US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday began an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. His visit comes amid US plans to withdraw all American troops from the country before the 20th anniversary this year of September 11 terror attacks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Afghanistan on a surprise visit

The Taliban and Afghanistan's government will attend peace talks in Istanbul from April 24 to May 4 meant to jump-start a peace process and sketch out a possible political settlement, host Turkey said on Tuesday.

Turkey says Taliban, Afghan govt to attend peace talks on April 24 

President Joe Biden announced Wednesday it's "time to end" America's longest war with the unconditional withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan where they have spent two decades in a bloody, largely fruitless battle against the Taliban.

Biden says 'time to end' US war in Afghanistan with total pullout

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that the moment has arrived to bring the foreign troops home, adding that Washington would engage with NATO allies on a "coordinated" pull-out.

'Time to bring our forces home': US on Afghan pullout

The remaining 2,500 US troops in Afghanistan are set to be withdrawn by September 11, 2021 by President Joe Biden. US officials on Tuesday announced the withdrawal is set to take place on the same day on which the US was attacked in 2001 by al Qaeda, triggering America’s longest-running war.

Biden set to complete withdrawal of remaining US troops from Afghanistan before 9/11 anniversary

Istanbul is all set to host the talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. While the date is Friday the 16th of April, no announcement has come so far given anything can happen anytime when it comes to the Afghan peace process.

The lucrative "geo-politics" of hosting Afghan peace talks: What will Doha, Istanbul get?

Afghanistan intelligence agency chief Ahmad Zia Saraj said on Sunday that Taliban attacks have increased by 24 per cent since the signing of the US-Taliban peace deal in February last year.

Taliban attacks increased by 24 per cent since peace deal

Ahead of the meeting in Turkey on the Afghan peace process later this month, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has briefed envoys all Kabul-based ambassadors, including Indian envoy to the country Rudrendra Tandon, on his three-stage peace process.

Ahead of Turkey meet, Afghan President Ghani briefs Indian, other envoys on his peace plan

U.S. diplomats are trying to build on parts of the peace deal made with the Taliban last year, specifically the classified portions that outlined what military actions — on both sides — were supposed to be prohibited under the signed agreement, according to American, Afghan and Taliban officials.

U.S. looks to build on secret portions of Taliban deal to reduce violence

One security force personnel was killed and four more were wounded in an IED explosion that targeted an army vehicle in Qarabagh district in Kabul on Monday morning, police said in a statement.

Security force member killed, 4 injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will put forward a three-phase peace roadmap for Afghanistan during a proposed meeting in Turkey, seeking an agreement with the Taliban and a ceasefire before elections, a document shows.

Afghan President proposes peace roadmap in three phases, says document

The 'Peace Cup' Karate competition in Afghanistan urges the Taliban and the Government to lay down arms and pursue peace. Mariam Wardak brings you the story of these defiant Karate fighters.

South Asia Diary: Afghan Karate tournament for peace

The Taliban’s swagger is unmistakable. From the recent bellicose speech of their deputy leader, boasting of “conquests,” to sneering references to the “foreign masters” of the “illegitimate” Kabul government, to the Taliban’s own website tally of “puppets” killed — Afghan soldiers — they are promoting a bold message: We have already won the war.

The Taliban think they have already won, peace deal or not

At least 10 police personnel including Sangin district police chief Abdul Mohammad Sarwari were killed in a Taliban attack in Lashkargah city on Saturday, Tolo News reported.

10 police personnel killed in Taliban attack in Afghanistan 

WASHINGTON — As President Joe Biden signaled this week that he would let a May 1 deadline pass without withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, some officials are using an intelligence assessment to argue for prolonging the military mission there.

Officials try to sway Biden using intelligence on potential for Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

A few days after US President Joe Biden hinted that all of the US troops might not be withdrawn by the deadline of May 01, the Taliban has issued a warning, threatening retaliation.

Taliban threatens resuming attacks on foreign troops if Biden fails to meet May 01 deadline

The Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who is on a three-day New Delhi visit, has described India's role as "critical" when it comes to the Afghan peace process.

WION Exclusive: Afghan foreign minister says India has a critical role to play in peace process

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will propose a new presidential election within six months, under a peace plan, he will put forward as a counter-offer to a US proposal that he rejects, two senior government officials told Reuters.

Rejecting US peace plan, Afghan president to offer election in six months 

US Secretary of State Lloyd Austin was in Kabul over the weekend. He became the first member of the Biden cabinet to visit war-torn Afghanistan. This was a surprise trip.

US wants Indian involvement in Afghanistan

The US President Joe Biden has warned that the country will not be able to withdraw all of the US troops from Afghanistan by May 01, which was part of a deal with the Taliban.

Biden says US troops withdrawal 'tough' by May 1; Taliban warns of 'consequences'

The Taliban will send a 10-person delegation to an Afghanistan peace meeting hosted by Russia this week, the insurgent group's spokesman said on Monday. The delegation will be led by Mullah Baradar, the Taliban's deputy leader and chief negotiator in US-brokered talks in Qatar, spokesman Mohammad Naeem said in a statement.

Taliban to send delegation to Afghanistan peace meeting hosted by Russia

Senior members of the Taliban will attend talks with the Kabul government in Moscow this week to discuss the future of war-ravaged Afghanistan, the insurgent group said on Monday.

Taliban to attend Afghan peace talks in Moscow

The Pakistani Taliban has threatened women's rights activists who organised demonstrations to mark International Women's Day in the country, accusing them of blasphemy and obscenity.

Pakistani Taliban threaten organisers of Women's Day March

Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, has expressed shock at the decision by the country's education ministry to ban girls aged 12 and above from singing the national anthem or other songs, equating the move with opening gates for the Taliban.

Afghanistan opened gates for Taliban: Mayor hits out at ban on girls' public singing

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