Taliban fighters entered Gurdwara Karte Parwan, the main Sikh shrine in Afghanistan capital Kabul, on Tuesday and damaged CCTV cameras and broke several locks, according to members of the Afghan Sikh minority.

Taliban fighters enter Gurdwara Karte Parwan, vandalise religious site

Why are the Taliban stripping away so many of Afghan women’s hard-won freedoms?

That may seem like a facetious question. When the Taliban ruled the country in the 1990s, after all, their regime was known for having some of the world’s harshest restrictions on women. The group still adheres to a fundamentalist vision of Islamic society.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/times-have-changed-pictures-of-afghan-women-before-taliban-rule-go-viral-406508">'Times have changed': Pictures of Afghan women before Taliban rule go viral</a>

But ideology is only part of the story.

Every group has a range of beliefs, and not all of them become priorities for governance. Some Taliban officials, particularly those who conducted peace negotiations and favoured international engagement, have suggested that this iteration of Taliban governance might be less restrictive toward women. And there are certainly economic incentives, as the resumption of international aid would be based at least in part on human rights considerations.

None of that has seemed to make a difference thus far. Although some Taliban officials continue to say that conditions will improve, women are still being kept from workplaces and schools. Each week seems to bring a new report of restrictions.

In that light, the Taliban’s decision to restrict women’s freedom begins to look like a political choice as much as it is a matter of ideology. Understanding why the Taliban might see that choice as rewarding, experts say, offers insight into the group’s state-building efforts, and to the nature of the society, they now rule again.

The Insecurity of Taliban Security

“I did not for a minute believe that the Taliban had changed,” said Muqaddesa Yourish, a former deputy minister of commerce who fled to the United States with her family when the Taliban took power. “If anything has changed about them, it is that they know how to deal with the West.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-teachers-face-uncertain-future-after-taliban-bans-them-from-schools-417874">Women teachers face uncertain future after Taliban bans them from schools</a>

Less than two months after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, their promised allowances for women in the workplace and schools have yet to appear. Most women are still banned from going to work, a supposedly temporary measure the Taliban claim is necessary for security.

The leadership is using the same wording in describing when women might be allowed to attend public universities. And when secondary schools reopened, the Taliban directed boys to return to the classroom but said nothing about girls, which families across the country understood as a directive that girls should stay home.

Groups like the Taliban often struggle to make the transition from violent insurgency to actual governance, said Dipali Mukhopadhyay, a researcher at the University of Minnesota who studies rebel governance in Afghanistan, Syria and elsewhere.

They do not have the experience, funding or personnel to deliver sophisticated government services. Instead, their main strength is controlling security — using their status as the country’s most powerful violent group to operate a kind of country-level protection racket, exchanging public safety for obedience.

“We shouldn’t buy this narrative that they are an alternative to the previous government because they are providing security,” said Metra Mehran, co-founder of the Feminine Perspectives Campaign, which sought to bring women’s voices into peace negotiations. “They’re not providing security; they’ve just stopped killing us.”

Mukhopadhyay echoed that sentiment. “That’s the cornerstone of understanding what the Taliban is offering: security and also the threat of force,” she said. “But people, particularly women, know that form of security comes with an ideology attached to it.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-need-in-afghanistan-grows-dire-aid-groups-plead-for-help-417450">As need in Afghanistan grows dire, aid groups plead for help</a>

Viewed through that lens, restricting women’s freedom serves as a powerful demonstration of the Taliban’s power. When women and girls vanish from offices and schools, it shows that the Taliban have enough power — and implicitly, enough capacity and willingness to use violence — to dramatically reengineer public spaces.

Mukhopadhyay noted that the Taliban had not only dismantled the Ministry for Women’s Affairs, but had also replaced it with the Ministry for Vice and Virtue, the feared religious police known for their public beatings of women who went out without a male relative or were dressed in something other than a burqa.

“That’s a very potent symbol of who’s winning within the Taliban right now,” she said.

‘The Talib in Every Man’

But marketing is only part of the story. Despite support and funding for gender-equality efforts during 20 years of US-backed governments, Afghan women’s freedoms have always been fragile.

Yourish said she has always sensed that many Afghan men were uncomfortable with women in public life. Although her own father and husband were supportive of her career, she said, they often seemed like outliers.

In the final days before the Taliban took power, Yourish said, she and her friends traded stories of how “the Talib in every man is coming out,” she said. Male strangers approached her and other women on the street, shouting cryptic threats like “your days will be over soon,” she said. She could sense women’s progress crumbling, she said, even before the previous government fell.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-fire-shots-at-kabul-women-protesting-for-right-to-study-417115">Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study</a>

On paper and in the tables of foreign aid budgets, gender equality was a priority for two decades. And there were substantial improvements for many women, especially those who were educated and lived in more urban areas.

But Afghanistan remains a deeply patriarchal society. The Taliban’s promise to return to “traditional” values, in which women are subordinate to their male relatives, is an attractive offer to many Afghan men.

Alice Evans, a researcher at King’s College London who studies women’s economic and social progress, said women’s rights were caught in a “patrilineal trap.”

Societies where family wealth passes through the male line traditionally place a high value on brides’ chastity, Evans said. “Girls are then closely policed to improve their marriage prospects and family honor,” she said, and norms develop that keep women out of public life.

The dynamic is self-reinforcing: Families do not want to risk deviating from social norms on their own, so everyone ends up stuck in a system in which women have to stay close to home.

To get out of that trap, women’s wages have to become high enough that the benefits of working outweigh the risks to family honour, Evans said. In East Asia, for instance, rapid industrialization raised women’s potential earnings, effectively buying them out of the honour-based rules that constrained them to the home.

That did not happen in Afghanistan, where economic productivity and employment languished despite the influx of aid. Women’s wages did not rise enough, in enough places, to outweigh their families’ honor-based concerns, or to transform social norms.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-exclusive-life-under-taliban-women-run-studio-forced-to-shut-down-in-kabul-417039">WION exclusive- Life under Taliban: Women-run studio forced to shut down in Kabul</a>

That may strengthen the Taliban. Rebel groups that are seen as grounded in local communities and values tend to be more successful, Mukhopadhyay said. For conservative Afghans, particularly men, restricting women’s freedom may be a way for the Taliban to claim they support local values.

But it could still backfire, Mukhopadhyay said, if restrictions are so extreme that Afghans see them as overreach by leaders who do not understand how the country has changed. For decades, “the Talibs were living across the border in Pakistan,” she said. “Their perceptions of Islam, and modernity, are not the same as those of people in Afghanistan.”

Women’s employment did become widespread enough that many families relied, at least partly, on their income, said Manizha Wafeq, co-founder and president of the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Their earnings have vanished in recent weeks as a result of Taliban restrictions, and that could cut into the public’s acceptance of their rule.

“It’s already an economic crisis for the whole country,” Wafeq said. “People are already trying to figure out how to feed their families.”

Why are the Taliban stripping away so many of Afghan women’s hard-won freedoms? That may seem like a facetious question. When the Taliban ruled the country in the 1990s, after all, their regime was known for having some of the world’s harshest restrictions on women.

Why are the Taliban stripping away so many of Afghan women’s hard-won freedoms? That may seem like a facetious question. When the Taliban ruled the country in the 1990s, after all, their regime was known for having some of the world’s harshest restrictions on women. The group still adheres to a fundamentalist vision of Islamic society. Also read | 'Times have changed': Pictures of Afghan women before Taliban rule go viral But ideology is only part of the story. Every group has a range of beliefs, and not all of them become priorities for governance. Some Taliban officials, particularly those who conducted peace negotiations and favoured international engagement, have suggested that this iteration of Taliban governance might be less restrictive toward women. And there are certainly economic incentives, as the resumption of international aid would be based at least in part on human rights considerations. None of that has seemed to make a difference thus far. Although some Taliban officials continue to say that conditions will improve, women are still being kept from workplaces and schools. Each week seems to bring a new report of restrictions. In that light, the Taliban’s decision to restrict women’s freedom begins to look like a political choice as much as it is a matter of ideology. Understanding why the Taliban might see that choice as rewarding, experts say, offers insight into the group’s state-building efforts, and to the nature of the society, they now rule again. The Insecurity of Taliban Security “I did not for a minute believe that the Taliban had changed,” said Muqaddesa Yourish, a former deputy minister of commerce who fled to the United States with her family when the Taliban took power. “If anything has changed about them, it is that they know how to deal with the West.” Also read | Women teachers face uncertain future after Taliban bans them from schools Less than two months after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, their promised allowances for women in the workplace and schools have yet to appear. Most women are still banned from going to work, a supposedly temporary measure the Taliban claim is necessary for security. The leadership is using the same wording in describing when women might be allowed to attend public universities. And when secondary schools reopened, the Taliban directed boys to return to the classroom but said nothing about girls, which families across the country understood as a directive that girls should stay home. Groups like the Taliban often struggle to make the transition from violent insurgency to actual governance, said Dipali Mukhopadhyay, a researcher at the University of Minnesota who studies rebel governance in Afghanistan, Syria and elsewhere. They do not have the experience, funding or personnel to deliver sophisticated government services. Instead, their main strength is controlling security — using their status as the country’s most powerful violent group to operate a kind of country-level protection racket, exchanging public safety for obedience. “We shouldn’t buy this narrative that they are an alternative to the previous government because they are providing security,” said Metra Mehran, co-founder of the Feminine Perspectives Campaign, which sought to bring women’s voices into peace negotiations. “They’re not providing security; they’ve just stopped killing us.” Mukhopadhyay echoed that sentiment. “That’s the cornerstone of understanding what the Taliban is offering: security and also the threat of force,” she said. “But people, particularly women, know that form of security comes with an ideology attached to it.” Also read | As need in Afghanistan grows dire, aid groups plead for help Viewed through that lens, restricting women’s freedom serves as a powerful demonstration of the Taliban’s power. When women and girls vanish from offices and schools, it shows that the Taliban have enough power — and implicitly, enough capacity and willingness to use violence — to dramatically reengineer public spaces. Mukhopadhyay noted that the Taliban had not only dismantled the Ministry for Women’s Affairs, but had also replaced it with the Ministry for Vice and Virtue, the feared religious police known for their public beatings of women who went out without a male relative or were dressed in something other than a burqa. “That’s a very potent symbol of who’s winning within the Taliban right now,” she said. ‘The Talib in Every Man’ But marketing is only part of the story. Despite support and funding for gender-equality efforts during 20 years of US-backed governments, Afghan women’s freedoms have always been fragile. Yourish said she has always sensed that many Afghan men were uncomfortable with women in public life. Although her own father and husband were supportive of her career, she said, they often seemed like outliers. In the final days before the Taliban took power, Yourish said, she and her friends traded stories of how “the Talib in every man is coming out,” she said. Male strangers approached her and other women on the street, shouting cryptic threats like “your days will be over soon,” she said. She could sense women’s progress crumbling, she said, even before the previous government fell. Also read | Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study On paper and in the tables of foreign aid budgets, gender equality was a priority for two decades. And there were substantial improvements for many women, especially those who were educated and lived in more urban areas. But Afghanistan remains a deeply patriarchal society. The Taliban’s promise to return to “traditional” values, in which women are subordinate to their male relatives, is an attractive offer to many Afghan men. Alice Evans, a researcher at King’s College London who studies women’s economic and social progress, said women’s rights were caught in a “patrilineal trap.” Societies where family wealth passes through the male line traditionally place a high value on brides’ chastity, Evans said. “Girls are then closely policed to improve their marriage prospects and family honor,” she said, and norms develop that keep women out of public life. The dynamic is self-reinforcing: Families do not want to risk deviating from social norms on their own, so everyone ends up stuck in a system in which women have to stay close to home. To get out of that trap, women’s wages have to become high enough that the benefits of working outweigh the risks to family honour, Evans said. In East Asia, for instance, rapid industrialization raised women’s potential earnings, effectively buying them out of the honour-based rules that constrained them to the home. That did not happen in Afghanistan, where economic productivity and employment languished despite the influx of aid. Women’s wages did not rise enough, in enough places, to outweigh their families’ honor-based concerns, or to transform social norms. Also read | WION exclusive- Life under Taliban: Women-run studio forced to shut down in Kabul That may strengthen the Taliban. Rebel groups that are seen as grounded in local communities and values tend to be more successful, Mukhopadhyay said. For conservative Afghans, particularly men, restricting women’s freedom may be a way for the Taliban to claim they support local values. But it could still backfire, Mukhopadhyay said, if restrictions are so extreme that Afghans see them as overreach by leaders who do not understand how the country has changed. For decades, “the Talibs were living across the border in Pakistan,” she said. “Their perceptions of Islam, and modernity, are not the same as those of people in Afghanistan.” Women’s employment did become widespread enough that many families relied, at least partly, on their income, said Manizha Wafeq, co-founder and president of the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Their earnings have vanished in recent weeks as a result of Taliban restrictions, and that could cut into the public’s acceptance of their rule. “It’s already an economic crisis for the whole country,” Wafeq said. “People are already trying to figure out how to feed their families.”

Why the Taliban’s repression of women may be more tactical than ideological

The Taliban said on Monday they had destroyed an Islamic State cell in the Afghan capital, hours after a suspected IS attack on a mosque killed five people.

The Taliban's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters carried out the operation in the north of Kabul on Sunday evening.

"As a result of the operation, which was very decisive and successful, the IS centre was completely destroyed and all the IS members in it were killed," Mujahid said on Twitter.

Witnesses and AFP journalists heard blasts and gunfire in the capital at the time of the raid, and images posted to social media showed a large explosion and a fire at the scene.&nbsp;

Kabul resident and government employee Abdul Rahaman told AFP that a "large number" of Taliban special forces attacked at least three houses in his neighbourhood.&nbsp;

"The fighting continued for several hours," he said, adding the sound of weapons kept him awake all night.&nbsp;

"They said they were after Daesh (IS) fighters in the area," Rahman said.&nbsp;

"I don't know how many were killed or arrested but the fighting was intense."

The operation took place within hours of a deadly attack targeting a prayer ceremony at the Eid Gah mosque in memory of Taliban spokesman Mujahid's mother, who died last week.

A government cultural commission official, who asked not to be named, told AFP that five people died and 11 were wounded, adding the casualties included both civilians and Taliban members.

"We have also arrested three people in connection with the blast," he said.

According to the official, the device was placed at the entrance to the mosque and detonated as mourners were leaving after offering condolences to Mujahid and his family.

On Monday, Mujahid told AFP that an investigation was still ongoing but "initial information suggests that Daesh-linked groups may have carried out the attack".

The Taliban and the Afghanistan branch of IS -- known as the Islamic State-Khorasan Province, or IS-K - are both hardline Sunni Islamist militant groups.

But they differ on the issues of religion and strategy, which has led to bloody fighting between the two.

The Taliban said on Monday they had destroyed an Islamic State cell in the Afghan capital, hours after a suspected IS attack on a mosque killed five people. The Taliban's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters carried out the operation in the north of Kabul on Sunday evening.

The Taliban said on Monday they had destroyed an Islamic State cell in the Afghan capital, hours after a suspected IS attack on a mosque killed five people. The Taliban's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters carried out the operation in the north of Kabul on Sunday evening. "As a result of the operation, which was very decisive and successful, the IS centre was completely destroyed and all the IS members in it were killed," Mujahid said on Twitter. Witnesses and AFP journalists heard blasts and gunfire in the capital at the time of the raid, and images posted to social media showed a large explosion and a fire at the scene. Kabul resident and government employee Abdul Rahaman told AFP that a "large number" of Taliban special forces attacked at least three houses in his neighbourhood. "The fighting continued for several hours," he said, adding the sound of weapons kept him awake all night. "They said they were after Daesh (IS) fighters in the area," Rahman said. "I don't know how many were killed or arrested but the fighting was intense." The operation took place within hours of a deadly attack targeting a prayer ceremony at the Eid Gah mosque in memory of Taliban spokesman Mujahid's mother, who died last week. A government cultural commission official, who asked not to be named, told AFP that five people died and 11 were wounded, adding the casualties included both civilians and Taliban members. "We have also arrested three people in connection with the blast," he said. According to the official, the device was placed at the entrance to the mosque and detonated as mourners were leaving after offering condolences to Mujahid and his family. On Monday, Mujahid told AFP that an investigation was still ongoing but "initial information suggests that Daesh-linked groups may have carried out the attack". The Taliban and the Afghanistan branch of IS -- known as the Islamic State-Khorasan Province, or IS-K - are both hardline Sunni Islamist militant groups. But they differ on the issues of religion and strategy, which has led to bloody fighting between the two.

Taliban say Islamic State cell destroyed after mosque attack

At least twelve people were killed and 30 were injured in a blast in Kabul on Sunday.The blast struck near the entrance of the Eid Gah Mosque in Kabul where a memorial service was being held for the mother of Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Three people have been arrested near the blast site.

At least twelve people killed in blast in Kabul

At least five people were killed in a blast in Kabul on Sunday.The blast struck near the entrance of the Eid Gah Mosque in Kabul where a memorial service was being held for the mother of Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

At least five people killed in blast in Afghanistan's Kabul

Desperation and chaos seem to grow among Afghan families as they try to flee the country. Chaos can be seen at Kabul bus terminals as residents are trying to find their way out of war-torn Afghanistan.

What's next for Afghans fleeing the Taliban?

The future of Kabul airport is at stake after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. Pakistan is yet to resume commercial flights to Kabul whereas India is yet to resume commercial flights.

Future of Kabul airport at stake after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan

FM of Taliban caretaker govt, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi hosted a group of political ambassadors in Kabul on Thursday. Envoys from China, Pakistan, Russia attended the meeting. The meeting aimed at projecting Afghanistan as a sovereign nation under the Taliban.

Taliban holds meeting with foreign envoys

Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi hosts group of political ambassadors in Kabul

A top US general said on Wednesday that US military was aware of civilian casualities in the drone strike carried out in Afghanistan in the aftermath of Kabul airport blasts. However, there had been no admission of civilian casualties from the military for weeks after the drone strike.

General Kenneth McKenzie said during a House hearing that the August 29 drone strike was a "tragic mistake" and accepted responsibility for it.

10 Afghan civilians were killed in the drone strike.

WION was first to report from ground that the drone strike claimed lives of Afghan civilians. WION's Anas Mallick was at the very spot of the drone attack soon after it took place.&nbsp;

General McKenzie said that the US military knew "within 4 to 5 hours" after the strike about the civilian casualties.

Given the delay in admission on the part of USA, it certainly appears that it has come too little too late.

During his House hearing, McKenzie sought to underline that military was unaware that target of the strike was an 'error' and it took few days to "run that down".

Initial statement from US Central Command had said that they had "no indication" as they assessed the possibility of civilian casualties.

The drone attack was carried out by the USA in retaliation to blasts at Kabul airport. The responsibility of the attack was taken by ISIS-K. The drone attack was said to have targetted those involved carrying out blasts at the airport.

A top US general said on Wednesday that US military was aware of civilian casualities in the drone strike carried out in Afghanistan in the aftermath of Kabul airport blasts.

A top US general said on Wednesday that US military was aware of civilian casualities in the drone strike carried out in Afghanistan in the aftermath of Kabul airport blasts. However, there had been no admission of civilian casualties from the military for weeks after the drone strike. General Kenneth McKenzie said during a House hearing that the August 29 drone strike was a "tragic mistake" and accepted responsibility for it. 10 Afghan civilians were killed in the drone strike. WION was first to report from ground that the drone strike claimed lives of Afghan civilians. WION's Anas Mallick was at the very spot of the drone attack soon after it took place. General McKenzie said that the US military knew "within 4 to 5 hours" after the strike about the civilian casualties. Given the delay in admission on the part of USA, it certainly appears that it has come too little too late. During his House hearing, McKenzie sought to underline that military was unaware that target of the strike was an 'error' and it took few days to "run that down". Initial statement from US Central Command had said that they had "no indication" as they assessed the possibility of civilian casualties. The drone attack was carried out by the USA in retaliation to blasts at Kabul airport. The responsibility of the attack was taken by ISIS-K. The drone attack was said to have targetted those involved carrying out blasts at the airport.

Kabul drone strike: US military knew about civilian casualties but didn't admit initially

Contrary to what the terrorist group claims, Taliban have been violently attacking women who are standing up for their basic rights.

A group of six women had gathered outside a high school in the eastern Kabul to fight for women's right to study. However, these women were pushed back, manhandled and even fired shots at them.

These women had gathered to protest against Taliban’s decision to not allow girls to return to secondary school. While boys were allowed to resume their classes, girls were excluded from the announcement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-drone-strike-us-military-knew-about-civilian-casualties-but-didnt-admit-initially-417046">Kabul drone strike: US military knew about civilian casualties but didn't admit initially</a>

With banners reading, 'Don't break our pens, don't burn our books, don't close our schools', the group of women took to streets to demand that Taliban allow girls to return to school too. However, their protests were met with extreme violence from the terrorist organisation.

Banners were snatched from these women as Taliban militants started physically pushing back women. Taliban claimed the demonstrations "did not coordinate with security authorities regarding their protest".

A journalist was also hit on head by a rifle and was strictly blocked from recording any footage or covering the story.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/decades-of-progress-undone-in-kabul-afghan-women-barred-from-higher-study-417090">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/decades-of-progress-undone-in-kabul-afghan-women-barred-from-higher-study-417090/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, the terrorist group still tried to save their face by claiming that locals are allowed to practice their right to protest but a permission has to be taken from security officials. "They have the right to protest in our country like every other country. But they must inform the security institutes before," said Taliban guard Mawlawi Nasratullah who called himself the head of special forces in Kabul.

This is not the first time women have come out to call for equal rights for women in Afghanistan. Since Taliban took over the country on August 16, women in Afghanistan and all over the world have been urging global leaders and organisations to help women claim back their basic human rights and safety of women.

Several protests have taken place all over the country and Taliban has tried to shut down by hook or by crook. Taliban, however, still claim that they are following a changed and more open thought process now in which the women will be provided better opportunities.

The daily stories from women of Afghanistan, however, narrate a stark difference.

Contrary to what the terrorist group claims, Taliban have been violently attacking women who are standing up for their basic rights. A group of six women had gathered outside a high school in the eastern Kabul to fight for women's right to study.

Contrary to what the terrorist group claims, Taliban have been violently attacking women who are standing up for their basic rights. A group of six women had gathered outside a high school in the eastern Kabul to fight for women's right to study. However, these women were pushed back, manhandled and even fired shots at them. These women had gathered to protest against Taliban’s decision to not allow girls to return to secondary school. While boys were allowed to resume their classes, girls were excluded from the announcement. Also read | Kabul drone strike: US military knew about civilian casualties but didn't admit initially With banners reading, 'Don't break our pens, don't burn our books, don't close our schools', the group of women took to streets to demand that Taliban allow girls to return to school too. However, their protests were met with extreme violence from the terrorist organisation. Banners were snatched from these women as Taliban militants started physically pushing back women. Taliban claimed the demonstrations "did not coordinate with security authorities regarding their protest". A journalist was also hit on head by a rifle and was strictly blocked from recording any footage or covering the story. WATCH | However, the terrorist group still tried to save their face by claiming that locals are allowed to practice their right to protest but a permission has to be taken from security officials. "They have the right to protest in our country like every other country. But they must inform the security institutes before," said Taliban guard Mawlawi Nasratullah who called himself the head of special forces in Kabul. This is not the first time women have come out to call for equal rights for women in Afghanistan. Since Taliban took over the country on August 16, women in Afghanistan and all over the world have been urging global leaders and organisations to help women claim back their basic human rights and safety of women. Several protests have taken place all over the country and Taliban has tried to shut down by hook or by crook. Taliban, however, still claim that they are following a changed and more open thought process now in which the women will be provided better opportunities. The daily stories from women of Afghanistan, however, narrate a stark difference.

Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study

On August 17, Taliban conducted their first press conference wherein there were two women present during the briefing. WION visited the women-run studio Baano TV which was forced to shut down, watch this bulletin for more.

Women-run studio was forced to shut down in Kabul, WION visits Baano TV Studio | EXCLUSIVE

Last month, the world witnessed depressing images from the Kabul airport. From Afghans hanging onto the US military jets to mothers handing their babies in search for a better life - the Afghan troop pullout was a disaster and the Pentagon leaders were grilled over this, take a look.

Kabul Airport Mishap: Pentagon leaders grilled over US pullout

US Department of Homeland security on Tuesday denied landing rights to a plane carrying more than 100 Americans and US green card holders evacuated from Afghanistan, said organisers of the flight

"They will not allow a charter on an international flight into a U.S. port of entry," Bryan Stern, a founder of non-profit group Project Dynamo, said of the department's Customs and Border Protection agency.

Stern spoke with Reuters on phone from aboard a plane the group chartered from &nbsp;Kam Air, a private Afghan airline. He said he had been sitting for 14 hours at Abu Dhabi airport after the plane arrived from Kabul carrying 117 people. These include 59 children.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-was-advised-to-keep-troops-in-afghanistan-say-top-us-generals-416696">Biden was advised to keep 2500 troops in Afghanistan, say top US generals</a>

Stern's group is one of several that emerged from ad hoc networks of US military veterans, current and former US officials and others that formed to bolster last month's US evacuation operation they saw as chaotic and badly organized.

There was no immediate comment from Homeland department. Reuters quoted an unnamed administration official who said that they were unfamiliar with the matter but that the US government typically takes time to verify the manifests of charter planes before clearing them to land in the United States.

Biden administration has said that repatriating American and green card holders unable to leave Afghanistan was its top priority.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-warns-us-of-consequences-over-drones-in-afghan-airspace-416721">Taliban warn US of 'consequences' over drones in Afghan airspace</a>

Twenty-eight Americans, 83 green card holders and six people with U.S. Special Immigration Visas granted to Afghans who worked for the U.S. government during the 20-year war in Afghanistan were aboard the Kam Air flight, Stern said.

He had planned to transfer the passengers to a chartered Ethiopian Airlines plane for an onward flight to the United States that he said the Customs cleared to land at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-brutally-kill-child-after-suspecting-father-belonged-to-afghan-resistance-forces-416664">Taliban brutally kill child after suspecting father belonged to Afghan resistance forces</a>

Customs then changed the clearance to Dulles International Airport outside Washington before denying the plane landing rights anywhere in the United States, he said.

"I have a big, beautiful, giant, humongous Boeing 787 that I can see parked in front of us," he said. "I have crew. I have food."

Stern said intermediaries in Kabul had obtained permission from the Taliban-run Afghan Civil Aviation Authority for the groups to send a charter flight to retrieve the passengers from Kabul airport.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Department of Homeland security on Tuesday denied landing rights to a plane carrying more than 100 Americans and US green card holders evacuated from Afghanistan, said organisers of the flight "They will not allow a charter on an international flight into a U.

US Department of Homeland security on Tuesday denied landing rights to a plane carrying more than 100 Americans and US green card holders evacuated from Afghanistan, said organisers of the flight "They will not allow a charter on an international flight into a U.S. port of entry," Bryan Stern, a founder of non-profit group Project Dynamo, said of the department's Customs and Border Protection agency. Stern spoke with Reuters on phone from aboard a plane the group chartered from Kam Air, a private Afghan airline. He said he had been sitting for 14 hours at Abu Dhabi airport after the plane arrived from Kabul carrying 117 people. These include 59 children. Also Read | Biden was advised to keep 2500 troops in Afghanistan, say top US generals Stern's group is one of several that emerged from ad hoc networks of US military veterans, current and former US officials and others that formed to bolster last month's US evacuation operation they saw as chaotic and badly organized. There was no immediate comment from Homeland department. Reuters quoted an unnamed administration official who said that they were unfamiliar with the matter but that the US government typically takes time to verify the manifests of charter planes before clearing them to land in the United States. Biden administration has said that repatriating American and green card holders unable to leave Afghanistan was its top priority. Also Read | Taliban warn US of 'consequences' over drones in Afghan airspace Twenty-eight Americans, 83 green card holders and six people with U.S. Special Immigration Visas granted to Afghans who worked for the U.S. government during the 20-year war in Afghanistan were aboard the Kam Air flight, Stern said. He had planned to transfer the passengers to a chartered Ethiopian Airlines plane for an onward flight to the United States that he said the Customs cleared to land at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Also Read | Taliban brutally kill child after suspecting father belonged to Afghan resistance forces Customs then changed the clearance to Dulles International Airport outside Washington before denying the plane landing rights anywhere in the United States, he said. "I have a big, beautiful, giant, humongous Boeing 787 that I can see parked in front of us," he said. "I have crew. I have food." Stern said intermediaries in Kabul had obtained permission from the Taliban-run Afghan Civil Aviation Authority for the groups to send a charter flight to retrieve the passengers from Kabul airport. (With inputs from agencies)

US denies landing permission to flight carrying Americans from Kabul: Activist

Taliban says that Kabul airport is now entirely operational for international flights and are appealing to all airlines to resume services; the group is promising full cooperation.

Taliban: Problems at Kabul airport resolved, international airlines can resume | Afghanistan Crisis

Under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Kabul seems to be getting a whole new look. &nbsp;&nbsp;

At a time when women’s freedoms are being curbed, some fighters from around the country are gathering on a public field in the capital every weekend. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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No, they are not looking to come up with a revolt, but fighting against each other in the pits. This sport seems like a mix of judo and wrestling. &nbsp;

These gatherings have been attracting big partisan crowds. And fans can be seen cheering for their favourites, an AFP report said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/driving-training-centre-for-women-on-verge-of-closure-in-kabul-416176" hreflang="en">Driving training centre for women on verge of closure in Kabul</a>

After disposing of his opponent, Mohammad Atef, a well-built 31-year-old from Samangan province in northern Afghanistan, said "I have been fighting for 17 years." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"It is popular is Samangan, Kunduz, Baghlan -- and there are many famous wrestlers in Sheberghan too," added Atef. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-doesnt-need-to-inform-taliban-over-afghan-counter-terrorism-airstrikes-says-department-of-defense-press-secretary-john-kirby-416166">'US doesn't need to inform Taliban over Afghan counter-terrorism airstrikes'</a>

These fighters battle it out on a dusty field. Referees are also present to make sure an obscure set of rules is followed and winner is declared without any cheating. &nbsp;

The bouts are usually settled quickly. After disposing rival with an acrobatic throw, "Today my competitor was from Kunduz. I used a spiral technique to finally defeat him," said Atef. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Kabul seems to be getting a whole new look. At a time when women’s freedoms are being curbed, some fighters from around the country are gathering on a public field in the capital every weekend.

Under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Kabul seems to be getting a whole new look. At a time when women’s freedoms are being curbed, some fighters from around the country are gathering on a public field in the capital every weekend. Watch: × No, they are not looking to come up with a revolt, but fighting against each other in the pits. This sport seems like a mix of judo and wrestling. These gatherings have been attracting big partisan crowds. And fans can be seen cheering for their favourites, an AFP report said. Also Read: Driving training centre for women on verge of closure in Kabul After disposing of his opponent, Mohammad Atef, a well-built 31-year-old from Samangan province in northern Afghanistan, said "I have been fighting for 17 years." "It is popular is Samangan, Kunduz, Baghlan -- and there are many famous wrestlers in Sheberghan too," added Atef. Also Read: 'US doesn't need to inform Taliban over Afghan counter-terrorism airstrikes' These fighters battle it out on a dusty field. Referees are also present to make sure an obscure set of rules is followed and winner is declared without any cheating. The bouts are usually settled quickly. After disposing rival with an acrobatic throw, "Today my competitor was from Kunduz. I used a spiral technique to finally defeat him," said Atef. (With inputs from agencies)

Under Taliban rule, Afghan fighters test their mettle in Kabul pits  

A driving training centre for women in Kabul seems to be on the verge of closure as it has failed to find any takers for the last month since Taliban took over the country. &nbsp;

Established a year ago, the Afghan female investor Nilab has decided to close it. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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“I face an unclear future," Nilab said, while adding that no woman has visited the centre in the past month even when more than 30 women had expressed interest about learning how to drive. &nbsp;

Mughda, a woman, who had got trained at the centre a few months ago, said, “I aimed to learn to drive to stand on my feet and not depend on anyone.” &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-urge-international-airlines-to-resume-flights-to-afghanistan-416162" hreflang="en">Taliban urge international airlines to resume flights to Afghanistan</a>

Many women in the country are of the view that they want to continue their work and skill-building. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Earlier, in another measure curbing women’s freedom in Afghanistan, the new Taliban government’s higher education minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani had said that women in Afghanistan can continue to study in universities, but classrooms will be gender-segregated and Islamic dress is compulsory. The women will be allowed to study at post-graduate levels too. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-doesnt-need-to-inform-taliban-over-afghan-counter-terrorism-airstrikes-said-department-of-defense-press-secretary-john-kirby-416166">'US doesn't need to inform Taliban over Afghan counter-terrorism airstrikes'</a>

At a news conference, the minister had laid out the policies days after Afghanistan's new rulers formed the government.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A driving training centre for women in Kabul seems to be on the verge of closure as it has failed to find any takers for the last month since Taliban took over the country.

A driving training centre for women in Kabul seems to be on the verge of closure as it has failed to find any takers for the last month since Taliban took over the country. Established a year ago, the Afghan female investor Nilab has decided to close it. Watch: × “I face an unclear future," Nilab said, while adding that no woman has visited the centre in the past month even when more than 30 women had expressed interest about learning how to drive. Mughda, a woman, who had got trained at the centre a few months ago, said, “I aimed to learn to drive to stand on my feet and not depend on anyone.” Also Read: Taliban urge international airlines to resume flights to Afghanistan Many women in the country are of the view that they want to continue their work and skill-building. Earlier, in another measure curbing women’s freedom in Afghanistan, the new Taliban government’s higher education minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani had said that women in Afghanistan can continue to study in universities, but classrooms will be gender-segregated and Islamic dress is compulsory. The women will be allowed to study at post-graduate levels too. Also Read: 'US doesn't need to inform Taliban over Afghan counter-terrorism airstrikes' At a news conference, the minister had laid out the policies days after Afghanistan's new rulers formed the government. (With inputs from agencies)

Driving training centre for women on verge of closure in Kabul

In the latest sign of Taliban gradually veering away from their initial assurance of respecting women's rights, Kabul's acting Mayor Hamdullah Nohmani has been quoted as saying that only those women who were doing jobs males couldn't do were allowed by Taliban to return to work. He mentioned "female public toilets in bazaars" while referring to such jobs &nbsp;

"Initially we allowed all of them to be present at their duties on time, but then the Islamic Emirate decided it was necessary that for some time their work must stop," he said as per CNN, "Then we only allowed those females whom we needed, I mean for jobs which males couldn't do, or which is not a man's job ... For example, there are public female toilets in bazaars."

The mayor has announced an order instructing women to stay home and only those whose jobs can't be done by men to go on duty.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-take-to-streets-in-kabul-vow-to-fight-for-rights-414222">Afghan women take to streets in Kabul, vow to fight for rights</a>

After they captured power in Afghanistan, the Taliban said that they would respect women's rights in accordance with the Sharia. Although they said that women could attend universities, the gradual steps taken in due course of time raised many questions.

Images of male and female university students seperated by a partition in a classroom made news everywhere.

On Friday, the education ministry ordered male secondary school students and teachers to go back to school. No mention was made of girl students. This has raised fears that Taliban may once again take a stand against women's education.

Kabul mayor's words came on the same day when Afghan women <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-take-to-streets-in-kabul-vow-to-fight-for-rights-414222">took to street to demand their rights</a>. Over a dozen women held placards and marched on Kabul street on Sunday (September 19).

In the latest sign of Taliban gradually veering away from their initial assurance of respecting women's rights, Kabul's acting Mayor Hamdullah Nohmani has been quoted as saying that only those women who were doing jobs males couldn't do were allowed by Taliban to return to work.

In the latest sign of Taliban gradually veering away from their initial assurance of respecting women's rights, Kabul's acting Mayor Hamdullah Nohmani has been quoted as saying that only those women who were doing jobs males couldn't do were allowed by Taliban to return to work. He mentioned "female public toilets in bazaars" while referring to such jobs "Initially we allowed all of them to be present at their duties on time, but then the Islamic Emirate decided it was necessary that for some time their work must stop," he said as per CNN, "Then we only allowed those females whom we needed, I mean for jobs which males couldn't do, or which is not a man's job ... For example, there are public female toilets in bazaars." The mayor has announced an order instructing women to stay home and only those whose jobs can't be done by men to go on duty. Also Read | Afghan women take to streets in Kabul, vow to fight for rights After they captured power in Afghanistan, the Taliban said that they would respect women's rights in accordance with the Sharia. Although they said that women could attend universities, the gradual steps taken in due course of time raised many questions. Images of male and female university students seperated by a partition in a classroom made news everywhere. On Friday, the education ministry ordered male secondary school students and teachers to go back to school. No mention was made of girl students. This has raised fears that Taliban may once again take a stand against women's education. Kabul mayor's words came on the same day when Afghan women took to street to demand their rights. Over a dozen women held placards and marched on Kabul street on Sunday (September 19).

Only job for women is cleaning female bathrooms, says Kabul's acting mayor: Report

The Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) has claimed that the suicide bomber, who had attacked Kabul airport last month, was caught in Delhi five years ago. They also revealed that after serving in a prison in India, he was deported to Afghanistan.

ISIS-K: Suicide bomber who attacked Kabul airport was held in Delhi

In defiance to Taliban’s repressive measures, Afghan women take to streets in Kabul to voice their concern. &nbsp;

Holding up messages calling for the participation of women in public life, over a dozen women staged a protest in Kabul on Sunday. They marched from what was once the ministry of women affairs to the city center. &nbsp;

The protest came after several restrictions were imposed on girls and women in the country. &nbsp;

Detailing the latest measures taken by the new rulers, the interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital on Sunday said, “Female employees in the Kabul city government have been told to stay home, with work only allowed for those who cannot be replaced by men.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Earlier, some Afghan women activists under the banner of Movement of Change Party held a press conference. These activists deemed the current ongoing situation in the country as critical and historical. &nbsp;

They said that the nation wants a continuation of previous efforts with the hope to witness peace, justice, security and others. They also said that the change of government and that of a political structure should not undermine the need for people to enjoy their basic rights or face the denial of their rights of social service. &nbsp;

At the press conference, the women demanded the doors of schools and universities should immediately be opened to all girls and female students. They also sought a non-discriminative education system where all are eligible.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unesco-calls-on-afghanistans-new-rulers-to-ensure-girls-schools-reopen-414201" hreflang="en">UNESCO calls on Afghanistan’s new rulers to ensure girls’ schools reopen</a> &nbsp;

They also expected the international community to stand with the Afghan women and that the international community' silence on the matter is worrisome. &nbsp;

Later speaking to WION, Ghazala Koofi, the lead organiser of press conference, stated that they would take to the streets if their due rights are not given. &nbsp;

These women also said that by denying their right to work and participate meaningfully in the social, political and economic sphere the incumbent government is going against Islamic principles. Freedom of religion, individual rights and liberties must be respected, said the women.&nbsp;

In defiance to Taliban’s repressive measures, Afghan women take to streets in Kabul to voice their concern. Holding up messages calling for the participation of women in public life, over a dozen women staged a protest in Kabul on Sunday.

In defiance to Taliban’s repressive measures, Afghan women take to streets in Kabul to voice their concern. Holding up messages calling for the participation of women in public life, over a dozen women staged a protest in Kabul on Sunday. They marched from what was once the ministry of women affairs to the city center. The protest came after several restrictions were imposed on girls and women in the country. Detailing the latest measures taken by the new rulers, the interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital on Sunday said, “Female employees in the Kabul city government have been told to stay home, with work only allowed for those who cannot be replaced by men.” Watch: × Earlier, some Afghan women activists under the banner of Movement of Change Party held a press conference. These activists deemed the current ongoing situation in the country as critical and historical. They said that the nation wants a continuation of previous efforts with the hope to witness peace, justice, security and others. They also said that the change of government and that of a political structure should not undermine the need for people to enjoy their basic rights or face the denial of their rights of social service. At the press conference, the women demanded the doors of schools and universities should immediately be opened to all girls and female students. They also sought a non-discriminative education system where all are eligible. Also Read: UNESCO calls on Afghanistan’s new rulers to ensure girls’ schools reopen They also expected the international community to stand with the Afghan women and that the international community' silence on the matter is worrisome. Later speaking to WION, Ghazala Koofi, the lead organiser of press conference, stated that they would take to the streets if their due rights are not given. These women also said that by denying their right to work and participate meaningfully in the social, political and economic sphere the incumbent government is going against Islamic principles. Freedom of religion, individual rights and liberties must be respected, said the women.

Afghan women take to streets in Kabul, vow to fight for rights

&nbsp;No gunshots have been heard since the Taliban took control of Kabul but the situation is precarious and getting more so with each passing hour, say four Indian teachers in war-ravaged Afghanistan, appealing for immediate evacuation so they can return to their families back home.

All four are teachers at the Bakhtar University in Kabul, which was overrun by the Taliban three days ago.

"We have reached out to every possible forum in India and we are hoping that the government will do something to ensure our immediate evacuation. I have not stepped out of the campus in two days and every time there is a commotion outside, my heart skips a beat," Mohd Aasif Shah told PTI over the phone.

Shah, who is a resident of Kashmir and has been teaching economics at the Kabul-based varsity for four years, said he like his colleagues fear the current atmosphere following the unexpected turn of events.

"I had plans to go back on Monday. I even had my ticket booked but the situation was rapidly changing. It took me hours to get to the airport and the sight at the airport was like the entire Kabul had gathered there. The flight was cancelled and I had no choice, but to return to the university hostel," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/making-taliban-great-again-billboards-with-biden-dressed-as-taliban-militant-pop-up-in-us-413542">'Making Taliban great again': Billboards with Biden dressed as Taliban militant pop up in US</a>

Shah had returned to Afghanistan two months back after the government decided to conducted offline examinations.

"My family used to be here with me in Kabul. We all went back to India after the Covid outbreak, and classes were online. However, the government decided to hold exams offline. So only I came back for two months and I was to return after the exams were over," he said.

Watch

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Syed Abid Hussain from Bihar, who teaches marketing at the university, said so far everybody is safe but considering the situation, "we do not want to live in this uncertainty".

"We have tried to get in touch with the embassy as well as the Ministry of External Affairs. We have not heard from them yet but I am confident that the government must be putting efforts for our safe and quick evacuation from Kabul," he said.

Adil Rasool from Kashmir, whose wife is there with him at the varsity said, "We are just praying that the situation does not get any worse than this and we are able to go home safely."

Right now everybody is inside the campus and waiting for a positive development from the Indian embassy or the government, said Rasool, who has been teaching management at the university since 2017.

Afroz Alam from Jharkhand, who teaches computer science at the university, said so far there has been no bloodshed but the fear remains.

"There has been no bloodshed outside, we have not heard gunshots too in the city but the scare remains whether this is momentary. The campus is huge, we do not have to move outside for necessities too. I am just hoping for safe and quick evacuation from here," he said.

Two days after Kabul fell to the Taliban, India on Tuesday completed the evacuation of all its diplomats and other staff members from the Afghan capital under a "difficult and complicated" exercise, effectively closing its mission for the second time since 1996 when the militant group captured power.

The mission to evacuate close to 200 people including the Indian envoy and other staffers in two military aircraft was accomplished with support from the US, a day after the Kabul airport witnessed unprecedented scenes of desperate residents rushing into it in an attempt to flee the country fearing the Taliban's brutality.

Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon told media persons that the situation in Kabul is complex and "quite fluid" and that the remaining Indians stuck in the city will be brought back home when the commercial flight services resume.

On its part, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that the focus now would be to ensure the safe return of all Indian nationals from the Afghan capital in view of the prevailing situation in the country, adding India's visa services will continue through an e-Emergency visa facility and it has been extended to Afghan nationals.

The Taliban swept across the country this month, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1

No gunshots have been heard since the Taliban took control of Kabul but the situation is precarious and getting more so with each passing hour, say four Indian teachers in war-ravaged Afghanistan, appealing for immediate evacuation so they can return to their families back home.

No gunshots have been heard since the Taliban took control of Kabul but the situation is precarious and getting more so with each passing hour, say four Indian teachers in war-ravaged Afghanistan, appealing for immediate evacuation so they can return to their families back home. All four are teachers at the Bakhtar University in Kabul, which was overrun by the Taliban three days ago. "We have reached out to every possible forum in India and we are hoping that the government will do something to ensure our immediate evacuation. I have not stepped out of the campus in two days and every time there is a commotion outside, my heart skips a beat," Mohd Aasif Shah told PTI over the phone. Shah, who is a resident of Kashmir and has been teaching economics at the Kabul-based varsity for four years, said he like his colleagues fear the current atmosphere following the unexpected turn of events. "I had plans to go back on Monday. I even had my ticket booked but the situation was rapidly changing. It took me hours to get to the airport and the sight at the airport was like the entire Kabul had gathered there. The flight was cancelled and I had no choice, but to return to the university hostel," he said. Also read | 'Making Taliban great again': Billboards with Biden dressed as Taliban militant pop up in US Shah had returned to Afghanistan two months back after the government decided to conducted offline examinations. "My family used to be here with me in Kabul. We all went back to India after the Covid outbreak, and classes were online. However, the government decided to hold exams offline. So only I came back for two months and I was to return after the exams were over," he said. Watch Syed Abid Hussain from Bihar, who teaches marketing at the university, said so far everybody is safe but considering the situation, "we do not want to live in this uncertainty". "We have tried to get in touch with the embassy as well as the Ministry of External Affairs. We have not heard from them yet but I am confident that the government must be putting efforts for our safe and quick evacuation from Kabul," he said. Adil Rasool from Kashmir, whose wife is there with him at the varsity said, "We are just praying that the situation does not get any worse than this and we are able to go home safely." Right now everybody is inside the campus and waiting for a positive development from the Indian embassy or the government, said Rasool, who has been teaching management at the university since 2017. Afroz Alam from Jharkhand, who teaches computer science at the university, said so far there has been no bloodshed but the fear remains. "There has been no bloodshed outside, we have not heard gunshots too in the city but the scare remains whether this is momentary. The campus is huge, we do not have to move outside for necessities too. I am just hoping for safe and quick evacuation from here," he said. Two days after Kabul fell to the Taliban, India on Tuesday completed the evacuation of all its diplomats and other staff members from the Afghan capital under a "difficult and complicated" exercise, effectively closing its mission for the second time since 1996 when the militant group captured power. The mission to evacuate close to 200 people including the Indian envoy and other staffers in two military aircraft was accomplished with support from the US, a day after the Kabul airport witnessed unprecedented scenes of desperate residents rushing into it in an attempt to flee the country fearing the Taliban's brutality. Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon told media persons that the situation in Kabul is complex and "quite fluid" and that the remaining Indians stuck in the city will be brought back home when the commercial flight services resume. On its part, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that the focus now would be to ensure the safe return of all Indian nationals from the Afghan capital in view of the prevailing situation in the country, adding India's visa services will continue through an e-Emergency visa facility and it has been extended to Afghan nationals. The Taliban swept across the country this month, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1

Hope govt will ensure our immediate evacuation: Indian teachers stranded at Kabul varsity

A top US general has admitted that the country made a mistake when it launched a drone strike against suspected ISIS terrorists in Kabul. The strike killed 10 civilians including children.

Top US general admits mistake when launching drone strike against ISIS terrorists

Animals, ice-cream, and guns: Locals enjoy day at Kabul Zoo in shadow of armed Taliban

A few days ago, when the US carried out drone strike in a residential area of Kabul, the officials tried to prove it a success by claiming to have killed Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) militants. But now,&nbsp;the US has admitted to their lie.

US Central Command commander General Kenneth McKenzie has admitted that the US made a "mistake"&nbsp;by launching a drone airstrike in Kabul’s residential area on August 29. He agreed that the strike did not kill ISIS-K militants, but did take lives of 10 civilians.

"The strike was a tragic mistake," McKenzie told reporters after an investigation.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-talks-to-brother-of-aid-worker-killed-in-us-drone-strike-413970">WATCH |</a>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">The drone strike was carried out by the US in Kabul, near the international airport. US officials had claimed that the strike was against ISIS-K militants and had hailed it as a success. They claimed to have successfully killed ISIS-K militants who were readying themselves to launch another suicide attack at the Kabul Airport.</div>

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However, after the strike, WION surveyed the attacked area and interviewed the remaining civilians of the house. The investigative report, which WION was the first to do,&nbsp;hinted at deaths of civilians rather than terrorists.
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-drone-strike-may-have-killed-aid-worker-children-and-not-isis-k-militants-reports-412228">US drone strike may have killed aid worker, children, and not ISIS-K militants: Reports</a>

That strike killed an aid worker, along with his nieces and nephews.

When Zemari Ahmadi pulled his car into the driveway around 4:30 pm (Kabul time) that day, he was accompanied with his son, nieces, nephews and a few other relatives. His 12-year-old son, Farhad, had requested his father to let him park the car. However, when Ahmadi put Farzad in the driver’s seat and switched over to the passenger side, the "American missile" hit the car and a deadly explosion took place, immediately taking lives of 10 people present there.

Soon after, an investigative report by the New York Times indicated the same. The experts from their team concluded that the US may have misjudged Ahmadi and his colleague, loading water canisters in the vehicle, for terrorists.

The US had also claimed that a second attack had taken place immediately after their strike which proved that the vehicle was loaded with explosives. However, an investigation by media houses proved there was no evidence to support claims of a second blast.

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In a conversation with WION, a veteran of Afghanistan <a href="https://twitter.com/LawrenceSellin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LawrenceSellin</a> has said that ''the US military and intelligence has become politicised,'' after the Pentagon issued an apology for killing civilians in the Kabul airstrike 
 
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NYT in its report claimed there was only one dent on a nearby gate and the lack of any blown-out walls or any other sign prove that there was no second blast that day.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby had, then, refuted&nbsp;the investigations and claimed&nbsp;"the strike was based on good intelligence, and we still believe that it prevented an imminent threat to the airport and to our men and women that were still serving at the airport".

However, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has apologised weeks later, and offered condolences for the families of the civilians who were wrongfully killed in the strike.

"I offer my deepest condolences to surviving family members of those who were killed," Austin said in a statement. "We apologise, and we will endeavor to learn from this horrible mistake."

The US government is also trying to arrange ways of paying damages to the families of the civilians killed.

McKenzie claimed a white Toyota car was being targeted by the US officials as the intelligence has identified that model as a vehicle for the ISIS-K militants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/top-us-general-made-a-mistake-when-launching-drone-airstrike-413905">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/top-us-general-made-a-mistake-when-launching-drone-airstrike-413905/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We selected this car based on its movement at a known target area of interest to us," McKenzie said. "Clearly our intelligence was wrong on this particular white Toyota."&nbsp;

He also claimed that no civilians were spotted in the area at the time the strike was authorised.

Austin has, now, also cleared the name of Ahmadi and said that "we now know that there was no connection between Mr Ahmadi and ISIS-Khorasan".

"On behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense, I offer my deepest condolences to surviving family members of those who were killed, including Mr. Ahmadi, and to the staff of Nutrition and Education International, Mr. Ahmadi’s employer," Austin said.

A few days ago, when the US carried out drone strike in a residential area of Kabul, the officials tried to prove it a success by claiming to have killed Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) militants.

A few days ago, when the US carried out drone strike in a residential area of Kabul, the officials tried to prove it a success by claiming to have killed Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) militants. But now, the US has admitted to their lie. US Central Command commander General Kenneth McKenzie has admitted that the US made a "mistake" by launching a drone airstrike in Kabul’s residential area on August 29. He agreed that the strike did not kill ISIS-K militants, but did take lives of 10 civilians. "The strike was a tragic mistake," McKenzie told reporters after an investigation. WATCH | The drone strike was carried out by the US in Kabul, near the international airport. US officials had claimed that the strike was against ISIS-K militants and had hailed it as a success. They claimed to have successfully killed ISIS-K militants who were readying themselves to launch another suicide attack at the Kabul Airport. However, after the strike, WION surveyed the attacked area and interviewed the remaining civilians of the house. The investigative report, which WION was the first to do, hinted at deaths of civilians rather than terrorists. Also read | US drone strike may have killed aid worker, children, and not ISIS-K militants: Reports That strike killed an aid worker, along with his nieces and nephews. When Zemari Ahmadi pulled his car into the driveway around 4:30 pm (Kabul time) that day, he was accompanied with his son, nieces, nephews and a few other relatives. His 12-year-old son, Farhad, had requested his father to let him park the car. However, when Ahmadi put Farzad in the driver’s seat and switched over to the passenger side, the "American missile" hit the car and a deadly explosion took place, immediately taking lives of 10 people present there. Soon after, an investigative report by the New York Times indicated the same. The experts from their team concluded that the US may have misjudged Ahmadi and his colleague, loading water canisters in the vehicle, for terrorists. The US had also claimed that a second attack had taken place immediately after their strike which proved that the vehicle was loaded with explosives. However, an investigation by media houses proved there was no evidence to support claims of a second blast. In a conversation with WION, a veteran of Afghanistan @LawrenceSellin has said that ''the US military and intelligence has become politicised,'' after the Pentagon issued an apology for killing civilians in the Kabul airstrike For more videos, visit: https://t.co/dm7SyBIpO6 pic.twitter.com/W0EIKLN7Yk — WION (@WIONews) September 18, 2021 × NYT in its report claimed there was only one dent on a nearby gate and the lack of any blown-out walls or any other sign prove that there was no second blast that day. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby had, then, refuted the investigations and claimed "the strike was based on good intelligence, and we still believe that it prevented an imminent threat to the airport and to our men and women that were still serving at the airport". However, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has apologised weeks later, and offered condolences for the families of the civilians who were wrongfully killed in the strike. "I offer my deepest condolences to surviving family members of those who were killed," Austin said in a statement. "We apologise, and we will endeavor to learn from this horrible mistake." The US government is also trying to arrange ways of paying damages to the families of the civilians killed. McKenzie claimed a white Toyota car was being targeted by the US officials as the intelligence has identified that model as a vehicle for the ISIS-K militants. WATCH | "We selected this car based on its movement at a known target area of interest to us," McKenzie said. "Clearly our intelligence was wrong on this particular white Toyota." He also claimed that no civilians were spotted in the area at the time the strike was authorised. Austin has, now, also cleared the name of Ahmadi and said that "we now know that there was no connection between Mr Ahmadi and ISIS-Khorasan". "On behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense, I offer my deepest condolences to surviving family members of those who were killed, including Mr. Ahmadi, and to the staff of Nutrition and Education International, Mr. Ahmadi’s employer," Austin said.

'We apologise': US admits Kabul airstrike killed 10 civilians, not ISIS-K militants

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US Secy of State, Antony Blinken  grilled on last US airstrike in Kabul

Reports of violence against Hindu Sikh community in Kabul had emerged recently. A case has been registered with the local authorities.

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