Following the takeover, footage emerged showing Taliban militants riding bumper cars and merry-go-rounds at an amusement park in Kabul.&nbsp;

Now, another video shows one amusement park engulfed in flames after the Taliban set it on fire.&nbsp;

The Bokhdi Amusement Park in Begha was seen burning in the video, and the individual who posted it commented, "The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are prohibited in Islam."&nbsp;

"The Bokhdi Amusement Park was set on fire by Taliban insurgents in Begha, Sheberghan. The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are illegal in Islam, This is the logic of the Taliban's brutal emirate. The homeland is occupied," the user claimed in a post on Twitter.&nbsp;

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The Bokhdi Amusement Park was set on fire by Taliban insurgents in Begha, Sheberghan. The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are illegal in Islam, This is the logic of the Taliban's brutal emirate. The homeland is occupied.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/MBuYsQQbxk">pic.twitter.com/MBuYsQQbxk</a>
— Ihtesham Afghan (@IhteshamAfghan) <a href="https://twitter.com/IhteshamAfghan/status/1427617097539063818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Videos and pictures from Afghanistan, notably Kabul, show the country devolving into anarchy just weeks after the Taliban seized power and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Following the takeover, footage emerged showing Taliban militants riding bumper cars and merry-go-rounds at an amusement park in Kabul. Now, another video shows one amusement park engulfed in flames after the Taliban set it on fire.

Following the takeover, footage emerged showing Taliban militants riding bumper cars and merry-go-rounds at an amusement park in Kabul. Now, another video shows one amusement park engulfed in flames after the Taliban set it on fire. The Bokhdi Amusement Park in Begha was seen burning in the video, and the individual who posted it commented, "The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are prohibited in Islam." "The Bokhdi Amusement Park was set on fire by Taliban insurgents in Begha, Sheberghan. The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are illegal in Islam, This is the logic of the Taliban's brutal emirate. The homeland is occupied," the user claimed in a post on Twitter. The Bokhdi Amusement Park was set on fire by Taliban insurgents in Begha, Sheberghan. The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are illegal in Islam, This is the logic of the Taliban's brutal emirate. The homeland is occupied.#Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/MBuYsQQbxk — Ihtesham Afghan (@IhteshamAfghan) August 17, 2021 × Videos and pictures from Afghanistan, notably Kabul, show the country devolving into anarchy just weeks after the Taliban seized power and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Taliban burn down amusement park in Afghanistan

President Joe Biden has said that the US military presence could extend beyond the August 31 deadline for the withdrawal so as to evacuate all Americans from Afghanistan.

Joe Biden says US troops could stay in Kabul beyond August 31

As the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan, the question is how will the country be governed? According to reports, the ruling council might take charge in and the third supreme commander of the Taliban Haibatullah Akhundzada likely to be overall in charge.

What will the new Afghanistan regime look like?

For Afghans living across the United States, the last few days have been full of panic and anxiety as they fear for the safety of their families back home. Most of them are blaming the US for this crisis.

Afghans living in US fear for their families' safety

The women of Afghanistan fear the worst, a repeat of what they had to endure during the Taliban's previous rule. As the Taliban return to power - what does the future hold for Afghan women?

A WION special: Women in Taliban country

Videos of women and children being beaten and whipped by the Taliban fighters have surfaced showing the brutal face of the insurgents. They have also burnt down an amusement park in the country.

Taliban unleash its wicked face: Open fire, Women and children beaten at Kabul airport

Amid reports of women protesting in Kabul as the Taliban took control of the capital, pictures surfaced of a beauty saloon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul.

<img alt="Women poster defaced in Kabul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc120e81-2f37-4296-b2f0-0e657b653a93" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/D2_0.jpg" />

(Photo : AFP)

 
The Taliban had declared on Tuesday that they would honour women's rights, although they had added that it should be within the norms of Islamic law.

Suhail Shaheen, Taliban's spokesperson in Doha's political office had said that women "can get education from primary to higher education -- that means university. We have announced this policy at international conferences, the Moscow conference and here at the Doha conference (on Afghanistan)."

<img alt="Women's poster defaced in Kabul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b6026477-6805-45b2-b75f-19812666d593" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Defaced1_0.jpg" />

(Photo: AFP)

During Taliban's rule in the 1990s, schools for girls were closed and they were prevented from working and forced to wear the burqa in public.

<img alt="Women's poster defaced in Kabul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="827093cf-7687-4827-bef9-b11ee6509840" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/D3.jpg" />

(Photo Courtesy: AFP)

"The burqa is not the only hijab (headscarf) that (can) be observed, there is different types of hijab not limited to burqa," Suhail Shaheen had told a British television network during a conference.

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First reported women’s protest in Kabul following the takeover by the Taliban: 
 
Four women holding handwritten paper signs stand surrounded by armed Taliban fighters 
 
Indescribable courage:<a href="https://t.co/1HtpQ4X2ip">pic.twitter.com/1HtpQ4X2ip</a>
— Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) <a href="https://twitter.com/leahmcelrath/status/1427643075829059599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, a woman news presenter Shabnam Khan Dawran working with Mili television said that the soldiers didn't give her &nbsp;permission to start work at her office.

"They told me that the regime has changed. You are not allowed, go home. &nbsp;I am asking the world to help me because my life is in danger," Dawran said.

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the&nbsp;videos

Social Media Video courtesy: @HameedMohdShah, @leahmcelrath

Amid reports of women protesting in Kabul as the Taliban took control of the capital, pictures surfaced of a beauty saloon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul.

Amid reports of women protesting in Kabul as the Taliban took control of the capital, pictures surfaced of a beauty saloon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul. (Photo : AFP) The Taliban had declared on Tuesday that they would honour women's rights, although they had added that it should be within the norms of Islamic law. Suhail Shaheen, Taliban's spokesperson in Doha's political office had said that women "can get education from primary to higher education -- that means university. We have announced this policy at international conferences, the Moscow conference and here at the Doha conference (on Afghanistan)." (Photo: AFP) During Taliban's rule in the 1990s, schools for girls were closed and they were prevented from working and forced to wear the burqa in public. (Photo Courtesy: AFP) "The burqa is not the only hijab (headscarf) that (can) be observed, there is different types of hijab not limited to burqa," Suhail Shaheen had told a British television network during a conference. First reported women’s protest in Kabul following the takeover by the Taliban: Four women holding handwritten paper signs stand surrounded by armed Taliban fighters Indescribable courage:pic.twitter.com/1HtpQ4X2ip — Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) August 17, 2021 × Meanwhile, a woman news presenter Shabnam Khan Dawran working with Mili television said that the soldiers didn't give her permission to start work at her office. "They told me that the regime has changed. You are not allowed, go home. I am asking the world to help me because my life is in danger," Dawran said. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the videos Social Media Video courtesy: @HameedMohdShah, @leahmcelrath

See pics: Women's poster defaced in Kabul as Taliban consolidates hold over Afghanistan

While most of the western countries have denied accepting the Taliban's rule, some have promoted reconciliation. In the latest, the Afghan embassy Tajikistan has removed the picture of former President Ashraf Ghani. WION tracks the Taliban blitz and the resistance in Kabul.

Tracking the Taliban blitz and the resistance

During the first press conference held by the Taliban since taking power in Kabul on Sunday, the group said they seek no “revenge” on opponents and that everyone will be “forgiven.”

Taliban holds presser, says it does not seek 'revenge,' & that all will be 'forgiven'

An administration official revealed Tuesday that the US has blocked almost $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank and halted cash shipments to the country in an effort to prevent a Taliban-led government from obtaining the funds.&nbsp;

According to the person, any central bank assets held by the Afghan government in the United States will not be available to the Taliban, which is still on the Treasury Department's sanctions list.&nbsp;

According to Afghan authorities, including the bank's acting governor, Ajmal Ahmady, who has fled Kabul, the majority of the assets are held outside of Afghanistan, potentially placing them beyond of reach of the Taliban militants.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-currency-drops-to-a-record-low-as-taliban-take-over-406361">Also read | Afghanistan's currency drops to a record low as Taliban take over</a> 
 
“Given that the Taliban are still on international sanction lists, it is expected (confirmed?) that such assets will be frozen and not accessible to Taliban,” Ahmady said in a Twitter thread on Wednesday.

“We can say the accessible funds to the Taliban are perhaps 0.1-0.2% of Afghanistan’s total international reserves. Not much,” he added.&nbsp;

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First, total DAB reserves were approximately $9.0 billion as of last week. 
 
But this does not mean that DAB held $9.0 billion physically in our vault. 
 
As per international standards, most assets are held in safe, liquid assets such as Treasuries and gold <a href="https://t.co/onpttXyTv7">https://t.co/onpttXyTv7</a>
— Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady) <a href="https://twitter.com/aahmady/status/1427883011207467009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Taliban said on Saturday that the treasury, public facilities and government offices were the property of the nation and “should be strictly guarded.”

The most recent <a href="https://dab.gov.af/sites/default/files/2021-08/Monthly%20Financial%20statement%20%20for%20the%20month%20of%20Jawza%20%201400%20%28English%29%20%20.pdf">financial statement posted online </a>shows DAB holds total assets of about $10 billion, including $1.3 billion-worth of gold reserves and $362 million in foreign currency cash reserves, based on currency conversion rates on June 21, the date of the report. Ahmady estimated total reserves stood at $9 billion last week. 
 
The Taliban are unable to obtain cash due to US sanctions. According to two persons acquainted with the situation, the great bulk of DAB's assets are not now held in Afghanistan.

 
The US Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

An administration official revealed Tuesday that the US has blocked almost $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank and halted cash shipments to the country in an effort to prevent a Taliban-led government from obtaining the funds.

An administration official revealed Tuesday that the US has blocked almost $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank and halted cash shipments to the country in an effort to prevent a Taliban-led government from obtaining the funds. According to the person, any central bank assets held by the Afghan government in the United States will not be available to the Taliban, which is still on the Treasury Department's sanctions list. According to Afghan authorities, including the bank's acting governor, Ajmal Ahmady, who has fled Kabul, the majority of the assets are held outside of Afghanistan, potentially placing them beyond of reach of the Taliban militants. Also read | Afghanistan's currency drops to a record low as Taliban take over “Given that the Taliban are still on international sanction lists, it is expected (confirmed?) that such assets will be frozen and not accessible to Taliban,” Ahmady said in a Twitter thread on Wednesday. “We can say the accessible funds to the Taliban are perhaps 0.1-0.2% of Afghanistan’s total international reserves. Not much,” he added. First, total DAB reserves were approximately $9.0 billion as of last week. But this does not mean that DAB held $9.0 billion physically in our vault. As per international standards, most assets are held in safe, liquid assets such as Treasuries and gold https://t.co/onpttXyTv7 — Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady) August 18, 2021 × The Taliban said on Saturday that the treasury, public facilities and government offices were the property of the nation and “should be strictly guarded.” The most recent financial statement posted online shows DAB holds total assets of about $10 billion, including $1.3 billion-worth of gold reserves and $362 million in foreign currency cash reserves, based on currency conversion rates on June 21, the date of the report. Ahmady estimated total reserves stood at $9 billion last week. The Taliban are unable to obtain cash due to US sanctions. According to two persons acquainted with the situation, the great bulk of DAB's assets are not now held in Afghanistan. The US Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment.

US chokes Taliban funds, freezes $9.5 billion of Afghan central bank

Shutting the door on Congress for an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in May, &nbsp;Bahujan Samaj Party &nbsp;(BSP) supremo Mayawati on Saturday said Congress will not be a part of SP-BSP alliance.&nbsp;

Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati were addressing a joint press conference in Lucknow on Saturday.&nbsp;

''We won't gain anything by including Congress in our alliance. Both BSP and SP have experienced in the past that Congress's vote is not transferable,'' she said.

To defeat the arrogance of BJP, it was necessary for BSP and SP to come together, she said and added BJP can go to any extent to ''create differences in our workers we must be united and counter any such tactic''.

Accusing both Congress and the BJP of indulging in corruption, she said be it BJP or Congress, whoever rules, their policies are mostly the same. For example, we are seeing how both indulged in corruption in defence deals. Congress imposed declared emergency, today there is undeclared emergency, she said.

Attacking the BJP government at the Centre, she said SP-BSP alliance will give sleepless nights to Modi-Shah. &nbsp;

''SP-BSP have buried the hatchet and come together. BJP fears this alliance and this press briefing will give sleepless nights to Modi and Amit Shah,'' she said.&nbsp;

The alliance will herald a new political revolution, she said and added that grand alliance will trouble guru-chela, referring Modi and Amit Shah.&nbsp;

BSP-SP will leave no stone unturned to oust BJP, she added.&nbsp;

Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati to contest 38 each of Uttar Pradesh's 80 seats leaving two seats for other parties in the alliance.&nbsp;

SP-BSP alliance will not field any candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli and will leave both the seats for the Congress, Mayawati said.&nbsp;

Shutting the door on Congress for an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in May, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Saturday said Congress will not be a part of SP-BSP alliance.

Shutting the door on Congress for an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in May, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Saturday said Congress will not be a part of SP-BSP alliance. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati were addressing a joint press conference in Lucknow on Saturday. ''We won't gain anything by including Congress in our alliance. Both BSP and SP have experienced in the past that Congress's vote is not transferable,'' she said. To defeat the arrogance of BJP, it was necessary for BSP and SP to come together, she said and added BJP can go to any extent to ''create differences in our workers we must be united and counter any such tactic''. Accusing both Congress and the BJP of indulging in corruption, she said be it BJP or Congress, whoever rules, their policies are mostly the same. For example, we are seeing how both indulged in corruption in defence deals. Congress imposed declared emergency, today there is undeclared emergency, she said. Attacking the BJP government at the Centre, she said SP-BSP alliance will give sleepless nights to Modi-Shah. ''SP-BSP have buried the hatchet and come together. BJP fears this alliance and this press briefing will give sleepless nights to Modi and Amit Shah,'' she said. The alliance will herald a new political revolution, she said and added that grand alliance will trouble guru-chela, referring Modi and Amit Shah. BSP-SP will leave no stone unturned to oust BJP, she added. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati to contest 38 each of Uttar Pradesh's 80 seats leaving two seats for other parties in the alliance. SP-BSP alliance will not field any candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli and will leave both the seats for the Congress, Mayawati said.

Human remains found in landing gear of military flight from Kabul: US Air Force

The bustling streets of Kabul are now empty. Some cautious residents venture outside of their homes to see what life is like under the Taliban. Taliban fighters were seen driving around the Afghan capital.

Bustling streets of Kabul remain empty as Taliban fighters patrol the streets

US officials say that they are in contact with Taliban and that they are making sure that flight operations in Kabul remain safe.

US officials say that they are making sure that flight operations in Kabul remain safe

Former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who fled Kabul as the Taliban took over the country, is now settled in UAE. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that the country has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family on humanitarian grounds.

UAE: Welcome Ghani, family on humanitarian grounds

It has been three days since the Taliban controlled Kabul and seized control over the dreams of millions of Afghans, the women in Afghanistan fear the worst at this point. WION tells you what does future holds for Afghan women?

As the Taliban return to Kabul, what does future holds for Afghan women?

Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has returned to Afghanistan after decades. Baradar is the second senior-most leader in the Taliban hierarchy after Haibatullah Akhundzada.

Taliban's co-founder Mullah Baradar returns to Afghanistan after decades

As the Taliban becomes a dominant force in Afghanistan, sources say that Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are making presence in parts of the civil-war torn country Afghanistan.

Sources: Pak terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba built check posts in Kabul

The Taliban has reportedly captured Salima Mazari, one of the first women governors in Afghanistan and the woman who took up arms to fight them. Mazari has been captured by the Taliban after the insurgents gained control over the entire nation and the Afghan leadership.

Salima Mazari, who took up arms against Taliban captured in Afghanistan

In their first presser in Kabul on Sunday, the Taliban said that they seek no 'revenge' and that everyone will be ''forgiven.' “We assure you that nobody will go to their doors to ask why they helped,” he said, despite reports from different parts of the country that Taliban fighters were doing precisely that. He encouraged people who had fled to the airport with their families to return.

Taliban says it seeks no 'revenge' & that everyone will be 'forgiven''

The Taliban is now gearing up to install a government. But, Amrullah Saleh wants to challenge the Taliban. The defiant Vice President has declared that he is the "legitimate caretaker President" of Afghanistan. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: A defiant Amrullah Saleh vows to fight the Taliban

The women of Afghanistan are fearing the worst under the Taliban's rule. Girls are afraid they won't be able to go back to school. Female journalists & lawmakers are fearing for their lives. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Women of Afghanistan fear the worst under Taliban

Russia says Kabul is safer under the Taliban. Pakistan says Afghans have broken the shackles of slavery. China backs the Taliban to bring peace to Afghanistan. Why are countries rushing to legitimise the Taliban? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Why are Pakistan, China & Russia legitimising Taliban

A defiant Joe Biden defended his decision to hastily pull out American troops from Afghanistan. The US president shifted blame to the Afghan leadership, saying there is no right time to withdraw. Molly Gambhir tells you what Biden got wrong in his speech.

Gravitas: Biden defends pull-out, blames Afghan army

The Taliban is beating the drum of victory by having a gala time. They were seen swirling on spinning wheels, jumping on trampolines & working out at abandoned gyms. Molly Gambhir gets you 7 videos from the new 'Islamic Emirate'.

Gravitas: 7 Videos that show life under Taliban

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai.

That is according to an official familiar with the talks and who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-un-says-world-will-scrutinise-taliban-actions-406158">LIVE Afghanistan crisis: UN says world will 'scrutinise' Taliban actions</a></h2>

Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban last ruled and he began making contacts with Afghan political leaders even before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani secretly slipped away from the Presidential Palace on the weekend, leaving a devastating vacuum that Taliban who were surrounding the city strode in to fill.

The official says the talks underway in the Afghan capital are aimed at bringing other non-Taliban leaders into the government that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen has said will be an "inclusive Afghan government."

There is a little indication about the substance of the talks, but Shaheen earlier told The Associated Press that a government will be announced after negotiations with non-Taliban leaders are completed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/doomed-from-start-us-invasion-of-afghanistan-was-a-bad-idea-says-last-soviet-leader-gorbachev-406256">Doomed from start: US invasion of Afghanistan was a 'bad idea', says last Soviet leader Gorbachev</a>

Afghans familiar with the talks say some rounds have gone late into the night and have been underway since soon after Ghani's departure.&nbsp;

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai.

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai. That is according to an official familiar with the talks and who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. LIVE Afghanistan crisis: UN says world will 'scrutinise' Taliban actions Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban last ruled and he began making contacts with Afghan political leaders even before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani secretly slipped away from the Presidential Palace on the weekend, leaving a devastating vacuum that Taliban who were surrounding the city strode in to fill. The official says the talks underway in the Afghan capital are aimed at bringing other non-Taliban leaders into the government that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen has said will be an "inclusive Afghan government." There is a little indication about the substance of the talks, but Shaheen earlier told The Associated Press that a government will be announced after negotiations with non-Taliban leaders are completed. Also read | Doomed from start: US invasion of Afghanistan was a 'bad idea', says last Soviet leader Gorbachev Afghans familiar with the talks say some rounds have gone late into the night and have been underway since soon after Ghani's departure.

Taliban leader reported to be in Kabul for talks

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government.&nbsp;

“We don’t want any internal or external enemies,” the Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The Taliban pledged a secure Afghanistan as part of a public relations campaign aimed at persuading world powers and a fearful population that they have reformed. 
 
Mujahid promised the Taliban would honour women's rights, but within the norms of Islamic law.

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Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the group seeks no revenge from anyone. 
 
In its first press conference since the sweeping takeover of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>, Taliban's <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Zabehulah_M33</a> says they have "emancipated" the nation from foreigners after 20 years of struggle. <a href="https://t.co/eXuzPbMfzM">pic.twitter.com/eXuzPbMfzM</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1427674758359965699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Taliban have attempted to present themselves as more moderate than when they established a harsh rule in the late 1990s, following a rapid advance throughout Afghanistan that saw major cities fall to the militants without a struggle.&nbsp;

The organisation had previously declared a "amnesty" across Afghanistan and asked women to join its administration, in an attempt to calm anxieties in a tense capital city where hundreds had flocked to the city's international airport in a desperate attempt to flee the day before. 
 
The capital of Kabul remained quiet for another day as the Taliban patrolled its streets and many residents stayed home, fearful after the insurgents' takeover saw prisons emptied and armories looted. Many women have expressed dread that the two-decade Western experiment to expand their rights and remake Afghanistan would not survive the resurgent Taliban.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government.

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government. “We don’t want any internal or external enemies,” the Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. The Taliban pledged a secure Afghanistan as part of a public relations campaign aimed at persuading world powers and a fearful population that they have reformed. Mujahid promised the Taliban would honour women's rights, but within the norms of Islamic law. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the group seeks no revenge from anyone. In its first press conference since the sweeping takeover of #Afghanistan, Taliban's @Zabehulah_M33 says they have "emancipated" the nation from foreigners after 20 years of struggle. pic.twitter.com/eXuzPbMfzM — WION (@WIONews) August 17, 2021 × The Taliban have attempted to present themselves as more moderate than when they established a harsh rule in the late 1990s, following a rapid advance throughout Afghanistan that saw major cities fall to the militants without a struggle. The organisation had previously declared a "amnesty" across Afghanistan and asked women to join its administration, in an attempt to calm anxieties in a tense capital city where hundreds had flocked to the city's international airport in a desperate attempt to flee the day before. The capital of Kabul remained quiet for another day as the Taliban patrolled its streets and many residents stayed home, fearful after the insurgents' takeover saw prisons emptied and armories looted. Many women have expressed dread that the two-decade Western experiment to expand their rights and remake Afghanistan would not survive the resurgent Taliban. (With inputs from agencies)

In first press conference, Taliban say they seek no ‘revenge’, will respect women’s rights

Residents of Afghanistan's Jalalabad city came to the streets on Wednesday, asking that the Afghan flag be reinstalled on government buildings instead of the Taliban's flag.

According to local news outlet Pajhwok Afghan News, Taliban fighters opened fire on the demonstrators.

Some journalists covering the demonstration were also assaulted by Taliban fighters.&nbsp;

According to a video footage, Taliban militants opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators in Jalalabad.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> firing on protesters in Jalalabad city and beaten some video journalists. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanidtan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanidtan</a> <a href="https://t.co/AbM2JHg9I2">pic.twitter.com/AbM2JHg9I2</a>
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) <a href="https://twitter.com/pajhwok/status/1427907124743614469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Protesters are seen raising the Afghan national flag on a packed street in Jalalabad in the footage, which has since gone viral on social media sites, after which armed Taliban members open fire on them.

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— Najeeb Nangyal (@NajeebNangyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/NajeebNangyal/status/1427875576258437121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Earlier in the day, a group of Afghan women were observed staging the country's first public demonstration in support of female rights.

The ladies could be heard demanding their rights in recordings published on social media, including social security, the right to work, the right to education, and the right to political engagement.&nbsp;

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Disclaimer: WION cannot&nbsp;independently verify the authenticity of these visuals

(With inputs from agencies)

Residents of Afghanistan's Jalalabad city came to the streets on Wednesday, asking that the Afghan flag be reinstalled on government buildings instead of the Taliban's flag.

Residents of Afghanistan's Jalalabad city came to the streets on Wednesday, asking that the Afghan flag be reinstalled on government buildings instead of the Taliban's flag. According to local news outlet Pajhwok Afghan News, Taliban fighters opened fire on the demonstrators. Some journalists covering the demonstration were also assaulted by Taliban fighters. According to a video footage, Taliban militants opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators in Jalalabad. #Taliban firing on protesters in Jalalabad city and beaten some video journalists. #Afghanidtan pic.twitter.com/AbM2JHg9I2 — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) August 18, 2021 × Protesters are seen raising the Afghan national flag on a packed street in Jalalabad in the footage, which has since gone viral on social media sites, after which armed Taliban members open fire on them. pic.twitter.com/QyqdOT2YUg — Najeeb Nangyal (@NajeebNangyal) August 18, 2021 × Earlier in the day, a group of Afghan women were observed staging the country's first public demonstration in support of female rights. The ladies could be heard demanding their rights in recordings published on social media, including social security, the right to work, the right to education, and the right to political engagement. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH : Taliban fighters shoot at protesters waving national flag in Afghanistan's Jalalabad

While speaking in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the UK will do “everything to avert a humanitarian crisis” in Afghanistan. Johnson also added that deploying UK troops to fight the Taliban is not an option.

Johnson says UK will do anything to avert humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

Life under Taliban in Kabul & the Pakistan connection

Sources cite that Pak-based terror groups like LeT are now making a presence in parts of Afghanistan. Sources also say that LeT has built check-posts in Kabul and are engaging in activities like looting.

Pakistan-based terror groups operate out of Afghanistan, say sources

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