While Washington continues troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, lawmakers in US have demanded answers from the Biden administration on its evacuation plan concerning 18,000 Afghans and&nbsp;their families who had supported the US-led war on terror. 
 
This comes amid reports that Pakistan is supporting the Taliban amass tanks and weapons across the border.

Acting Interior Minister of Afghanistan, Gen&nbsp;Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal, has exposed the Pakistani role. Gen&nbsp;Mirzakwal said, "There is also information that the Taliban take some [military]&nbsp;tanks to Pakistan through Zabul province [in southern Afghanistan]. The National Security Council and the Commander in Chief have ordered permanent patrols to target any tank that is tried to be taken to Pakistan.”

His comments were echoed by other senior officials of the Afghan security establishment who claim to have seen proof of Pakistani involvement. Head of the independent directorate of local governance Shamim Khan Katawazai claimed, "They [Taliban]&nbsp;have taken military equipment owned by security forces across the Durand line. There are evidence and footage about this. Pakistani soldiers have clicked photos with them.”

The alarm raised by Afghan security establishment comes at a time when Afghan forces are engaged in fierce fighting with the Taliban in many parts of the country. The militant group has captured tanks and&nbsp;weapons as it continues to run over districts, bases and&nbsp;government held positions.

Meanwhile former US National Security Adviser John Bolton revealed that&nbsp;over the last two decades, Islamabad has provided a safe haven to Taliban fighters. Bolton, who served as the US National Security Adviser under Trump, also slammed Pakistan for helping the Taliban stage attacks on Afghan and&nbsp;US troops.

Bolton has warned Islamabad against playing with fire, "Parts of the Pakistani government are directly responsible for the Taliban’s return to power. If the Taliban seizes the power in Afghanistan, it will also be a threat to Pakistan as the extremist pressure on the Pakistani government will increase.”

The reports coming out of Afghanistan are alarming. They follow a US intelligence report, which warned that the government in Kabul could fall to the Taliban in six months following the US troop withdrawal.

While the Biden administration has committed to a complete US troop withdrawal by September 11&nbsp;this year, there is no concrete plan yet to evacuate the 18,000 Afghans who have applied for a Special Immigration Visa (SIV). These are drivers, navigators and&nbsp;interpreters who helped American troops in the war on terror. Lawmakers are demanding answers from Biden on how his government plans to evacuate these Afghans and&nbsp;53,000 family members.

Biden last week said Afghans who helped American troops won't be left behind, but US lawmakers are demanding a concrete evacuation plan. Some have even suggested Guam as a possible destination for these Afghans.

The process of evacuation of 70,000+ people will take time, but with only 75 days left to the September 11 deadline, time is a luxury these Afghans don't have.

Senator Angus King warned, "The Taliban has made no secret of the fact that they [Afghans who helped US troops]&nbsp;are in grave danger. They have already started killing them. If we leave without providing for the safety of those people, providing them a way to maintain their lives, it will be a stain on this country that will exist for generations."

Chris Purdy from Veterans for American Ideals at Human Rights first asked&nbsp;Biden, "Why did you wait so long? Why wasn't this part of the plan for the withdrawal? That's just a question that weighs on a lot of us in this community. We’ve been saying this for the last four months."

While Washington continues troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, lawmakers in US have demanded answers from the Biden administration on its evacuation plan concerning 18,000 Afghans and their families who had supported the US-led war on terror.

While Washington continues troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, lawmakers in US have demanded answers from the Biden administration on its evacuation plan concerning 18,000 Afghans and their families who had supported the US-led war on terror. This comes amid reports that Pakistan is supporting the Taliban amass tanks and weapons across the border. Acting Interior Minister of Afghanistan, Gen Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal, has exposed the Pakistani role. Gen Mirzakwal said, "There is also information that the Taliban take some [military] tanks to Pakistan through Zabul province [in southern Afghanistan]. The National Security Council and the Commander in Chief have ordered permanent patrols to target any tank that is tried to be taken to Pakistan.” His comments were echoed by other senior officials of the Afghan security establishment who claim to have seen proof of Pakistani involvement. Head of the independent directorate of local governance Shamim Khan Katawazai claimed, "They [Taliban] have taken military equipment owned by security forces across the Durand line. There are evidence and footage about this. Pakistani soldiers have clicked photos with them.” The alarm raised by Afghan security establishment comes at a time when Afghan forces are engaged in fierce fighting with the Taliban in many parts of the country. The militant group has captured tanks and weapons as it continues to run over districts, bases and government held positions. Meanwhile former US National Security Adviser John Bolton revealed that over the last two decades, Islamabad has provided a safe haven to Taliban fighters. Bolton, who served as the US National Security Adviser under Trump, also slammed Pakistan for helping the Taliban stage attacks on Afghan and US troops. Bolton has warned Islamabad against playing with fire, "Parts of the Pakistani government are directly responsible for the Taliban’s return to power. If the Taliban seizes the power in Afghanistan, it will also be a threat to Pakistan as the extremist pressure on the Pakistani government will increase.” The reports coming out of Afghanistan are alarming. They follow a US intelligence report, which warned that the government in Kabul could fall to the Taliban in six months following the US troop withdrawal. While the Biden administration has committed to a complete US troop withdrawal by September 11 this year, there is no concrete plan yet to evacuate the 18,000 Afghans who have applied for a Special Immigration Visa (SIV). These are drivers, navigators and interpreters who helped American troops in the war on terror. Lawmakers are demanding answers from Biden on how his government plans to evacuate these Afghans and 53,000 family members. Biden last week said Afghans who helped American troops won't be left behind, but US lawmakers are demanding a concrete evacuation plan. Some have even suggested Guam as a possible destination for these Afghans. The process of evacuation of 70,000+ people will take time, but with only 75 days left to the September 11 deadline, time is a luxury these Afghans don't have. Senator Angus King warned, "The Taliban has made no secret of the fact that they [Afghans who helped US troops] are in grave danger. They have already started killing them. If we leave without providing for the safety of those people, providing them a way to maintain their lives, it will be a stain on this country that will exist for generations." Chris Purdy from Veterans for American Ideals at Human Rights first asked Biden, "Why did you wait so long? Why wasn't this part of the plan for the withdrawal? That's just a question that weighs on a lot of us in this community. We’ve been saying this for the last four months."

Pakistan is helping Taliban gather tanks across border, claims Afghan interior minister

Afghan commando forces released 13 civilians and one policeman from a Taliban prison in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the Afghan defense ministry said on Thursday.

"13 #civilians and a police officer were released from #Taliban prison as a result of commando forces` operations in Washir district of #Helmand province last night. Also, several Taliban`s vehicles were seized during the operation," the ministry wrote on its Twitter account.

The ministry added that the Afghan national army (ANA) killed seven Taliban militants who planned to blow up a car bomb among civilians in the northern province of Faryab.

"ANA prevented a car bomb attack in Qaisar district of #Faryab province yesterday. 7 #suicide attackers who were in the car loaded with explosives were killed as a result of the #ANA attack before they could reach their target. TB [the Taliban] had planned to blow up the car among civilians," the ministry said.

Afghanistan is still plagued by long-lasting violence that claims the lives of Afghan civilians and security personnel, despite the ongoing intra-Afghan peace negotiations that began in the Qatari capital of Doha on September 12.

In early December, Kabul and the Taliban took a three-week break in their talks for consultations on a negotiation framework. The sides resumed negotiations on January 6 in Qatar`s capital Doha. However, the resumption of talks has so far failed to improve the security situation in Afghanistan.

Afghan commando forces released 13 civilians and one policeman from a Taliban prison in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the Afghan defense ministry said on Thursday.

Afghan commando forces released 13 civilians and one policeman from a Taliban prison in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the Afghan defense ministry said on Thursday. "13 #civilians and a police officer were released from #Taliban prison as a result of commando forces` operations in Washir district of #Helmand province last night. Also, several Taliban`s vehicles were seized during the operation," the ministry wrote on its Twitter account. The ministry added that the Afghan national army (ANA) killed seven Taliban militants who planned to blow up a car bomb among civilians in the northern province of Faryab. "ANA prevented a car bomb attack in Qaisar district of #Faryab province yesterday. 7 #suicide attackers who were in the car loaded with explosives were killed as a result of the #ANA attack before they could reach their target. TB [the Taliban] had planned to blow up the car among civilians," the ministry said. Afghanistan is still plagued by long-lasting violence that claims the lives of Afghan civilians and security personnel, despite the ongoing intra-Afghan peace negotiations that began in the Qatari capital of Doha on September 12. In early December, Kabul and the Taliban took a three-week break in their talks for consultations on a negotiation framework. The sides resumed negotiations on January 6 in Qatar`s capital Doha. However, the resumption of talks has so far failed to improve the security situation in Afghanistan.

Afghan military releases 13 civilians, policeman from Taliban prison

Afghanistan government is refusing to release Taliban prisoners, and western powers are supporting this decision of the Afghanistan government, citing security issues.

Afghanistan government has decided to not allow the release of hundreds of Taliban prisoners, who are responsible for some of the most violent attacks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-have-met-our-part-of-commitment-with-taliban-top-us-commander-307023">Also read|&nbsp;We have met our part of commitment with Taliban: Top US commander</a>

This demand from Taliban is one of the major and last demands from Taliban in resolving the intra-Afghan peace negotiations&nbsp;in Qatar aimed at ending more than 18 years of war in a US-brokered peace process.

"The contentious part right now is the prisoners issue," a senior government source told a media house. Two European diplomats, an Asian diplomat and another Afghan official confirmed his account.

"There are some dangerous Taliban fighters named in the list, and releasing them is literally crossing a red line," said a senior European diplomat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/afghan-government-taliban-agree-to-doha-as-venue-for-first-peace-talks-306103">Also read|&nbsp;Afghan government, Taliban agree to Doha as venue for first peace talks</a>

"Some NATO members find it extremely uncomfortable to support the release of Taliban prisoners who were behind large-scale suicide attacks on minority groups and on expats."

The Taliban started a withdrawal&nbsp;agreement with the help of the US. However, the talks were delayed as the Taliban group asked 5,000 prisoners to be released, which the Afghanistan government denied.

Sources have revealed that even the US government raised concerns over some of the names in the list of the 5,000 prisoners to be released, as some of them are responsible for violent attacks.&nbsp;NATO and the Afghan government have objected in&nbsp;setting these prisoners free.

The sources said that if all prisoners walked free, including those accused of killing many civilians in some of Afghanistan's bloodiest attacks, it would give the impression the insurgent group had the upper hand over the government while negotiations got under way.

Taliban, however, has declined that the group has asked for release of high-profile prisoners. "There are no such people ... these are just excuses to create barriers against the peace process," said&nbsp;Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Afghanistan has released over 3,000&nbsp; prisoners already, and is ready to release all other prisoners, excusing few hundreds. Taliban, too, has released some prisoners.

Afghanistan government is refusing to release Taliban prisoners, and western powers are supporting this decision of the Afghanistan government, citing security issues.

Afghanistan government is refusing to release Taliban prisoners, and western powers are supporting this decision of the Afghanistan government, citing security issues. Afghanistan government has decided to not allow the release of hundreds of Taliban prisoners, who are responsible for some of the most violent attacks. Also read| We have met our part of commitment with Taliban: Top US commander This demand from Taliban is one of the major and last demands from Taliban in resolving the intra-Afghan peace negotiations in Qatar aimed at ending more than 18 years of war in a US-brokered peace process. "The contentious part right now is the prisoners issue," a senior government source told a media house. Two European diplomats, an Asian diplomat and another Afghan official confirmed his account. "There are some dangerous Taliban fighters named in the list, and releasing them is literally crossing a red line," said a senior European diplomat. Also read| Afghan government, Taliban agree to Doha as venue for first peace talks "Some NATO members find it extremely uncomfortable to support the release of Taliban prisoners who were behind large-scale suicide attacks on minority groups and on expats." The Taliban started a withdrawal agreement with the help of the US. However, the talks were delayed as the Taliban group asked 5,000 prisoners to be released, which the Afghanistan government denied. Sources have revealed that even the US government raised concerns over some of the names in the list of the 5,000 prisoners to be released, as some of them are responsible for violent attacks. NATO and the Afghan government have objected in setting these prisoners free. The sources said that if all prisoners walked free, including those accused of killing many civilians in some of Afghanistan's bloodiest attacks, it would give the impression the insurgent group had the upper hand over the government while negotiations got under way. Taliban, however, has declined that the group has asked for release of high-profile prisoners. "There are no such people ... these are just excuses to create barriers against the peace process," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Afghanistan has released over 3,000 prisoners already, and is ready to release all other prisoners, excusing few hundreds. Taliban, too, has released some prisoners.

Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners

At least 83 people were freed from a Taliban prison in Qaisar district in Faryab province on Wednesday night, said Afghan force.

The operation was conducted by Afghan special force, said the Shaheen Corps spokesperson Mohammad Hanif Rezaee.

Taliban militants guarding the facility had fled before the troops arrived.&nbsp;

The civilians were shifted to an army camp for the identification process before being provided accommodation. They would be joining their families soon.

Taliban insurgents frequently detain civilians from across villages and highways on charges of spying for the government security forces.

Taliban has not commented on it yet.

At least 83 people were freed from a Taliban prison in Qaisar district in Faryab province on Wednesday night, said Afghan force. The operation was conducted by Afghan special force, said the Shaheen Corps spokesperson Mohammad Hanif Rezaee.

At least 83 people were freed from a Taliban prison in Qaisar district in Faryab province on Wednesday night, said Afghan force. The operation was conducted by Afghan special force, said the Shaheen Corps spokesperson Mohammad Hanif Rezaee. Taliban militants guarding the facility had fled before the troops arrived. The civilians were shifted to an army camp for the identification process before being provided accommodation. They would be joining their families soon. Taliban insurgents frequently detain civilians from across villages and highways on charges of spying for the government security forces. Taliban has not commented on it yet.

Afghanistan: 83 civilians rescued from Taliban prison

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Pakistan is helping Taliban gather tanks across border, claims Afghan interior minister

Afghan military releases 13 civilians, policeman from Taliban prison

Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners

Afghanistan: 83 civilians rescued from Taliban prison