He congratulated the Afghan people on the steady advance of democracy following the parliamentary elections this past weekend,'&nbsp;the White House said Monday in a readout of the call.

Pence commended the Afghan election officials and military for leading and managing the electoral process, and the US and international forces for their support to the Afghan government, it said.

Despite efforts by the Taliban to intimidate the Afghan people, millions of people stepped forward to make their voice heard by voting, the White House said.

US Vice President Mike Pence has congratulated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the successful parliamentary elections in his country where a large number of people came out to vote despite threat by the Taliban, the White House said.

US Vice President Mike Pence has congratulated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the successful parliamentary elections in his country where a large number of people came out to vote despite threat by the Taliban, the White House said. "He congratulated the Afghan people on the steady advance of democracy following the parliamentary elections this past weekend,' the White House said Monday in a readout of the call. Pence commended the Afghan election officials and military for leading and managing the electoral process, and the US and international forces for their support to the Afghan government, it said. Despite efforts by the Taliban to intimidate the Afghan people, millions of people stepped forward to make their voice heard by voting, the White House said.

Mike Pence congratulates Ghani on successful Afghan parliamentary polls 

The brother of the powerful police commander of the southern Afghan province of Kandahar assassinated last week was named as his successor on Monday in move that underlines the pressures facing President Ashraf Ghani's government.

General Abdul Razeq, one of Afghanistan's most feared anti-Taliban commanders, was shot dead when a member of the provincial governor's bodyguard opened fire on officials leaving a meeting with NATO forces commander General Scott Miller.

Razeq, nominally the Kandahar police chief, was one of the most powerful figures in the whole of southern Afghanistan.

He had a range of business interests and was accused of extracting millions of dollars from the border crossing into Pakistan at Spin Boldak, his home region and power base.

A member of the powerful Pashtun Achakzai tribe and a skilful operator in the region's complex tribal politics, he regularly clashed with Ghani's government in Kabul but enjoyed wide support and was impossible to remove.

The nomination of Razeq's younger brother Tadeen Khan as acting police chief of Kandahar followed heavy pressure from powerful tribal elders who forced the government to overlook his lack of experience and training.

Ghani's government initially rejected the demand on the grounds that Khan lacked qualifications, a senior Afghan official said, but gave way after the Achakzais threatened to boycott parliamentary elections.

"Ghani knows he will need the support of many tribes to retain power, so he has to listen to them and accept their demands," said Abdul Rashid Khan a political science professor at Kabul University.

Parliamentary elections, a dry run for the more important presidential election next year, will be held in Kandahar on Saturday after they were postponed for a week following Razeq's death in an insider attack at the provincial governor's office.

His death left a power vacuum in Kandahar, one of the most strategically important provinces in Afghanistan, on the southeastern border with Pakistan.

"It would require a lot of consultations and appeasement to convince general Razeq's supporters and his tribe to approve someone else as the police chief," said a senior government official as he explained the reason behind Khan's appointment.

The brother of the powerful police commander of the southern Afghan province of Kandahar assassinated last week was named as his successor on Monday in move that underlines the pressures facing President Ashraf Ghani's government.

The brother of the powerful police commander of the southern Afghan province of Kandahar assassinated last week was named as his successor on Monday in move that underlines the pressures facing President Ashraf Ghani's government. General Abdul Razeq, one of Afghanistan's most feared anti-Taliban commanders, was shot dead when a member of the provincial governor's bodyguard opened fire on officials leaving a meeting with NATO forces commander General Scott Miller. Razeq, nominally the Kandahar police chief, was one of the most powerful figures in the whole of southern Afghanistan. He had a range of business interests and was accused of extracting millions of dollars from the border crossing into Pakistan at Spin Boldak, his home region and power base. A member of the powerful Pashtun Achakzai tribe and a skilful operator in the region's complex tribal politics, he regularly clashed with Ghani's government in Kabul but enjoyed wide support and was impossible to remove. The nomination of Razeq's younger brother Tadeen Khan as acting police chief of Kandahar followed heavy pressure from powerful tribal elders who forced the government to overlook his lack of experience and training. Ghani's government initially rejected the demand on the grounds that Khan lacked qualifications, a senior Afghan official said, but gave way after the Achakzais threatened to boycott parliamentary elections. "Ghani knows he will need the support of many tribes to retain power, so he has to listen to them and accept their demands," said Abdul Rashid Khan a political science professor at Kabul University. Parliamentary elections, a dry run for the more important presidential election next year, will be held in Kandahar on Saturday after they were postponed for a week following Razeq's death in an insider attack at the provincial governor's office. His death left a power vacuum in Kandahar, one of the most strategically important provinces in Afghanistan, on the southeastern border with Pakistan. "It would require a lot of consultations and appeasement to convince general Razeq's supporters and his tribe to approve someone else as the police chief," said a senior government official as he explained the reason behind Khan's appointment.

Brother of assassinated Afghan police commander appointed to succeed him

Problems plagued hundreds of Afghan polling centres Sunday in the shambolic legislative election's second day of voting, fuelling criticism of organisers and eroding hopes for credible results after a ballot marred by deadly violence.

As voters once again braved the threat of militant attacks in more than 20 provinces, an AFP tally of casualty figures from across the war-torn country showed the number of civilians and security forces killed or wounded in polling-related violence on Saturday was nearly 300.

That is more than four times the latest figures released by the interior ministry.&nbsp;

The huge discrepancy supports speculation that officials have deliberately downplayed the violence, adding to concerns about the lack of transparency and credibility of the long-delayed election that is seen as a dry run for next year's presidential vote.&nbsp;

At some of the 253 polling centres opened for voting on Sunday, election workers still struggled to use biometric verification devices and voter rolls were "either incomplete or non-existent", Electoral Complaints Commission spokesman Ali Reza Rohani told reporters.

"Most of the problems we had yesterday still exist today," said Rohani, adding some polling sites again opened late and had insufficient ballot papers.

Another 148 polling sites that were supposed to open remained closed for security reasons, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP.

The IEC's chronic mishandling of the parliamentary election, which is the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, has all but dashed hopes it can competently organise the presidential ballot, scheduled for April.

"This does not bode well for next year," Afghanistan Analysts Network co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP.

"The IEC has clearly shown its lack of capacity to run acceptable and transparent elections, instead publishing doctored figures."&nbsp;

A Western official, who had monitored the months-long preparations, told AFP they had no confidence left in the IEC.

"None at all," they said on the condition of anonymity.

"With the current IEC leadership there are a lot of doubts that they would be able to handle the presidential election properly," political analyst Haroun Mir said.

Initial IEC figures show around three million Afghans risked their lives to vote on Saturday -- many waiting hours for polling centres to open -- despite scores of militant attacks.

Nearly nine million voters registered for the parliamentary election, but many suspect a significant number of those were based on fake identification documents that fraudsters planned to use to stuff ballot boxes.

But the fact any Afghans turned out to vote was an achievement in itself, some observers noted.&nbsp;

"The people of Afghanistan showed that they are still hopeful for their future," Mir said.&nbsp;

Despite the shortcomings in the voting process, that was "undoubtedly a great achievement", he said.&nbsp;

Turnout was likely affected after the Taliban issued several warnings in the days leading up to the poll demanding the more than 2,500 candidates for the lower house withdraw from the race and for voters to stay home.

The militant group on Saturday claimed it carried out more than 400 attacks on the "fake election".&nbsp;

There were no reports of poll-related violence on Sunday, but officials said a roadside bomb killed 11 members of a family driving in the eastern province of Nangarhar.&nbsp;

'Important milestone'

Official observers described disorder and chaos at polling centres on Saturday where election workers did not know how to use biometric devices that the IEC had rolled out at the eleventh hour to appease political leaders and said were required for votes to be counted.&nbsp;

Many voters who had registered their names months ago were not on the roll, and the Taliban commandeered some polling centres and refused to let people cast their ballots.&nbsp;

There are concerns that extending voting by a day could "impact transparency of the process" and provide "opportunity for fraud", Election and Transparency Watch Organization of Afghanistan said.

Some 44 people already have been charged with "illegal interference in the election and fraud", the interior ministry said.

As vote counting continued and officials began the process of transferring ballot boxes to Kabul, Afghan voters took to social media to vent their frustration at the debacle.

"Shame on the IEC," Hosai Mangal wrote on the IEC's official Facebook page.

"There was no order at all, I could not find my name at the polling centre where I registered."

Another angry voter wrote: "The worst elections ever."

But embattled IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad on Sunday defended the organisation's handling of the election, saying the problems were not due to "weak management".

Despite the chaos, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which has spearheaded international efforts to advise the IEC, said the election was "an important milestone in Afghanistan's transition to self-reliance".

UNAMA urged observers, political parties, candidates and voters to play a "constructive role in the days ahead to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as votes are tallied".&nbsp;

Problems plagued hundreds of Afghan polling centres Sunday in the shambolic legislative election's second day of voting, fuelling criticism of organisers and eroding hopes for credible results after a ballot marred by deadly violence.

Problems plagued hundreds of Afghan polling centres Sunday in the shambolic legislative election's second day of voting, fuelling criticism of organisers and eroding hopes for credible results after a ballot marred by deadly violence. As voters once again braved the threat of militant attacks in more than 20 provinces, an AFP tally of casualty figures from across the war-torn country showed the number of civilians and security forces killed or wounded in polling-related violence on Saturday was nearly 300. That is more than four times the latest figures released by the interior ministry. The huge discrepancy supports speculation that officials have deliberately downplayed the violence, adding to concerns about the lack of transparency and credibility of the long-delayed election that is seen as a dry run for next year's presidential vote. At some of the 253 polling centres opened for voting on Sunday, election workers still struggled to use biometric verification devices and voter rolls were "either incomplete or non-existent", Electoral Complaints Commission spokesman Ali Reza Rohani told reporters. "Most of the problems we had yesterday still exist today," said Rohani, adding some polling sites again opened late and had insufficient ballot papers. Another 148 polling sites that were supposed to open remained closed for security reasons, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP. The IEC's chronic mishandling of the parliamentary election, which is the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, has all but dashed hopes it can competently organise the presidential ballot, scheduled for April. "This does not bode well for next year," Afghanistan Analysts Network co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP. "The IEC has clearly shown its lack of capacity to run acceptable and transparent elections, instead publishing doctored figures." A Western official, who had monitored the months-long preparations, told AFP they had no confidence left in the IEC. "None at all," they said on the condition of anonymity. "With the current IEC leadership there are a lot of doubts that they would be able to handle the presidential election properly," political analyst Haroun Mir said. Initial IEC figures show around three million Afghans risked their lives to vote on Saturday -- many waiting hours for polling centres to open -- despite scores of militant attacks. Nearly nine million voters registered for the parliamentary election, but many suspect a significant number of those were based on fake identification documents that fraudsters planned to use to stuff ballot boxes. But the fact any Afghans turned out to vote was an achievement in itself, some observers noted. "The people of Afghanistan showed that they are still hopeful for their future," Mir said. Despite the shortcomings in the voting process, that was "undoubtedly a great achievement", he said. Turnout was likely affected after the Taliban issued several warnings in the days leading up to the poll demanding the more than 2,500 candidates for the lower house withdraw from the race and for voters to stay home. The militant group on Saturday claimed it carried out more than 400 attacks on the "fake election". There were no reports of poll-related violence on Sunday, but officials said a roadside bomb killed 11 members of a family driving in the eastern province of Nangarhar. 'Important milestone' Official observers described disorder and chaos at polling centres on Saturday where election workers did not know how to use biometric devices that the IEC had rolled out at the eleventh hour to appease political leaders and said were required for votes to be counted. Many voters who had registered their names months ago were not on the roll, and the Taliban commandeered some polling centres and refused to let people cast their ballots. There are concerns that extending voting by a day could "impact transparency of the process" and provide "opportunity for fraud", Election and Transparency Watch Organization of Afghanistan said. Some 44 people already have been charged with "illegal interference in the election and fraud", the interior ministry said. As vote counting continued and officials began the process of transferring ballot boxes to Kabul, Afghan voters took to social media to vent their frustration at the debacle. "Shame on the IEC," Hosai Mangal wrote on the IEC's official Facebook page. "There was no order at all, I could not find my name at the polling centre where I registered." Another angry voter wrote: "The worst elections ever." But embattled IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad on Sunday defended the organisation's handling of the election, saying the problems were not due to "weak management". Despite the chaos, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which has spearheaded international efforts to advise the IEC, said the election was "an important milestone in Afghanistan's transition to self-reliance". UNAMA urged observers, political parties, candidates and voters to play a "constructive role in the days ahead to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as votes are tallied".

Afghan polling centres plagued by problems as casualties surge

A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least 15 people as voting concluded in parliamentary elections overshadowed by the threat of violence and long delays at polling stations.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, which appeared to have been the most serious of a day marked by a series of smaller-scale attacks that caused dozens of casualties across the country.

Voting should have been concluded by the time the suicide bomber struck a polling station in the north of Kabul, killing 10 civilians and five police, but polling stations were kept open longer than normal to cope with large numbers of people who had been unable to cast ballots.

Turnout was higher than expected, with long lines forming outside polling centres in the main cities, but many voters were forced to endure extended waits because of technical and organisational problems.

"People's enthusiasm and participation despite threats, intimidation and attacks by militants must be lauded today," said one senior international security official, who added: "The electioneering process will require close scrutiny as it is clear that there were multiple failures."

Untested biometric voter-registration equipment, rushed in at the last minute to counter voter fraud, caused particular problems. The Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan, a civil action group, said the devices suffered malfunctions in more than 40 percent of polling centres.

"The biggest problem is with the biometric machines, there are some sites where they're not working and a lot of voters have been discouraged and have gone home," said Nasibullah Sayedi, a voter in the western city of Herat.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC), the body overseeing the ballot, said voting hours would be extended in some centres to cope with demand and some polling stations, which had not opened at all, would be open on Sunday.

Warning to voters

In the days leading to the vote, Taliban militants issued a series of statements telling people not to take part in what they consider a foreign-imposed process and warning election centres may be attacked.

Security officials said there were more than 120 hand grenade or improvised explosives attacks but they said many of these did not target voting centres but were aimed nearby, apparently with the aim of frightening voters away rather than causing casualties.

Afghanistan's political scene is still tainted by the aftermath of a disputed presidential vote in 2014 that forced the two main rival groupings to form an unstable partnership. Both sides were accused of massive electoral cheating.

But high turnout, at least in the major cities, reflected strong support for the process in the face of threats from militant attacks and widespread disillusion with a corrupt political class.

"I want candidates to serve the country and hear the voices of the disabled and the poor," said Abdullah, a wheelchair-bound voter in Herat. "People ask what difference one person's vote will make but I say, if a million disabled people come out to vote, don't you think that will make a difference?"

Allegations of fraud

However numerous allegations of voter fraud made before election have presented a challenge to the legitimacy of the process, seen by Afghanistan's international partners as a vital step ahead of more important presidential elections next year.

Due to the difficulty of collecting and collating results across Afghanistan, the overall results will not be known for at least two weeks.

In Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan, men and women came out in numbers to vote and created human chains around six polling stations to prevent the entry of suicide bombers.

Some 8.8 million voters have been registered but an unknown number, by some estimates as many as 50 percent or more, are believed to be fraudulently or incorrectly registered.

About 2,450 candidates are competing for places in the lower house, which has 250 seats, including one reserved for a candidate from the Sikh minority. Under the constitution, parliament reviews and ratifies laws but has little real power.

Election authorities originally planned 7,355 polling centres but only 4,530 were open due to security concerns, according to the IEC.

Voting was postponed for a week in Kandahar province after the assassination of the powerful local police chief Gen. Abdul Razeq. The ballot was also delayed in Ghazni province by arguments about the representation of different ethnic groups.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least 15 people as voting concluded in parliamentary elections overshadowed by the threat of violence and long delays at polling stations.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least 15 people as voting concluded in parliamentary elections overshadowed by the threat of violence and long delays at polling stations. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, which appeared to have been the most serious of a day marked by a series of smaller-scale attacks that caused dozens of casualties across the country. Voting should have been concluded by the time the suicide bomber struck a polling station in the north of Kabul, killing 10 civilians and five police, but polling stations were kept open longer than normal to cope with large numbers of people who had been unable to cast ballots. Turnout was higher than expected, with long lines forming outside polling centres in the main cities, but many voters were forced to endure extended waits because of technical and organisational problems. "People's enthusiasm and participation despite threats, intimidation and attacks by militants must be lauded today," said one senior international security official, who added: "The electioneering process will require close scrutiny as it is clear that there were multiple failures." Untested biometric voter-registration equipment, rushed in at the last minute to counter voter fraud, caused particular problems. The Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan, a civil action group, said the devices suffered malfunctions in more than 40 percent of polling centres. "The biggest problem is with the biometric machines, there are some sites where they're not working and a lot of voters have been discouraged and have gone home," said Nasibullah Sayedi, a voter in the western city of Herat. The Independent Election Commission (IEC), the body overseeing the ballot, said voting hours would be extended in some centres to cope with demand and some polling stations, which had not opened at all, would be open on Sunday. Warning to voters In the days leading to the vote, Taliban militants issued a series of statements telling people not to take part in what they consider a foreign-imposed process and warning election centres may be attacked. Security officials said there were more than 120 hand grenade or improvised explosives attacks but they said many of these did not target voting centres but were aimed nearby, apparently with the aim of frightening voters away rather than causing casualties. Afghanistan's political scene is still tainted by the aftermath of a disputed presidential vote in 2014 that forced the two main rival groupings to form an unstable partnership. Both sides were accused of massive electoral cheating. But high turnout, at least in the major cities, reflected strong support for the process in the face of threats from militant attacks and widespread disillusion with a corrupt political class. "I want candidates to serve the country and hear the voices of the disabled and the poor," said Abdullah, a wheelchair-bound voter in Herat. "People ask what difference one person's vote will make but I say, if a million disabled people come out to vote, don't you think that will make a difference?" Allegations of fraud However numerous allegations of voter fraud made before election have presented a challenge to the legitimacy of the process, seen by Afghanistan's international partners as a vital step ahead of more important presidential elections next year. Due to the difficulty of collecting and collating results across Afghanistan, the overall results will not be known for at least two weeks. In Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan, men and women came out in numbers to vote and created human chains around six polling stations to prevent the entry of suicide bombers. Some 8.8 million voters have been registered but an unknown number, by some estimates as many as 50 percent or more, are believed to be fraudulently or incorrectly registered. About 2,450 candidates are competing for places in the lower house, which has 250 seats, including one reserved for a candidate from the Sikh minority. Under the constitution, parliament reviews and ratifies laws but has little real power. Election authorities originally planned 7,355 polling centres but only 4,530 were open due to security concerns, according to the IEC. Voting was postponed for a week in Kandahar province after the assassination of the powerful local police chief Gen. Abdul Razeq. The ballot was also delayed in Ghazni province by arguments about the representation of different ethnic groups.

Afghan voters brave attacks, delays on election day

The top US&nbsp;general in Afghanistan said on Friday he did not believe he was the target of an attack that killed a powerful police chief, and Afghan officials said the gunman may have deliberately avoided hitting him.

The gunman assassinated the police chief of Kandahar province on Thursday along with a top Afghan intelligence agency officer, but the US&nbsp;commander of Afghanistan's NATO-led force, General Scott Miller, who was standing nearby when the attack occurred, was not hurt.

"My assessment is that I was not the target. It was a very close confined space. But I don't assess that I was the target," Miller told Afghanistan's Tolo News TV in an interview.

General Abdul Razeq, police commander of the southern province and one of Afghanistan's most powerful security officials, was fatally wounded by a bodyguard of the provincial governor as he came from a meeting with officials on Thursday.

In addition, the local head of the NDS intelligence service was killed and the provincial governor severely wounded, while the attacker himself was killed.

Miller was also at the meeting and was heading to his helicopter to return to Kabul when the gunman opened fire.

The Taliban claimed the attack in a statement saying both Razeq and Miller were the targets.

Two Americans and a coalition contractor were wounded, however, Afghan security officials, who believe Pakistan was involved in the plan, said they believed the attacker deliberately avoided killing Miller.

"They didn't want repercussions from the US&nbsp;and the international community. It was a pure warning for Miller that they can hit him if they want to," one of the Afghan officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

Razeq himself was a fierce critic of Pakistan and its intelligence service, which Afghan officials regularly accuse of supporting Taliban operations, a charge Islamabad denies.

On Friday, the chief of the Pakistan army staff issued a statement condemning the Kandahar violence and saying it supported initiatives towards peace in the region.

A foreign security official said Razeq had stopped visiting the governor's house in recent months because he feared it had been infiltrated and had only gone because Miller and his delegation were there.

The identity of the killer, named by Afghan officials as Gulbuddin, was known immediately, and police have made three arrests, but details of his background or why he carried out the attack remained unclear.

One senior foreign security official briefed on the case said the attacker had been recruited this year as part of the governor's security detail.

No one had claimed his body, but his colleagues in the security team said his family members lived in the outskirts of Kandahar.

The top US general in Afghanistan said on Friday he did not believe he was the target of an attack that killed a powerful police chief, and Afghan officials said the gunman may have deliberately avoided hitting him.

The top US general in Afghanistan said on Friday he did not believe he was the target of an attack that killed a powerful police chief, and Afghan officials said the gunman may have deliberately avoided hitting him. The gunman assassinated the police chief of Kandahar province on Thursday along with a top Afghan intelligence agency officer, but the US commander of Afghanistan's NATO-led force, General Scott Miller, who was standing nearby when the attack occurred, was not hurt. "My assessment is that I was not the target. It was a very close confined space. But I don't assess that I was the target," Miller told Afghanistan's Tolo News TV in an interview. General Abdul Razeq, police commander of the southern province and one of Afghanistan's most powerful security officials, was fatally wounded by a bodyguard of the provincial governor as he came from a meeting with officials on Thursday. In addition, the local head of the NDS intelligence service was killed and the provincial governor severely wounded, while the attacker himself was killed. Miller was also at the meeting and was heading to his helicopter to return to Kabul when the gunman opened fire. The Taliban claimed the attack in a statement saying both Razeq and Miller were the targets. Two Americans and a coalition contractor were wounded, however, Afghan security officials, who believe Pakistan was involved in the plan, said they believed the attacker deliberately avoided killing Miller. "They didn't want repercussions from the US and the international community. It was a pure warning for Miller that they can hit him if they want to," one of the Afghan officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. Razeq himself was a fierce critic of Pakistan and its intelligence service, which Afghan officials regularly accuse of supporting Taliban operations, a charge Islamabad denies. On Friday, the chief of the Pakistan army staff issued a statement condemning the Kandahar violence and saying it supported initiatives towards peace in the region. A foreign security official said Razeq had stopped visiting the governor's house in recent months because he feared it had been infiltrated and had only gone because Miller and his delegation were there. The identity of the killer, named by Afghan officials as Gulbuddin, was known immediately, and police have made three arrests, but details of his background or why he carried out the attack remained unclear. One senior foreign security official briefed on the case said the attacker had been recruited this year as part of the governor's security detail. No one had claimed his body, but his colleagues in the security team said his family members lived in the outskirts of Kandahar.

Afghanistan: US general says he may not have been target of Kandahar attack

With parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20 in Afghanistan, the elections are being viewed as crucial tests run for the presidential vote and are being held after a delay of three and a half years.&nbsp;

The Afghan parliament’s term was extended post-June 2015 to promote transparency in the electoral system. But unfortunately, no major reforms have been carried out since then. Instead, the electoral process has just courted more controversies.

Saturday's election will be the third time that the country will elect members to the lower house of the parliament post-Taliban.

The elections are crucial for Afghanistan at multiple levels.

For starters, they will lay the foundation for next year's presidential elections.

Afghanistan's National Unity government is already facing the test as their elite position has dropped behind potential candidates, President Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah are mired in a power struggle. If these parliamentary elections do not go smoothly, the ruling coalition could be in trouble.

The Taliban is, of course, another key factor that threatens democracy in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Threats and attacks by the Taliban and the Islamic state-Khorasan province --- both opposing mainstream politics --- have hampered voter registration processes. This is likely to impact turnout on voting day as well.

Taliban has reportedly been threatening villagers that their homes will be targeted if they vote. Taliban terrorists have also targeted election rallies and claimed several lives in the last few weeks.

The United States is trying to negotiate peace with the Taliban and the results of these elections will have a direct impact on that as well.

But the biggest implication of this election could be the eventual withdrawal of foreign troops from the country.&nbsp;

Transparent democracy is the most likely way to provide long-term stability to the country. A failed democratic process would mean the country plunges into further chaos and in the long run, demand even more international troops and funds. &nbsp;

With parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20 in Afghanistan, the elections are being viewed as crucial tests run for the presidential vote and are being held after a delay of three and a half years.

With parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20 in Afghanistan, the elections are being viewed as crucial tests run for the presidential vote and are being held after a delay of three and a half years. The Afghan parliament’s term was extended post-June 2015 to promote transparency in the electoral system. But unfortunately, no major reforms have been carried out since then. Instead, the electoral process has just courted more controversies. Saturday's election will be the third time that the country will elect members to the lower house of the parliament post-Taliban. The elections are crucial for Afghanistan at multiple levels. For starters, they will lay the foundation for next year's presidential elections. Afghanistan's National Unity government is already facing the test as their elite position has dropped behind potential candidates, President Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah are mired in a power struggle. If these parliamentary elections do not go smoothly, the ruling coalition could be in trouble. The Taliban is, of course, another key factor that threatens democracy in Afghanistan. Threats and attacks by the Taliban and the Islamic state-Khorasan province --- both opposing mainstream politics --- have hampered voter registration processes. This is likely to impact turnout on voting day as well. Taliban has reportedly been threatening villagers that their homes will be targeted if they vote. Taliban terrorists have also targeted election rallies and claimed several lives in the last few weeks. The United States is trying to negotiate peace with the Taliban and the results of these elections will have a direct impact on that as well. But the biggest implication of this election could be the eventual withdrawal of foreign troops from the country. Transparent democracy is the most likely way to provide long-term stability to the country. A failed democratic process would mean the country plunges into further chaos and in the long run, demand even more international troops and funds.

Afghanistan elections could lead to withdrawal of foreign troops

Javid Jaihoon, who started life selling water on the streets of Kabul, is one of a clutch of Afghan businessmen whose multimillion-dollar fortunes, built in the boom years after the fall of the Taliban, are now fuelling a run for parliament.

As well as featuring prominently among the riot of campaign posters now plastering the streets ahead of Saturday's election, they are burnishing their image with TV ads, football team sponsorships or treats like free admission to amusement parks.

"It's not suits that make you different," the shaven-headed Jaihoon, known widely as "Lala" ("Brother") Javid, told Reuters, lightly brushing his own Armani jacket. "'Lala Javid' himself is a brand that's known all over the country."

After a childhood selling cups of water and loose bananas, Jaihoon was among a class of entrepreneurs agile and ruthless enough to seize their chance during the wild decade after 2001 when Western money and contracts were pouring into Afghanistan with few questions asked.

Now worth $200 million, according to his own estimate, Jaihoon owns Afghanistan's largest cement factory, a bank and a security company that together employ more than 8,000 people.

"Anyone can become a millionaire if they work hard and believe in achieving something," he said.

Even as the Taliban have extended their reach from their rural heartlands to the outskirts of major cities like Kabul, money is being made in Afghanistan and the rise of such entrepreneurs underlines its undoubted power in local politics.

While often closely linked to the political elite, they represent a change from the old class of former Mujahideen leaders and strongmen, several of whom have children running for parliament.

Like father, like son&nbsp;

The sons of Hizb-i Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and former anti-Soviet commanders Ismail Khan, Mohammad Moheqeq and Karim Khalili, are all standing, using the aura of their family name to power their campaigns.

All are considered likely to win seats and continue the dynasties created by their fathers in the turbulent years that began with the assassination of former President Daud Khan and the arrival of the Soviets in the late 1970s.

But for many in the new business class, the election is less a matter of political power than protecting their interests.

"As a businessman, you basically have to pay and fill the pockets of a lot of people if you get a contract," said Habibullah Esmati, a candidate who owns a popular fun park near Kabul zoo. "But if I am elected to parliament, I will be immune from paying protection money. It will be an insurance for my businesses and investment."

Critics say that for those with money and connections, a seat in parliament offers excellent opportunities to win lucrative government contracts together with protection against prosecution. There is a great incentive to buy votes either directly or through promises and favours and campaign spending limits appear to be openly flouted.

"In Afghanistan, the first criterion for voters is money, then ethnic and family connections," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of the Transparent Election Foundation

Afghanistan, a watchdog body. He said one female candidate, without the means of some rivals, had come to his office in tears because people were demanding $50 for their vote.

"I don't need money"&nbsp;

But like many businessmen-turned-politicians in Western countries, Afghan entrepreneurs typically promise that their wealth will enable them to resist the corruption for which parliament has become notorious.

"My election slogan is 'Fight against poverty and unemployment'. But to support youth and provide them with jobs, I have to be in parliament," Jaihoon said.

"I am not like other MPs who think being in parliament is a lucrative business. I don't need money and I won't go to the ministers to get something done. I will summon them and make sure they do their jobs," he said.

A former football player, he also sponsors a team in Afghanistan's Premier League, a well-tried formula for boosting popularity.

The league was itself rescued from financial problems last month by another wealthy entrepreneur-turned-candidate called Ajmal Rahmani, known popularly as "Armoured Ajmal" after his business selling bulletproof cars to the Kabul elite.

Rahmani's campaign posters now adorn the grounds where spectators on match day get gift bags bearing his image, an updated version of the traditional feasts and hospitality Afghan politicians offer at meetings with their supporters.

Esmati, who opened up his funfair to the public during the campaign, tempting almost 10,000 potential voters with a free day out, also sees the value of innovative approaches to garnering support.

"Other MPs had feasts and feeding people," he said. "But I gave them entertainment and I believe entertainment is more important than food."

Javid Jaihoon, who started life selling water on the streets of Kabul, is one of a clutch of Afghan businessmen whose multimillion-dollar fortunes, built in the boom years after the fall of the Taliban, are now fuelling a run for parliament.

Javid Jaihoon, who started life selling water on the streets of Kabul, is one of a clutch of Afghan businessmen whose multimillion-dollar fortunes, built in the boom years after the fall of the Taliban, are now fuelling a run for parliament. As well as featuring prominently among the riot of campaign posters now plastering the streets ahead of Saturday's election, they are burnishing their image with TV ads, football team sponsorships or treats like free admission to amusement parks. "It's not suits that make you different," the shaven-headed Jaihoon, known widely as "Lala" ("Brother") Javid, told Reuters, lightly brushing his own Armani jacket. "'Lala Javid' himself is a brand that's known all over the country." After a childhood selling cups of water and loose bananas, Jaihoon was among a class of entrepreneurs agile and ruthless enough to seize their chance during the wild decade after 2001 when Western money and contracts were pouring into Afghanistan with few questions asked. Now worth $200 million, according to his own estimate, Jaihoon owns Afghanistan's largest cement factory, a bank and a security company that together employ more than 8,000 people. "Anyone can become a millionaire if they work hard and believe in achieving something," he said. Even as the Taliban have extended their reach from their rural heartlands to the outskirts of major cities like Kabul, money is being made in Afghanistan and the rise of such entrepreneurs underlines its undoubted power in local politics. While often closely linked to the political elite, they represent a change from the old class of former Mujahideen leaders and strongmen, several of whom have children running for parliament. Like father, like son The sons of Hizb-i Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and former anti-Soviet commanders Ismail Khan, Mohammad Moheqeq and Karim Khalili, are all standing, using the aura of their family name to power their campaigns. All are considered likely to win seats and continue the dynasties created by their fathers in the turbulent years that began with the assassination of former President Daud Khan and the arrival of the Soviets in the late 1970s. But for many in the new business class, the election is less a matter of political power than protecting their interests. "As a businessman, you basically have to pay and fill the pockets of a lot of people if you get a contract," said Habibullah Esmati, a candidate who owns a popular fun park near Kabul zoo. "But if I am elected to parliament, I will be immune from paying protection money. It will be an insurance for my businesses and investment." Critics say that for those with money and connections, a seat in parliament offers excellent opportunities to win lucrative government contracts together with protection against prosecution. There is a great incentive to buy votes either directly or through promises and favours and campaign spending limits appear to be openly flouted. "In Afghanistan, the first criterion for voters is money, then ethnic and family connections," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of the Transparent Election Foundation Afghanistan, a watchdog body. He said one female candidate, without the means of some rivals, had come to his office in tears because people were demanding $50 for their vote. "I don't need money" But like many businessmen-turned-politicians in Western countries, Afghan entrepreneurs typically promise that their wealth will enable them to resist the corruption for which parliament has become notorious. "My election slogan is 'Fight against poverty and unemployment'. But to support youth and provide them with jobs, I have to be in parliament," Jaihoon said. "I am not like other MPs who think being in parliament is a lucrative business. I don't need money and I won't go to the ministers to get something done. I will summon them and make sure they do their jobs," he said. A former football player, he also sponsors a team in Afghanistan's Premier League, a well-tried formula for boosting popularity. The league was itself rescued from financial problems last month by another wealthy entrepreneur-turned-candidate called Ajmal Rahmani, known popularly as "Armoured Ajmal" after his business selling bulletproof cars to the Kabul elite. Rahmani's campaign posters now adorn the grounds where spectators on match day get gift bags bearing his image, an updated version of the traditional feasts and hospitality Afghan politicians offer at meetings with their supporters. Esmati, who opened up his funfair to the public during the campaign, tempting almost 10,000 potential voters with a free day out, also sees the value of innovative approaches to garnering support. "Other MPs had feasts and feeding people," he said. "But I gave them entertainment and I believe entertainment is more important than food."

Football, funfairs and fortunes: In Afghan election, money talks

At least 10 election candidates have been killed, thousands of polling centres closed, and many voters are likely to stay home due to the threat of militant attacks.

This is democracy, Afghanistan style.

Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

But shambolic preparations, expectations of industrial-scale fraud, and escalating poll-related violence threaten to derail the election, which the international community is advising and largely funding.&nbsp;

"We're trying to make a terrible situation slightly less bad," a Western diplomat told AFP, reflecting a sharp drop in expectations for a credible result, even by Afghan standards.

Alarm is growing as the beleaguered Independent Election Commission (IEC), which has been skewered for its poor handling of the process, struggles to distribute voting materials to more than 5,000 polling centres before they open at 7:00 am on Saturday.

They are supposed to include biometric voter verification devices that Afghan political leaders and officials only agreed to use a few weeks ago and have been made mandatory, despite being untested and not required by law.

Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, IEC spokesman Sayed Hafizullah Hashimi told AFP, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.&nbsp;

Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed.

There also are fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10.

"Using technology can help transparency but it can also create confusion if not used properly," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan.

'Pseudo-democracy'&nbsp;

More than 2,500 candidates are competing for 249 seats in the lower house, including doctors, mullahs, the sons of former warlords, and at least one prisoner.

Campaigning has been marred by bloody violence. At least 10 candidates have been killed so far, including Abdul Jabar Qahraman who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand.

The Taliban has warned candidates to withdraw from the ballot, which it has vowed to attack, and told education workers to stop their schools from being used as polling centres.

The election is seen as a rehearsal for the presidential vote scheduled for April and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes".

Despite speculation the vote could be postponed again, Hashimi said it had to go ahead on time.

"It is already snowing in some provinces and the weather is getting colder," Hashimi told AFP.

"If we delay the elections for a week, it means we won't have them."

Observers expect turnout on polling day to be far lower than the 8.9 million registered to vote in the first legislative election since 2010.

More than 2,000 voting centres have already been closed for security reasons, and the threat of more militant attacks are likely to persuade many voters to avoid the poll.

Some 54,000 members of Afghanistan's already overstretched security forces will be deployed to protect the ballot.

To help boost numbers, Hashimi on Wednesday urged the media to focus on the elections, not violence.

There are widespread suspicions that a significant number of voter registrations were based on fake identification documents, which fraudsters hope to use to stuff ballot boxes.

Registrations in the eastern province of Paktia, for example, were "an implausible" 141 percent of the estimated eligible population, Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN) said in a recent report.

"The fraud is already baked in," a Western diplomat told AFP, adding Afghan officials may never know how many people actually voted.

That has further eroded confidence and deterred potential voters.

"Most of the people I have been talking to say they won't go to vote, some even didn't bother to register, and many said 'we would love to vote if we knew the system would work'," AAN co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP.

"It's not that Afghans are tired of democracy. They're tired of this kind of pseudo-democracy."

At least 10 election candidates have been killed, thousands of polling centres closed, and many voters are likely to stay home due to the threat of militant attacks.

At least 10 election candidates have been killed, thousands of polling centres closed, and many voters are likely to stay home due to the threat of militant attacks. This is democracy, Afghanistan style. Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. But shambolic preparations, expectations of industrial-scale fraud, and escalating poll-related violence threaten to derail the election, which the international community is advising and largely funding. "We're trying to make a terrible situation slightly less bad," a Western diplomat told AFP, reflecting a sharp drop in expectations for a credible result, even by Afghan standards. Alarm is growing as the beleaguered Independent Election Commission (IEC), which has been skewered for its poor handling of the process, struggles to distribute voting materials to more than 5,000 polling centres before they open at 7:00 am on Saturday. They are supposed to include biometric voter verification devices that Afghan political leaders and officials only agreed to use a few weeks ago and have been made mandatory, despite being untested and not required by law. Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, IEC spokesman Sayed Hafizullah Hashimi told AFP, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them. Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed. There also are fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10. "Using technology can help transparency but it can also create confusion if not used properly," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan. 'Pseudo-democracy' More than 2,500 candidates are competing for 249 seats in the lower house, including doctors, mullahs, the sons of former warlords, and at least one prisoner. Campaigning has been marred by bloody violence. At least 10 candidates have been killed so far, including Abdul Jabar Qahraman who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand. The Taliban has warned candidates to withdraw from the ballot, which it has vowed to attack, and told education workers to stop their schools from being used as polling centres. The election is seen as a rehearsal for the presidential vote scheduled for April and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes". Despite speculation the vote could be postponed again, Hashimi said it had to go ahead on time. "It is already snowing in some provinces and the weather is getting colder," Hashimi told AFP. "If we delay the elections for a week, it means we won't have them." Observers expect turnout on polling day to be far lower than the 8.9 million registered to vote in the first legislative election since 2010. More than 2,000 voting centres have already been closed for security reasons, and the threat of more militant attacks are likely to persuade many voters to avoid the poll. Some 54,000 members of Afghanistan's already overstretched security forces will be deployed to protect the ballot. To help boost numbers, Hashimi on Wednesday urged the media to focus on the elections, not violence. There are widespread suspicions that a significant number of voter registrations were based on fake identification documents, which fraudsters hope to use to stuff ballot boxes. Registrations in the eastern province of Paktia, for example, were "an implausible" 141 percent of the estimated eligible population, Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN) said in a recent report. "The fraud is already baked in," a Western diplomat told AFP, adding Afghan officials may never know how many people actually voted. That has further eroded confidence and deterred potential voters. "Most of the people I have been talking to say they won't go to vote, some even didn't bother to register, and many said 'we would love to vote if we knew the system would work'," AAN co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP. "It's not that Afghans are tired of democracy. They're tired of this kind of pseudo-democracy."

Afghan-style democracy faces test in legislative election

A key border crossing between <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/skirmish-between-afghan-pakistan-armed-forces-along-durand-line-171502">Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed </a>on Monday as the troops of the two countries exchanged fire after tensions over Pakistani officials fencing the border.&nbsp;

The Friendship Gate near Chaman in Balochistan province in south-west was closed on Sunday after troops of the two sides exchanged fire about 60 km north of the border town of Chaman, with the clash lasting several hours, according to Dawn.

However, it was briefly opened on Sunday evening to let stranded people cross over.

Pakistani officials said Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani personnel who were erecting a fence along the border in the Tandah Dara Sarochahan area. There were no reports of casualties in the clash.

After the incident, Pakistani border authorities closed the Friendship Gate near Chaman, leaving thousands of people stranded on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border.

The exchange of fire ended in the evening, the officials said. ?The firing stopped late in the evening but the situation is still tense,? they said, adding that Pakistani officials deployed more troops to the area.

Pakistan has been erecting a fence along its western border to stop "illegal influx of terrorists and smugglers from Afghanistan who often use infrequent routes to enter Pakistan."&nbsp;

Pakistan has already informed the Afghan government of its decision to build a border fence. However, Afghan officials in the Spin Buldak area raised objections to Islamabad's decision.&nbsp;

A key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed on Monday as the troops of the two countries exchanged fire after tensions over Pakistani officials fencing the border.

A key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed on Monday as the troops of the two countries exchanged fire after tensions over Pakistani officials fencing the border. The Friendship Gate near Chaman in Balochistan province in south-west was closed on Sunday after troops of the two sides exchanged fire about 60 km north of the border town of Chaman, with the clash lasting several hours, according to Dawn. However, it was briefly opened on Sunday evening to let stranded people cross over. Pakistani officials said Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani personnel who were erecting a fence along the border in the Tandah Dara Sarochahan area. There were no reports of casualties in the clash. After the incident, Pakistani border authorities closed the Friendship Gate near Chaman, leaving thousands of people stranded on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border. The exchange of fire ended in the evening, the officials said. ?The firing stopped late in the evening but the situation is still tense,? they said, adding that Pakistani officials deployed more troops to the area. Pakistan has been erecting a fence along its western border to stop "illegal influx of terrorists and smugglers from Afghanistan who often use infrequent routes to enter Pakistan." Pakistan has already informed the Afghan government of its decision to build a border fence. However, Afghan officials in the Spin Buldak area raised objections to Islamabad's decision.

Pakistan-Afghan border crossing closed after tension over its fencing    

Heavily armed Taliban fighters destroyed bridges near the central city of Ghazni on Saturday, closing the main highway between the capital Kabul and southern Afghanistan, officials said.

Sporadic clashes erupted between Afghan soldiers and Taliban insurgents who were trying to gain control over parts of Ghazni province nearly two months after being pushed back from the city by US-backed Afghan forces, officials added.

Mohammad Arif Noori, the governor’s spokesman in Ghazni, said fighting was ongoing and the Afghan army had deployed helicopters to prevent the militants from entering the city centre.

"We are fully prepared to attack them. This time the province will not fall into the hands of the Taliban," Noori said.

Five militants were killed as they were planting bombs on three bridges on the Kabul-Kandahar highway, Noori added.

Residents of Qarabagh district, 55 km (35 miles) south of Ghazni city, said the militants had set up checkpoints and did not allow vehicles to pass through several residential areas.

The attack on Ghazni was a show of strength for the Taliban, underscoring how volatile the security situation remains two weeks before the parliamentary elections.

Polling has already been called off in Ghazni province after the Taliban overran it in August and besieged the city for five days.

That confrontation killed 150 Afghan security forces and 95 civilians dead, as well as hundreds of Taliban fighters, said officials then.

President Ashraf Ghani's Western-backed government pledged $20 million for relief and reconstruction of Ghazni after security forces defeated the Taliban fighters in that battle.

Heavily armed Taliban fighters destroyed bridges near the central city of Ghazni on Saturday, closing the main highway between the capital Kabul and southern Afghanistan, officials said.

Heavily armed Taliban fighters destroyed bridges near the central city of Ghazni on Saturday, closing the main highway between the capital Kabul and southern Afghanistan, officials said. Sporadic clashes erupted between Afghan soldiers and Taliban insurgents who were trying to gain control over parts of Ghazni province nearly two months after being pushed back from the city by US-backed Afghan forces, officials added. Mohammad Arif Noori, the governor’s spokesman in Ghazni, said fighting was ongoing and the Afghan army had deployed helicopters to prevent the militants from entering the city centre. "We are fully prepared to attack them. This time the province will not fall into the hands of the Taliban," Noori said. Five militants were killed as they were planting bombs on three bridges on the Kabul-Kandahar highway, Noori added. Residents of Qarabagh district, 55 km (35 miles) south of Ghazni city, said the militants had set up checkpoints and did not allow vehicles to pass through several residential areas. The attack on Ghazni was a show of strength for the Taliban, underscoring how volatile the security situation remains two weeks before the parliamentary elections. Polling has already been called off in Ghazni province after the Taliban overran it in August and besieged the city for five days. That confrontation killed 150 Afghan security forces and 95 civilians dead, as well as hundreds of Taliban fighters, said officials then. President Ashraf Ghani's Western-backed government pledged $20 million for relief and reconstruction of Ghazni after security forces defeated the Taliban fighters in that battle.

Afghan forces, Taliban battle for control of highway in Ghazni province

Campaigning for Afghanistan's long-delayed parliamentary elections kicks off Friday, as a crescendo of deadly violence and claims of widespread fraud fuel debate over whether the vote will go ahead.

More than 2,500 candidates will contest the October 20 poll, which is seen as a test run for next year's presidential vote and a key milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes".

But preparations for the ballot, which is more than three years late, have been in turmoil for months, despite UN-led efforts to keep Afghan organisers on track.&nbsp;

Bureaucratic inefficiency, allegations of industrial-scale fraud and now an eleventh-hour pledge for biometric verification of voters threaten to derail the election and any hope of a credible result.

It will be "highly flawed", a Western diplomat admitted to AFP this week, reflecting falling expectations across Kabul's international community, which is providing most of the funding for the elections.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has insisted voting will go ahead, with or without the biometric machines that have been demanded by opposition groups to prevent people from voting more than once.&nbsp;

Only 4,400 out of the 22,000 German-made machines ordered have been delivered to Afghanistan, officials said.

"They have promised (biometric verification) and they may do it, but will it be successful in dispelling the concerns? I'm doubtful," Afghanistan Analysts Network researcher Ali Yawar Adili told AFP.

"It may create a bigger mess."&nbsp;

Young hopefuls

The list of candidates, which has been trimmed to 2,565 after 35 were expelled, are competing for 249 seats in the lower house, whose members are widely derided as corrupt and ineffective.

Most MPs are seeking re-election. But hundreds of political first-timers -- including the offspring of former warlords, entrepreneurs and journalists -- are also contesting the vote.

"Parliament is supposed to be the house of the people. Instead it has become a place for mafia networks, corruption, and those who work for their own interests," said former TV journalist Maryam Sama, 26, who is running in Kabul province.

"If anyone can bring real change, it is the young people." &nbsp;

Afghanistan's demographics should, in theory, favour younger candidates -- the country is ranked as one of the youngest and fastest growing in the world.

But they face a formidable challenge from the old guard, who have long dominated the political landscape through tribal and ethnic connections and deep pockets.

Traditional attitudes are also stacked against the younger hopefuls in a country where elders are respected and listened to. &nbsp;

"Old politicians, ethnic and religious power brokers regard themselves as the rightful and exclusive owners of politics and have the power and resources," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan.

Bloody rehearsal

The international community is pushing hard for the vote to happen before November's ministerial meeting in Geneva, which the United Nations says is a "crucial moment" for the Afghan government and its foreign partners to demonstrate progress.&nbsp;

But a wave of deadly violence across the country in recent months has raised concerns that parliamentary elections could end up being a bloody rehearsal for the presidential vote scheduled for April.

Some 54,000 members of Afghanistan's beleaguered security forces will be responsible for protecting more than 5,000 polling centres on election day.

More than 2,000 polling centres that were supposed to open will be closed for security reasons.&nbsp;

It is a daunting task as the Taliban and the Islamic State group, which have vowed to disrupt the ballot, ramp up attacks across the country.&nbsp;

"Elections are not about NATO but about Afghan people," Cornelius Zimmermann, NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, told a recent meeting of Afghan security officials.

Allegations of massive fraud in the voter registration process that saw nearly nine million people sign up are also disrupting the process.&nbsp;

District council elections, which also were scheduled to be held on October 20, have been postponed and a parliamentary vote in Ghazni province, whose capital the Taliban recently raided, has been cancelled.&nbsp;

Delaying voting in the rest of the country until after the presidential poll "would be best", a Western official monitoring election preparations told AFP on the condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

"If the process is not accepted, how can you accept the outcome?" the official asked.&nbsp;

Campaigning for Afghanistan's long-delayed parliamentary elections kicks off Friday, as a crescendo of deadly violence and claims of widespread fraud fuel debate over whether the vote will go ahead.

Campaigning for Afghanistan's long-delayed parliamentary elections kicks off Friday, as a crescendo of deadly violence and claims of widespread fraud fuel debate over whether the vote will go ahead. More than 2,500 candidates will contest the October 20 poll, which is seen as a test run for next year's presidential vote and a key milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes". But preparations for the ballot, which is more than three years late, have been in turmoil for months, despite UN-led efforts to keep Afghan organisers on track. Bureaucratic inefficiency, allegations of industrial-scale fraud and now an eleventh-hour pledge for biometric verification of voters threaten to derail the election and any hope of a credible result. It will be "highly flawed", a Western diplomat admitted to AFP this week, reflecting falling expectations across Kabul's international community, which is providing most of the funding for the elections. The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has insisted voting will go ahead, with or without the biometric machines that have been demanded by opposition groups to prevent people from voting more than once. Only 4,400 out of the 22,000 German-made machines ordered have been delivered to Afghanistan, officials said. "They have promised (biometric verification) and they may do it, but will it be successful in dispelling the concerns? I'm doubtful," Afghanistan Analysts Network researcher Ali Yawar Adili told AFP. "It may create a bigger mess." Young hopefuls The list of candidates, which has been trimmed to 2,565 after 35 were expelled, are competing for 249 seats in the lower house, whose members are widely derided as corrupt and ineffective. Most MPs are seeking re-election. But hundreds of political first-timers -- including the offspring of former warlords, entrepreneurs and journalists -- are also contesting the vote. "Parliament is supposed to be the house of the people. Instead it has become a place for mafia networks, corruption, and those who work for their own interests," said former TV journalist Maryam Sama, 26, who is running in Kabul province. "If anyone can bring real change, it is the young people." Afghanistan's demographics should, in theory, favour younger candidates -- the country is ranked as one of the youngest and fastest growing in the world. But they face a formidable challenge from the old guard, who have long dominated the political landscape through tribal and ethnic connections and deep pockets. Traditional attitudes are also stacked against the younger hopefuls in a country where elders are respected and listened to. "Old politicians, ethnic and religious power brokers regard themselves as the rightful and exclusive owners of politics and have the power and resources," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan. Bloody rehearsal The international community is pushing hard for the vote to happen before November's ministerial meeting in Geneva, which the United Nations says is a "crucial moment" for the Afghan government and its foreign partners to demonstrate progress. But a wave of deadly violence across the country in recent months has raised concerns that parliamentary elections could end up being a bloody rehearsal for the presidential vote scheduled for April. Some 54,000 members of Afghanistan's beleaguered security forces will be responsible for protecting more than 5,000 polling centres on election day. More than 2,000 polling centres that were supposed to open will be closed for security reasons. It is a daunting task as the Taliban and the Islamic State group, which have vowed to disrupt the ballot, ramp up attacks across the country. "Elections are not about NATO but about Afghan people," Cornelius Zimmermann, NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, told a recent meeting of Afghan security officials. Allegations of massive fraud in the voter registration process that saw nearly nine million people sign up are also disrupting the process. District council elections, which also were scheduled to be held on October 20, have been postponed and a parliamentary vote in Ghazni province, whose capital the Taliban recently raided, has been cancelled. Delaying voting in the rest of the country until after the presidential poll "would be best", a Western official monitoring election preparations told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "If the process is not accepted, how can you accept the outcome?" the official asked.

Afghan election campaigning kicks off amid violence, fraud claims

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/america-had-no-achievements-un-general-assembly-iran-president-hassan-rouhani-167997">America had no achievements at UN General Assembly: Iran President Hassan Rouhani</a>

The United States was not able to register any achievements at the United Nations General Assembly meeting which took place this week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-raising-kashmir-issue-international-forum-unwarranted-india-168008">Pakistan raising Kashmir issue at international forum 'unwarranted': India</a>

India has raised objections over Pakistan raising the Kashmir issue at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting, saying it is completely "unwarranted" for the grouping as well as its member countries to discuss matters related to India's internal affairs in any multilateral set up.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-announce-verdict-entry-women-sabarimala-temple-friday-167989">Supreme Court's verdict on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-announce-verdict-entry-women-sabarimala-temple-friday-167989">entry</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-announce-verdict-entry-women-sabarimala-temple-friday-167989"> of women in Sabarimala tomorrow</a>

Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict Friday on a batch of petitions on entry of women between the ages of 10 to 50 at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, reports said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-rockets-hit-ghazni-during-president-ashraf-ghanis-visit-taliban-claims">Afghanistan: Rockets hit Ghazni during president Ashraf Ghani's visit, Taliban claims responsibility</a>

Three rockets hit the Afghan's Ghazni on Thursday while President Ashraf Ghani was visiting the city.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-top-court-pick-brett-kavanaugh-accuser-face-high-stakes-hearing-168001">Woman</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-top-court-pick-brett-kavanaugh-accuser-face-high-stakes-hearing-168001"> who accused Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault to face </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-top-court-pick-brett-kavanaugh-accuser-face-high-stakes-hearing-168001">high-stakes</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-top-court-pick-brett-kavanaugh-accuser-face-high-stakes-hearing-168001"> hearing</a>

A woman who has accused US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in 1982 will testify at a high-stakes Senate hearing on Thursday that could determine whether he is confirmed or rejected for the nation's top court.

&nbsp;

America had no achievements at UN General Assembly: Iran President Hassan Rouhani The United States was not able to register any achievements at the United Nations General Assembly meeting which took place this week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday.

America had no achievements at UN General Assembly: Iran President Hassan Rouhani The United States was not able to register any achievements at the United Nations General Assembly meeting which took place this week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday. Pakistan raising Kashmir issue at international forum 'unwarranted': India India has raised objections over Pakistan raising the Kashmir issue at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting, saying it is completely "unwarranted" for the grouping as well as its member countries to discuss matters related to India's internal affairs in any multilateral set up. Supreme Court's verdict on entry of women in Sabarimala tomorrow Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict Friday on a batch of petitions on entry of women between the ages of 10 to 50 at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, reports said. Afghanistan: Rockets hit Ghazni during president Ashraf Ghani's visit, Taliban claims responsibility Three rockets hit the Afghan's Ghazni on Thursday while President Ashraf Ghani was visiting the city. Woman who accused Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault to face high-stakes hearing A woman who has accused US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in 1982 will testify at a high-stakes Senate hearing on Thursday that could determine whether he is confirmed or rejected for the nation's top court.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Three rockets hit the Afghan's Ghazni on Thursday while&nbsp;President Ashraf Ghani was visiting the city.

No was killed or injured in the assault which reportedly was a display of strength by terrorists as they attack across the country.

Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to report, one of the rockets landed about 200 metres (660 feet) from the Ghazni governor's office, where Ghani was holding meetings with security officials, religious leaders and members of civil society.&nbsp;

It was Ghani's second visit to Ghazni since the Taliban's raid on the city in early August.&nbsp;

His visit to Ghazni, accompanied by his wife, was aimed at assessing the security situation in the city.

Ghazni, on the main highway between the capital Kabul and southern Afghanistan, still bears the scars of days of heavy combat last month when hundreds of Taliban fighters stormed the city and overran large parts of the centre.

The United Nations estimates at least 200 civilians were killed in the days-long battle that analysts said delivered the Taliban a military and psychological win against the government.

Days later multiple mortar rounds were fired on Kabul, landing near the presidential palace as Ghani delivered a speech on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group.

The Taliban have made significant gains on the battlefield in recent months, amid intensifying Afghan and international efforts to persuade the militants to discuss a peace deal.

(With inputs from news agencies)

Three rockets hit the Afghan's Ghazni on Thursday while President Ashraf Ghani was visiting the city. No was killed or injured in the assault which reportedly was a display of strength by terrorists as they attack across the country.

Three rockets hit the Afghan's Ghazni on Thursday while President Ashraf Ghani was visiting the city. No was killed or injured in the assault which reportedly was a display of strength by terrorists as they attack across the country. Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to report, one of the rockets landed about 200 metres (660 feet) from the Ghazni governor's office, where Ghani was holding meetings with security officials, religious leaders and members of civil society. It was Ghani's second visit to Ghazni since the Taliban's raid on the city in early August. His visit to Ghazni, accompanied by his wife, was aimed at assessing the security situation in the city. Ghazni, on the main highway between the capital Kabul and southern Afghanistan, still bears the scars of days of heavy combat last month when hundreds of Taliban fighters stormed the city and overran large parts of the centre. The United Nations estimates at least 200 civilians were killed in the days-long battle that analysts said delivered the Taliban a military and psychological win against the government. Days later multiple mortar rounds were fired on Kabul, landing near the presidential palace as Ghani delivered a speech on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group. The Taliban have made significant gains on the battlefield in recent months, amid intensifying Afghan and international efforts to persuade the militants to discuss a peace deal. (With inputs from news agencies)

Afghanistan: Rockets hit Ghazni during president Ashraf Ghani's visit, Taliban claims responsibility

Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General&nbsp;Qamar Javed Bajwa&nbsp;left for Kabul to meet President&nbsp;Ashraf Ghani, on Tuesday.

As per Geo News, the invitation to Bajwa was extended by the Afghan president, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted.

"Pakistan wishes to see the National Unity Government and US/&nbsp;NATO&nbsp;succeeding to bring peace in Afghanistan," Pak military spokesperson wrote on twitter.

Pakistan's President&nbsp;Mamnoon Hussain&nbsp;on Sunday said that Pakistan and Afghanistan will work together to draft a detailed strategy for establishing peace in Afghanistan.

Hussain said this at a session of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao.

"Pakistan and Afghanistan are working on a comprehensive strategy on a bilateral basis to establish peace in Afghanistan," Hussain said.

Pakistan's president appreciated Afghanistan for announcing a ceasefire with the&nbsp;Taliban, calling it a positive move.

Afghanistan President&nbsp;Ashraf Ghani&nbsp;had earlier announced a ceasefire with the&nbsp;Taliban starting from the 27th of Ramzan (June 12) to the fifth day of&nbsp;Eid-ul-Fitr (June 19).

In response to Ghani's announcement, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;on Saturday declared a three-day ceasefire over the&nbsp;Eid&nbsp;holiday, two days after the Afghan government announced the ceasefire.

This is the first time the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;has agreed to a ceasefire since the US invasion in 2001.

Hussain concluded his speech by urging the leaders to take measures for capacity building and skill development of the youth in member states.

 
&nbsp;

Pakistan wishes to see the National Unity Government and US/ NATO succeeding to bring peace in Afghanistan

Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa left for Kabul to meet President Ashraf Ghani, on Tuesday. As per Geo News, the invitation to Bajwa was extended by the Afghan president, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted. "Pakistan wishes to see the National Unity Government and US/ NATO succeeding to bring peace in Afghanistan," Pak military spokesperson wrote on twitter. Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain on Sunday said that Pakistan and Afghanistan will work together to draft a detailed strategy for establishing peace in Afghanistan. Hussain said this at a session of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao. "Pakistan and Afghanistan are working on a comprehensive strategy on a bilateral basis to establish peace in Afghanistan," Hussain said. Pakistan's president appreciated Afghanistan for announcing a ceasefire with the Taliban, calling it a positive move. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani had earlier announced a ceasefire with the Taliban starting from the 27th of Ramzan (June 12) to the fifth day of Eid-ul-Fitr (June 19). In response to Ghani's announcement, the Taliban on Saturday declared a three-day ceasefire over the Eid holiday, two days after the Afghan government announced the ceasefire. This is the first time the Taliban has agreed to a ceasefire since the US invasion in 2001. Hussain concluded his speech by urging the leaders to take measures for capacity building and skill development of the youth in member states.

Pak Chief of Army Staff  leaves for Kabul to meet Ghani

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's bold initiatives towards peace and expressed hope that it will be respected by all parties, referring to a ceasefire announced by the Afghan leader for Eid.

Speaking at the restricted session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, Prime Minister Modi also promised that India will play an active role in the contact group for Afghanistan under the SCO banner.

"Afghanistan is an unfortunate example of the effect of extremism and terrorism. I hope the bold initiatives towards peace taken by President Ghani will be respected by all parties," Modi said at the summit, also attended by Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain.

Modi was referring to the Afghan government's surprise announcement of the week-long ceasefire with the Taliban for Eid.

The ceasefire will last from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr, President Ghani had tweeted last week, indicating it could run from June 12-19.&nbsp

Responding to Ghani's announcement, the Taliban on Saturday announced the suspension of fighting for the first three days of Eid - the first ceasefire by the militant group in Afghanistan since the 2001 US invasion.

India and China have agreed to undertake a joint economic project in Afghanistan. They have agreed to move forward in identifying a specific project initially in the area of capacity building in Afghanistan.

This will be a first such project in the war-torn country where China while trying to expand its influence, has tacitly backed Pakistan, which has been accused by Afghanistan and the US of backing the Taliban and its most violent attacks in the country destabilising any attempts to restore peace.

Since 2002, India has committed $ 2 billion to the socio-economic rebuilding of war-torn Afghanistan.

Speaking at the restricted session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, Prime Minister Modi also promised that India will play an active role in the contact group for Afghanistan under the SCO banner

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's bold initiatives towards peace and expressed hope that it will be respected by all parties, referring to a ceasefire announced by the Afghan leader for Eid. Speaking at the restricted session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, Prime Minister Modi also promised that India will play an active role in the contact group for Afghanistan under the SCO banner. "Afghanistan is an unfortunate example of the effect of extremism and terrorism. I hope the bold initiatives towards peace taken by President Ghani will be respected by all parties," Modi said at the summit, also attended by Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain. Modi was referring to the Afghan government's surprise announcement of the week-long ceasefire with the Taliban for Eid. The ceasefire will last from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr, President Ghani had tweeted last week, indicating it could run from June 12-19. Responding to Ghani's announcement, the Taliban on Saturday announced the suspension of fighting for the first three days of Eid - the first ceasefire by the militant group in Afghanistan since the 2001 US invasion. India and China have agreed to undertake a joint economic project in Afghanistan. They have agreed to move forward in identifying a specific project initially in the area of capacity building in Afghanistan. This will be a first such project in the war-torn country where China while trying to expand its influence, has tacitly backed Pakistan, which has been accused by Afghanistan and the US of backing the Taliban and its most violent attacks in the country destabilising any attempts to restore peace. Since 2002, India has committed $ 2 billion to the socio-economic rebuilding of war-torn Afghanistan.

PM Modi praises Afghan President's bold initiatives towards peace

At least 19 Afghan police officers were killed on Saturday in a pre-dawn raid by the Taliban on a base in the northern province of Kunduz, officials said, hours before the militants announced an unprecedented ceasefire starting next week.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a day after the insurgents stormed a military base in the western province of Herat, killing 17 Afghan soldiers.

Kunduz provincial governor spokesman Nehmatullah Taimuri said five members of the local police force were also wounded in Saturday's attack on a police base in Qal-e-Zal district.

Provincial police spokesman Enhamuddin Rahmani confirmed the death toll and said eight Taliban fighters were also killed.

Both attacks came hours before the Taliban announced a ceasefire with Afghan security forces for the first three days of Eid, the holiday that caps Ramadan and which is due to begin at the end of next week.

That unexpected move came two days after the Afghan government’s own surprise announcement of an apparently unilateral week-long halt to operations against the Taliban.

It would last “from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr,” President Ashraf Ghani tweeted from an official account, indicating the ceasefire could run from June 12-19.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a day after the insurgents stormed a military base in the western province of Herat, killing 17 Afghan soldiers

At least 19 Afghan police officers were killed on Saturday in a pre-dawn raid by the Taliban on a base in the northern province of Kunduz, officials said, hours before the militants announced an unprecedented ceasefire starting next week. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a day after the insurgents stormed a military base in the western province of Herat, killing 17 Afghan soldiers. Kunduz provincial governor spokesman Nehmatullah Taimuri said five members of the local police force were also wounded in Saturday's attack on a police base in Qal-e-Zal district. Provincial police spokesman Enhamuddin Rahmani confirmed the death toll and said eight Taliban fighters were also killed. Both attacks came hours before the Taliban announced a ceasefire with Afghan security forces for the first three days of Eid, the holiday that caps Ramadan and which is due to begin at the end of next week. That unexpected move came two days after the Afghan government’s own surprise announcement of an apparently unilateral week-long halt to operations against the Taliban. It would last “from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr,” President Ashraf Ghani tweeted from an official account, indicating the ceasefire could run from June 12-19.

19 Afghan police killed in Taliban attack on base: Officials

&nbsp;Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month, but excluding other militant groups, such as Islamic State.

The decision came after a meeting of Islamic clerics this week declared a fatwa, or ruling, against suicide bombings, one of which, claimed by Islamic State, killed 14 people at the entrance to the clerics' peace tent in Kabul, the capital.

The clerics also recommended a ceasefire with the Taliban, who are seeking to reimpose strict Islamic law after their ouster in 2001, and Ghani endorsed the recommendation, announcing a laying down of arms until June 20.

Ghani has urged ceasefires with the Taliban before, but this was the first unconditional offer since he was elected in 2014.

"This ceasefire is an opportunity for Taliban to introspect (sic) that their violent campaign is not winning them hearts and minds," Ghani said in a message on social network Twitter after a televised address.

There was no immediate reaction from the Taliban but an international political analyst based in Kabul was unimpressed.

"It's a one-sided love story," he said.

US&nbsp;Forces-Afghanistan&nbsp;said they would honour the ceasefire.

"We will adhere to the wishes of&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;for the country to enjoy a peaceful end to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and support the search for an end to the conflict," Gen. John Nicholson, US&nbsp;Forces-Afghanistan&nbsp;and the NATO-led Resolute Support commander, said in a statement.

The ceasefire would not include US&nbsp;counterterrorism efforts against Islamic State and al Qaeda, it said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the announcement which he said: "shows the seriousness of President Ghani and the Afghan government". Both he and the United Nations urged the Taliban to reciprocate.

The United States and Russia also praised the decision.

"The Afghan government’s offer of a temporary ceasefire underscores its commitment to peace as both a national and religious responsibility," the State Department said in a statement.

But former Afghan army general Atiqullah Amarkhel said the ceasefire would give the Taliban a chance to regroup.

"From a military prospect, it is not a good move," he told Reuters.

He also said he doubted the Taliban would lay down arms and deny themselves the opportunity of fighting during the holy month of Ramadan, in which attacks have intensified.

The Eid al-Fitr holiday ending Ramadan falls at the end of next week.

Ghani in February offered recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate political group in a proposed political process that he said could lead to talks to end more than 16 years of war.

Ghani proposed a ceasefire and a release of prisoners among options including new elections involving the militants and a constitutional review in a pact with the Taliban to end a conflict that last year alone killed or wounded more than 10,000 civilians.

In August, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump unveiled a more hawkish military approach to Afghanistan, including a surge in air strikes, aimed at forcing the Taliban to the negotiating table.

Afghan security forces say the impact has been significant, but the Taliban roam huge swaths of the country and, with foreign troop levels of about 15,600, down from 140,000 in 2014, there appears little hope of outright victory.

Ghani has urged ceasefires with the Taliban before, but this was the first unconditional offer since he was elected in 2014

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month, but excluding other militant groups, such as Islamic State. The decision came after a meeting of Islamic clerics this week declared a fatwa, or ruling, against suicide bombings, one of which, claimed by Islamic State, killed 14 people at the entrance to the clerics' peace tent in Kabul, the capital. The clerics also recommended a ceasefire with the Taliban, who are seeking to reimpose strict Islamic law after their ouster in 2001, and Ghani endorsed the recommendation, announcing a laying down of arms until June 20. Ghani has urged ceasefires with the Taliban before, but this was the first unconditional offer since he was elected in 2014. "This ceasefire is an opportunity for Taliban to introspect (sic) that their violent campaign is not winning them hearts and minds," Ghani said in a message on social network Twitter after a televised address. There was no immediate reaction from the Taliban but an international political analyst based in Kabul was unimpressed. "It's a one-sided love story," he said. US Forces-Afghanistan said they would honour the ceasefire. "We will adhere to the wishes of Afghanistan for the country to enjoy a peaceful end to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and support the search for an end to the conflict," Gen. John Nicholson, US Forces-Afghanistan and the NATO-led Resolute Support commander, said in a statement. The ceasefire would not include US counterterrorism efforts against Islamic State and al Qaeda, it said. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the announcement which he said: "shows the seriousness of President Ghani and the Afghan government". Both he and the United Nations urged the Taliban to reciprocate. The United States and Russia also praised the decision. "The Afghan government’s offer of a temporary ceasefire underscores its commitment to peace as both a national and religious responsibility," the State Department said in a statement. But former Afghan army general Atiqullah Amarkhel said the ceasefire would give the Taliban a chance to regroup. "From a military prospect, it is not a good move," he told Reuters. He also said he doubted the Taliban would lay down arms and deny themselves the opportunity of fighting during the holy month of Ramadan, in which attacks have intensified. The Eid al-Fitr holiday ending Ramadan falls at the end of next week. Ghani in February offered recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate political group in a proposed political process that he said could lead to talks to end more than 16 years of war. Ghani proposed a ceasefire and a release of prisoners among options including new elections involving the militants and a constitutional review in a pact with the Taliban to end a conflict that last year alone killed or wounded more than 10,000 civilians. In August, US President Donald Trump unveiled a more hawkish military approach to Afghanistan, including a surge in air strikes, aimed at forcing the Taliban to the negotiating table. Afghan security forces say the impact has been significant, but the Taliban roam huge swaths of the country and, with foreign troop levels of about 15,600, down from 140,000 in 2014, there appears little hope of outright victory.

Afghanistan announces Eid ceasefire with Taliban until June 20

The United States is looking to intensifying ongoing military operations against Islamic State militants in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nangarhar during a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Friday.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month. But that excludes other militant groups such as Islamic State.

"(Operations against ISIS) will continue, in fact will be even intensified during this period of ceasefire as we focus on ISIS," U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, told reporters.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban

The United States is looking to intensifying ongoing military operations against Islamic State militants in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nangarhar during a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Friday. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month. But that excludes other militant groups such as Islamic State. "(Operations against ISIS) will continue, in fact will be even intensified during this period of ceasefire as we focus on ISIS," U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, told reporters.

Military operations against Islamic State in eastern Afghanistan to intensify: US general

The ceasefire will last "from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr," President Ashraf Ghani tweeted from an official account, indicating it could run from June 12-19.

It was not immediately clear if the Taliban had agreed to the ceasefire, which would be the first for Eid since the US invasion in 2001.&nbsp;

"We are checking with our officials regarding the ceasefire announcement," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP.

The surprise move comes days after a gathering of Afghanistan's top clerics in the capital Kabul called for a ceasefire and issued a fatwa against suicide bombings and attacks.

An hour after the fatwa was issued, a suicide bomber detonated outside the gathering, killing seven people.

Ghani said his government supported the clerics' call.

"The government of Afghanistan not only supports the unanimous fatwa announcement by the ulemas (scholars) but also backs the recommended ceasefire," he said in a statement released by his office.

"(At) the same time, the Afghan government directs all the security and defence forces of the country... to stop all the attacks on the Taliban, but the operation will continue against Daesh (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and other international terrorist networks."&nbsp;

In February Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. At the time he also called for a ceasefire.

The insurgents did not officially respond but announced the launch of their annual spring offensive in an apparent rejection of the plan, one of the most comprehensive ever offered by the Afghan government.

Last month, the Pentagon said that senior Taliban officials have been secretly negotiating with Afghan officials on a possible ceasefire.

"A lot of the diplomatic activity and dialogue is occurring off the stage, and it's occurring at multiple levels," General John Nicholson said in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon.

He would not identify the figures involved in the negotiations, except to say that they included mid- and senior-level Taliban officials.

A ceasefire would bring welcome relief to civilians in the war-torn country, nearly 17 years after the Taliban regime was toppled.

In recent years the resurgent militant group, along with the Islamic State group, have stepped up their attacks on Kabul in particular, making it the deadliest place in the country for civilians.

Fearful residents have limited their movements and Eid celebrations in the capital are set to be muted, unlike in other parts of the Muslim world.&nbsp;

The 27th day of Ramadan is set for Monday, June 11 while the fifth day of Eid should fall on June 15

The ceasefire will last "from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr," President Ashraf Ghani tweeted from an official account, indicating it could run from June 12-19. It was not immediately clear if the Taliban had agreed to the ceasefire, which would be the first for Eid since the US invasion in 2001. "We are checking with our officials regarding the ceasefire announcement," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP. The surprise move comes days after a gathering of Afghanistan's top clerics in the capital Kabul called for a ceasefire and issued a fatwa against suicide bombings and attacks. An hour after the fatwa was issued, a suicide bomber detonated outside the gathering, killing seven people. Ghani said his government supported the clerics' call. "The government of Afghanistan not only supports the unanimous fatwa announcement by the ulemas (scholars) but also backs the recommended ceasefire," he said in a statement released by his office. "(At) the same time, the Afghan government directs all the security and defence forces of the country... to stop all the attacks on the Taliban, but the operation will continue against Daesh (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and other international terrorist networks." In February Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. At the time he also called for a ceasefire. The insurgents did not officially respond but announced the launch of their annual spring offensive in an apparent rejection of the plan, one of the most comprehensive ever offered by the Afghan government. Last month, the Pentagon said that senior Taliban officials have been secretly negotiating with Afghan officials on a possible ceasefire. "A lot of the diplomatic activity and dialogue is occurring off the stage, and it's occurring at multiple levels," General John Nicholson said in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon. He would not identify the figures involved in the negotiations, except to say that they included mid- and senior-level Taliban officials. A ceasefire would bring welcome relief to civilians in the war-torn country, nearly 17 years after the Taliban regime was toppled. In recent years the resurgent militant group, along with the Islamic State group, have stepped up their attacks on Kabul in particular, making it the deadliest place in the country for civilians. Fearful residents have limited their movements and Eid celebrations in the capital are set to be muted, unlike in other parts of the Muslim world.

Afghanistan President Ghani announces ceasefire with Taliban for Eid

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