Gunmen and suicide bombers of Haqqani network on Wednesday attacked a Sikh Gurudwara in Shorbazar area of Afghanistan's capital Kabul, killing at least eleven people.

Gunmen and suicide bombers of Haqqani network on Wednesday attacked a Sikh Gurudwara in Shorbazar area of Afghanistan's capital Kabul, killing at least eleven people. Afghan security sources speaking to media have said, Haqqani network (Quetta shura) wanted to attack Indian mission in Kabul but could not due to tight security. Since they were not able to attack the Indian mission, they attacked the Gurudwara instead. The Haqqani network is an Afghan guerrilla terrorist group using asymmetric warfare to fight against US-led NATO forces and the government of Afghanistan. At least 11 people have been killed and 11 others wounded in the attack at Dharamshala, a Sikh worship area in PD1 of Kabul, a security source said, adding that "three attackers are still fighting with security forces and one has been shot." Up to 200 people were believed to be inside at the time of the attack, a member of parliament said. The gunmen and suicide bombers intruded into the Gurudwara at 7:45 am at Dharamshala, a Sikh area of worship. Earlier this month an Islamic State affiliate attacked a gathering of minority Shia Muslims in Kabul, the capital, killing 32 people. (With inputs from agencies)

Terrorists failed to attack Indian mission in Kabul, killed 11 in Gurudwara

At least four security forces officials were killed and three others injured&nbsp;on Thursday in a suicide attack in the south of Kabul close to a Special Forces base, an Afghan local news agency reported.

A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle on Kabul Commando Force base.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, which he said killed more than 200 commandos. The insurgents routinely issue exaggerated casualty claims.

Mujahid said the bomber had been infiltrated into the base well before the attack.

The base is located in Chahar Asyab district of Kabul.

Last week, a Taliban suicide blast killed at least 10 civilians and two NATO service members near the US embassy in Kabul.

At least four security forces officials were killed and three others injured on Thursday in a suicide attack in the south of Kabul close to a Special Forces base, an Afghan local news agency reported.

At least four security forces officials were killed and three others injured on Thursday in a suicide attack in the south of Kabul close to a Special Forces base, an Afghan local news agency reported. A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle on Kabul Commando Force base. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, which he said killed more than 200 commandos. The insurgents routinely issue exaggerated casualty claims. Mujahid said the bomber had been infiltrated into the base well before the attack. The base is located in Chahar Asyab district of Kabul. Last week, a Taliban suicide blast killed at least 10 civilians and two NATO service members near the US embassy in Kabul.

Taliban attacks Kabul commando base in Afghanistan; four killed

Peace talks called off over Kabul attack by U.S. President Donald Trump. Watch this video to know more.

Peace talks called off over Kabul attack by U.S. President Donald Trump

WION Exclusively speaks to Najib Sharifi, a strategic expert from Kabul over U.S. President Donald Trump's talks call off over Kabul blast.

WION Exclusive | In conversation with Najib Sharifi, a strategic expert from Afghanistan's Kabul

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the suicide attack in Afghanistan's Kabul which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-40-dead-100-injured-as-blast-rips-through-wedding-party-in-afghanistans-kabul-243740">killed at least 63 people</a> and injuring over 180.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific 17 August terrorist attack on a wedding ceremony in Kabul, claiming the lives of 63 people and injuring over 180," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement cited by media reports.

The UN chief expressed "his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the Government and people of Afghanistan,'' the statement further added.

The deadly suicide-bomb blast took place in the Darulaman area of Kabul city.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-wedding-suicide-attack-in-kabul-243841">Islamic State group claimed responsibility</a> for the attack.

Watch: Islamic state claims responsibility for wedding suicide attack in Kabul

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-wedding-suicide-attack-in-kabul-243842/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to eyewitnesses, the suicide bomber laid explosives among the wedding participants and detonated them.

The blast happened in western Kabul, a predominantly Shia locality. The Shia minority has been targeted by the Taliban multiple times over the years.

These attacks come at a time when the United States are discussing a peace deal in Afghanistan, a deal that involves the Taliban giving up arms.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the suicide attack in Afghanistan's Kabul which killed at least 63 people and injuring over 180. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific 17 August terrorist attack on a wedding ceremony in Kabul, claiming the lives of 63 people and injuring over 180," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement cited by media reports.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the suicide attack in Afghanistan's Kabul which killed at least 63 people and injuring over 180. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific 17 August terrorist attack on a wedding ceremony in Kabul, claiming the lives of 63 people and injuring over 180," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement cited by media reports. The UN chief expressed "his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the Government and people of Afghanistan,'' the statement further added. The deadly suicide-bomb blast took place in the Darulaman area of Kabul city. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. Watch: Islamic state claims responsibility for wedding suicide attack in Kabul According to eyewitnesses, the suicide bomber laid explosives among the wedding participants and detonated them. The blast happened in western Kabul, a predominantly Shia locality. The Shia minority has been targeted by the Taliban multiple times over the years. These attacks come at a time when the United States are discussing a peace deal in Afghanistan, a deal that involves the Taliban giving up arms.

Afghanistan: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns Kabul attack that killed 63

The United States condemned a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-gun-battle-rages-in-kabul-after-blast-injures-100-taliban-claims-responsibility-231998">Taliban car bombing</a> and gun assault in the capital Kabul on Monday that killed six people and wounded dozens including 50 children.

"This brazen attack demonstrates the Taliban's callous disregard for their fellow Afghans, who have repeatedly voiced the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict," the White House said in a statement.

At least six people were killed and dozens, including 50 children, wounded when the Taliban detonated a powerful car bomb in Kabul -- the latest deadly attack in one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a child.

Save the Children led international condemnation of the blast targeting a defence ministry building, which sent a plume of smoke into the air during rush hour and shook buildings nearly two kilometres away.&nbsp;

Gunmen then stormed a nearby building, triggering a gun battle with special forces in the Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of the Afghan capital.&nbsp;

At least six people were killed, including one child and two special forces, said interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi.

The health ministry put the wounded toll at 116 people. Among the injured were 50 children, officials said, adding that most had been hurt by flying glass and were in stable condition.

Rahimi said all five gunmen and the driver of the car had been killed, and a clearing operation was over.

Some social media images purportedly taken at a hospital showed wounded, stunned children in school uniforms, still clutching books as they arrived for treatment.&nbsp;

Five schools were damaged in the blast, the education ministry said.

Save the Children branded the attack "utterly deplorable", warning that "children's smaller bodies sustain more serious injuries than adults" and that the trauma of such attacks can stay with them for years.

The Taliban claimed the attack, which came just two days after the insurgents began a seventh round of talks with the US in Qatar, as Washington eyes a breakthrough before Afghanistan's presidential election in September.

The United States condemned a Taliban car bombing and gun assault in the capital Kabul on Monday that killed six people and wounded dozens including 50 children.

The United States condemned a Taliban car bombing and gun assault in the capital Kabul on Monday that killed six people and wounded dozens including 50 children. "This brazen attack demonstrates the Taliban's callous disregard for their fellow Afghans, who have repeatedly voiced the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict," the White House said in a statement. At least six people were killed and dozens, including 50 children, wounded when the Taliban detonated a powerful car bomb in Kabul -- the latest deadly attack in one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a child. Save the Children led international condemnation of the blast targeting a defence ministry building, which sent a plume of smoke into the air during rush hour and shook buildings nearly two kilometres away. Gunmen then stormed a nearby building, triggering a gun battle with special forces in the Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of the Afghan capital. At least six people were killed, including one child and two special forces, said interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi. The health ministry put the wounded toll at 116 people. Among the injured were 50 children, officials said, adding that most had been hurt by flying glass and were in stable condition. Rahimi said all five gunmen and the driver of the car had been killed, and a clearing operation was over. Some social media images purportedly taken at a hospital showed wounded, stunned children in school uniforms, still clutching books as they arrived for treatment. Five schools were damaged in the blast, the education ministry said. Save the Children branded the attack "utterly deplorable", warning that "children's smaller bodies sustain more serious injuries than adults" and that the trauma of such attacks can stay with them for years. The Taliban claimed the attack, which came just two days after the insurgents began a seventh round of talks with the US in Qatar, as Washington eyes a breakthrough before Afghanistan's presidential election in September.

Brazen attack in Kabul demonstrates Taliban's callous disregard for Afghans: US

Dozens of people were wounded with fatalities feared as a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-bombers-kill-19-including-afghan-election-workers-231800"> powerful car bomb rocked Kabul</a> early on Monday and gunmen battled special forces in an area housing military and government buildings, officials said.&nbsp;

The rush-hour explosion sent a plume of smoke into the air above the Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of the Afghan capital and shook buildings up to two kilometres (1.2 miles) away, with an AFP reporter saying he could hear gunshots after the blast.

"At first, a car bomb took place and then several attackers took over a building. The area is cordoned off by the police special forces and (they) are bringing down the attackers," interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.&nbsp;

Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar tweeted that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-kills-eight-election-commission-employees-in-south-afghanistan-officials-231728">53 wounded patients had been</a> taken to hospital, warning that the figures could rise.

The area was quickly blocked off by Afghan forces and ambulances, while the nearby "Green Zone" diplomatic area was put on lockdown, with no one allowed in or out.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/powerful-explosion-in-afghan-capital-kabul-many-hurt-231937/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The heavily-secured neighbourhood is home to some military and government buildings, including one shared by Afghanistan's intelligence agency and defence ministry, as well as the Afghan Football Federation and the Afghan Cricket Board.

Shams Amini, a football federation spokesman, told AFP that the blast occurred near the federation's gates.&nbsp;

"Some of our colleagues are trapped inside, we have reports of some injuries. We don't know if the attackers have entered the building," he said.

Nearby Shamshad TV station, which was attacked in 2017, aired images of broken glass and damage to its offices but said it was not the target.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, and police said they did not yet know the target or nature of the blast.&nbsp;

The explosion came two days after the Taliban and the US began their seventh round of talks in the Qatari capital of Doha as Washington eyes a breakthrough before Afghanistan's September presidential election.

The negotiations have so far centred on four issues -- counter-terrorism, the foreign troop presence, an intra-Afghan dialogue and a permanent ceasefire.

A potential deal would see the US agree to withdraw its troops after more than 17 years in Afghanistan, igniting deep concerns among huge swathes of Afghans who fear the militants will return to some semblance of power.

In return, the Taliban would guarantee the country would never again become a safe haven for violent extremist groups, as happened with Al-Qaeda before the September 11, 2001 attacks.

US officials have previously said they are hoping for a deal before the upcoming Afghan presidential elections, which have already been delayed twice and are now slated for September 28.

Dozens of people were wounded with fatalities feared as a powerful car bomb rocked Kabul early on Monday and gunmen battled special forces in an area housing military and government buildings, officials said.

Dozens of people were wounded with fatalities feared as a powerful car bomb rocked Kabul early on Monday and gunmen battled special forces in an area housing military and government buildings, officials said. The rush-hour explosion sent a plume of smoke into the air above the Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of the Afghan capital and shook buildings up to two kilometres (1.2 miles) away, with an AFP reporter saying he could hear gunshots after the blast. "At first, a car bomb took place and then several attackers took over a building. The area is cordoned off by the police special forces and (they) are bringing down the attackers," interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar tweeted that 53 wounded patients had been taken to hospital, warning that the figures could rise. The area was quickly blocked off by Afghan forces and ambulances, while the nearby "Green Zone" diplomatic area was put on lockdown, with no one allowed in or out. The heavily-secured neighbourhood is home to some military and government buildings, including one shared by Afghanistan's intelligence agency and defence ministry, as well as the Afghan Football Federation and the Afghan Cricket Board. Shams Amini, a football federation spokesman, told AFP that the blast occurred near the federation's gates. "Some of our colleagues are trapped inside, we have reports of some injuries. We don't know if the attackers have entered the building," he said. Nearby Shamshad TV station, which was attacked in 2017, aired images of broken glass and damage to its offices but said it was not the target. No group immediately claimed responsibility, and police said they did not yet know the target or nature of the blast. The explosion came two days after the Taliban and the US began their seventh round of talks in the Qatari capital of Doha as Washington eyes a breakthrough before Afghanistan's September presidential election. The negotiations have so far centred on four issues -- counter-terrorism, the foreign troop presence, an intra-Afghan dialogue and a permanent ceasefire. A potential deal would see the US agree to withdraw its troops after more than 17 years in Afghanistan, igniting deep concerns among huge swathes of Afghans who fear the militants will return to some semblance of power. In return, the Taliban would guarantee the country would never again become a safe haven for violent extremist groups, as happened with Al-Qaeda before the September 11, 2001 attacks. US officials have previously said they are hoping for a deal before the upcoming Afghan presidential elections, which have already been delayed twice and are now slated for September 28.

Car bomb attack in Kabul's diplomatic area; several injured

Afghan authorities on Saturday announced that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blast-followed-by-gunfire-reported-in-afghanistan-capital-police-211996">hour-long attack in Kabul</a> was over. They also mentioned that all suicide bombers were killed.

"Operations finished. All suicide bombers killed &amp; more than 2000 civilians staff rescued," the Ministry of Interior said on Twitter.

Earlier today, Afghan central was hit by an explosion followed by gunfire.&nbsp;

The incident took place close to the communications ministry and one of the city's main hotels.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The blast followed several months of relative calm in Kabul, which coincided with talks between US and Taliban officials aimed at opening the way for formal peace negotiations to end more than 17 years of war in Afghanistan.

Afghan authorities on Saturday announced that hour-long attack in Kabul was over. They also mentioned that all suicide bombers were killed. "Operations finished.

Afghan authorities on Saturday announced that hour-long attack in Kabul was over. They also mentioned that all suicide bombers were killed. "Operations finished. All suicide bombers killed & more than 2000 civilians staff rescued," the Ministry of Interior said on Twitter. Earlier today, Afghan central was hit by an explosion followed by gunfire. The incident took place close to the communications ministry and one of the city's main hotels. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The blast followed several months of relative calm in Kabul, which coincided with talks between US and Taliban officials aimed at opening the way for formal peace negotiations to end more than 17 years of war in Afghanistan.

Kabul attack over, suicide bombers killed: Afghan ministry

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gunmen-kill-at-least-28-in-raid-on-afghan-government-building-186252">Gunmen kill at least 28 in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gunmen-kill-at-least-28-in-raid-on-afghan-government-building-186252">raid</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gunmen-kill-at-least-28-in-raid-on-afghan-government-building-186252"> on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gunmen-kill-at-least-28-in-raid-on-afghan-government-building-186252">Afghan</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gunmen-kill-at-least-28-in-raid-on-afghan-government-building-186252"> government building</a>

Gunmen who raided a government building in the Afghan capital killed at least 28 people - mostly government employees - and wounded more than 20 others in a seven-hour standoff with police that ended on Monday night, Afghan authorities said.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-markets-slump-trump-calls-fed-only-problem-in-us-economy-186249">Trump attacks US central bank, says it is 'only problem' in economy</a>

President Donald Trump blasted the Federal Reserve on Monday, describing it as the "only problem" for the US economy, as top officials convened to discuss the growing rout in stock markets caused in part by the president's attacks on the central bank.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-say-trump-plunging-country-into-chaos-with-multiple-crises-186247">'Trump is plunging the country into chaos'</a>

US Democratic leaders charged Monday that President Donald Trump was "plunging the country into chaos" with multiple crises and said he was offering no way to end a government shutdown.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-today-186250">Modi to inaugurate India's longest </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-today-186250">rail-road</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-today-186250"> bridge today in Assam</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam today. Bogibeel will be the country longest rail-road bridge.&nbsp;

The first passenger train passing through Bogibeel will be flagged off by Modi.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/on-christmas-pope-assails-insatiable-greed-of-todays-consumerism-186257">On Christmas, Pope assails 'insatiable greed' of today's consumerism</a>

Pope Francis assailed the "insatiable greed" of today's consumerism at the Vatican and pilgrims crowded into the church at the traditional site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem on Tuesday as Christmas celebrations began worldwide.

Gunmen kill at least 28 in raid on Afghan government building Gunmen who raided a government building in the Afghan capital killed at least 28 people - mostly government employees - and wounded more than 20 others in a seven-hour standoff with police that ended on Monday night, Afghan authorities said.

Gunmen kill at least 28 in raid on Afghan government building Gunmen who raided a government building in the Afghan capital killed at least 28 people - mostly government employees - and wounded more than 20 others in a seven-hour standoff with police that ended on Monday night, Afghan authorities said. Trump attacks US central bank, says it is 'only problem' in economy President Donald Trump blasted the Federal Reserve on Monday, describing it as the "only problem" for the US economy, as top officials convened to discuss the growing rout in stock markets caused in part by the president's attacks on the central bank. 'Trump is plunging the country into chaos' US Democratic leaders charged Monday that President Donald Trump was "plunging the country into chaos" with multiple crises and said he was offering no way to end a government shutdown. Modi to inaugurate India's longest rail-road bridge today in Assam Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam today. Bogibeel will be the country longest rail-road bridge. The first passenger train passing through Bogibeel will be flagged off by Modi. On Christmas, Pope assails 'insatiable greed' of today's consumerism Pope Francis assailed the "insatiable greed" of today's consumerism at the Vatican and pilgrims crowded into the church at the traditional site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem on Tuesday as Christmas celebrations began worldwide.

News brief: Big stories of the day

An hours-long gun and suicide <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gunmen-kill-at-least-28-in-raid-on-afghan-government-building-186252">attack on a Kabul government compound killed at least 43 people</a>, the health ministry said Tuesday, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the Afghan capital this year.

Another 10 were wounded in Monday's raid on a site where the Ministry of Public Works and other offices are located, spokesman Waheed Majroh said.

Gunmen stormed the compound mid-afternoon after detonating a car bomb at the entrance, sending terrifying government workers running for their lives. Some jumped from the windows.&nbsp;

Hundreds more were trapped inside buildings as security forces swarmed the area, engaging in a fierce gun battle with the attackers.&nbsp;

It was the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of a religious gathering last month, killing at least 55 people.&nbsp;

An hours-long gun and suicide attack on a Kabul government compound killed at least 43 people, the health ministry said Tuesday, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the Afghan capital this year.

An hours-long gun and suicide attack on a Kabul government compound killed at least 43 people, the health ministry said Tuesday, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the Afghan capital this year. Another 10 were wounded in Monday's raid on a site where the Ministry of Public Works and other offices are located, spokesman Waheed Majroh said. Gunmen stormed the compound mid-afternoon after detonating a car bomb at the entrance, sending terrifying government workers running for their lives. Some jumped from the windows. Hundreds more were trapped inside buildings as security forces swarmed the area, engaging in a fierce gun battle with the attackers. It was the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of a religious gathering last month, killing at least 55 people.

Afghanistan: 43 dead after gunmen attack govt compound in Kabul

Afghan authorities were struggling on Wednesday to identify the group behind a suicide bomb attack that killed at least 55 people attending a gathering of religious scholars in Kabul after the Taliban denied any responsibility.

The victims included religious delegates from various parts of the country, invited by the Afghan Ulema Council to celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad on Tuesday.

Without knowing who was behind the attack, it was unclear whether the aim was simply to undermine President Ashraf Ghani's government, or whether it was part of a strategy to keep the pressure on his government and its Western allies while they pursued talks with the Taliban, to end the 17-year long war.

"As of now we don't know which militant outfit could be behind the attack. Investigations are at a preliminary stage," said a senior security official who was at the blast site on Wednesday morning to collect forensic evidence.

The council, the country’s largest religious organisation, brought together scholars from the Sunni sect, but it was uncertain whether the attack could have had a sectarian dimension.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gGK8sFibt7o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Though Sunni themselves, Taliban and Islamic State fighters have targeted religious scholars aligned with the Afghan government in the past.

This time, the Taliban quickly denied its involvement and condemned the attack on religious preachers and scholars.

Last week, Taliban leaders met US&nbsp;special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad at their political headquarters in Qatar in an effort to pave the way for peace talks. The three-day meeting was the second in the past month.

Khalilzad has declared a deadline of April 20, when Afghanistan's presidential election falls due, to end the war, but the country's security situation has worsened since NATO formally ended combat operations in 2014.

During recent days, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has angered neighbouring Pakistan, which Afghan intelligence and Western military leaders have long suspected of giving succour to the Taliban.

Over the weekend, Trump said in an interview Pakistan doesn't "do a damn thing" for the United States despite billions of dollars in US&nbsp;aid, and alleged Pakistani officials knew of former al Qaeda leader bin Laden's location before his killing by US&nbsp;troops in a raid inside Pakistan in 2011.

The toll from Tuesday's attack could easily rise as most of the 80 wounded suffered severe injuries, hospital and government officials said early Wednesday, giving the latest casualty figures.

Investigators said the bomber had sneaked into a banquet hall on the first floor of a large building close to the Kabul airport, where some 200 people were gathered.

The explosion left body parts strewn all over the carpeted floor and copies of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, were scattered around burnt furniture.

"I was reciting verses from the Quran near the gate of the crowded banquet room when a loud explosion occurred. It was like a volcano," said Syed Usman, a Muslim scholar who had travelled from the outskirts of Kabul to attend.

Doctors at government and private hospitals in Kabul struggled to assist the badly wounded victims, many burned beyond recognition.

"The situation is really horrendous," said Mohammad Qaseem, a surgeon at the Kabul hospital.

Afghan authorities were struggling on Wednesday to identify the group behind a suicide bomb attack that killed at least 55 people attending a gathering of religious scholars in Kabul after the Taliban denied any responsibility.

Afghan authorities were struggling on Wednesday to identify the group behind a suicide bomb attack that killed at least 55 people attending a gathering of religious scholars in Kabul after the Taliban denied any responsibility. The victims included religious delegates from various parts of the country, invited by the Afghan Ulema Council to celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad on Tuesday. Without knowing who was behind the attack, it was unclear whether the aim was simply to undermine President Ashraf Ghani's government, or whether it was part of a strategy to keep the pressure on his government and its Western allies while they pursued talks with the Taliban, to end the 17-year long war. "As of now we don't know which militant outfit could be behind the attack. Investigations are at a preliminary stage," said a senior security official who was at the blast site on Wednesday morning to collect forensic evidence. The council, the country’s largest religious organisation, brought together scholars from the Sunni sect, but it was uncertain whether the attack could have had a sectarian dimension. Though Sunni themselves, Taliban and Islamic State fighters have targeted religious scholars aligned with the Afghan government in the past. This time, the Taliban quickly denied its involvement and condemned the attack on religious preachers and scholars. Last week, Taliban leaders met US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad at their political headquarters in Qatar in an effort to pave the way for peace talks. The three-day meeting was the second in the past month. Khalilzad has declared a deadline of April 20, when Afghanistan's presidential election falls due, to end the war, but the country's security situation has worsened since NATO formally ended combat operations in 2014. During recent days, US President Donald Trump has angered neighbouring Pakistan, which Afghan intelligence and Western military leaders have long suspected of giving succour to the Taliban. Over the weekend, Trump said in an interview Pakistan doesn't "do a damn thing" for the United States despite billions of dollars in US aid, and alleged Pakistani officials knew of former al Qaeda leader bin Laden's location before his killing by US troops in a raid inside Pakistan in 2011. The toll from Tuesday's attack could easily rise as most of the 80 wounded suffered severe injuries, hospital and government officials said early Wednesday, giving the latest casualty figures. Investigators said the bomber had sneaked into a banquet hall on the first floor of a large building close to the Kabul airport, where some 200 people were gathered. The explosion left body parts strewn all over the carpeted floor and copies of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, were scattered around burnt furniture. "I was reciting verses from the Quran near the gate of the crowded banquet room when a loud explosion occurred. It was like a volcano," said Syed Usman, a Muslim scholar who had travelled from the outskirts of Kabul to attend. Doctors at government and private hospitals in Kabul struggled to assist the badly wounded victims, many burned beyond recognition. "The situation is really horrendous," said Mohammad Qaseem, a surgeon at the Kabul hospital.

Afghans try to identify group behind attack on clerics, toll climbs to 55

The Islamic State group claimed a suicide attack that killed six people in Kabul on Monday and wounded 20 others, its propaganda agency Amaq said.

"A suicide attacker wearing an explosives belt hits a gathering of Shiites near the presidential palace... in Kabul," Amaq said.

Afghan interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said at least six people were killed in the blast, which struck in front of a high school in the downtown area of the Afghan capital, near the presidential palace.

Initial reports indicated most of the victims were members of the security forces, but Danish said civilians, including several women, had borne the brunt of the carnage.

The attack hit close to where scores of Afghans had been protesting Taliban attacks on the minority Hazara ethnic group, most of whom belong to the Shiite branch of Islam.&nbsp;

"The suicide attacker on foot wanted to target protesters, but he was stopped at a security checkpoint some 200 metres (660 feet) from the site," interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

IS has claimed most suicide attacks in Kabul in recent months.

On October 31, an IS suicide bomber targeting a bus carrying employees of Afghanistan's biggest prison -- also in Kabul -- killed at least seven people.

That attack came days after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the entrance of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission in the capital, killing at least one person.

The Islamic State group claimed a suicide attack that killed six people in Kabul on Monday and wounded 20 others, its propaganda agency Amaq said. "A suicide attacker wearing an explosives belt hits a gathering of Shiites near the presidential palace.

The Islamic State group claimed a suicide attack that killed six people in Kabul on Monday and wounded 20 others, its propaganda agency Amaq said. "A suicide attacker wearing an explosives belt hits a gathering of Shiites near the presidential palace... in Kabul," Amaq said. Afghan interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said at least six people were killed in the blast, which struck in front of a high school in the downtown area of the Afghan capital, near the presidential palace. Initial reports indicated most of the victims were members of the security forces, but Danish said civilians, including several women, had borne the brunt of the carnage. The attack hit close to where scores of Afghans had been protesting Taliban attacks on the minority Hazara ethnic group, most of whom belong to the Shiite branch of Islam. "The suicide attacker on foot wanted to target protesters, but he was stopped at a security checkpoint some 200 metres (660 feet) from the site," interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. IS has claimed most suicide attacks in Kabul in recent months. On October 31, an IS suicide bomber targeting a bus carrying employees of Afghanistan's biggest prison -- also in Kabul -- killed at least seven people. That attack came days after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the entrance of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission in the capital, killing at least one person.

IS claims deadly Kabul attack: Propaganda agency

A suicide bomber targeting a bus carrying employees of Afghanistan's biggest prison killed at least seven people on Wednesday, officials said, in the latest militant attack in the war-torn country.

Another five were wounded in the blast near the facility in Kabul, which police spokesman Basir Mujahid said had hit a vehicle that staff of Pul-e-Charkhi prison were travelling in. &nbsp;

The attacker was on foot, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. He struck as the bus was entering the jail in the east of the Afghan capital. &nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosion, but the Islamic State group (IS) has claimed most suicide attacks in Kabul in recent months.

The attack comes days after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the entrance of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission in Kabul, killing at least one person and wounding six.

A wave of election-related violence has killed or wounded hundreds across the country in recent months as the Taliban and IS step up attacks on Afghan security forces and government workers.

Afghanistan's long-delayed parliamentary election, which was held over three days this month, was marred by chaos and deadly attacks.

Two days before voting began on October 20, a Taliban-claimed shooting killed a powerful police chief in the southern province of Kandahar.

General Abdul Raziq was among three people killed in the brazen insider attack on a high-level security meeting in the provincial capital that was attended by General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

Miller escaped unhurt, but US Brigadier General Jeffrey Smiley was among 13 people wounded in the shooting, which the Taliban said had targeted Miller and Raziq.

US officials and NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan were adamant that Miller had not been a target.

Several days later another Taliban-claimed assault killed a NATO soldier and wounded two others -- all from the Czech Republic -- in the western province of Herat.

The attacks came amid a flurry of US-led diplomatic activity to convince the Taliban, Afghanistan's largest militant group, to negotiate an end to the 17-year war.

Earlier this month, newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives in Qatar.

Less than two weeks later a top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years was freed.

A senior Taliban leader told AFP the group had requested the release of Abdul Ghani Baradar and several others at the meeting with Khalilzad.&nbsp;

A suicide bomber targeting a bus carrying employees of Afghanistan's biggest prison killed at least seven people on Wednesday, officials said, in the latest militant attack in the war-torn country.

A suicide bomber targeting a bus carrying employees of Afghanistan's biggest prison killed at least seven people on Wednesday, officials said, in the latest militant attack in the war-torn country. Another five were wounded in the blast near the facility in Kabul, which police spokesman Basir Mujahid said had hit a vehicle that staff of Pul-e-Charkhi prison were travelling in. The attacker was on foot, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. He struck as the bus was entering the jail in the east of the Afghan capital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosion, but the Islamic State group (IS) has claimed most suicide attacks in Kabul in recent months. The attack comes days after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the entrance of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission in Kabul, killing at least one person and wounding six. A wave of election-related violence has killed or wounded hundreds across the country in recent months as the Taliban and IS step up attacks on Afghan security forces and government workers. Afghanistan's long-delayed parliamentary election, which was held over three days this month, was marred by chaos and deadly attacks. Two days before voting began on October 20, a Taliban-claimed shooting killed a powerful police chief in the southern province of Kandahar. General Abdul Raziq was among three people killed in the brazen insider attack on a high-level security meeting in the provincial capital that was attended by General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan. Miller escaped unhurt, but US Brigadier General Jeffrey Smiley was among 13 people wounded in the shooting, which the Taliban said had targeted Miller and Raziq. US officials and NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan were adamant that Miller had not been a target. Several days later another Taliban-claimed assault killed a NATO soldier and wounded two others -- all from the Czech Republic -- in the western province of Herat. The attacks came amid a flurry of US-led diplomatic activity to convince the Taliban, Afghanistan's largest militant group, to negotiate an end to the 17-year war. Earlier this month, newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives in Qatar. Less than two weeks later a top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years was freed. A senior Taliban leader told AFP the group had requested the release of Abdul Ghani Baradar and several others at the meeting with Khalilzad.

Seven killed in suicide attack near Kabul prison

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned Monday’s suicide bomb attack outside a peace tent gathering of Muslim clerics in Kabul and backed their fatwa against suicide attacks, saying they violated the tenets of Islam.

The bomb killed 14 people, including seven clerics, and was the latest in a series of attacks that have underlined the deteriorating security ahead of parliamentary and district council elections set for Oct. 20.

The blast occurred near a Polytechnic University where clerics had gathered, reports said.

Reuters quoting security officials said a suicide bomber exploded a device near a tent where Muslim clerics had gathered to denounce terrorism.

Local media reported that at least 14 people, including 7 religious scholars and 4 security personnel, were killed in the&nbspattack.

“The attack that targeted the large gathering of clerics and religious scholars from across the country was in fact an attack against the heirs of the prophet of Islam and the values of Islam,” Ghani said in a video address, supporting the outlawing of suicide bombings.

“Unfortunately, the imposed war in Afghanistan every day takes lives of our innocent children.”

Islamic State, without providing evidence, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Taliban, seeking to reimpose strict Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster by U.S.-led forces, denied involvement, but blamed the “American process”.

&nbsp

A series of bombings in Kabul has killed dozens of people in recent months and shown no sign of easing during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned Monday’s suicide bomb attack outside a peace tent gathering of Muslim clerics in Kabul and backed their fatwa against suicide attacks, saying they violated the tenets of Islam. The bomb killed 14 people, including seven clerics, and was the latest in a series of attacks that have underlined the deteriorating security ahead of parliamentary and district council elections set for Oct. 20. The blast occurred near a Polytechnic University where clerics had gathered, reports said. Reuters quoting security officials said a suicide bomber exploded a device near a tent where Muslim clerics had gathered to denounce terrorism. Local media reported that at least 14 people, including 7 religious scholars and 4 security personnel, were killed in the&nbspattack. “The attack that targeted the large gathering of clerics and religious scholars from across the country was in fact an attack against the heirs of the prophet of Islam and the values of Islam,” Ghani said in a video address, supporting the outlawing of suicide bombings. “Unfortunately, the imposed war in Afghanistan every day takes lives of our innocent children.” Islamic State, without providing evidence, claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban, seeking to reimpose strict Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster by U.S.-led forces, denied involvement, but blamed the “American process”.

Afghanistan president backs suicide bomb fatwa after 14 killed

A suicide bomber on Wednesday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian new year holiday, officials said.&nbsp;

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack - the fifth suicide bombing in the Afghan capital in recent weeks - via its propaganda arm Amaq, SITE Intelligence Group said.&nbsp;

The Taliban earlier denied involvement on Twitter.&nbsp;

Another 18 people were wounded in the blast, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, &quot;all of them civilians&quot;. 
&nbsp; 
There were fears the figure could rise, however, with the health ministry giving a higher toll of 29 people killed and 52 wounded. Afghan officials often give conflicting tolls in the wake of attacks.

The bomber, who was on foot, detonated his device in front of Kabul University and a hospital that was opposite, Rahimi said. 
&nbsp; 
The blast occurred less than 200 metres from Karte Sakhi shrine where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian new year holiday - but had been unable to reach it due to heavy security for the holiday.

So he &quot;detonated himself among teenagers returning from there&quot;, Kabul police chief Mohammad Daud Amin told Tolo News.

Bloodstains could be seen among scattered belongings on the road at the site of the attack. A man who was standing metres from where the explosion happened told Tolo that he saw &quot;at least four bodies in blood&quot; on the ground.

IS has attacked the same shrine once before, in October 2016 when gunmen killed 18 people gathered to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shi&#39;ites.

President Ashraf Ghani, whose government has been repeatedly lambasted for its inability to protect its citizens, condemned the attack in a statement as a &quot;crime against humanity&quot;.

Taliban and Islamic State militants have increasingly targeted the war-weary city in recent months as US and Afghan forces ramp up air strikes and ground offensives against the groups. Wednesday`s blast comes days after a Taliban suicide attacker blew up a bomb-laden car in Kabul, causing multiple casualties. 
&nbsp; 
Some Western and Afghan security experts believe the Haqqani Network, a hard-line wing of the Taliban, has been behind some of the attacks in Kabul in recent months, including those claimed by IS.

The Taliban, Afghanistan`s largest militant group, faces growing pressure to take up a recent offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of peace talks to end the 16-year war. So far it has given only a muted response. This latest suicide attack underscores the growing challenge facing Afghan and foreign forces to protect the already heavily militarised city.&nbsp;

Authorities had increased security ahead of Nawrooz festivities, which militants have previously struck with deadly force.

General John Nicholson, who leads US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, recently told reporters that protecting Kabul was a priority for foreign troops.

&quot;Kabul is our main effort right now, to harden Kabul, to protect the people of Kabul and the international community that are here because of the strategic impact that has and the importance to the campaign,&quot; Nicholson said.&nbsp;

But he acknowledged that preventing further attacks would be challenging in the sprawling city that is poorly mapped and extremely porous.&nbsp;

The latest attack comes as US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford visits Afghanistan to assess the military campaign against insurgents - weeks before the start of the spring fighting season, which is expected to be particularly bloody this year.&nbsp;

Despite calls for the Taliban to sit down with the Afghan government, the group appears to have few reasons to negotiate.

The Taliban has been resurgent since the withdrawal of US-led NATO combat troops at the end of 2014, taking back territory and devastating Afghanistan`s beleaguered security forces.

In October, insurgents controlled or influenced nearly half of Afghanistan`s districts - double the percentage in 2015, the US government`s office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction said in January.

Over the same period, the watchdog said, the number of districts under Afghan government control or influence fell to its lowest level since December 2015.

The Taliban earlier denied involvement on Twitter

A suicide bomber on Wednesday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian new year holiday, officials said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack - the fifth suicide bombing in the Afghan capital in recent weeks - via its propaganda arm Amaq, SITE Intelligence Group said. The Taliban earlier denied involvement on Twitter. Another 18 people were wounded in the blast, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, "all of them civilians". There were fears the figure could rise, however, with the health ministry giving a higher toll of 29 people killed and 52 wounded. Afghan officials often give conflicting tolls in the wake of attacks. The bomber, who was on foot, detonated his device in front of Kabul University and a hospital that was opposite, Rahimi said. The blast occurred less than 200 metres from Karte Sakhi shrine where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian new year holiday - but had been unable to reach it due to heavy security for the holiday. So he "detonated himself among teenagers returning from there", Kabul police chief Mohammad Daud Amin told Tolo News. Bloodstains could be seen among scattered belongings on the road at the site of the attack. A man who was standing metres from where the explosion happened told Tolo that he saw "at least four bodies in blood" on the ground. IS has attacked the same shrine once before, in October 2016 when gunmen killed 18 people gathered to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shi'ites. President Ashraf Ghani, whose government has been repeatedly lambasted for its inability to protect its citizens, condemned the attack in a statement as a "crime against humanity". Taliban and Islamic State militants have increasingly targeted the war-weary city in recent months as US and Afghan forces ramp up air strikes and ground offensives against the groups. Wednesday`s blast comes days after a Taliban suicide attacker blew up a bomb-laden car in Kabul, causing multiple casualties. Some Western and Afghan security experts believe the Haqqani Network, a hard-line wing of the Taliban, has been behind some of the attacks in Kabul in recent months, including those claimed by IS. The Taliban, Afghanistan`s largest militant group, faces growing pressure to take up a recent offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of peace talks to end the 16-year war. So far it has given only a muted response. This latest suicide attack underscores the growing challenge facing Afghan and foreign forces to protect the already heavily militarised city. Authorities had increased security ahead of Nawrooz festivities, which militants have previously struck with deadly force. General John Nicholson, who leads US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, recently told reporters that protecting Kabul was a priority for foreign troops. "Kabul is our main effort right now, to harden Kabul, to protect the people of Kabul and the international community that are here because of the strategic impact that has and the importance to the campaign," Nicholson said. But he acknowledged that preventing further attacks would be challenging in the sprawling city that is poorly mapped and extremely porous. The latest attack comes as US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford visits Afghanistan to assess the military campaign against insurgents - weeks before the start of the spring fighting season, which is expected to be particularly bloody this year. Despite calls for the Taliban to sit down with the Afghan government, the group appears to have few reasons to negotiate. The Taliban has been resurgent since the withdrawal of US-led NATO combat troops at the end of 2014, taking back territory and devastating Afghanistan`s beleaguered security forces. In October, insurgents controlled or influenced nearly half of Afghanistan`s districts - double the percentage in 2015, the US government`s office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction said in January. Over the same period, the watchdog said, the number of districts under Afghan government control or influence fell to its lowest level since December 2015.

Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul attack

Pakistan today strongly condemned a suicide attack near a Shia shrine in the Afghan capital that killed 29 people and wounded 52 others.

&quot;We are grieved at the loss of precious and innocent lives in this brutal attack of terrorism.We express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,&quot; the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Pakistan reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations and expresses solidarity with the government and people of Afghanistan in their fight against the menace of terrorism, it further said.

An Islamic State suicide bomber struck on the road to a Shia shrine in Kabul today, killing at least 29 people.

The Afghan Public Health Ministry said another 52 people were wounded in the attack.&nbsp;

Pakistan today strongly condemned a suicide attack near a Shia shrine in the Afghan capital that killed 29 people and wounded 52 others

Pakistan today strongly condemned a suicide attack near a Shia shrine in the Afghan capital that killed 29 people and wounded 52 others. "We are grieved at the loss of precious and innocent lives in this brutal attack of terrorism.We express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Foreign Office said in a statement. Pakistan reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations and expresses solidarity with the government and people of Afghanistan in their fight against the menace of terrorism, it further said. An Islamic State suicide bomber struck on the road to a Shia shrine in Kabul today, killing at least 29 people. The Afghan Public Health Ministry said another 52 people were wounded in the attack.

Pakistan condemns suicide attack in Kabul

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/let-my-stern-warning-be-heard-across-the-atlantic-ravi-shankar-prasad-on-facebook-data-breach-36621">Let my stern warning be heard across the Atlantic: Ravi Shankar Prasad on Facebook data breach</a>

India today reacted on reports of social media giant Facebook&#39;s alleged involvement in the misuse of users&#39; private data. Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad broke his silence on the issue stating that India will not permit or tolerate any attempt to misuse social media.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cambridge-analytica-facebook-row-indian-website-ovleno-currently-unavailable-36635">Cambridge Analytica-Facebook row: Indian website &#39;Ovleno&#39; currently unavailable&nbsp;</a>

An Indian business intelligence firm Ovleno Business Intelligence (OBI) has come under fire over alleged links with Facebook data breach issue. Its website is currently not available.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sikh-youths-from-canada-europe-beingtrained-at-isi-facilities-in-pakhome-ministry-to-parliamentarypanel-36611">Sikh youths from Canada &amp; Europe being trained at ISI facilities in Pak: Home Ministry to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sikh-youths-from-canada-europe-beingtrained-at-isi-facilities-in-pakhome-ministry-to-parliamentarypanel-36611">parliamentary</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sikh-youths-from-canada-europe-beingtrained-at-isi-facilities-in-pakhome-ministry-to-parliamentarypanel-36611"> panel</a>

Top officials of the Home Ministry headed by BJP leader Murli Manohar have reportedly told a parliamentary panel that Sikh youths are being trained by Pakistan&#39;s intelligence agency - ISI- and are targeting several members of the community settled in Canada.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-kabul-attack-36628">Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul attack</a>

A suicide bomber on Wednesday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian new year holiday, officials said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/163-armymen-have-died-in-siachen-in-last-10-years-due-to-harsh-weather-government-36640">163 Armymen have died in Siachen in last 10 years due to harsh weather: Government</a>

The Siachen glacier in the Karakorum range is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.

&nbsp;

Let my stern warning be heard across the Atlantic: Ravi Shankar Prasad on Facebook data breach India today reacted on reports of social media giant Facebook's alleged involvement in the misuse of users' private data. Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad broke his silence on the issue stating that India will not permit or tolerate any attempt to misuse social media. Cambridge Analytica-Facebook row: Indian website 'Ovleno' currently unavailable An Indian business intelligence firm Ovleno Business Intelligence (OBI) has come under fire over alleged links with Facebook data breach issue. Its website is currently not available. Sikh youths from Canada & Europe being trained at ISI facilities in Pak: Home Ministry to parliamentary panel Top officials of the Home Ministry headed by BJP leader Murli Manohar have reportedly told a parliamentary panel that Sikh youths are being trained by Pakistan's intelligence agency - ISI- and are targeting several members of the community settled in Canada. Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul attack A suicide bomber on Wednesday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian new year holiday, officials said. 163 Armymen have died in Siachen in last 10 years due to harsh weather: Government The Siachen glacier in the Karakorum range is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.

WION evening news brief, March 21, 2018

At least four gunmen <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184">attacked Kabul&#39;s landmark Intercontinental Hotel</a> in a night-time raid on Saturday and started shooting at guests and staff, officials said, in an hours-long assault that is still ongoing.

Afghan media is reporting multiple casualties in the attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack in the Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners.

"Four attackers are inside the building," an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency said.

They are "shooting at guests", he said.

A guest hiding in a room said he could hear gunfire inside the 1960s hilltop hotel where dozens of people attending an information technology conference on Sunday were staying.

"I don&#39;t know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor," the man, who did not want to be named, said by telephone.

"We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us."

An official said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they blasted their way into the hotel, which often hosts weddings, conferences and political gatherings.

"Seven wounded people have been taken to hospital," interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, adding that two attackers have been killed.

"Some other guests have been rescued. We will be able to release casualty figures once the operation ends."

Rahimi said the first and second floors of the hotel have been secured by security forces, who are now trying to clear the fourth and fifth floors.

Special forces were being lowered by helicopters onto the rooftop of the hotel, he added.

The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.

"The operation will soon end and the attackers will be killed," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.

Security questioned

Authorities are already investigating how the attackers got past security which was taken over by a private company two weeks ago, Danish said.

"They probably used a back door in the kitchen to enter," he said.

Abdullah Sabet, an official at the communications and information technology ministry, said IT officials from around the country were staying at the hotel ahead of a conference on Sunday.

"There were 40 of them in the hotel. We don&#39;t know if any of them have been killed or wounded," Sabet said.

Security at the Intercontinental, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, is relatively lax compared with other high-end hotels in Kabul.

A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held in one of its function rooms earlier Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy&#39;s political counsellor Zhang Zhixin.

An AFP reporter who attended the conference passed through two vehicle security checkpoints. At the entrance to the building there was a physical inspection that could be easily evaded by scaling a low-level barrier and entering the lobby. &nbsp;

Security alerts sent in recent days to foreigners living in Kabul warned that "extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul" as well as public gatherings and other locations "where foreigners are known to congregate".

The Intercontinental was last targeted in June 2011 when a suicide attack claimed by the Taliban killed 21 people, including 10 civilians.

Security in Kabul has been tightened since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others - mostly civilians. No group has yet claimed that attack.

The Islamic State group has claimed most of the recent attacks in the Afghan capital, but authorities suspect that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network has been involved in some of them.

The deadliest of the recent attacks happened at a Shiite cultural centre on December 29 when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing more than 40 people.

The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid.

At least four gunmen attacked Kabul's landmark Intercontinental Hotel in a night-time raid on Saturday and started shooting at guests and staff, officials said, in an hours-long assault that is still ongoing. Afghan media is reporting multiple casualties in the attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack in the Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners. "Four attackers are inside the building," an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency said. They are "shooting at guests", he said. A guest hiding in a room said he could hear gunfire inside the 1960s hilltop hotel where dozens of people attending an information technology conference on Sunday were staying. "I don't know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor," the man, who did not want to be named, said by telephone. "We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us." An official said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they blasted their way into the hotel, which often hosts weddings, conferences and political gatherings. "Seven wounded people have been taken to hospital," interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, adding that two attackers have been killed. "Some other guests have been rescued. We will be able to release casualty figures once the operation ends." Rahimi said the first and second floors of the hotel have been secured by security forces, who are now trying to clear the fourth and fifth floors. Special forces were being lowered by helicopters onto the rooftop of the hotel, he added. The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said. "The operation will soon end and the attackers will be killed," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. Security questioned Authorities are already investigating how the attackers got past security which was taken over by a private company two weeks ago, Danish said. "They probably used a back door in the kitchen to enter," he said. Abdullah Sabet, an official at the communications and information technology ministry, said IT officials from around the country were staying at the hotel ahead of a conference on Sunday. "There were 40 of them in the hotel. We don't know if any of them have been killed or wounded," Sabet said. Security at the Intercontinental, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, is relatively lax compared with other high-end hotels in Kabul. A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held in one of its function rooms earlier Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy's political counsellor Zhang Zhixin. An AFP reporter who attended the conference passed through two vehicle security checkpoints. At the entrance to the building there was a physical inspection that could be easily evaded by scaling a low-level barrier and entering the lobby. Security alerts sent in recent days to foreigners living in Kabul warned that "extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul" as well as public gatherings and other locations "where foreigners are known to congregate". The Intercontinental was last targeted in June 2011 when a suicide attack claimed by the Taliban killed 21 people, including 10 civilians. Security in Kabul has been tightened since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others - mostly civilians. No group has yet claimed that attack. The Islamic State group has claimed most of the recent attacks in the Afghan capital, but authorities suspect that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network has been involved in some of them. The deadliest of the recent attacks happened at a Shiite cultural centre on December 29 when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing more than 40 people.

Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack, multiple casualties

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anger grows in Kabul after attack kills 103

The death toll from a devastating suicide bomb blast in Kabul has risen to 103 with hundreds more wounded, officials said Sunday, making it the worst attack in the Afghan capital in months.

&quot;Unfortunately a number of wounded people have died in hospital. The number of martyrs is now 103,&quot; interior minister Wais Barmak told reporters, adding that another 235 were wounded.

An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-40-dead-140-wounded-after-massive-suicide-bomb-explosion-rocks-kabul-30897">Kabul </a>on Saturday in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years.

The Taliban-claimed assault -- the second carried out by the militant group in the Afghan capital in a week -- triggered chaotic scenes as terrified survivors fled the area scattered with body parts, blood and debris, and hospitals were overwhelmed by a large number of wounded.

The blast happened in an area where several high-profile organisations, including the European Union, have offices. Members of the EU delegation in Kabul were in their &quot;safe room&quot; and there were no casualties.&nbsp;

US President Donald on Sunday asked countries to take&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-attack-donald-trump-seeks-decisive-action-against-taliban-30943">decisive action</a>&nbsp;against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them, in an indirect but obvious reference to Pakistan.

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-explosion-the-perpetrators-of-these-dastardly-attacks-should-be-brought-to-justice-says-ministry-of-external-affairs-30922">&nbsp;Ministry of External Affairs</a>&nbsp;has strongly condemned the massive suicide-bomb&nbsp;explosion in Kabul.&nbsp;The official release noted that the &quot;barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment.&quot;

<a href="http://wioncms.cloudapp.net/dashboard/webdesk/addeditstory.aspx">Pakistan</a>, on Saturday, strongly condemned the&nbsp;terror attack in Kabul that claimed at least 95 lives and called for cooperation among countries for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism.

An ambulance packed with explosives blew up in a crowded area of Kabul on Saturday

The death toll from a devastating suicide bomb blast in Kabul has risen to 103 with hundreds more wounded, officials said Sunday, making it the worst attack in the Afghan capital in months. "Unfortunately a number of wounded people have died in hospital. The number of martyrs is now 103," interior minister Wais Barmak told reporters, adding that another 235 were wounded. An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul on Saturday in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years. The Taliban-claimed assault -- the second carried out by the militant group in the Afghan capital in a week -- triggered chaotic scenes as terrified survivors fled the area scattered with body parts, blood and debris, and hospitals were overwhelmed by a large number of wounded. The blast happened in an area where several high-profile organisations, including the European Union, have offices. Members of the EU delegation in Kabul were in their "safe room" and there were no casualties. US President Donald on Sunday asked countries to take decisive action against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them, in an indirect but obvious reference to Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the massive suicide-bomb explosion in Kabul. The official release noted that the "barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment." Pakistan, on Saturday, strongly condemned the terror attack in Kabul that claimed at least 95 lives and called for cooperation among countries for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism.

Kabul explosion: Death toll increases to 103

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kabul-on-high-alert-after-ambulance-bomb-toll-tops-100-30992">Kabul on high alert after ambulance bomb toll tops 100</a>

Afghanistan Sunday declared a day of national mourning as the toll for those killed by a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance in Kabul topped 100 people and tensions remained high after insurgents struck in the city for the second time in a week.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/roger-federer-wins-australian-open-2018-mens-singles-30991">Roger Federer wins Australian Open 2018 Men&#39;s Singles</a>

Switzerland&#39;s Roger Federer claimed a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title with a 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory over Croatia&#39;s Marin Cilic on Sunday. The 36-year-old defending champion won the opening set in 24 minutes under the Rod Laver Arena roof before Cilic, playing his first final in Melbourne, found his range with a barrage of big hitting to drag the showpiece match into a deciding set.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-arrested-over-kabul-intercontinental-hotel-shooting-30990">Five arrested over Kabul Intercontinental hotel shooting</a>

Local media of Afghanistan has reported the arrest of five persons in connection with the January 21 attack on the Intercontinental hotel in Kabul. At least four Taliban gunmen attacked Kabul&#39;s landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday and started shooting at guests, which went on for 12 hours.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemen-pm-accuses-separatists-of-coup-after-hq-takeover-30986">Yemen PM accuses separatists of coup after HQ takeover</a>

Yemen&#39;s Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher on Sunday accused southern separatists of attempting a coup in the interim capital of Aden after they took over the government headquarters.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/anger-grows-in-kabul-after-attack-kills-nearly-100-30976">Anger grows in Kabul after attack kills 103</a>

Anger was growing in Kabul Sunday, a day after a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance killed 103 people and wounded scores more, highlighting the ability of insurgents to strike at the heart of Afghanistan. The attack, which was claimed by the Taliban, took lives of 103 people and left 235 wounded.

Kabul on high alert after ambulance bomb toll tops 100 Afghanistan Sunday declared a day of national mourning as the toll for those killed by a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance in Kabul topped 100 people and tensions remained high after insurgents struck in the city for the second time in a week. Roger Federer wins Australian Open 2018 Men's Singles Switzerland's Roger Federer claimed a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title with a 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory over Croatia's Marin Cilic on Sunday. The 36-year-old defending champion won the opening set in 24 minutes under the Rod Laver Arena roof before Cilic, playing his first final in Melbourne, found his range with a barrage of big hitting to drag the showpiece match into a deciding set. Five arrested over Kabul Intercontinental hotel shooting Local media of Afghanistan has reported the arrest of five persons in connection with the January 21 attack on the Intercontinental hotel in Kabul. At least four Taliban gunmen attacked Kabul's landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday and started shooting at guests, which went on for 12 hours. Yemen PM accuses separatists of coup after HQ takeover Yemen's Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher on Sunday accused southern separatists of attempting a coup in the interim capital of Aden after they took over the government headquarters. Anger grows in Kabul after attack kills 103 Anger was growing in Kabul Sunday, a day after a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance killed 103 people and wounded scores more, highlighting the ability of insurgents to strike at the heart of Afghanistan. The attack, which was claimed by the Taliban, took lives of 103 people and left 235 wounded.

WION Evening News Brief, January 28, 2018

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that multiple American citizens had been killed during a weekend siege at Kabul`s Intercontinental Hotel.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, state department spokesperson Heather Nauert confirmed the news. However, she did not give any casualty figure.

The terrorists, on Saturday evening, stormed the hotel and started shooting at guests and detonating grenades.

The Intercontinental Hotel, located on a hilltop and heavily protected like most public buildings in Kabul, is one of two main luxury hotels in the city and was due to host an information technology conference on Sunday.

The United States also condemned the attack.&quot;Violence like this has no place in Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world,&quot; Nauert said.In 2011, a similar attack on the hotel left at least 21 people dead, which also included nine attackers.&nbsp;

The Taliban was also responsible for that attack as well.The attack came just days after the US embassy in Kabul issued a warning about hotels in the city.

State department spokesperson Heather Nauert confirmed the news

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that multiple American citizens had been killed during a weekend siege at Kabul`s Intercontinental Hotel. In a press briefing on Tuesday, state department spokesperson Heather Nauert confirmed the news. However, she did not give any casualty figure. The terrorists, on Saturday evening, stormed the hotel and started shooting at guests and detonating grenades. The Intercontinental Hotel, located on a hilltop and heavily protected like most public buildings in Kabul, is one of two main luxury hotels in the city and was due to host an information technology conference on Sunday. The United States also condemned the attack."Violence like this has no place in Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world," Nauert said.In 2011, a similar attack on the hotel left at least 21 people dead, which also included nine attackers. The Taliban was also responsible for that attack as well.The attack came just days after the US embassy in Kabul issued a warning about hotels in the city.

US citizens killed in Kabul attack: State Department

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

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

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

Kabul on high alert after ambulance bomb toll tops 100

Afghan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-was-planned-in-pakistan-afghan-envoy-to-us-31193">President Ashraf Ghani today lashed</a> out at Pakistan accusing its neighbour of being the &quot;Taliban centre&quot;.

&quot;We are waiting for Pakistan to act,&quot; Ghani said in a televised address to the nation.

&quot;Pakistan is the centre of the Taliban. It is time for the Pakistani government to take a decision,&quot; the president said.

Afghanistan blamed terrorists in Pakistan for the recent attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.&nbsp;A suicide bomber hit a crowded city street a week later. At least 130 people were killed in both attacks stroking public anger.

Afghan and US officials said the Haqqani Network linked to the Taliban and believed to be based in Pakistan was responsible.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&quot;Is what they want for themselves the same for all Islamic countries, or is it an image that only their Islamic scholars know but that other Islamic scholars don&#39;t know?,&quot; the Afghan president said in anger.

Pakistan&#39;s foreign office was quick to react asserting that Pakistan and Afghanistan were both victims of terrorism and needed to work together to fight the common threat.

&quot;We reject any allegations of support to the Haqqani network or the Taliban, and of allowing them to use our soil. Pakistan has been taking action against all terrorists groups in its territory,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s foreign office said.&nbsp;

&quot;It is our commitment to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,&quot; the statement added.

&quot;Pakistan affirms solidarity with the people and government of Afghanistan in fighting the menace of terrorism,&quot; he said in a statement.&nbsp;

&quot;We feel the pain of our Afghan brothers and sisters,&quot; the foreign office added. 
&nbsp;

Pakistan foreign office was quick to react asserting that Pakistan and Afghanistan were both victims of terrorism

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today lashed out at Pakistan accusing its neighbour of being the "Taliban centre". "We are waiting for Pakistan to act," Ghani said in a televised address to the nation. "Pakistan is the centre of the Taliban. It is time for the Pakistani government to take a decision," the president said. Afghanistan blamed terrorists in Pakistan for the recent attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. A suicide bomber hit a crowded city street a week later. At least 130 people were killed in both attacks stroking public anger. Afghan and US officials said the Haqqani Network linked to the Taliban and believed to be based in Pakistan was responsible. "Is what they want for themselves the same for all Islamic countries, or is it an image that only their Islamic scholars know but that other Islamic scholars don't know?," the Afghan president said in anger. Pakistan's foreign office was quick to react asserting that Pakistan and Afghanistan were both victims of terrorism and needed to work together to fight the common threat. "We reject any allegations of support to the Haqqani network or the Taliban, and of allowing them to use our soil. Pakistan has been taking action against all terrorists groups in its territory," Pakistan's foreign office said. "It is our commitment to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the statement added. "Pakistan affirms solidarity with the people and government of Afghanistan in fighting the menace of terrorism," he said in a statement. "We feel the pain of our Afghan brothers and sisters," the foreign office added.

Pakistan is 'centre' of Taliban, says Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

Since the early eighties, Afghanistan has been witnessing the worst crimes against the humanity. The country had been the battleground of the superpowers of the world and now facing extreme forms of violence and, as a result, the country is at the rock bottom of all the developmental indexes in the world. The human life is subjected to worst tortures, killings are common, and terror activities are a daily news in the mountain country.

&nbsp;

The US-backed and Pakistan-trained Mujahedeen groups fought with the Soviet forces and forced them to retreat. As a result, a large number of Afghan refugees moved into the areas across Durand Line and established themselves. Various Islamic sects of Pakistan, including Jamaat-e-Islami, took this opportunity to establish their madrasas or religious schools in these areas.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

When Afghanistan was going through a process of destabilisation after the withdrawal of Soviet Troops, Pakistan needed to gain its influence over Afghanistan. For this purpose, it needed a force loyal to it and brutal enough to fight the mighty Northern Alliance of Afghanistan. The Madrasas proved to be an ideal recruiting ground for the Pakistan ISI and a new breed of terror was created -the Taliban.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Over next few years, these seminaries were converted into arms and bomb-making factories and terrorist training centres with the help of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

&nbsp;

The only one responsible for these crimes was the Pakistan government which turned these religious seminaries into terror factories. Later, these madrasas provided numerous cadres of Al-Qaeda and more than 1 lakh fighters to the Afghan Taliban. Not only this, they continued to provide terrorists and suicide bombers for the ongoing terror activities in Afghanistan, India and the Middle East.&nbsp; Many ISIS cadres also came out from some of these madrasas. These madrasas soon became an easy and effective training centre of Pakistan&#39;s ISI.

&nbsp;

The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is extremely porous and facilitates easy movement of even a large force across as there is no surveillance. Hence, this was a major advantage for Pakistan ISI to run madrasas in these areas.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

These terror factories are not run on mere donations of the public but receive massive funds from the Pakistan government as well as the Middle Eastern countries. A Times of India news report said, in 2016, Pakistan&#39;s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government gave Rs 300 million to one of the prominent madrasa, also known as the &#39;University of Jihad&#39;. The madrasa is known to have many Taliban leader among its alumni.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Not only this, it has been alleged that the agents of the Pakistan government often compel and even kidnap Afghan children to study in these madrasas so that they can be taught the most violent form of Islam and turned into a deadly fighter. As per a report published in the Deccan Chronicle (dated 31 Jul 2017), Afghan police caught an organised syndicate which used to traffic young boys to the madrasas across the border in Pakistan from interiors of Afghanistan. They recovered a large number of Afghan boys who were being taken to Pakistan to study in these madrasas against their own will. This proves that Pak support to these madrasas is not only limited to indoctrination but also providing them with manpower, military training, funds and other forms of logistical support.

&nbsp;

Today, there are over 15000 madrasas being run on Pak- Afghan border out of which more than 60% are in Baluchistan alone. The reason is obvious, the most important aspect of Taliban or their ideological hub which is called as Quetta Shura is located in the Baluchistan province itself. This is the group which is managing a large number of madrasas in the area. Surprisingly, nearly all of them are teaching either the Deobandi Philosophy of Islam or Salafi ideology, both are extremely violent and most radical forms of Islam.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As of now, nearly all attacks or violence in Afghanistan is traced back to one or the other madrasas in Pakistan. As per the statement made by the Afghan Ambassador in the US, Mr Majeed Qarar, the attack on Kabul&rsquo;s Intercontinental Hotel was also planned in one such madrasa in Pakistan. He quoted the video of the father of one of the suicide attackers who visited the madrasa many times to bring their son back but he was so badly brain-washed that he refused to come back with them.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There have been allegations substantiated by evidences that Pakistan had been providing equipment and weapons to terrorists in Afghanistan. During the recent attack on Maiwand Army Base of Afghanistan, the night vision goggles recovered from terrorists reveal the entire story. They were made by a company in Britain and procured by Pak Army for their military operations. Now, how they reached these terrorists, the question reveals the answer itself.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;In March 2016, Pak PM&rsquo;s advisor Mr Sartaz Ajeez himself accepted that &ldquo;These madrasas had well-oiled terror infrastructure, beyond imagination, running bomb-making factories, terrorists training centres and those to train suicide bombers - all under multi-storeyed basement under the mosque&rdquo; which proves the fact that these madrasas are really operating as terror factories.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He further mentioned that &quot;In one mosque that I visited, I remember, in Miranshah, from outside we did not see anything. But under the mosque, there were a 70-room basement, three stories, in which there were four-five IED factories, four-five suicide training centres, communication network, VIP room, conference rooms, amazing infrastructure,&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

This is very horrifying, to say the least. The world is surprised to know how these terror factories are still able to run on Pakistani soil smoothly. Pakistan government may deny their association with them but, at last, they are openly operating on their land and making a mockery of their law. Moreover, the victims of these terror factories are only the poor and innocent Afghan population and not Pakistan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is the responsibility of the global leaders now to make an all-out effort&nbsp;and ensure that these terror factories are not only closed but their leaders and perpetrators of terror should be brought to justice.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today, there are over 15000 madrasas on Pak- Afghan border out of which more than 60% are in Baluchistan as the ideological hub of Taliban is in the province.

Since the early eighties, Afghanistan has been witnessing the worst crimes against the humanity. The country had been the battleground of the superpowers of the world and now facing extreme forms of violence and, as a result, the country is at the rock bottom of all the developmental indexes in the world. The human life is subjected to worst tortures, killings are common, and terror activities are a daily news in the mountain country. The US-backed and Pakistan-trained Mujahedeen groups fought with the Soviet forces and forced them to retreat. As a result, a large number of Afghan refugees moved into the areas across Durand Line and established themselves. Various Islamic sects of Pakistan, including Jamaat-e-Islami, took this opportunity to establish their madrasas or religious schools in these areas. When Afghanistan was going through a process of destabilisation after the withdrawal of Soviet Troops, Pakistan needed to gain its influence over Afghanistan. For this purpose, it needed a force loyal to it and brutal enough to fight the mighty Northern Alliance of Afghanistan. The Madrasas proved to be an ideal recruiting ground for the Pakistan ISI and a new breed of terror was created -the Taliban. Over next few years, these seminaries were converted into arms and bomb-making factories and terrorist training centres with the help of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The only one responsible for these crimes was the Pakistan government which turned these religious seminaries into terror factories. Later, these madrasas provided numerous cadres of Al-Qaeda and more than 1 lakh fighters to the Afghan Taliban. Not only this, they continued to provide terrorists and suicide bombers for the ongoing terror activities in Afghanistan, India and the Middle East. Many ISIS cadres also came out from some of these madrasas. These madrasas soon became an easy and effective training centre of Pakistan's ISI. The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is extremely porous and facilitates easy movement of even a large force across as there is no surveillance. Hence, this was a major advantage for Pakistan ISI to run madrasas in these areas. These terror factories are not run on mere donations of the public but receive massive funds from the Pakistan government as well as the Middle Eastern countries. A Times of India news report said, in 2016, Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government gave Rs 300 million to one of the prominent madrasa, also known as the 'University of Jihad'. The madrasa is known to have many Taliban leader among its alumni. Not only this, it has been alleged that the agents of the Pakistan government often compel and even kidnap Afghan children to study in these madrasas so that they can be taught the most violent form of Islam and turned into a deadly fighter. As per a report published in the Deccan Chronicle (dated 31 Jul 2017), Afghan police caught an organised syndicate which used to traffic young boys to the madrasas across the border in Pakistan from interiors of Afghanistan. They recovered a large number of Afghan boys who were being taken to Pakistan to study in these madrasas against their own will. This proves that Pak support to these madrasas is not only limited to indoctrination but also providing them with manpower, military training, funds and other forms of logistical support. Today, there are over 15000 madrasas being run on Pak- Afghan border out of which more than 60% are in Baluchistan alone. The reason is obvious, the most important aspect of Taliban or their ideological hub which is called as Quetta Shura is located in the Baluchistan province itself. This is the group which is managing a large number of madrasas in the area. Surprisingly, nearly all of them are teaching either the Deobandi Philosophy of Islam or Salafi ideology, both are extremely violent and most radical forms of Islam. As of now, nearly all attacks or violence in Afghanistan is traced back to one or the other madrasas in Pakistan. As per the statement made by the Afghan Ambassador in the US, Mr Majeed Qarar, the attack on Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel was also planned in one such madrasa in Pakistan. He quoted the video of the father of one of the suicide attackers who visited the madrasa many times to bring their son back but he was so badly brain-washed that he refused to come back with them. There have been allegations substantiated by evidences that Pakistan had been providing equipment and weapons to terrorists in Afghanistan. During the recent attack on Maiwand Army Base of Afghanistan, the night vision goggles recovered from terrorists reveal the entire story. They were made by a company in Britain and procured by Pak Army for their military operations. Now, how they reached these terrorists, the question reveals the answer itself. In March 2016, Pak PM’s advisor Mr Sartaz Ajeez himself accepted that “These madrasas had well-oiled terror infrastructure, beyond imagination, running bomb-making factories, terrorists training centres and those to train suicide bombers - all under multi-storeyed basement under the mosque” which proves the fact that these madrasas are really operating as terror factories. He further mentioned that "In one mosque that I visited, I remember, in Miranshah, from outside we did not see anything. But under the mosque, there were a 70-room basement, three stories, in which there were four-five IED factories, four-five suicide training centres, communication network, VIP room, conference rooms, amazing infrastructure," This is very horrifying, to say the least. The world is surprised to know how these terror factories are still able to run on Pakistani soil smoothly. Pakistan government may deny their association with them but, at last, they are openly operating on their land and making a mockery of their law. Moreover, the victims of these terror factories are only the poor and innocent Afghan population and not Pakistan. It is the responsibility of the global leaders now to make an all-out effort and ensure that these terror factories are not only closed but their leaders and perpetrators of terror should be brought to justice. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Madrasas in Pakistan are serving as terror factories of Afghanistan

Barely 15 days after the seize of Intercontinental hotel in Kabul, another deadly blast shook the city where an explosives-laden ambulance blew itself up in a busy street of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan which was considered a heavenly city a few decades back.

&nbsp;

Both the attacks were a handiwork of Taliban, a strong militia group considered extremely close to the leadership of Pakistan. The shadows of Mr Trump&rsquo;s decision on withholding the US Aid to Pakistan cannot be ruled out in these attacks.

&nbsp;

But there is another deadly group opening up slowly in Afghanistan. The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL of ISIS) in Khorasan. ISIS is not behind Taliban in brutality. On Wednesday, 24th January 2018, they executed a deadly attack on Jalalabad at Nangarhar on the office of a British Aid Agency &ldquo;Save the Children&rdquo;, killing 4 people and injured several dozens.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the war-torn country, both the groups are fighting to get more and more territory as well as supporters. Both are major terrorist groups but there are serious differences among them. &nbsp;

While Taliban is a group of terrorists comprising of Madarsa students and their teachers which were trained and armed by Pakistan ISI, the ISIS is a full-fledged army which can fight even small conventional wars.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In Afghanistan, Taliban is a mix of various ethnic and tribal groups and, currently, going through a bad phase of disarray, infighting and leadership crisis. They have been badly hammered by the Coalition forces, as well as Afghan Army, and have lost about 10000 of their fighters in the last two decades or so. But ironically, they have been able to sustain well despite of these aspects. They have killed an equal number of Coalition and Afghan Soldiers and are able to control more than 45% of the Afghanistan Territory. This is more than the area under Taliban control when America started Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As far as religious alienation is concerned, Taliban strictly follows the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam while the ISIS is a strong Salafi group. There are major ideological differences too. Contrary to the ISIS, Taliban primarily rules as per tribal customs and traditions made by the people. Whereas ISIS has only one aim, the imposition of Shariyat in totality.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The primary aim of Taliban is to establish their rule over Afghan territory irrespective of religious issues. The ISIS, however, has only one aim: to establish the Islamic rule under the Caliphate, encompassing the entire Muslim community or Ummah in the territory. They are much more organised, brutal and fearless.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Since its arrival in Afghanistan in 2015, the group has killed over 700 people and injured more than 1600. That&rsquo;s an alarming figure. They calculated their move and started active operations only after the US backed forces decided to withdraw after declaring an end to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. Exactly the way they did in Iraq.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

ISIS has another major advantage and that is related to their defeat in Iraq and Syria. A sizeable population of ISIS fighters is now returning because of the group losing grounds in Iraq and Syria. A large number of them are from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uighurs from China and there cannot be a better territory for them to operate than Afghanistan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On top of this, many Taliban commanders are defecting and joining the ISIS. The Khorasan Region ISIS, which was initially started by a group of just the 70 people who moved from Iraq to create the force in Afghanistan in 2014, now boasts of several thousand within just 3 years. Surprisingly, the major stronghold of the ISIS in Afghanistan is Nangarhar province which connects the country with Pakistan through the Khyber Pass.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

So, what is the future of the country now? A nation, which is witnessing the worst form of terrorism sponsored by its neighbours, will it ever be able to come out of the dark shadows? Will the citizen of this country ever live a normal life? They have been suffering badly in the past because of inter group fighting.&nbsp; Initially, it was the US backed coalition to fight Soviet forces, then it was fighting with AL- Qaeda and then with Taliban and now it seems to be ISIS. But one factor is common to all and that is active support from the Pakistan Government and its ISI.

&nbsp;

I would feel that there are only two ways- firstly to isolate the country from any kind of ISI or Pakistani influence and, secondly, to come down heavily on the terrorist groups existing within the territory of the country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Most importantly, Afghan leaders must understand as to who can help them really in the world. Who are the friends and who are the foes? It will of mutual benefit if India and Afghanistan decide to help each other out to end the scourge of terrorism from the region.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

ISIS is more organised, brutal and fearless than Taliban

Barely 15 days after the seize of Intercontinental hotel in Kabul, another deadly blast shook the city where an explosives-laden ambulance blew itself up in a busy street of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan which was considered a heavenly city a few decades back. Both the attacks were a handiwork of Taliban, a strong militia group considered extremely close to the leadership of Pakistan. The shadows of Mr Trump’s decision on withholding the US Aid to Pakistan cannot be ruled out in these attacks. But there is another deadly group opening up slowly in Afghanistan. The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL of ISIS) in Khorasan. ISIS is not behind Taliban in brutality. On Wednesday, 24th January 2018, they executed a deadly attack on Jalalabad at Nangarhar on the office of a British Aid Agency “Save the Children”, killing 4 people and injured several dozens. In the war-torn country, both the groups are fighting to get more and more territory as well as supporters. Both are major terrorist groups but there are serious differences among them. While Taliban is a group of terrorists comprising of Madarsa students and their teachers which were trained and armed by Pakistan ISI, the ISIS is a full-fledged army which can fight even small conventional wars. In Afghanistan, Taliban is a mix of various ethnic and tribal groups and, currently, going through a bad phase of disarray, infighting and leadership crisis. They have been badly hammered by the Coalition forces, as well as Afghan Army, and have lost about 10000 of their fighters in the last two decades or so. But ironically, they have been able to sustain well despite of these aspects. They have killed an equal number of Coalition and Afghan Soldiers and are able to control more than 45% of the Afghanistan Territory. This is more than the area under Taliban control when America started Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. As far as religious alienation is concerned, Taliban strictly follows the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam while the ISIS is a strong Salafi group. There are major ideological differences too. Contrary to the ISIS, Taliban primarily rules as per tribal customs and traditions made by the people. Whereas ISIS has only one aim, the imposition of Shariyat in totality. The primary aim of Taliban is to establish their rule over Afghan territory irrespective of religious issues. The ISIS, however, has only one aim: to establish the Islamic rule under the Caliphate, encompassing the entire Muslim community or Ummah in the territory. They are much more organised, brutal and fearless. Since its arrival in Afghanistan in 2015, the group has killed over 700 people and injured more than 1600. That’s an alarming figure. They calculated their move and started active operations only after the US backed forces decided to withdraw after declaring an end to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. Exactly the way they did in Iraq. ISIS has another major advantage and that is related to their defeat in Iraq and Syria. A sizeable population of ISIS fighters is now returning because of the group losing grounds in Iraq and Syria. A large number of them are from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uighurs from China and there cannot be a better territory for them to operate than Afghanistan. On top of this, many Taliban commanders are defecting and joining the ISIS. The Khorasan Region ISIS, which was initially started by a group of just the 70 people who moved from Iraq to create the force in Afghanistan in 2014, now boasts of several thousand within just 3 years. Surprisingly, the major stronghold of the ISIS in Afghanistan is Nangarhar province which connects the country with Pakistan through the Khyber Pass. So, what is the future of the country now? A nation, which is witnessing the worst form of terrorism sponsored by its neighbours, will it ever be able to come out of the dark shadows? Will the citizen of this country ever live a normal life? They have been suffering badly in the past because of inter group fighting. Initially, it was the US backed coalition to fight Soviet forces, then it was fighting with AL- Qaeda and then with Taliban and now it seems to be ISIS. But one factor is common to all and that is active support from the Pakistan Government and its ISI. I would feel that there are only two ways- firstly to isolate the country from any kind of ISI or Pakistani influence and, secondly, to come down heavily on the terrorist groups existing within the territory of the country. Most importantly, Afghan leaders must understand as to who can help them really in the world. Who are the friends and who are the foes? It will of mutual benefit if India and Afghanistan decide to help each other out to end the scourge of terrorism from the region. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: India should consider ISIS to be more deadly than Taliban

At least four militants attacked an army outpost near one of Afghanistan&rsquo;s main military academies on Monday, a defence ministry official said.

The attack in the western outskirts of the capital, Kabul, came two days after an ambulance bomb in the centre of the city killed more than 100 people and just over a week after another attack on the Hotel Intercontinental killed more than 20.

Security forces have killed three terrorists and arrested one so far. The battle continues against what appears to be one remaining attacker. Afghanistan&#39;s Ministry of Defence has said 10 personnel of the Afghan National Army have been injured in the attack.

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Security forces in the area around Marshal Fahim Military University in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> after gunfire and explosions were heard there, one of the terrorists arrested by security forces. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/d7hjhgMmek">pic.twitter.com/d7hjhgMmek</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957832684750819329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Both of those attacks were claimed by the Taliban.

Ministry of Defence officials said the militants attacked the outpost near the well-defended Marshal Fahim military academy just before dawn.

One of the attackers blew himself up, one had been killed and two were still fighting. One soldier had been killed and three were wounded, said one official, who declined to be identified.

Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said three soldiers had been wounded and the clash was still going on.

Earlier, resident Mohammad Ehsan said he heard a series of explosions coming from the area beginning at around 5 a.m. (0030 GMT) and lasting for at least an hour.

Smaller blasts could still be heard at less frequent intervals.

In October, a suicide attacker rammed a car full of explosives into a bus carrying cadets from the defence university, which is home to one of Afghanistan&rsquo;s main officer training schools, killing 15 of them.

Ministry of Defence officials said the militants attacked the outpost near the well-defended Marshal Fahim military academy just before dawn

At least four militants attacked an army outpost near one of Afghanistan’s main military academies on Monday, a defence ministry official said. The attack in the western outskirts of the capital, Kabul, came two days after an ambulance bomb in the centre of the city killed more than 100 people and just over a week after another attack on the Hotel Intercontinental killed more than 20. Security forces have killed three terrorists and arrested one so far. The battle continues against what appears to be one remaining attacker. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence has said 10 personnel of the Afghan National Army have been injured in the attack. Security forces in the area around Marshal Fahim Military University in #Kabul after gunfire and explosions were heard there, one of the terrorists arrested by security forces. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/d7hjhgMmek — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018 × Both of those attacks were claimed by the Taliban. Ministry of Defence officials said the militants attacked the outpost near the well-defended Marshal Fahim military academy just before dawn. One of the attackers blew himself up, one had been killed and two were still fighting. One soldier had been killed and three were wounded, said one official, who declined to be identified. Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said three soldiers had been wounded and the clash was still going on. Earlier, resident Mohammad Ehsan said he heard a series of explosions coming from the area beginning at around 5 a.m. (0030 GMT) and lasting for at least an hour. Smaller blasts could still be heard at less frequent intervals. In October, a suicide attacker rammed a car full of explosives into a bus carrying cadets from the defence university, which is home to one of Afghanistan’s main officer training schools, killing 15 of them.

Attack on military university in Kabul: 3 terrorists killed, 1 arrested

The Marshal Fahim Military University in the Afghan capital of Kabul has come under attack on Monday morning with a series of explosions and heavy gunfire heard at the compound, according to local media.

Law enforcement agencies responded to multiple reports of loud explosions at Marshal Fahim Military University.

Marshal Fahim Military University is located in Charrahe Qmbar and is the main educational institution for army cadets in Afghanistan.

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Security forces in the area around Marshal Fahim Military University in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> after gunfire and explosions were heard there, one of the terrorists arrested by security forces. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/d7hjhgMmek">pic.twitter.com/d7hjhgMmek</a>
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Marshal Fahim National Defence University houses three important military educational and training facilities - National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA), the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA), and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy.

The attack was launched at about 5 am, TOLO News reports.

According to a source inside the camp explosions and gunfire can be heard coming from the direction of the entrance.&nbsp;

Afghan security forces responding to the incident have reportedly blocked off all roads in the area. There are so far no official reports of fatalities or injuries.

Marshal Fahim Military Academy was the target of an attack last October when a suicide bombing killed 15 Afghan Army cadets as they were leaving the academy.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.&nbsp;

It comes days after the deadliest bombing for months hit Kabul when an ambulance packed with explosives killed at least 100 people.

The capital city with a population of nearly 5 million has been hit by series of terror attacks in the past years.

Reports emerging of a rocket attack on Marshal Fahim military academy

The Marshal Fahim Military University in the Afghan capital of Kabul has come under attack on Monday morning with a series of explosions and heavy gunfire heard at the compound, according to local media. Law enforcement agencies responded to multiple reports of loud explosions at Marshal Fahim Military University. Marshal Fahim Military University is located in Charrahe Qmbar and is the main educational institution for army cadets in Afghanistan. Security forces in the area around Marshal Fahim Military University in #Kabul after gunfire and explosions were heard there, one of the terrorists arrested by security forces. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/d7hjhgMmek — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018 × Marshal Fahim National Defence University houses three important military educational and training facilities - National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA), the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA), and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy. The attack was launched at about 5 am, TOLO News reports. According to a source inside the camp explosions and gunfire can be heard coming from the direction of the entrance. Afghan security forces responding to the incident have reportedly blocked off all roads in the area. There are so far no official reports of fatalities or injuries. Marshal Fahim Military Academy was the target of an attack last October when a suicide bombing killed 15 Afghan Army cadets as they were leaving the academy. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. It comes days after the deadliest bombing for months hit Kabul when an ambulance packed with explosives killed at least 100 people. The capital city with a population of nearly 5 million has been hit by series of terror attacks in the past years.

Terrorists attack Kabul military academy; gunbattle underway

Gunmen launched a pre-dawn attack on a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gunfire-and-explosions-at-marshal-fahim-military-university-in-kabul-31031" target="_blank"> military academy in Kabul </a>on Monday, security officials said,&nbsp;in an ongoing assault that marks the latest violence to strike the Afghan capital.&nbsp;

Some of the attackers at the Marshal Fahim Military Academy have been killed, an Afghan security source said, in the third major attack in the city in just over a week.&nbsp;

At least four attackers were still involved in an intense gun battle with security forces, the source said, adding the gunmen had not managed to enter the heavily fortified academy.

Three soldiers have been wounded, defence ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said.

&quot;One bomber detonated himself and the rest of the attackers are resisting. They are under siege by our forces,&quot; Waziri added.

Witnesses said they heard several explosions and gunfire at around 5:00 am at the academy on the outskirts of Kabul where high-ranking military officers are trained.&nbsp;

A reporter at the scene said he could &quot;hear explosions&quot;. Security forces have swarmed the area and blocked the road leading to the academy.&nbsp;

An officer inside the academy&#39;s compound said he heard an explosion followed by an exchange of gunfire.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid confirmed that there had been rocket and gunfire.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the raid, which comes days after a Taliban suicide attacker driving an explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of the city, killing and wounding hundreds.&nbsp;

At least 103 people were killed and 235 wounded in Saturday&#39;s lunchtime attack -- one of the worst bombings in the city in recent years -- which was followed by a national day of mourning in the war-weary country.

The government has blamed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, which Afghan and Western officials suspect of involvement in at least some of the recent attacks in the capital.&nbsp;

Monday&#39;s raid came as both the insurgents and the Islamic State group have escalated their attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians.

On January 20, Taliban insurgents stormed Kabul&#39;s landmark Intercontinental hotel and killed at least 25 people, the majority foreigners.

But there is still confusion over the true toll from that attack with conflicting figures given by officials and Afghan media reporting higher numbers

Kabul is on high alert as the city braces for further attacks. Security warnings sent to foreigners in recent days said IS militants were planning to attack supermarkets, hotels and shops frequented by foreigners.&nbsp;

Some of the attackers at the Marshal Fahim Military Academy have been killed, an Afghan security source said, in the third major attack in the city in just over a week

Gunmen launched a pre-dawn attack on a military academy in Kabul on Monday, security officials said, in an ongoing assault that marks the latest violence to strike the Afghan capital. Some of the attackers at the Marshal Fahim Military Academy have been killed, an Afghan security source said, in the third major attack in the city in just over a week. At least four attackers were still involved in an intense gun battle with security forces, the source said, adding the gunmen had not managed to enter the heavily fortified academy. Three soldiers have been wounded, defence ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said. "One bomber detonated himself and the rest of the attackers are resisting. They are under siege by our forces," Waziri added. Witnesses said they heard several explosions and gunfire at around 5:00 am at the academy on the outskirts of Kabul where high-ranking military officers are trained. A reporter at the scene said he could "hear explosions". Security forces have swarmed the area and blocked the road leading to the academy. An officer inside the academy's compound said he heard an explosion followed by an exchange of gunfire. Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid confirmed that there had been rocket and gunfire. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the raid, which comes days after a Taliban suicide attacker driving an explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of the city, killing and wounding hundreds. At least 103 people were killed and 235 wounded in Saturday's lunchtime attack -- one of the worst bombings in the city in recent years -- which was followed by a national day of mourning in the war-weary country. The government has blamed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, which Afghan and Western officials suspect of involvement in at least some of the recent attacks in the capital. Monday's raid came as both the insurgents and the Islamic State group have escalated their attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians. On January 20, Taliban insurgents stormed Kabul's landmark Intercontinental hotel and killed at least 25 people, the majority foreigners. But there is still confusion over the true toll from that attack with conflicting figures given by officials and Afghan media reporting higher numbers Kabul is on high alert as the city braces for further attacks. Security warnings sent to foreigners in recent days said IS militants were planning to attack supermarkets, hotels and shops frequented by foreigners.

Gunmen attack Kabul military academy: Officials

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