In a first, more than 1,000 Taliban militants rallied in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul for a show of strength. Taliban officials and commanders led a huge rally of men and young boys who have pledged their lives to Taliban and their principles.

Nearly 1,000 Taliban militants rally in Kabul to show power and unity

Plans for the Afghan government to begin releasing Taliban prisoners were stalled on Saturday over disagreements on the number of detainees to be released and guarantees that they will not return to fighting, a government security spokesman said.

Release of Taliban prisoners stalls over guarantees

As many as 11 Taliban terrorists were killed and nine others were wounded after they clashed with the Afghan defence forces in the northern Jawzjan province of the country.

11 Taliban terrorists killed, 9 wounded in Afghanistan's Jawzjan province

Sources said that heavy clashes are ongoing between security forces and Taliban militants on the outskirts of Kunduz city since midnight.

Taliban Attacks Kunduz City, 7 people killed in clashes

An attack by the Taliban in Farah's Gulistan district claimed the lives of at least 20 army soldiers on Monday, according to a member of the Farah Provincial Council.

Afghanistan: At least 20 soldiers dead in attack by Taliban

Indonesia tsunami: Death toll climbs to 222, over 800 injured The death toll from a volcano-triggered tsunami in Indonesia has climbed to 222 with over 800 people injured, news agency AFP reported.

News brief: Big stories of the day

A week of fighting between Taliban militants and fighters loyal to a commander from the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority has heightened fears of a dangerous new phase of sectarian violence in Afghanistan.

Afghan Shi'ite militia battles Taliban, raising sectarian fears

A local commander of the Taliban group identified as Abdullah alias Mazlumyar was among those killed

4 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan

The tension comes ahead of a scheduled visit to Kabul on Friday by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, when he and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani are expected to discuss cooperation in stopping militant attacks

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of air strikes ahead of leaders' talks

Afghanistan`s defence ministry said the militants were killed by Afghan air forces and ground operations

Afghanistan: 26 militants killed in last 24 hours

According to the Police Chief General Abdul Raziq, the militants were making IEDs when they came under the air raid

US airstrike kills 13 Taliban militants in Afghanistan

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility for the attack

Taliban kills 4 paramilitary soldiers in Pakistan's Balochistan

Ties between the United States and Pakistan are brittle after Washington announced plans this month to suspend up to roughly $2 billion in U.S. security assistance

Afghan spy chief visits Pakistan in wake of Kabul attacks

The attackers targeted a security forces' vehicle on Sariab Road area in the provincial capital Quetta, said police officials

Pakistan: 4 killed, 15 injured in bomb attack in Quetta

The incident took place in Helmand province on Friday as Afghan security forces attempted to clear a village of Taliban militants

16 Afghan policemen killed in US strike