<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-broken-enriched-uranium-stockpile-limit-set-by-2015-nuclear-deal-232067">Iran says it has broken enriched uranium stockpile limit set by nuclear deal</a> 
 
Iran has breached a 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violent-clashes-as-hong-kong-marks-china-handover-anniversary-232056">Violent clashes as Hong Kong marks China handover anniversary</a> 
 
The angry scenes ramped up tensions in the financial hub which has been rocked by three weeks of historic demonstrations against a hugely unpopular bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/water-crisis-in-india-centre-sends-out-250-civil-servants-to-driest-areas-232082">Water crisis in India: Centre sends out 250 civil servants to driest areas&nbsp;</a> 
 
India's monsoon, which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the country's annual rainfall, turned patchy in the first month of the season that began on June 1.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/samajwadi-party-will-support-extension-of-presidents-rule-in-jammu-kashmir-ram-gopal-yadav-232008">Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal to support extension of President's Rule in Jammu &amp; Kashmir</a> 
 
On June 28, Lok Sabha approved the statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Jammu &amp; Kashmir with effect from July 3rd, 2019.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-gun-battle-rages-in-kabul-after-blast-injures-100-taliban-claims-responsibility-231998">Afghanistan: Gun battle rages in Kabul after blast injures 100, Taliban claims responsibility</a>

A blast in the Afghan capital on Monday was part of an attack by Taliban fighters targeting the defence ministry compound in Kabul, the Islamist militant group said in a statement.

Iran says it has broken enriched uranium stockpile limit set by nuclear deal Iran has breached a 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Iran says it has broken enriched uranium stockpile limit set by nuclear deal Iran has breached a 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Violent clashes as Hong Kong marks China handover anniversary The angry scenes ramped up tensions in the financial hub which has been rocked by three weeks of historic demonstrations against a hugely unpopular bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland. Water crisis in India: Centre sends out 250 civil servants to driest areas India's monsoon, which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the country's annual rainfall, turned patchy in the first month of the season that began on June 1. Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal to support extension of President's Rule in Jammu & Kashmir On June 28, Lok Sabha approved the statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Jammu & Kashmir with effect from July 3rd, 2019. Afghanistan: Gun battle rages in Kabul after blast injures 100, Taliban claims responsibility A blast in the Afghan capital on Monday was part of an attack by Taliban fighters targeting the defence ministry compound in Kabul, the Islamist militant group said in a statement.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Afghan security forces on Monday were battling Taliban gunmen who stormed a building in the capital, Kabul, after a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/car-bomb-attack-in-kabuls-diplomatic-area-several-injured-231936"> bomb-laden truck exploded</a> near the defence ministry at rush hour, injuring at least 100 people, including 35 children, officials said.

For hours after the attack, sporadic gunfire and explosions could be heard in the area, cordoned off by special forces. At least three gunmen entered a building around the defence ministry after the blast, a government security official said.

"Gunmen have entered a building and they are clashing with the Afghan forces after the powerful blast," said interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Watch: A powerful explosion in the Afghanistan capital Kabul

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"The target was the defence ministry's technical installation," the Islamist militants' spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a statement.

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Damaged vehicles are seen at the the site of a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan July 1, 2019. (Reuters Photo)

Afghan security officials said the truck loaded with explosives was detonated near the ministry's engineering and logistics department.

About 100 wounded people were taken to hospital, said health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar, but there was no immediate word of fatalities.

Thirty-five school children were wounded, said Nimatullah Hamdard, the director of a nearby private school.

The blast sent a plume of black smoke rising over the city and shook buildings as the wail of ambulance sirens rent the air.

Clustered in the area are military and government buildings, as well as an office of the Afghan Football Federation, whose spokesman, Shafi Shadab, said its chief, Yosuf Kargar, was among several members injured.

The attack comes as US&nbsp;special peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad holds the seventh round of peace talks with the Taliban Islamist militant group in Qatar, aimed at bringing an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan.

The talks, described by one U.S. official as a "make-or-break moment", have focused on issues ranging from counter-terrorism and withdrawal of foreign troops to an intra-Afghan dialogue and a comprehensive ceasefire.

Afghan security forces on Monday were battling Taliban gunmen who stormed a building in the capital, Kabul, after a bomb-laden truck exploded near the defence ministry at rush hour, injuring at least 100 people, including 35 children, officials said.

Afghan security forces on Monday were battling Taliban gunmen who stormed a building in the capital, Kabul, after a bomb-laden truck exploded near the defence ministry at rush hour, injuring at least 100 people, including 35 children, officials said. For hours after the attack, sporadic gunfire and explosions could be heard in the area, cordoned off by special forces. At least three gunmen entered a building around the defence ministry after the blast, a government security official said. "Gunmen have entered a building and they are clashing with the Afghan forces after the powerful blast," said interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Watch: A powerful explosion in the Afghanistan capital Kabul "The target was the defence ministry's technical installation," the Islamist militants' spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a statement. Damaged vehicles are seen at the the site of a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan July 1, 2019. (Reuters Photo) Afghan security officials said the truck loaded with explosives was detonated near the ministry's engineering and logistics department. About 100 wounded people were taken to hospital, said health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar, but there was no immediate word of fatalities. Thirty-five school children were wounded, said Nimatullah Hamdard, the director of a nearby private school. The blast sent a plume of black smoke rising over the city and shook buildings as the wail of ambulance sirens rent the air. Clustered in the area are military and government buildings, as well as an office of the Afghan Football Federation, whose spokesman, Shafi Shadab, said its chief, Yosuf Kargar, was among several members injured. The attack comes as US special peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad holds the seventh round of peace talks with the Taliban Islamist militant group in Qatar, aimed at bringing an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan. The talks, described by one U.S. official as a "make-or-break moment", have focused on issues ranging from counter-terrorism and withdrawal of foreign troops to an intra-Afghan dialogue and a comprehensive ceasefire.

Afghanistan: Gun battle rages in Kabul after blast injures 100, Taliban claims responsibility

At least 170 Taliban prisoners have been released from the Pul-e-Charkhi and another 130 jail inmates are expected to be freed on Tuesday, a move that has come when peace talks are underway to end the nearly-two decades-long civil war in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Tolo News reported quoting Afghan government sources that the released prisoners were imprisoned on charges of membership and cooperation with the Taliban.&nbsp;

The announcement about the release of Taliban prisoners was made by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-pledges-to-release-nearly-900-prisoners-224322">President Ashraf Ghani</a> on the closing day of the grand council on peace earlier in May.

&nbsp;The Afghan grand council ended on May 3 with a call for peace with the Taliban and a promise from Ghani to free 175 Taliban prisoners ahead of the Islamic holy week of Ramadan.

&nbsp;Again on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the Afghan president announced the release of 887 prisoners as part of his efforts to persuade the resurgent group to engage in intra-Afghan dialogue to end the conflict through diplomatic settlement.

&nbsp;Meanwhile, critics have said the decision will have a possible negative impact on the country`s fragile situation and that the decision has been made without wider consultations.&nbsp;

The move came at a time when diplomatic efforts have taken centre stage in the Afghan peace process, which has hit constant deadlocks due to persistent denial by the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Kabul government.

At least 170 Taliban prisoners have been released from the Pul-e-Charkhi and another 130 jail inmates are expected to be freed on Tuesday, a move that has come when peace talks are underway to end the nearly-two decades-long civil war in Afghanistan.

At least 170 Taliban prisoners have been released from the Pul-e-Charkhi and another 130 jail inmates are expected to be freed on Tuesday, a move that has come when peace talks are underway to end the nearly-two decades-long civil war in Afghanistan. Tolo News reported quoting Afghan government sources that the released prisoners were imprisoned on charges of membership and cooperation with the Taliban. The announcement about the release of Taliban prisoners was made by President Ashraf Ghani on the closing day of the grand council on peace earlier in May. The Afghan grand council ended on May 3 with a call for peace with the Taliban and a promise from Ghani to free 175 Taliban prisoners ahead of the Islamic holy week of Ramadan. Again on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the Afghan president announced the release of 887 prisoners as part of his efforts to persuade the resurgent group to engage in intra-Afghan dialogue to end the conflict through diplomatic settlement. Meanwhile, critics have said the decision will have a possible negative impact on the country`s fragile situation and that the decision has been made without wider consultations. The move came at a time when diplomatic efforts have taken centre stage in the Afghan peace process, which has hit constant deadlocks due to persistent denial by the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Kabul government.

Amid peace talks, Kabul releases more than 200 Taliban prisoners

In a development that may raise eyebrows in Washington and New Delhi, Deputy National Security Advisors of 5 countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Russia and China will be meeting in Kabul on June 10. The meet is devised to tackle regional challenges and development in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

India and the US are not part of the meeting, even though they are key stakeholders when it comes to the development in landlocked South Asian countries.&nbsp;

These are the number of processes currently underway to help stabilise Afghanistan including a Moscow-backed process which the US hasn't been keen to join.&nbsp;

New Delhi has been Afghanistan's biggest supporter in the region. India, through its community development scheme since 2005, has supported over 550 projects throughout Afghanistan. Of these, around 345 projects have been completed while the remaining are in various stages of completion.&nbsp;

The projects are aimed at building basic infrastructure such as schools, public health centres, bridges, roads for local communities. India is the largest donor to Afghanistan in the region and, since 2001 after the fall of the Taliban, has undertaken projects and programmes worth over $2 billion. 
&nbsp;

In a development that may raise eyebrows in Washington and New Delhi, Deputy National Security Advisors of 5 countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Russia and China will be meeting in Kabul on June 10.

In a development that may raise eyebrows in Washington and New Delhi, Deputy National Security Advisors of 5 countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Russia and China will be meeting in Kabul on June 10. The meet is devised to tackle regional challenges and development in Afghanistan. India and the US are not part of the meeting, even though they are key stakeholders when it comes to the development in landlocked South Asian countries. These are the number of processes currently underway to help stabilise Afghanistan including a Moscow-backed process which the US hasn't been keen to join. New Delhi has been Afghanistan's biggest supporter in the region. India, through its community development scheme since 2005, has supported over 550 projects throughout Afghanistan. Of these, around 345 projects have been completed while the remaining are in various stages of completion. The projects are aimed at building basic infrastructure such as schools, public health centres, bridges, roads for local communities. India is the largest donor to Afghanistan in the region and, since 2001 after the fall of the Taliban, has undertaken projects and programmes worth over $2 billion.

Deputy National Security Advisors of 5 countries to meet in Kabul; India, US not invited

At least four people were killed Monday when a bomb tore through a bus in Kabul, an official said, marking the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/student-bus-targeted-amid-deadly-wave-of-kabul-bombings-223693">second day straight that attackers have targeted a bus</a>.

The vehicle was taking workers home from a government watchdog agency ahead of the Eid holidays marking the end of Ramadan when the bomb exploded.

Farid Ahmad, a spokesman for the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC), told AFP the bomb had been concealed on a bicycle along the side of the road.

"Unfortunately, we have lost four colleagues, nine have been wounded", Ahmad said.

Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi put the toll at five dead and 10 wounded -- all of them civilians.

Video:&nbsp;3 explosions rocked Afghanistan's capital, 1killed

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He said the explosion had been caused by a sticky bomb, a common threat in Kabul where criminals and insurgents slap explosives under vehicles.

No one immediately claimed responsibility.

The blast comes one day after two people were killed and dozens more wounded in Kabul as a wave of bombings hit civilian targets -- including a university school bus -- across the Afghan capital.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for those bombings on Sunday.&nbsp;

Buses carrying government employees have remained a constant target of militant attacks during the rush hour in Kabul.

The IARCSC was established in 2002 with the aim of providing oversight to the notoriously corrupt Afghan civil service.

At least four people were killed Monday when a bomb tore through a bus in Kabul, an official said, marking the second day straight that attackers have targeted a bus.

At least four people were killed Monday when a bomb tore through a bus in Kabul, an official said, marking the second day straight that attackers have targeted a bus. The vehicle was taking workers home from a government watchdog agency ahead of the Eid holidays marking the end of Ramadan when the bomb exploded. Farid Ahmad, a spokesman for the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC), told AFP the bomb had been concealed on a bicycle along the side of the road. "Unfortunately, we have lost four colleagues, nine have been wounded", Ahmad said. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi put the toll at five dead and 10 wounded -- all of them civilians. Video: 3 explosions rocked Afghanistan's capital, 1killed He said the explosion had been caused by a sticky bomb, a common threat in Kabul where criminals and insurgents slap explosives under vehicles. No one immediately claimed responsibility. The blast comes one day after two people were killed and dozens more wounded in Kabul as a wave of bombings hit civilian targets -- including a university school bus -- across the Afghan capital. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for those bombings on Sunday. Buses carrying government employees have remained a constant target of militant attacks during the rush hour in Kabul. The IARCSC was established in 2002 with the aim of providing oversight to the notoriously corrupt Afghan civil service.

Afghanistan: At least four killed as government bus hit in Kabul blast

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-three-blasts-hit-kabul-killing-one-and-injuring-17-223589">Two people were killed and dozens more wounded in Kabul</a> on Sunday as a wave of bombings hit civilian targets -- including a university school bus -- across the Afghan capital.

The yellow bus had been heading to Kabul Education University in the western part of the city Sunday morning when it was hit by a sticky bomb -- a growing menace in Kabul, where insurgents and criminals use magnets to slap explosives on vehicles.

The device had been placed under the bus, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. In the immediate aftermath, as people rushed to help victims, two more bombs that had been planted by the side of the road went off, he added.&nbsp;

Among the wounded was an Afghan journalist who appeared to have been live-streaming the aftermath of the first explosion when he was hit in a secondary blast.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.

Initial reports said the bus was carrying university officials, but Kabul police spokesman Firdaws Faramarz later said students had been on board.

According to health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar, two people were killed and 24 more wounded. Among those wounded were five Afghan security forces.

The journalist was expected to recover from his leg wounds. Last year, nine journalists including AFP Kabul's chief photographer Shah Marai were killed in a secondary explosion after rushing to the scene of an initial blast.

A fourth blast rocked Kabul later Sunday, when yet another sticky bomb hit a vehicle in the western part of the city. Initial reports said three people were wounded.

President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani condemned the attacks, saying the "enemy" cannot "weaken the faith of our people for a bright and progressive future of Afghanistan."

Afghanistan's IS affiliate, known IS-K, has claimed responsibility for a string of horrific bombings targeting numerous civilian, religious and political targets in recent years.

Watch: 3 explosions rocked Afghanistan's capital, 1killed

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Peace talks

The continued violence in Afghanistan comes even as the Taliban and the US are set to begin a new round of peace talks in Doha this month.

On Friday, a Taliban car bomber killed at least four Afghan civilians and lightly wounded four US troops in an attack on a US convoy in Kabul.

A day earlier, at least six people were killed and 16 more wounded in an IS-claimed suicide blast outside a military academy in the capital.

And eight Afghan police were killed Saturday and seven others wounded in a suicide attack in the eastern city of Ghazni, provincial police spokesman Ahmad Khan Seerat told AFP.

Ghani had proposed a nationwide ceasefire at the start of Ramadan early last month, but the Taliban rejected the offer.

Last year, the Taliban observed a three-day ceasefire over Eid and many Afghans -- exhausted by decades of war and violence -- had pinned their hopes on another truce this year.

Taliban head Haibatullah Akhundzada said Saturday there would be no "cold water" poured on the insurgents' military efforts.

Two people were killed and dozens more wounded in Kabul on Sunday as a wave of bombings hit civilian targets -- including a university school bus -- across the Afghan capital.

Two people were killed and dozens more wounded in Kabul on Sunday as a wave of bombings hit civilian targets -- including a university school bus -- across the Afghan capital. The yellow bus had been heading to Kabul Education University in the western part of the city Sunday morning when it was hit by a sticky bomb -- a growing menace in Kabul, where insurgents and criminals use magnets to slap explosives on vehicles. The device had been placed under the bus, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. In the immediate aftermath, as people rushed to help victims, two more bombs that had been planted by the side of the road went off, he added. Among the wounded was an Afghan journalist who appeared to have been live-streaming the aftermath of the first explosion when he was hit in a secondary blast. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility. Initial reports said the bus was carrying university officials, but Kabul police spokesman Firdaws Faramarz later said students had been on board. According to health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar, two people were killed and 24 more wounded. Among those wounded were five Afghan security forces. The journalist was expected to recover from his leg wounds. Last year, nine journalists including AFP Kabul's chief photographer Shah Marai were killed in a secondary explosion after rushing to the scene of an initial blast. A fourth blast rocked Kabul later Sunday, when yet another sticky bomb hit a vehicle in the western part of the city. Initial reports said three people were wounded. President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani condemned the attacks, saying the "enemy" cannot "weaken the faith of our people for a bright and progressive future of Afghanistan." Afghanistan's IS affiliate, known IS-K, has claimed responsibility for a string of horrific bombings targeting numerous civilian, religious and political targets in recent years. Watch: 3 explosions rocked Afghanistan's capital, 1killed × Peace talks The continued violence in Afghanistan comes even as the Taliban and the US are set to begin a new round of peace talks in Doha this month. On Friday, a Taliban car bomber killed at least four Afghan civilians and lightly wounded four US troops in an attack on a US convoy in Kabul. A day earlier, at least six people were killed and 16 more wounded in an IS-claimed suicide blast outside a military academy in the capital. And eight Afghan police were killed Saturday and seven others wounded in a suicide attack in the eastern city of Ghazni, provincial police spokesman Ahmad Khan Seerat told AFP. Ghani had proposed a nationwide ceasefire at the start of Ramadan early last month, but the Taliban rejected the offer. Last year, the Taliban observed a three-day ceasefire over Eid and many Afghans -- exhausted by decades of war and violence -- had pinned their hopes on another truce this year. Taliban head Haibatullah Akhundzada said Saturday there would be no "cold water" poured on the insurgents' military efforts.

Student bus targeted amid deadly wave of Kabul bombings

At least four bystanders were killed and four U.S. troops wounded Friday when a suicide car bomb targeted a passing U.S. convoy in the Afghan capital, U.S. and Afghan

3 explosions rocked Afghanistan's capital, 1killed

A suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to a military training centre in the Afghan capital on Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding six, police and security officials said.

One official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attacker detonated his explosives after being prevented from entering the Marshal Fahim National Defense University to the west of Kabul.

The explosion occurred as cadets were leaving the college, which is one of Afghanistan's main officer training academies.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came as Taliban representatives met senior Afghan politicians in Moscow as part of efforts to reach a settlement to end the 18-year-long conflict.&nbsp;

A suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to a military training centre in the Afghan capital on Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding six, police and security officials said.

A suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to a military training centre in the Afghan capital on Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding six, police and security officials said. One official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attacker detonated his explosives after being prevented from entering the Marshal Fahim National Defense University to the west of Kabul. The explosion occurred as cadets were leaving the college, which is one of Afghanistan's main officer training academies. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came as Taliban representatives met senior Afghan politicians in Moscow as part of efforts to reach a settlement to end the 18-year-long conflict.

Blast near Afghan military training centre kills at least six

A magnetic improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeted a bus of the employees of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs early on Monday morning in Kabul city's PD2 in Afghanistan, news agency ANI reported quoting Afghan media.&nbsp;

Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs confirmed the incident in which at least 10 people have been wounded. More details are awaited.&nbsp;

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TOLOnews: At least 10 people were wounded in a magnetic IED blast that targeted a bus of the employees of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs early Monday morning in Kabul city's PD2, MoI officials confirmed. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>
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The blast comes just a couple of days after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explosion-rocks-afghanistans-spin-boldak-1-civilian-killed-221629">an explosion rocked the Spin Boldak district</a> of Afghanistan on Saturday.

At least one civilian was killed while two others were wounded in the blast.

"An explosion in Spin Boldak district in southern Kandahar province at around 7 pm (local time) on Saturday evening left one civilian dead and two others wounded," news agency ANI reported quoting TOLOnews.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A magnetic improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeted a bus of the employees of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs early on Monday morning in Kabul city's PD2 in Afghanistan, news agency ANI reported quoting Afghan media.

A magnetic improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeted a bus of the employees of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs early on Monday morning in Kabul city's PD2 in Afghanistan, news agency ANI reported quoting Afghan media. Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs confirmed the incident in which at least 10 people have been wounded. More details are awaited. TOLOnews: At least 10 people were wounded in a magnetic IED blast that targeted a bus of the employees of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs early Monday morning in Kabul city's PD2, MoI officials confirmed. #Afghanistan — ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2019 × The blast comes just a couple of days after an explosion rocked the Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan on Saturday. At least one civilian was killed while two others were wounded in the blast. "An explosion in Spin Boldak district in southern Kandahar province at around 7 pm (local time) on Saturday evening left one civilian dead and two others wounded," news agency ANI reported quoting TOLOnews.

Afghanistan: IED blast targets bus in Kabul, at least 10 wounded

In central Kabul last month, two men stabbed a teenager and left him for dead before escaping on a motorcycle &nbsp;-- a brazen attack amid a rising tide of killings and kidnappings as war-scarred residents complain of increasing lawlessness.

The brutal mugging happened near the green zone, home to many of the Afghan capital's foreign diplomats, but numerous armed guards posted along the street did not try to help the victim, thanks to arcane local liability laws and restrictions.

The attackers fled after snatching the boy's mobile phone and camera. He survived, but it took about an hour for authorities to arrive and take him to hospital.

Officials and stressed-out residents say crime is surging in Kabul, where police are already pushed to their limits attempting to prevent insurgent attacks by the Taliban and other groups including Islamic State.

Jan Aqa Naweed, spokesman for Afghanistan's chamber of commerce, said crime has grown so bad that business people and entrepreneurs were fleeing the country for fear they could be targeted.

"The increase in the crime rate, the killing and kidnapping of businessmen -- this has forced many traders to leave the country," he told AFP.

"Some of them take their families and money to countries such as Turkey and Uzbekistan. The crime in the city has negatively affected investment."

Authorities have started to take note. On Saturday, the interior ministry sacked Mohammad Salim Almas, the head of Kabul's criminal investigation department, because of what officials called a "dramatic increase" in crime.

The rise is hard to quantify. The interior ministry this month said it had recorded 100,000 crimes over a five-year period, but did not provide a breakdown.

Abdul Khaliq Zazai Watandost, a member of Kabul's provincial council who helps monitor crime rates, told AFP that criminals have killed 70 people in the capital and its surrounding areas in the past two months, with dozens more locals kidnapped.&nbsp;

"Crime has become a bigger problem than terrorism for Kabul residents," Watandost said.

"Terrorism is a big phenomenon -- but at least we should be able to control the crime."

Aside from murder and kidnappings, car thefts are common, the narcotics trade is booming and criminal gangs sometimes target foes by slapping "sticky bombs" under their cars.

Shamsuddin, a shopkeeper who only wanted to give his first name, said when he goes into central Kabul to buy groceries, he splits his cash in two.

"I give some to my son and keep some with myself," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"This is because if criminals find out you have a good amount of money on you, they will kill you and take your money."

Residents are changing their routes to work, while carrying guns and keeping weapons at home are also common.

'Nobody cares'

Taxi drivers are wary of driving after dark for fear of being attacked by a passenger or having their car stolen.

"I don't care about myself, but I am scared of losing the car because I am working for someone else and it is not my car," taxi driver Mohammad Omar told AFP.

"Nowadays every Afghan is so worried."

Deputy interior minister General Khoshal Sadat acknowledged the psychological toll crime is taking.

"It is threatening the physical and mental security of people in the city," Sadat said,

Kabul's crime came to the fore again this month when former journalist Mena Mangal was murdered in broad daylight on a busy street.&nbsp;

Her killing appears tied to a domestic dispute, but many observers viewed the brutal and public slaying as a bellwether demonstrating just how cheap life has become -- even in a war-torn city which has already seen so much bloodshed.

Kabul resident Nasir Ahmad said someone is killed daily in the capital "for no reason".

"Nobody cares about these lives. I am even scared to go to university," Ahmad said.

Fellow resident Mohammad Elham wrote on Facebook that the security in the capital "is so bad that criminals kill people in the daylight, in front of a police checkpoint -- and nobody cares".

According to interior minister Massoud Andarabi, authorities have created a "roadmap" to identify offenders.

"The police will act differently, more forcefully against the criminals," he said.

"We know where they are hiding, we are chasing them to their hideouts and will bring them to justice."

But Hazargul, a taxi driver who only wanted to give his first name, said police often appear "incapable of doing anything".

"We never saw a police officer arresting a thief on the spot and bring him to justice. Even if police see thieves, they don't dare chase them because the thieves are also armed," he told AFP.

In central Kabul last month, two men stabbed a teenager and left him for dead before escaping on a motorcycle -- a brazen attack amid a rising tide of killings and kidnappings as war-scarred residents complain of increasing lawlessness.

In central Kabul last month, two men stabbed a teenager and left him for dead before escaping on a motorcycle -- a brazen attack amid a rising tide of killings and kidnappings as war-scarred residents complain of increasing lawlessness. The brutal mugging happened near the green zone, home to many of the Afghan capital's foreign diplomats, but numerous armed guards posted along the street did not try to help the victim, thanks to arcane local liability laws and restrictions. The attackers fled after snatching the boy's mobile phone and camera. He survived, but it took about an hour for authorities to arrive and take him to hospital. Officials and stressed-out residents say crime is surging in Kabul, where police are already pushed to their limits attempting to prevent insurgent attacks by the Taliban and other groups including Islamic State. Jan Aqa Naweed, spokesman for Afghanistan's chamber of commerce, said crime has grown so bad that business people and entrepreneurs were fleeing the country for fear they could be targeted. "The increase in the crime rate, the killing and kidnapping of businessmen -- this has forced many traders to leave the country," he told AFP. "Some of them take their families and money to countries such as Turkey and Uzbekistan. The crime in the city has negatively affected investment." Authorities have started to take note. On Saturday, the interior ministry sacked Mohammad Salim Almas, the head of Kabul's criminal investigation department, because of what officials called a "dramatic increase" in crime. The rise is hard to quantify. The interior ministry this month said it had recorded 100,000 crimes over a five-year period, but did not provide a breakdown. Abdul Khaliq Zazai Watandost, a member of Kabul's provincial council who helps monitor crime rates, told AFP that criminals have killed 70 people in the capital and its surrounding areas in the past two months, with dozens more locals kidnapped. "Crime has become a bigger problem than terrorism for Kabul residents," Watandost said. "Terrorism is a big phenomenon -- but at least we should be able to control the crime." Aside from murder and kidnappings, car thefts are common, the narcotics trade is booming and criminal gangs sometimes target foes by slapping "sticky bombs" under their cars. Shamsuddin, a shopkeeper who only wanted to give his first name, said when he goes into central Kabul to buy groceries, he splits his cash in two. "I give some to my son and keep some with myself," he told AFP. "This is because if criminals find out you have a good amount of money on you, they will kill you and take your money." Residents are changing their routes to work, while carrying guns and keeping weapons at home are also common. 'Nobody cares' Taxi drivers are wary of driving after dark for fear of being attacked by a passenger or having their car stolen. "I don't care about myself, but I am scared of losing the car because I am working for someone else and it is not my car," taxi driver Mohammad Omar told AFP. "Nowadays every Afghan is so worried." Deputy interior minister General Khoshal Sadat acknowledged the psychological toll crime is taking. "It is threatening the physical and mental security of people in the city," Sadat said, Kabul's crime came to the fore again this month when former journalist Mena Mangal was murdered in broad daylight on a busy street. Her killing appears tied to a domestic dispute, but many observers viewed the brutal and public slaying as a bellwether demonstrating just how cheap life has become -- even in a war-torn city which has already seen so much bloodshed. Kabul resident Nasir Ahmad said someone is killed daily in the capital "for no reason". "Nobody cares about these lives. I am even scared to go to university," Ahmad said. Fellow resident Mohammad Elham wrote on Facebook that the security in the capital "is so bad that criminals kill people in the daylight, in front of a police checkpoint -- and nobody cares". According to interior minister Massoud Andarabi, authorities have created a "roadmap" to identify offenders. "The police will act differently, more forcefully against the criminals," he said. "We know where they are hiding, we are chasing them to their hideouts and will bring them to justice." But Hazargul, a taxi driver who only wanted to give his first name, said police often appear "incapable of doing anything". "We never saw a police officer arresting a thief on the spot and bring him to justice. Even if police see thieves, they don't dare chase them because the thieves are also armed," he told AFP.

Never mind the war: Kabul residents in Afghanistan fear surge in violent crime

Beneath the gaze of the TV cameras a woman begins speaking, at first softly but with growing passion as she faces the "Butcher of Kabul" across a crowded auditorium and asks if he wants to apologise for alleged war crimes.

Without missing a beat, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the ruthless former warlord blamed for rocket attacks which reduced much of the Afghan capital to rubble in the 1990s, declined to do so.&nbsp;

The dramatic moment during a recent televised news debate highlights how far media freedom has come in Afghanistan, where -- for now -- traumatised civilians can stand and at least try to hold powerful men to account, live on camera.

"Years ago, this kind of questions could get you killed, but now people can challenge the most dangerous people in mainstream and social media," Mustafa Rahimi, a university student, said after watching the debate.

But today, even as hundreds of media outlets proliferate across Afghanistan, consumers and journalists alike worry a potential peace deal between the Taliban and the US could sound the death knell for a golden age of press freedom.

"We are concerned about a total or a partial ban on media," Sediqullah Khaliq, the director of Hewad TV and radio in Kandahar -- the birthplace of Taliban -- told AFP.

"There is fear that we may go back to a media blackout or having a state-controlled press."

While in power, the Taliban raged against traditional forms of mass communication and entertainment, banning television, movies and allowing only Islamist programming or propaganda to be broadcast on the only radio station, Voice of Sharia.

Anyone caught watching TV faced punishment and risked having their television set smashed and then displayed from a lamppost.&nbsp;

Almost all electronic products were outlawed as un-Islamic. For a while, trees in Kabul fluttered with the magnetic ribbon tape from destroyed cassettes.

Photographs of living things were illegal, and ownership of a video player could lead to a public lashing.

A deadly trade

Afghanistan is the world's deadliest place for journalists, who face many risks covering the conflict and who have sometimes been targeted for doing their job.&nbsp;

Nine journalists, including AFP Kabul's chief photographer Shah Marai, were killed in an Islamic State attack in April 2018.&nbsp;

Media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that 2018 was the deadliest year on record for journalists in Afghanistan, with at least 15 media workers killed while working.

Despite the risks, hundreds of media organisations have blossomed since 2001, and today there are more than 100 television channels, 284 radio stations and just over 400 newspapers and magazines, according to a government report.&nbsp;

With one of the world's lowest literacy rates, television and radio play a huge role in Afghan culture, and Afghans have grown accustomed to outlets holding their politicians to account.

Warlords, politicians, Taliban sympathisers and government officials are openly challenged in televised debates, radio programmes and on social media.

"We now play live music, women call in and share their problems on the radio. But even if the Taliban allow radios, I don't think they would like our programmes," said Mera Hamdam, a presenter at Zama private radio in Kandahar.

"There is huge concern that we will lose all our achievements," he said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said if they return to power, the insurgents would follow an Islamic interpretation of freedom of expression.

"We won't allow propaganda, insults and humiliation to people in society and religious values. We will allow those who work for the betterment of the society," he told AFP.

The sixth round of talks between the US and the Taliban wrapped up last week in Doha, with apparently little progress being made on several key issues.

The two foes have for months been trying to hammer out a deal that could see foreign forces leave Afghanistan in return for a ceasefire, talks between Kabul and the Taliban, and a guarantee the country will not be used as a safe haven for terror groups.

But observers worry that in a rush to quit Afghanistan after nearly 18 gruelling years of war, America might not push for safeguards of protections many Afghans now take for granted, including media freedoms and improved rights for women and other marginalised people.

"Freedom of expression as a protective value should be incorporated into any document resulting from peace talks," NAI, a leading media support agency, said in a statement.

Rahimi, the university student, said he worried about Afghanistan going back to "the dark era".

Beneath the gaze of the TV cameras a woman begins speaking, at first softly but with growing passion as she faces the "Butcher of Kabul" across a crowded auditorium and asks if he wants to apologise for alleged war crimes.

Beneath the gaze of the TV cameras a woman begins speaking, at first softly but with growing passion as she faces the "Butcher of Kabul" across a crowded auditorium and asks if he wants to apologise for alleged war crimes. Without missing a beat, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the ruthless former warlord blamed for rocket attacks which reduced much of the Afghan capital to rubble in the 1990s, declined to do so. The dramatic moment during a recent televised news debate highlights how far media freedom has come in Afghanistan, where -- for now -- traumatised civilians can stand and at least try to hold powerful men to account, live on camera. "Years ago, this kind of questions could get you killed, but now people can challenge the most dangerous people in mainstream and social media," Mustafa Rahimi, a university student, said after watching the debate. But today, even as hundreds of media outlets proliferate across Afghanistan, consumers and journalists alike worry a potential peace deal between the Taliban and the US could sound the death knell for a golden age of press freedom. "We are concerned about a total or a partial ban on media," Sediqullah Khaliq, the director of Hewad TV and radio in Kandahar -- the birthplace of Taliban -- told AFP. "There is fear that we may go back to a media blackout or having a state-controlled press." While in power, the Taliban raged against traditional forms of mass communication and entertainment, banning television, movies and allowing only Islamist programming or propaganda to be broadcast on the only radio station, Voice of Sharia. Anyone caught watching TV faced punishment and risked having their television set smashed and then displayed from a lamppost. Almost all electronic products were outlawed as un-Islamic. For a while, trees in Kabul fluttered with the magnetic ribbon tape from destroyed cassettes. Photographs of living things were illegal, and ownership of a video player could lead to a public lashing. A deadly trade Afghanistan is the world's deadliest place for journalists, who face many risks covering the conflict and who have sometimes been targeted for doing their job. Nine journalists, including AFP Kabul's chief photographer Shah Marai, were killed in an Islamic State attack in April 2018. Media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that 2018 was the deadliest year on record for journalists in Afghanistan, with at least 15 media workers killed while working. Despite the risks, hundreds of media organisations have blossomed since 2001, and today there are more than 100 television channels, 284 radio stations and just over 400 newspapers and magazines, according to a government report. With one of the world's lowest literacy rates, television and radio play a huge role in Afghan culture, and Afghans have grown accustomed to outlets holding their politicians to account. Warlords, politicians, Taliban sympathisers and government officials are openly challenged in televised debates, radio programmes and on social media. "We now play live music, women call in and share their problems on the radio. But even if the Taliban allow radios, I don't think they would like our programmes," said Mera Hamdam, a presenter at Zama private radio in Kandahar. "There is huge concern that we will lose all our achievements," he said. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said if they return to power, the insurgents would follow an Islamic interpretation of freedom of expression. "We won't allow propaganda, insults and humiliation to people in society and religious values. We will allow those who work for the betterment of the society," he told AFP. The sixth round of talks between the US and the Taliban wrapped up last week in Doha, with apparently little progress being made on several key issues. The two foes have for months been trying to hammer out a deal that could see foreign forces leave Afghanistan in return for a ceasefire, talks between Kabul and the Taliban, and a guarantee the country will not be used as a safe haven for terror groups. But observers worry that in a rush to quit Afghanistan after nearly 18 gruelling years of war, America might not push for safeguards of protections many Afghans now take for granted, including media freedoms and improved rights for women and other marginalised people. "Freedom of expression as a protective value should be incorporated into any document resulting from peace talks," NAI, a leading media support agency, said in a statement. Rahimi, the university student, said he worried about Afghanistan going back to "the dark era".

Afghans fear end of golden age of press freedom

At least three people are dead and 20 were wounded in a series of blasts in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Monday, an official said.

At least three dead, 20 wounded after series of blast in Afghanistan

Humanitarian groups were reeling Thursday from yet another attack targeting aid workers in Afghanistan, as officials confirmed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-attack-at-ngo-kills-at-least-9-in-kabul-217215">nine people had been killed in a Taliban attack in Kabul a day earlier</a>.

Wednesday's attack outside Counterpart International, a non-profit group working with marginalised people in Afghanistan, began with an immense blast from a car bomb in a busy commercial area in central Kabul.

Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said the death toll had risen to nine, including five members of the Afghan security forces, a guard at Counterpoint and three civilians.

Anti-poverty group CARE, which has offices close to Counterpart International, said three of its workers -- a driver, a watchman and a technical advisor -- were killed in the blast.

"This attack reflects the increasing dangers of humanitarian work in conflict-affected countries such as Afghanistan and the unfortunate daily reality of violence for many Afghan families," CARE said in a statement.

In addition, 20 civilians were wounded in the attack, which saw several Taliban gunmen storm the Counterpoint compound after the blast. They were all killed after Afghan commandos led an hours-long clearance operation.

Wednesday's massive explosion felled trees and toppled dense concrete blast walls on the street outside Counterpart.

The blast radius extended hundreds of metres (yards) in all directions, blowing out windows in nearby homes and businesses.&nbsp;

Dozens of workers could be seen sweeping debris and broken glass from streets in the popular Shahr-e-Naw neighbourhood in central Kabul, which is home to shops, restaurants and hotels.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying Counterpart International was targeted because it promoted the "inter-mixing" of men and women.

Insurgent spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter the aid group had mentored "Kabul admin workers in various aspects of brutality, oppression, terror, anti-Islamic ideology &amp; promotion of western culture."&nbsp;

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 30 aid workers were killed last year in Afghanistan -- one of the most dangerous countries for humanitarians.

Afghanistan was once a hub of foreign aid but deteriorating security has seen international groups downgrade their presence, making it even more difficult to deliver crucial help to the war-torn country's most vulnerable citizens.

Several aid groups, including Save the Children, have been the target of terror attacks and have suspended operations in the wake of the assaults.

Wednesday's attack came even as US and Taliban officials were meeting in Qatar for peace talks. 
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Humanitarian groups were reeling Thursday from yet another attack targeting aid workers in Afghanistan, as officials confirmed nine people had been killed in a Taliban attack in Kabul a day earlier.

Humanitarian groups were reeling Thursday from yet another attack targeting aid workers in Afghanistan, as officials confirmed nine people had been killed in a Taliban attack in Kabul a day earlier. Wednesday's attack outside Counterpart International, a non-profit group working with marginalised people in Afghanistan, began with an immense blast from a car bomb in a busy commercial area in central Kabul. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said the death toll had risen to nine, including five members of the Afghan security forces, a guard at Counterpoint and three civilians. Anti-poverty group CARE, which has offices close to Counterpart International, said three of its workers -- a driver, a watchman and a technical advisor -- were killed in the blast. "This attack reflects the increasing dangers of humanitarian work in conflict-affected countries such as Afghanistan and the unfortunate daily reality of violence for many Afghan families," CARE said in a statement. In addition, 20 civilians were wounded in the attack, which saw several Taliban gunmen storm the Counterpoint compound after the blast. They were all killed after Afghan commandos led an hours-long clearance operation. Wednesday's massive explosion felled trees and toppled dense concrete blast walls on the street outside Counterpart. The blast radius extended hundreds of metres (yards) in all directions, blowing out windows in nearby homes and businesses. Dozens of workers could be seen sweeping debris and broken glass from streets in the popular Shahr-e-Naw neighbourhood in central Kabul, which is home to shops, restaurants and hotels. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying Counterpart International was targeted because it promoted the "inter-mixing" of men and women. Insurgent spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter the aid group had mentored "Kabul admin workers in various aspects of brutality, oppression, terror, anti-Islamic ideology & promotion of western culture." According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 30 aid workers were killed last year in Afghanistan -- one of the most dangerous countries for humanitarians. Afghanistan was once a hub of foreign aid but deteriorating security has seen international groups downgrade their presence, making it even more difficult to deliver crucial help to the war-torn country's most vulnerable citizens. Several aid groups, including Save the Children, have been the target of terror attacks and have suspended operations in the wake of the assaults. Wednesday's attack came even as US and Taliban officials were meeting in Qatar for peace talks.

Kabul aid groups reel after nine killed in Taliban attack

Afghan security forces exchanged sporadic gunfire on Wednesday with attackers who made use of a car bomb blast to invade the compound of an international aid group in Kabul, injuring at least two dozen people, authorities said.

Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the attack on the third day of the Muslim holy month of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/iew-ramzan-can-polling-time-be-revised-215747&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjOv-WB6oviAhXLh3AKHTrpD5QQFjAAegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1DMZKfqXTbdiWdrryDqFAv">Ramzan </a>that targeted the non-profit Counterpart International in the upscale Shahr Naw area of the capital.

Occasional gunshots and explosions were heard as special forces, backed by advisers from foreign forces, surrounded the site and engaged the attackers in a stand-off. Authorities cordoned off the area, sending ambulances and police trucks.

Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said at least 80 employees of the aid group were rescued and security forces were clearing buildings there.

"Two floors of the building have been cleared and to avoid civilian casualties, the operation is being undertaken with caution," Rahimi said.

At least nine injured people were taken to hospital, said a health ministry spokesman, Wahidullah Mayar, while officials at the city's Emergency Hospital said they had received 15 wounded.

Officials of aid group Counterpart, which is headquartered in the United States and has operated in Afghanistan since 2005, were not immediately available to comment.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the aid group was working closely with government departments, promoting women, which is opposed by the Taliban.

Before it was toppled by US and Afghan forces in late 2001, the harsh Taliban regime barred women from working outside their homes and required them to be accompanied by a male relative.

Wednesday's bombing comes after Taliban insurgents vowed to attack Afghan government and foreign installations in their annual spring offensive.

Despite stepping up security at checkpoints around Kabul, Afghan authorities have failed to stop attacks that have killed and wounded hundreds of people and undermined confidence in the government.

Even as a sixth round of talks between the US&nbsp;and the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/talks-with-us-stumble-over-troop-withdrawal-taliban-216168&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJv5_36oviAhWJq48KHa1HB0MQFjAEegQIDBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2O8JxCJmB5mXlEA_qPHgGY">Taliban continues in Qatar</a>, the hardline Islamist group has kept up its attacks.

The blast comes just over two weeks after gunmen targeted the communications ministry in central Kabul, killing at least seven people in an attack claimed by Islamic State.

Afghan security forces exchanged sporadic gunfire on Wednesday with attackers who made use of a car bomb blast to invade the compound of an international aid group in Kabul, injuring at least two dozen people, authorities said.

Afghan security forces exchanged sporadic gunfire on Wednesday with attackers who made use of a car bomb blast to invade the compound of an international aid group in Kabul, injuring at least two dozen people, authorities said. Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the attack on the third day of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan that targeted the non-profit Counterpart International in the upscale Shahr Naw area of the capital. Occasional gunshots and explosions were heard as special forces, backed by advisers from foreign forces, surrounded the site and engaged the attackers in a stand-off. Authorities cordoned off the area, sending ambulances and police trucks. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said at least 80 employees of the aid group were rescued and security forces were clearing buildings there. "Two floors of the building have been cleared and to avoid civilian casualties, the operation is being undertaken with caution," Rahimi said. At least nine injured people were taken to hospital, said a health ministry spokesman, Wahidullah Mayar, while officials at the city's Emergency Hospital said they had received 15 wounded. Officials of aid group Counterpart, which is headquartered in the United States and has operated in Afghanistan since 2005, were not immediately available to comment. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the aid group was working closely with government departments, promoting women, which is opposed by the Taliban. Before it was toppled by US and Afghan forces in late 2001, the harsh Taliban regime barred women from working outside their homes and required them to be accompanied by a male relative. Wednesday's bombing comes after Taliban insurgents vowed to attack Afghan government and foreign installations in their annual spring offensive. Despite stepping up security at checkpoints around Kabul, Afghan authorities have failed to stop attacks that have killed and wounded hundreds of people and undermined confidence in the government. Even as a sixth round of talks between the US and the Taliban continues in Qatar, the hardline Islamist group has kept up its attacks. The blast comes just over two weeks after gunmen targeted the communications ministry in central Kabul, killing at least seven people in an attack claimed by Islamic State.

Kabul attackers target foreign aid group with blast, dozens wounded

An&nbsp;explosion occurred&nbsp;in Afghanistan's capital&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;on Wednesday.

The blast occurred near the Attorney General's office in Shahr-e Naw.

Police have confirmed the explosion, however, there were no reports of any casualties.

"I can confirm an explosion in the Shar-e-Naw area of Kabul. We are checking the details," Ferdaws Framurz, a spokesman for the city's police force, told AFP.

The blast comes as the US and Taliban representatives continue negotiations in Qatar aimed at bringing an end to the nearly 18-year-old conflict. &nbsp;

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An explosion occurred in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Wednesday. The blast occurred near the Attorney General's office in Shahr-e Naw. Police have confirmed the explosion, however, there were no reports of any casualties.

An explosion occurred in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Wednesday. The blast occurred near the Attorney General's office in Shahr-e Naw. Police have confirmed the explosion, however, there were no reports of any casualties. "I can confirm an explosion in the Shar-e-Naw area of Kabul. We are checking the details," Ferdaws Framurz, a spokesman for the city's police force, told AFP. The blast comes as the US and Taliban representatives continue negotiations in Qatar aimed at bringing an end to the nearly 18-year-old conflict.

Afghanistan: Bomb blast near Attorney General's office in Kabul

A huge peace meeting aimed at finding an exit from <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-opens-grand-assembly-in-bid-to-gain-initiative-in-taliban-talks-214375&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjRs7jz5P7hAhW863MBHdkBCGAQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2vRRc61P61xbUm4B6FhPec">Afghanistan's war</a> is due to finish Friday in Kabul, with leading politicians expected to announce visions for a much-needed breakthrough.

This week's "loya jirga", or grand assembly, saw about 3,200 religious and tribal leaders, politicians and representatives gather under tight security to try to find common ground and discuss possible conditions for a peace deal with the Taliban.

On Thursday, several officials said a vital first step is an immediate reduction in violence, which has continued apace across Afghanistan even with various peace summits taking place.

"Every day, Afghans are being killed without any reason.

An unconditional ceasefire must be announced," said <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghans-call-for-ceasefire-as-huge-peace-summit-wraps-up-215328&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi1r92R5f7hAhWE8HMBHXcECm0QFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1DOJB0F8VDqDgFhmLKyK8-">Mohammad Qureshi,</a> head of one of the jirga's many committees.

The jirga comes as the Taliban, who were not at the talks, are this week separately meeting in Doha with US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Those talks focus on a potential deal that would see the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in return for the Taliban guaranteeing terrorist groups could no longer operate in the country.

Huge swathes of Afghan society worry that if the US does make a deal with the Taliban, the militant Islamists would try to seize power and undo advances in women's rights, media freedoms, and legal protections.

Such concerns were laid bare at the jirga, where hundreds of women were in attendance outlining their "red lines" for any negotiations with the Taliban.

"We don't want such a peace that women's rights are not respected, freedom of expression are not ensured, elections are not held," committee member Faizullah Jalal told the summit.

The jirga proved controversial, with opposition figures slamming it as an election campaign event for President Ashraf Ghani, who is due to deliver closing remarks.

Among those boycotting were Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a notorious former warlord.

Both men are running for president in elections slated for September.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's war rages on, with thousands of civilians and fighters being killed each year.

US forces continue to train Afghan partners on the ground and strike the Taliban from the air, in a bid to push the war -- now in its 18th year -- to a political settlement.&nbsp;

A huge peace meeting aimed at finding an exit from Afghanistan's war is due to finish Friday in Kabul, with leading politicians expected to announce visions for a much-needed breakthrough.

A huge peace meeting aimed at finding an exit from Afghanistan's war is due to finish Friday in Kabul, with leading politicians expected to announce visions for a much-needed breakthrough. This week's "loya jirga", or grand assembly, saw about 3,200 religious and tribal leaders, politicians and representatives gather under tight security to try to find common ground and discuss possible conditions for a peace deal with the Taliban. On Thursday, several officials said a vital first step is an immediate reduction in violence, which has continued apace across Afghanistan even with various peace summits taking place. "Every day, Afghans are being killed without any reason. An unconditional ceasefire must be announced," said Mohammad Qureshi, head of one of the jirga's many committees. The jirga comes as the Taliban, who were not at the talks, are this week separately meeting in Doha with US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Those talks focus on a potential deal that would see the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in return for the Taliban guaranteeing terrorist groups could no longer operate in the country. Huge swathes of Afghan society worry that if the US does make a deal with the Taliban, the militant Islamists would try to seize power and undo advances in women's rights, media freedoms, and legal protections. Such concerns were laid bare at the jirga, where hundreds of women were in attendance outlining their "red lines" for any negotiations with the Taliban. "We don't want such a peace that women's rights are not respected, freedom of expression are not ensured, elections are not held," committee member Faizullah Jalal told the summit. The jirga proved controversial, with opposition figures slamming it as an election campaign event for President Ashraf Ghani, who is due to deliver closing remarks. Among those boycotting were Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a notorious former warlord. Both men are running for president in elections slated for September. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's war rages on, with thousands of civilians and fighters being killed each year. US forces continue to train Afghan partners on the ground and strike the Taliban from the air, in a bid to push the war -- now in its 18th year -- to a political settlement.

Massive Afghanistan peace summit ends in Kabul

The US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan has stopped releasing key data on how much of the country falls under insurgent or government control, a US watchdog said Wednesday, the latest war metric to fall from public view.

NATO's Resolute Support mission previously gave a running tally on who controlled or was contesting Afghanistan's districts, and the percentage of the Afghan population this reflected.

US officials would frequently refer to the data to underscore battlefield success, but according to the US <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-military-stops-tracking-key-metric-on-afghan-war-as-situation-deteriorates-214936&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjc_q-QvPzhAhUKwI8KHXHaBZkQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Z9CE4R3xyzy4gUtZt1dJH">Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR)</a>, Resolute Support (RS) now says these district-stability assessments are "of limited decision-making value to the (mission) commander".

The last data RS provided showed the percentage of Afghans living in areas controlled or influenced by the Kabul government slipping from 65.2 per cent to 63.5 per cent.

The downward slide undermined predictions that 80 per cent of the population would be under government control by the end of this year.

SIGAR head John Sopko said the decision to withhold the data nurtured suspicion.

"When you start hiding things like this, over-classifying... You tend to create cynicism in your populace and everybody else that you're losing, or it's bad news," Sopko told journalists ahead of the SIGAR report's release.

At the request of the Afghan government, RS has also agreed to stop publishing casualty figures for Afghan security forces.&nbsp;

The numbers showed massive losses for the local forces, reaching several thousand per year.

SIGAR's report also noted that violence in Afghanistan had increased 19 per cent between November 2018 and the end of January, compared to the previous quarter.&nbsp;

The uptick comes even as the United States tries to negotiate a peace settlement with the Taliban.

A new round of talks between the insurgents and US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is expected to start in Qatar on Wednesday, according to the Taliban.

A possible deal to end the 17-year-old war would see foreign forces leave Afghanistan in return for the Taliban guaranteeing the country could not be used as a safe haven for terror groups.

But for enduring peace, any deal must include the Afghan government, and so far they have not been included in talks.

The US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan has stopped releasing key data on how much of the country falls under insurgent or government control, a US watchdog said Wednesday, the latest war metric to fall from public view.

The US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan has stopped releasing key data on how much of the country falls under insurgent or government control, a US watchdog said Wednesday, the latest war metric to fall from public view. NATO's Resolute Support mission previously gave a running tally on who controlled or was contesting Afghanistan's districts, and the percentage of the Afghan population this reflected. US officials would frequently refer to the data to underscore battlefield success, but according to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), Resolute Support (RS) now says these district-stability assessments are "of limited decision-making value to the (mission) commander". The last data RS provided showed the percentage of Afghans living in areas controlled or influenced by the Kabul government slipping from 65.2 per cent to 63.5 per cent. The downward slide undermined predictions that 80 per cent of the population would be under government control by the end of this year. SIGAR head John Sopko said the decision to withhold the data nurtured suspicion. "When you start hiding things like this, over-classifying... You tend to create cynicism in your populace and everybody else that you're losing, or it's bad news," Sopko told journalists ahead of the SIGAR report's release. At the request of the Afghan government, RS has also agreed to stop publishing casualty figures for Afghan security forces. The numbers showed massive losses for the local forces, reaching several thousand per year. SIGAR's report also noted that violence in Afghanistan had increased 19 per cent between November 2018 and the end of January, compared to the previous quarter. The uptick comes even as the United States tries to negotiate a peace settlement with the Taliban. A new round of talks between the insurgents and US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is expected to start in Qatar on Wednesday, according to the Taliban. A possible deal to end the 17-year-old war would see foreign forces leave Afghanistan in return for the Taliban guaranteeing the country could not be used as a safe haven for terror groups. But for enduring peace, any deal must include the Afghan government, and so far they have not been included in talks.

NATO drops another Afghanistan war metric: US watchdog

Thousands of Afghans congregated in Kabul on Monday (April 29) for a rare consultative meeting aimed at finding ways to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban that would end the ongoing war.

Afghan President opens grand assembly in final push to hold peace talks with the Taliban

Afghanistan's usually bustling capital Kabul slowed to a crawl Tuesday amid massive security for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-gather-in-kabul-for-afghan-peace-meeting-214371/amp">high-stakes peace summit</a> that has previously been a target for insurgent attacks.

Police flooded the city and authorities blocked off key roads around the venue of the so-called "loya jirga" -- where some 3,000 tribal elders, religious figures, and politicians from across Afghanistan are gathering over four days to discuss possible conditions for a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-peace-if-taliban-do-not-adapt-us-envoy-zalmay-khalilzad-214206"> peace deal with the Taliban</a>.

Taliban suicide bombers armed with rockets and guns attacked a 2010 peace jirga at the same venue, and in 2011, two rockets were fired into Kabul during a two-day jirga.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-caliphate-collapse-jihadists-head-to-afghanistan-to-plot-attacks-214689">After 'caliphate' collapse, jihadists head to Afghanistan to plot attacks: US officials</a>

Despite such past attacks, Kabul residents are infuriated with the scale of the lockdown, which has already been blamed for at least one death and has paralysed businesses in what would ordinarily be a busy week before Ramadan begins.

Local media reported that a newborn baby died when the father, who was trying to take the infant to a hospital, was blocked by security forces.

Adding to the slowdown, authorities have declared a week-long public holiday in Kabul.

"Yesterday, I could only take two passengers from one part of the city to the other. It took me three hours to complete a 15-minute ride," Nasrullah, a taxi driver who gave only his first name, told AFP.&nbsp;

Shopkeeper Taj Mohammad said poor people had been particularly impacted.

"It is good to provide security for the participants, but that should not cost people's businesses," Mohammad said.

Siam Pasarly, an economics expert, estimated the holidays were costing the business community $1 million a day.&nbsp;

"Afghanistan is a developing country and its economic engine should be running all day," he said. "A week-long shutdown is like a poison to the economy."

The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges.

The jirga is seen as an attempt by the Afghan government to influence the peace talks which so far have cut out President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge.

But some prominent Afghans, presidential hopefuls, and government officials including the country's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah have boycotted the assembly.&nbsp;

Ahmad Khan, another taxi driver, bemoaned the meeting as a "waste of time".

"Holding this jirga is an economic blow for poor labour like us, who come out in the morning for a morsel of food, and how can we provide food for our families in the next few days," he told AFP.

"Such jirgas have been held in the past with no positive results, and the government have failed to convince the Taliban to join the talks." 
&nbsp;

Afghanistan's usually bustling capital Kabul slowed to a crawl Tuesday amid massive security for a high-stakes peace summit that has previously been a target for insurgent attacks.

Afghanistan's usually bustling capital Kabul slowed to a crawl Tuesday amid massive security for a high-stakes peace summit that has previously been a target for insurgent attacks. Police flooded the city and authorities blocked off key roads around the venue of the so-called "loya jirga" -- where some 3,000 tribal elders, religious figures, and politicians from across Afghanistan are gathering over four days to discuss possible conditions for a peace deal with the Taliban. Taliban suicide bombers armed with rockets and guns attacked a 2010 peace jirga at the same venue, and in 2011, two rockets were fired into Kabul during a two-day jirga. Also read: After 'caliphate' collapse, jihadists head to Afghanistan to plot attacks: US officials Despite such past attacks, Kabul residents are infuriated with the scale of the lockdown, which has already been blamed for at least one death and has paralysed businesses in what would ordinarily be a busy week before Ramadan begins. Local media reported that a newborn baby died when the father, who was trying to take the infant to a hospital, was blocked by security forces. Adding to the slowdown, authorities have declared a week-long public holiday in Kabul. "Yesterday, I could only take two passengers from one part of the city to the other. It took me three hours to complete a 15-minute ride," Nasrullah, a taxi driver who gave only his first name, told AFP. Shopkeeper Taj Mohammad said poor people had been particularly impacted. "It is good to provide security for the participants, but that should not cost people's businesses," Mohammad said. Siam Pasarly, an economics expert, estimated the holidays were costing the business community $1 million a day. "Afghanistan is a developing country and its economic engine should be running all day," he said. "A week-long shutdown is like a poison to the economy." The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges. The jirga is seen as an attempt by the Afghan government to influence the peace talks which so far have cut out President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge. But some prominent Afghans, presidential hopefuls, and government officials including the country's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah have boycotted the assembly. Ahmad Khan, another taxi driver, bemoaned the meeting as a "waste of time". "Holding this jirga is an economic blow for poor labour like us, who come out in the morning for a morsel of food, and how can we provide food for our families in the next few days," he told AFP. "Such jirgas have been held in the past with no positive results, and the government have failed to convince the Taliban to join the talks."

Kabul on lockdown as assembly discusses peace with the Taliban

Afghanistan on Monday will convene a rare "loya jirga" -- a massive meeting for delegates from across the country to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban.

More than 2,000 people have been invited to gather amid tight security for four days of debate under a large tent in Kabul.

Here is a look at the history of loya jirgas, and what to expect from this one.

What is a loya jirga?

A loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is traditionally comprised of Afghan elders.

Such gatherings have a centuries-old history in Afghan culture and are periodically convened to reach a consensus on major political issues.

The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when Afghan officials endorsed a security agreement that allowed US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond their planned withdrawal in 2014.

In August 2007, the first joint Afghan-Pakistan jirga was held in Kabul after relations between the neighbours deteriorated amid Afghan accusations that Pakistan was harbouring Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters.

In 2003, former president Sibghatullah Mojaddedi chaired a loya jirga that approved Afghanistan's new constitution for a post-Taliban era.

The events usually comprise political figures, religious scholars, teachers, activists and community leaders. Delegates typically break into smaller groups to tackle various matters.

What is on the agenda?

The upcoming loya jirga is being held at a time when the US and Taliban militants have held several rounds of talks.

The two sides have discussed a possible troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a ceasefire and various pledges from the Taliban.&nbsp;

But crucially, the talks have thus far cut out the government of President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge.

Ghani's government is jostling for influence in the peace talks and the jirga aims to set out Kabul's red lines for any deal, including the continuation of the constitution and the protection of women's rights, the media, and free speech.

Ghani has invited the Taliban to participate, but the insurgents, having waged an unrelenting guerrilla war since 2001, have predictably refused.&nbsp;

In the past, the Taliban have blasted rockets at the loya jirga tent, and much of Kabul is being locked down under a massive security operation for this year's event.

In a statement, the Taliban vowed that any decisions or resolutions made at a loya jirga are "never acceptable to the real and devout sons of this homeland".

Who will be there?

Top politicians including Ghani, former president Hamid Karzai, ex-foreign minister Zalmay Rassoul, former warlord Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf and many other Afghan officials are attending.

But chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, notorious former warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and Ghani's former national security advisor Mohammad Haneef Atmar are boycotting the event, saying it was pulled together without consultation and is being used by Ghani to campaign ahead of presidential elections slated for September.

What is at stake?

A lot. Ghani's credibility, fast dwindling in the eyes of the West, will be put to the test, with observers waiting to see if he can secure a meaningful consensus, or whether the event will unravel amid bickering and in-fighting.

A planned meeting between Afghan officials and the Taliban in Qatar collapsed at the last minute this month over recriminations about the number of delegates Ghani wanted to bring to Doha.

His original roster comprised 250 members, which the Taliban likened to a guest list for an Afghan wedding.&nbsp;

A new round of talks between the Taliban and the US is due to take place in Doha in the coming days.

A meaningful and clear signal from Kabul will be key for US negotiators.&nbsp;

Afghanistan on Monday will convene a rare "loya jirga" -- a massive meeting for delegates from across the country to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban.

Afghanistan on Monday will convene a rare "loya jirga" -- a massive meeting for delegates from across the country to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. More than 2,000 people have been invited to gather amid tight security for four days of debate under a large tent in Kabul. Here is a look at the history of loya jirgas, and what to expect from this one. What is a loya jirga? A loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is traditionally comprised of Afghan elders. Such gatherings have a centuries-old history in Afghan culture and are periodically convened to reach a consensus on major political issues. The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when Afghan officials endorsed a security agreement that allowed US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond their planned withdrawal in 2014. In August 2007, the first joint Afghan-Pakistan jirga was held in Kabul after relations between the neighbours deteriorated amid Afghan accusations that Pakistan was harbouring Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters. In 2003, former president Sibghatullah Mojaddedi chaired a loya jirga that approved Afghanistan's new constitution for a post-Taliban era. The events usually comprise political figures, religious scholars, teachers, activists and community leaders. Delegates typically break into smaller groups to tackle various matters. What is on the agenda? The upcoming loya jirga is being held at a time when the US and Taliban militants have held several rounds of talks. The two sides have discussed a possible troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a ceasefire and various pledges from the Taliban. But crucially, the talks have thus far cut out the government of President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge. Ghani's government is jostling for influence in the peace talks and the jirga aims to set out Kabul's red lines for any deal, including the continuation of the constitution and the protection of women's rights, the media, and free speech. Ghani has invited the Taliban to participate, but the insurgents, having waged an unrelenting guerrilla war since 2001, have predictably refused. In the past, the Taliban have blasted rockets at the loya jirga tent, and much of Kabul is being locked down under a massive security operation for this year's event. In a statement, the Taliban vowed that any decisions or resolutions made at a loya jirga are "never acceptable to the real and devout sons of this homeland". Who will be there? Top politicians including Ghani, former president Hamid Karzai, ex-foreign minister Zalmay Rassoul, former warlord Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf and many other Afghan officials are attending. But chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, notorious former warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and Ghani's former national security advisor Mohammad Haneef Atmar are boycotting the event, saying it was pulled together without consultation and is being used by Ghani to campaign ahead of presidential elections slated for September. What is at stake? A lot. Ghani's credibility, fast dwindling in the eyes of the West, will be put to the test, with observers waiting to see if he can secure a meaningful consensus, or whether the event will unravel amid bickering and in-fighting. A planned meeting between Afghan officials and the Taliban in Qatar collapsed at the last minute this month over recriminations about the number of delegates Ghani wanted to bring to Doha. His original roster comprised 250 members, which the Taliban likened to a guest list for an Afghan wedding. A new round of talks between the Taliban and the US is due to take place in Doha in the coming days. A meaningful and clear signal from Kabul will be key for US negotiators.

Afghanistan's grand assembly for troubled peace process

The Islamic State (IS) group on Sunday claimed responsibility for the attack that killed at least 10 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-at-government-office-building-kills-11-in-kabul-212189">Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Saturday</a>, news agency AFP reported.

The attack on the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) started at around mid-day and ended after a five-hour exchange of gunfire and explosions on Saturday, news agency Reuters reported. &nbsp;

Four IS jihadists detonated explosives near the ministry, then entered and "battled Afghan security forces with machine guns and hand grenades for numerous hours", the group said in a statement on its social media channels.

Seven civilians and three members of the security forces died in the attack, the interior ministry said.

Around 2,000 people were rescued from inside the communications ministry.

The Afghan affiliate of Islamic State, sometimes known as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) after an old name for the region that includes Afghanistan, has been active in the country since 2015, fighting the Taliban as well as Afghan and US forces.

The Islamic State (IS) group on Sunday claimed responsibility for the attack that killed at least 10 people in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Saturday, news agency AFP reported.

The Islamic State (IS) group on Sunday claimed responsibility for the attack that killed at least 10 people in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Saturday, news agency AFP reported. The attack on the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) started at around mid-day and ended after a five-hour exchange of gunfire and explosions on Saturday, news agency Reuters reported. Four IS jihadists detonated explosives near the ministry, then entered and "battled Afghan security forces with machine guns and hand grenades for numerous hours", the group said in a statement on its social media channels. Seven civilians and three members of the security forces died in the attack, the interior ministry said. Around 2,000 people were rescued from inside the communications ministry. The Afghan affiliate of Islamic State, sometimes known as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) after an old name for the region that includes Afghanistan, has been active in the country since 2015, fighting the Taliban as well as Afghan and US forces.

Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on Afghan ministry

Eleven people were killed and eight civilians wounded after assailants armed with guns, grenades and suicide bomb jackets stormed an 18-story <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blast-followed-by-gunfire-reported-in-afghanistan-capital-police-211996">government office building in Afghanistan's capital</a> of Kabul on Saturday.

The attack on the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) started at around mid-day and ended after a five-hour exchange of gunfire and explosions.

Among the eight people killed were four civilians, three members of the Afghan security forces and all the four attackers, according to the Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs.

A MCIT staff member described how the explosions and the gunfire unfolded.

"We were at our offices when the blast happened. It was so powerful that we were forced to hide in the safe rooms on each floor. I could still hear constant explosions and gunfire while in the safe room," said Hasibullah Noorzada, an employee of MCIT.

The Afghan Special Forces evacuated around 2,000 people from the MCIT building.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet. The Taliban militant group has denied involvement.

Eleven people were killed and eight civilians wounded after assailants armed with guns, grenades and suicide bomb jackets stormed an 18-story government office building in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on Saturday.

Eleven people were killed and eight civilians wounded after assailants armed with guns, grenades and suicide bomb jackets stormed an 18-story government office building in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on Saturday. The attack on the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) started at around mid-day and ended after a five-hour exchange of gunfire and explosions. Among the eight people killed were four civilians, three members of the Afghan security forces and all the four attackers, according to the Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs. A MCIT staff member described how the explosions and the gunfire unfolded. "We were at our offices when the blast happened. It was so powerful that we were forced to hide in the safe rooms on each floor. I could still hear constant explosions and gunfire while in the safe room," said Hasibullah Noorzada, an employee of MCIT. The Afghan Special Forces evacuated around 2,000 people from the MCIT building. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet. The Taliban militant group has denied involvement.

Attack at government office building kills 11 in Kabul

A 200-bed hospital built with Pakistan's assistance to boost the health sector of Afghanistan was inaugurated in Kabul on Saturday.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah Hospital is a state of the art hospital constructed at the cost of $24 million and a flagship project of Pakistan's $1 billion development assistance to Afghanistan in pursuance of its policy objective of deepening and broadening people to people connections between the two countries.

The facility was jointly inaugurated by Pakistan Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan, Afghanistan's Vice-President, Mohammad Sarwar Danish and Minister of Public Health, Dr Ferozuddin Feroz.

The 200-bed state-of-art Jinnah Hospital, completed at a cost of $24 million, was officially handed over by Pakistan to the government of Afghanistan, the Foreign Office said.

Khan said on the occasion that the hospital would be a substantial contribution to the health sector of Afghanistan.

He also conveyed the message of Prime Minister Imran Khan that Pakistan would continue to take all possible measures for the welfare of the people of Afghanistan.

Dr Feroz expressed his deep thanks for the hospital and appreciated Pakistan's immense assistance in the health sector which also included under construction 100-bed Naeb Aminullah Khan Hospital in Logar costing $19 million and other completed projects including Nishtar Kidney Center in Jalalabad.

A 200-bed hospital built with Pakistan's assistance to boost the health sector of Afghanistan was inaugurated in Kabul on Saturday. Muhammad Ali Jinnah Hospital is a state of the art hospital constructed at the cost of $24 million and a flagship project of Pakistan's $1 billion development assistance to Afghanistan in pursuance of its policy objective of deepening and broadening people to people connections between the two countries.

A 200-bed hospital built with Pakistan's assistance to boost the health sector of Afghanistan was inaugurated in Kabul on Saturday. Muhammad Ali Jinnah Hospital is a state of the art hospital constructed at the cost of $24 million and a flagship project of Pakistan's $1 billion development assistance to Afghanistan in pursuance of its policy objective of deepening and broadening people to people connections between the two countries. The facility was jointly inaugurated by Pakistan Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan, Afghanistan's Vice-President, Mohammad Sarwar Danish and Minister of Public Health, Dr Ferozuddin Feroz. The 200-bed state-of-art Jinnah Hospital, completed at a cost of $24 million, was officially handed over by Pakistan to the government of Afghanistan, the Foreign Office said. Khan said on the occasion that the hospital would be a substantial contribution to the health sector of Afghanistan. He also conveyed the message of Prime Minister Imran Khan that Pakistan would continue to take all possible measures for the welfare of the people of Afghanistan. Dr Feroz expressed his deep thanks for the hospital and appreciated Pakistan's immense assistance in the health sector which also included under construction 100-bed Naeb Aminullah Khan Hospital in Logar costing $19 million and other completed projects including Nishtar Kidney Center in Jalalabad.

Afghanistan: Constructed with Pakistan's assistance, hospital with 200-bed inaugurated in Kabul

Gunmen have attacked the communications ministry in the centre of Kabul, interrupting months of relative calm in the Afghan capital and underlining security threats that have continued despite efforts to open peace talks with the Taliban.

Afghan communications ministry attacked by gunmen in Kabul

An explosion followed by gunfire hit the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday, close to the communications ministry and one of the city`s main hotels, officials said.

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.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi confirmed gunfire around the ministry of communications and information technology but had no further details.

The explosion was also close to the heavily fortified Serena Hotel, one of the very few hotels still used by foreign visitors, in one of the main commercial areas of the city.

While heavy fighting has carried on across Afghanistan and Taliban militants have announced their now customary spring offensive, there have been no large scale attacks on civilian targets in Kabul in recent weeks.&nbsp;

An explosion followed by gunfire hit the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday, close to the communications ministry and one of the city`s main hotels, officials said.

An explosion followed by gunfire hit the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday, close to the communications ministry and one of the city`s main hotels, officials said. 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. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi confirmed gunfire around the ministry of communications and information technology but had no further details. The explosion was also close to the heavily fortified Serena Hotel, one of the very few hotels still used by foreign visitors, in one of the main commercial areas of the city. While heavy fighting has carried on across Afghanistan and Taliban militants have announced their now customary spring offensive, there have been no large scale attacks on civilian targets in Kabul in recent weeks.

Blast followed by gunfire reported in Afghanistan capital: Police

The Taliban group has mocked the Afghan government over the list of 250 delegates for Qatar talks, saying ‘the creators of the list must realize that this is an orderly and prearranged conference in a far-away Gulf country and not an invitation to some wedding or other party at a hotel in Kabul.’

Taliban mocks government over list of 250 delegates for Qatar talks

Afghanistan's chief executive <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/im-for-talks-with-taliban-without-any-conditions-says-afghanistan-chief-executive-abdullah-abdullah-192333&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjb17zq8L_hAhXL73MBHX_xArgQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3lGAhloVZgWcxIRcd8szOD">Abdullah Abdullah </a>welcomed Kabul's decision Sunday to send a delegation to meet with the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/interim-government-not-in-afghanistans-interests-abdullah-abdullah-189400&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjb17zq8L_hAhXL73MBHX_xArgQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0-WJpkA7qYW01xJzINrwrG">Taliban</a>, saying he hoped they would present a "unified position" for the Afghan people.

In an ongoing push to find a way out of the country's 17-year-old war, Kabul had earlier announced it would send representatives to "exchange views" with Taliban officials at fresh talks, due to take place in the Qatari capital Doha later this month.

US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks but the militant group has so far refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which they consider an illegitimate regime.

"We need to have governmental and nongovernmental politicians in one platform, and talk future peace and reconciliation," Abdullah told AFP on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Jordan.

"The aim of (the delegation) is to present a unified position of (the) people of Afghanistan", he added.

Mohammad <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-an-obstacle-in-peace-process-afghan-chief-executive-officer-206136&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjb17zq8L_hAhXL73MBHX_xArgQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1UpH1pikEKs4TdJhoz57PL">Omar Daudzai</a>, President Ashraf Ghani's envoy for peace, said the delegation would serve only to swap views with the Taliban, and its members would not necessarily be the same as a formal negotiating team.

Officials will meet Wednesday in Kabul to finalise delegates, and to decide who might comprise an official negotiating team.

In a statement, the Taliban said the upcoming Doha talks would clarify participants' "views and policies and sharing their stance".

"The said conference is not a negotiations summit or meeting," the Islamist extremist group said.

The Taliban and Afghan opposition groups held a similar meeting in Moscow in February.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad spent last week in Afghanistan as part of an ongoing push for a peace deal.&nbsp;

His visit came against the backdrop of strains between Washington and Ghani's administration, which has complained bitterly of being sidelined in peace talks.

Khalilzad has repeatedly called on Ghani to form a strong negotiating team to reach a deal before the country's delayed presidential elections, now slated for September.

On Friday, during a side trip, Khalilzad made to Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he had some "brotherly advice" for Afghanistan, suggesting an interim government in Kabul to help smooth the talks process.

It was not the first time Khan had made such a suggestion. Kabul was again furious, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a Pakistani diplomat to explain the remarks.

The notion of an interim government to tide things over between the end of Ghani's term in May and an election has sparked controversy in Afghanistan, and there is as yet no clarity as to what will happen.

An "interim government for the sake just of interim government, I am not for it, (it) will not solve anything," Abdullah said.

"An interim arrangement as a result of the package for peace that is agreed upon between both sides -- why not?"

Khalilzad left Afghanistan on Sunday following what the US embassy called "productive" talks.

"Khalilzad was pleased to see the Afghans with whom he met, inside and outside government, coming together to put peace first," the embassy said in a statement.

Afghanistan's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah welcomed Kabul's decision Sunday to send a delegation to meet with the Taliban, saying he hoped they would present a "unified position" for the Afghan people.

Afghanistan's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah welcomed Kabul's decision Sunday to send a delegation to meet with the Taliban, saying he hoped they would present a "unified position" for the Afghan people. In an ongoing push to find a way out of the country's 17-year-old war, Kabul had earlier announced it would send representatives to "exchange views" with Taliban officials at fresh talks, due to take place in the Qatari capital Doha later this month. US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks but the militant group has so far refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which they consider an illegitimate regime. "We need to have governmental and nongovernmental politicians in one platform, and talk future peace and reconciliation," Abdullah told AFP on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Jordan. "The aim of (the delegation) is to present a unified position of (the) people of Afghanistan", he added. Mohammad Omar Daudzai, President Ashraf Ghani's envoy for peace, said the delegation would serve only to swap views with the Taliban, and its members would not necessarily be the same as a formal negotiating team. Officials will meet Wednesday in Kabul to finalise delegates, and to decide who might comprise an official negotiating team. In a statement, the Taliban said the upcoming Doha talks would clarify participants' "views and policies and sharing their stance". "The said conference is not a negotiations summit or meeting," the Islamist extremist group said. The Taliban and Afghan opposition groups held a similar meeting in Moscow in February. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad spent last week in Afghanistan as part of an ongoing push for a peace deal. His visit came against the backdrop of strains between Washington and Ghani's administration, which has complained bitterly of being sidelined in peace talks. Khalilzad has repeatedly called on Ghani to form a strong negotiating team to reach a deal before the country's delayed presidential elections, now slated for September. On Friday, during a side trip, Khalilzad made to Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he had some "brotherly advice" for Afghanistan, suggesting an interim government in Kabul to help smooth the talks process. It was not the first time Khan had made such a suggestion. Kabul was again furious, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a Pakistani diplomat to explain the remarks. The notion of an interim government to tide things over between the end of Ghani's term in May and an election has sparked controversy in Afghanistan, and there is as yet no clarity as to what will happen. An "interim government for the sake just of interim government, I am not for it, (it) will not solve anything," Abdullah said. "An interim arrangement as a result of the package for peace that is agreed upon between both sides -- why not?" Khalilzad left Afghanistan on Sunday following what the US embassy called "productive" talks. "Khalilzad was pleased to see the Afghans with whom he met, inside and outside government, coming together to put peace first," the embassy said in a statement.

Afghan chief executive supports delegation for Taliban talks

Soria Hussaini was not sure what would happen when she decided to perform the first Kabul street concert by a woman in recent memory.&nbsp;

The 20-year-old, whose family fled civil war in Afghanistan for Iran during the 1990s, worried about her safety. But nearly 50 people watched the unadvertised concert by Hussaini's rock group, Azadi, in the city's Kart-e-Char neighbourhood in March, singing and clapping along with the music.

"Some were against this concert, but we did not give up," she said. "We are all scared of suicide bombings, explosions, abductions and other issues in this country."

Hussaini's concert was unusual both for its public setting and the positive response it received in a country where views on women and entertainment are often ultra-conservative.

In sharp contrast, a video surfaced this week and was widely shared on social media showing men whipping a woman, purportedly a Taliban punishment for singing in public. It was not clear when the video was filmed, but it generated fierce online criticism of the Taliban.

Reuters was not able to verify the authenticity of the video. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he could not confirm the video depicted members of the group, and that it was investigating the incident.

Intensifying peace talks between the United States and the Taliban have brought a focus on the place of women in Afghan society. Many say they fear greater freedoms won in recent years will be eroded under a settlement with the Islamists.&nbsp;

The Taliban banned women from playing music or appearing in public with their faces visible when in power from 1996 to 2001.

One symbol of the changes since the Taliban were overthrown is 18-year-old Zahra Elham, who last month became the first woman to win the vote-in singing competition

Afghan Star in the 14 years since local TV station Tolo began screening the popular show modelled on American Idol.&nbsp;

"They finally supported a girl. That day, I witnessed that there is justice, they let a girl move forward," she said.

Not everyone celebrated her success, however, said Elham, who recalled a frightening 2-km (1.2-mile) walk home from the TV studio one night in January, as her celebrity grew.

"Everyone was taunting me on the way," said Elham, who hails from the Hazara ethnic minority that has long suffered discrimination in Afghanistan. "There were comments about ethnicity since, in our tribe, it is not desired for a girl to become a singer. Now my fear has increased."

TV journalist Farahnaz Forotan, 26, received a more supportive reaction when she launched last month a social media movement with the hashtag "MyRedLine", encouraging women - and men - to publicly declare what rights they would not surrender.

Forotan launched the movement by declaring that her pen, symbolic of her profession, was her red line. Since the Taliban government fell in 2001, a robust media industry has emerged in Afghanistan, including many female journalists.

Forotan's personal RedLine video has been viewed nearly 12,000 times on Facebook. She is planning visits to all 34 Afghan provinces to expand her campaign.&nbsp;

"I thought that we were at a more sensitive and historic situation than any other time in the past and this sensitive and historic situation needs historic deeds," she said.

Supporters recorded short smartphone videos of themselves declaring their own "red lines", including a female lawyer citing her work defending women's rights.

"We emphasize that we won't go back," Forotan said, referring to the Taliban era.

Meanwhile Hussaini, who still lives in Iran, is already planning two more Afghan street concerts, one in Bamiyan province and another in Kabul.

"I see a good future in Afghanistan and am hopeful that street concerts will become more common here," she said. 
&nbsp;

Soria Hussaini was not sure what would happen when she decided to perform the first Kabul street concert by a woman in recent memory. The 20-year-old, whose family fled civil war in Afghanistan for Iran during the 1990s, worried about her safety.

Soria Hussaini was not sure what would happen when she decided to perform the first Kabul street concert by a woman in recent memory. The 20-year-old, whose family fled civil war in Afghanistan for Iran during the 1990s, worried about her safety. But nearly 50 people watched the unadvertised concert by Hussaini's rock group, Azadi, in the city's Kart-e-Char neighbourhood in March, singing and clapping along with the music. "Some were against this concert, but we did not give up," she said. "We are all scared of suicide bombings, explosions, abductions and other issues in this country." Hussaini's concert was unusual both for its public setting and the positive response it received in a country where views on women and entertainment are often ultra-conservative. In sharp contrast, a video surfaced this week and was widely shared on social media showing men whipping a woman, purportedly a Taliban punishment for singing in public. It was not clear when the video was filmed, but it generated fierce online criticism of the Taliban. Reuters was not able to verify the authenticity of the video. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he could not confirm the video depicted members of the group, and that it was investigating the incident. Intensifying peace talks between the United States and the Taliban have brought a focus on the place of women in Afghan society. Many say they fear greater freedoms won in recent years will be eroded under a settlement with the Islamists. The Taliban banned women from playing music or appearing in public with their faces visible when in power from 1996 to 2001. One symbol of the changes since the Taliban were overthrown is 18-year-old Zahra Elham, who last month became the first woman to win the vote-in singing competition Afghan Star in the 14 years since local TV station Tolo began screening the popular show modelled on American Idol. "They finally supported a girl. That day, I witnessed that there is justice, they let a girl move forward," she said. Not everyone celebrated her success, however, said Elham, who recalled a frightening 2-km (1.2-mile) walk home from the TV studio one night in January, as her celebrity grew. "Everyone was taunting me on the way," said Elham, who hails from the Hazara ethnic minority that has long suffered discrimination in Afghanistan. "There were comments about ethnicity since, in our tribe, it is not desired for a girl to become a singer. Now my fear has increased." TV journalist Farahnaz Forotan, 26, received a more supportive reaction when she launched last month a social media movement with the hashtag "MyRedLine", encouraging women - and men - to publicly declare what rights they would not surrender. Forotan launched the movement by declaring that her pen, symbolic of her profession, was her red line. Since the Taliban government fell in 2001, a robust media industry has emerged in Afghanistan, including many female journalists. Forotan's personal RedLine video has been viewed nearly 12,000 times on Facebook. She is planning visits to all 34 Afghan provinces to expand her campaign. "I thought that we were at a more sensitive and historic situation than any other time in the past and this sensitive and historic situation needs historic deeds," she said. Supporters recorded short smartphone videos of themselves declaring their own "red lines", including a female lawyer citing her work defending women's rights. "We emphasize that we won't go back," Forotan said, referring to the Taliban era. Meanwhile Hussaini, who still lives in Iran, is already planning two more Afghan street concerts, one in Bamiyan province and another in Kabul. "I see a good future in Afghanistan and am hopeful that street concerts will become more common here," she said.

Women singers test limits, signal Afghanistan's changing times

The peripatetic US envoy for the peace process in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was back this week in Kabul to restart the enigmatic dialogue with Taliban. Are the five rounds of talks between the US and Taliban, the last and most intense at Doha last month, going nowhere or there is light at the end of the tunnel? Hope of a breakthrough is being spread by Pakistan which has the maximum to gain from its success. Here are the known facts.&nbsp;

President Trump last December, unsurprisingly, did a U-turn on Afghanistan. Having been reluctantly persuaded by his Generals to stay the course, in a policy speech on Afghanistan in August 2017, he lashed out at Pakistan saying all it has given the US is lies and deceit after receiving $31 billion and praised India for its constructive role in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Then Defence Secretary James Mattis issued a ‘last chance’ ultimatum to Pakistan to act against Taliban sanctuaries which did not work despite intensified drone strikes in Pakistan. Soon, Trump did another U-turn: embraced Pakistan, criticised India for doing five minutes of work like building libraries in Afghanistan and sought an exit by appointing Zalmay Khalilzad as an interlocutor with Taliban to work out an exit deal. So far according to the US, four issues have been discussed – US withdrawal from Afghanistan;&nbsp;

Taliban pledge that Afghanistan will not become a base for Al Qaeda and its affiliates for attacks on the US and its allies; ceasefire and composition of a future Afghan government including direct talks between Taliban and Kabul.&nbsp;

The Taliban says only two issues constitute the framework accord. Equally pressing problems like interim government, elections, constitution, exchange of prisoners and lifting the ban on Taliban leaders are also to be addressed. &nbsp;

This kind of peace and reconciliation talks are called talking while fighting or vice versa as a conventional peace process is sequenced roughly like this: ceasefire; disarmament (integration of armies and arms); constitutional arrangements; and elections. The presidential elections have been postponed from April to July to September and maybe indefinitely to accommodate the Taliban.

Similarly, the results of the October 2018 parliamentary elections delayed by two years have not been finalised. Conspicuously, the Afghan government has been kept out of the loop in the present US-Taliban series of engagements, making a mockery of the much-touted peace process being Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. This reflects the urgency Trump attaches to a quick troop withdrawal - half the 14,000 soldiers before the end of the year before his re-election bid and the remainder within two to three years.&nbsp;

The US and Afghanistan have signed in 2012 a Strategic Partnership Agreement according to which, America will not abandon the country militarily or financially for years after 2014 which was the US deadline for foreign forces withdrawal. Then in 2014, a bilateral security agreement was signed that provides US troops access to military bases like Bagram and Kandahar in Afghanistan upto 2024 and beyond. Will Trump forsake the retention of strategic assets in Afghanistan? Is this being kept under wraps?&nbsp;

If the mercurial Trump were to pull out like he reportedly announced recently from Syria and Afghanistan – both denied and later and modified – it could prove catastrophic. The Mattis exit was catalysed by this decision setting the cat among the pigeons in the region. James Dobbins, a former US envoy to Afghanistan, fears it could lead to a civil war – back to 1996? Probably not. Gen Kenneth Mackenzie of CENTCOM has said Afghan National Security Forces will dissolve without US support. In 2014, a report published by Special Inspector General Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) had made the assessment that ANSF would be capable of resisting Taliban independently after December 2014 when International Security Assistance Forces combat role ended but would require US air support and assistance in casualty evacuation. When Konduz became the first provincial capital to fall to Taliban in 2014, all hell broke loose in Pentagon, sparking the fear of a strategic collapse.&nbsp;

With the Taliban staging spectacular suicide attacks and enhancing their territorial control (only 54 per cent of 407 districts were under control/influence of government in October 2018 against 72 per cent in November 2005). ANSF casualties are averaging 120 to 130 a month with complete companies capitulating. Instead of correcting the deficiency of unprepared ANSF in the lead since December 2014, US is considering further cuts and exit. In mid-2009, President Obama had observed that if Afghanistan falls to Taliban it will once again become an Al Qaeda base. On 2 January 2019, unpredictable Trump made the following convoluted observation on Afghanistan. ‘Pakistan is there…it should be fighting. But Russia should be fighting too, to prevent terrorists from going to Russia…and India….Why are we there. And we’re 6000 miles away !’&nbsp;

The Afghans are convinced that Taliban pumped by Pakistan is taking the US for a royal ride. NSA Hamdullah Mohib, addressing UNSC last month, criticised the US peace process, especially Khalilzad stressing: ‘peace at any cost is not acceptable’. Former intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh, has doubts about the sincerity of the Taliban, adding it did not represent the Afghan people but Pakistan. Will Trump spring a surprise by ordering a hasty withdrawal or put in place, a mechanism that ensures that the gains of the last 17 years under US leadership are preserved?&nbsp;

India has been outpaced by developments in Afghanistan mainly due to an impetuous Trump. Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat’s advice to engage the Taliban even at this late stage, has been ignored. A backchannel should have been started in 2014-15 after the Konduz debacle. India must update its contingency plans to prevent the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul by force and protect its strategic assets including 5000 Indians. India’s only foreign air base at Ayni in Tajikistan where 100 IAF personnel and engineers are located, must be factored for utilisation after consultations with Russia which has the last word on its use.&nbsp;

Since 2002, India’s right of use has been unclear and combat aircraft have never been stationed there. The Chinese have lately acquired a military base in Tajikistan with its troops operating in the Wakhan corridor. The present government has made national security its prime election issue acting boldly against Pakistan and China but losing sight of Afghanistan.. India’s diminution in Afghanistan will be a jolt to its prestige and image in the region.&nbsp;

For Khalilzad though finding all the pieces to fit into the peace and reconciliation puzzle will be an uphill task and could take time, even as strategic patience is not a virtue Trump is blessed with.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

The peripatetic US envoy for the peace process in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was back this week in Kabul to restart the enigmatic dialogue with Taliban. Are the five rounds of talks between the US and Taliban, the last and most intense at Doha last month, going nowhere or there is light at the end of the tunnel?

The peripatetic US envoy for the peace process in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was back this week in Kabul to restart the enigmatic dialogue with Taliban. Are the five rounds of talks between the US and Taliban, the last and most intense at Doha last month, going nowhere or there is light at the end of the tunnel? Hope of a breakthrough is being spread by Pakistan which has the maximum to gain from its success. Here are the known facts. President Trump last December, unsurprisingly, did a U-turn on Afghanistan. Having been reluctantly persuaded by his Generals to stay the course, in a policy speech on Afghanistan in August 2017, he lashed out at Pakistan saying all it has given the US is lies and deceit after receiving $31 billion and praised India for its constructive role in Afghanistan. Then Defence Secretary James Mattis issued a ‘last chance’ ultimatum to Pakistan to act against Taliban sanctuaries which did not work despite intensified drone strikes in Pakistan. Soon, Trump did another U-turn: embraced Pakistan, criticised India for doing five minutes of work like building libraries in Afghanistan and sought an exit by appointing Zalmay Khalilzad as an interlocutor with Taliban to work out an exit deal. So far according to the US, four issues have been discussed – US withdrawal from Afghanistan; Taliban pledge that Afghanistan will not become a base for Al Qaeda and its affiliates for attacks on the US and its allies; ceasefire and composition of a future Afghan government including direct talks between Taliban and Kabul. The Taliban says only two issues constitute the framework accord. Equally pressing problems like interim government, elections, constitution, exchange of prisoners and lifting the ban on Taliban leaders are also to be addressed. This kind of peace and reconciliation talks are called talking while fighting or vice versa as a conventional peace process is sequenced roughly like this: ceasefire; disarmament (integration of armies and arms); constitutional arrangements; and elections. The presidential elections have been postponed from April to July to September and maybe indefinitely to accommodate the Taliban. Similarly, the results of the October 2018 parliamentary elections delayed by two years have not been finalised. Conspicuously, the Afghan government has been kept out of the loop in the present US-Taliban series of engagements, making a mockery of the much-touted peace process being Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. This reflects the urgency Trump attaches to a quick troop withdrawal - half the 14,000 soldiers before the end of the year before his re-election bid and the remainder within two to three years. The US and Afghanistan have signed in 2012 a Strategic Partnership Agreement according to which, America will not abandon the country militarily or financially for years after 2014 which was the US deadline for foreign forces withdrawal. Then in 2014, a bilateral security agreement was signed that provides US troops access to military bases like Bagram and Kandahar in Afghanistan upto 2024 and beyond. Will Trump forsake the retention of strategic assets in Afghanistan? Is this being kept under wraps? If the mercurial Trump were to pull out like he reportedly announced recently from Syria and Afghanistan – both denied and later and modified – it could prove catastrophic. The Mattis exit was catalysed by this decision setting the cat among the pigeons in the region. James Dobbins, a former US envoy to Afghanistan, fears it could lead to a civil war – back to 1996? Probably not. Gen Kenneth Mackenzie of CENTCOM has said Afghan National Security Forces will dissolve without US support. In 2014, a report published by Special Inspector General Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) had made the assessment that ANSF would be capable of resisting Taliban independently after December 2014 when International Security Assistance Forces combat role ended but would require US air support and assistance in casualty evacuation. When Konduz became the first provincial capital to fall to Taliban in 2014, all hell broke loose in Pentagon, sparking the fear of a strategic collapse. With the Taliban staging spectacular suicide attacks and enhancing their territorial control (only 54 per cent of 407 districts were under control/influence of government in October 2018 against 72 per cent in November 2005). ANSF casualties are averaging 120 to 130 a month with complete companies capitulating. Instead of correcting the deficiency of unprepared ANSF in the lead since December 2014, US is considering further cuts and exit. In mid-2009, President Obama had observed that if Afghanistan falls to Taliban it will once again become an Al Qaeda base. On 2 January 2019, unpredictable Trump made the following convoluted observation on Afghanistan. ‘Pakistan is there…it should be fighting. But Russia should be fighting too, to prevent terrorists from going to Russia…and India….Why are we there. And we’re 6000 miles away !’ The Afghans are convinced that Taliban pumped by Pakistan is taking the US for a royal ride. NSA Hamdullah Mohib, addressing UNSC last month, criticised the US peace process, especially Khalilzad stressing: ‘peace at any cost is not acceptable’. Former intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh, has doubts about the sincerity of the Taliban, adding it did not represent the Afghan people but Pakistan. Will Trump spring a surprise by ordering a hasty withdrawal or put in place, a mechanism that ensures that the gains of the last 17 years under US leadership are preserved? India has been outpaced by developments in Afghanistan mainly due to an impetuous Trump. Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat’s advice to engage the Taliban even at this late stage, has been ignored. A backchannel should have been started in 2014-15 after the Konduz debacle. India must update its contingency plans to prevent the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul by force and protect its strategic assets including 5000 Indians. India’s only foreign air base at Ayni in Tajikistan where 100 IAF personnel and engineers are located, must be factored for utilisation after consultations with Russia which has the last word on its use. Since 2002, India’s right of use has been unclear and combat aircraft have never been stationed there. The Chinese have lately acquired a military base in Tajikistan with its troops operating in the Wakhan corridor. The present government has made national security its prime election issue acting boldly against Pakistan and China but losing sight of Afghanistan.. India’s diminution in Afghanistan will be a jolt to its prestige and image in the region. For Khalilzad though finding all the pieces to fit into the peace and reconciliation puzzle will be an uphill task and could take time, even as strategic patience is not a virtue Trump is blessed with. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Afghan peace talks: India must update its contingency plans to prevent Taliban’s takeover of Kabul

At least six people were killed by blasts in Kabul Thursday during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital, authorities said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn city.

"Twenty-three were wounded and six people were martyred (killed) in today's explosions in Kabul," health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told AFP, with the interior ministry confirming the toll.

In a message to AFP, the Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, which police said had been caused by three remote-controlled mines -- one placed in the washroom of a mosque, one behind a hospital, and one in an electricity meter.

The blasts were near Kabul University and the Karte Sakhi shrine, where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian New Year holiday but considered un-Islamic by Muslim fundamentalists.

"As we celebrate this auspicious day to bind us together our fellow citizens witnessed another devastating day in #Kabul," President Ashraf Ghani wrote on Twitter.

"We lost peaceful citizens to a coward enemy that knows no bounds."

Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said a fourth mine was defused near Kabul University, and that authorities were searching for any others that may have been placed in the area.

But he added that the mines were far from the main site of the celebrations.

Exactly one year ago, a blast near a crowd celebrating at the shrine killed 33 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

IS, which regularly targets Shiites in an attempt to stir up sectarian violence in Sunni-majority Afghanistan, has also attacked the shrine once before, in October 2016, when its gunmen killed 18 people gathered there to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shiites.

At least six people were killed by blasts in Kabul Thursday during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital, authorities said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn city.

At least six people were killed by blasts in Kabul Thursday during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital, authorities said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn city. "Twenty-three were wounded and six people were martyred (killed) in today's explosions in Kabul," health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told AFP, with the interior ministry confirming the toll. In a message to AFP, the Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, which police said had been caused by three remote-controlled mines -- one placed in the washroom of a mosque, one behind a hospital, and one in an electricity meter. The blasts were near Kabul University and the Karte Sakhi shrine, where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian New Year holiday but considered un-Islamic by Muslim fundamentalists. "As we celebrate this auspicious day to bind us together our fellow citizens witnessed another devastating day in #Kabul," President Ashraf Ghani wrote on Twitter. "We lost peaceful citizens to a coward enemy that knows no bounds." Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said a fourth mine was defused near Kabul University, and that authorities were searching for any others that may have been placed in the area. But he added that the mines were far from the main site of the celebrations. Exactly one year ago, a blast near a crowd celebrating at the shrine killed 33 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. IS, which regularly targets Shiites in an attempt to stir up sectarian violence in Sunni-majority Afghanistan, has also attacked the shrine once before, in October 2016, when its gunmen killed 18 people gathered there to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shiites.

Afghanistan: At least six killed in blasts as Kabul marks Persian New Year

Kabul: 6 killed, 23 injured in multiple blasts outside a shrine

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