As the world powers including Russia, Iran are holding talks with Taliban leaders to seek a way out of the Afghan conflict, the United States has outlined a plan to carry out confidence-building measures to persuade the rebels to join the peace process.

According to&nbsp;sources, the US has assured the Taliban a safety network including job opportunities for the insurgents after they pull out from the war-torn country.

Under the plan, the US wants the Taliban to opt for a ceasefire in return for the release of their captive leaders.&nbsp;

The US also assured to delist some Taliban leaders as part of their confidence-building measures. It will also unfreeze their accounts and remove travel restrictions.

The report also said that the US has requested Pakistan to get Taliban on the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in his second trip to Pakistan thanked Pakistan's leadership for playing their role in the Afghan peace talks.

After the US request, Taliban chief reportedly has done major changes in their team which negotiated with Washington and other stakeholders in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier this month, Taliban held talks with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in the United Arab Emirates. The talks were aimed at renewing the Afghan peace process and eventually winding down America's longest war which began in 2001 with US invasion.

The Taliban controls vast amounts of Afghanistan's territory and are causing significant Afghan troop casualties. 
&nbsp;

Under the plan, the US wants the Taliban to opt for a ceasefire in return for the release of their captive leaders.

As the world powers including Russia, Iran are holding talks with Taliban leaders to seek a way out of the Afghan conflict, the United States has outlined a plan to carry out confidence-building measures to persuade the rebels to join the peace process. According to sources, the US has assured the Taliban a safety network including job opportunities for the insurgents after they pull out from the war-torn country. Under the plan, the US wants the Taliban to opt for a ceasefire in return for the release of their captive leaders. The US also assured to delist some Taliban leaders as part of their confidence-building measures. It will also unfreeze their accounts and remove travel restrictions. The report also said that the US has requested Pakistan to get Taliban on the negotiating table. Meanwhile, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in his second trip to Pakistan thanked Pakistan's leadership for playing their role in the Afghan peace talks. After the US request, Taliban chief reportedly has done major changes in their team which negotiated with Washington and other stakeholders in Abu Dhabi. Earlier this month, Taliban held talks with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in the United Arab Emirates. The talks were aimed at renewing the Afghan peace process and eventually winding down America's longest war which began in 2001 with US invasion. The Taliban controls vast amounts of Afghanistan's territory and are causing significant Afghan troop casualties.

US offers to release Afghan Taliban captives, jobs in return of ceasefire

Iran has been holding talks with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/8-taliban-militants-killed-in-afghanistan-185979">Afghanistan's Taliban</a> with the knowledge of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/death-toll-in-kabul-attack-rises-to-43-health-ministry-186264">the Afghan government</a>, a senior Iranian security official was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as saying on Wednesday during a visit to Kabul.

The news came days after reports last week of talks between US and Taliban officials over proposals for a ceasefire in Afghanistan and a future withdrawal of foreign troops ahead of possible peace negotiations.

Talks between Iran and the Taliban were held "to help curb the security problems in Afghanistan," Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was quoted by IRNA as saying.

"All contacts and talks with the Taliban group have been with the knowledge of Afghanistan's government and this process will continue," he said. He gave no further details.

Majority-Shi'ite Iran has long had close ties to Shi'ites in neighbouring Afghanistan whose militias have fought the Taliban's Sunni militants.

But in recent months Afghan officials have accused Tehran, which the United States says is trying to extend its influence in western Afghanistan, of providing the Taliban with money, weapons and explosives. Iran denies that.

Earlier this month, Afghan forces abandoned a remote western district bordering Iran, leaving the area to the Taliban after the government failed to resupply troops stationed there.

In November, the United States displayed pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to militants in Yemen and Afghanistan, a move by Washington to pressure Tehran to curb its regional activities. Iran denies supplying arms to the militants.

In October, the United States accused Iran of providing military training, financing and weapons to the Taliban and targeted sanctions against eight individuals, including two linked to the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Tehran denies the accusations. 
&nbsp;

Iran has been holding talks with Afghanistan's Taliban with the knowledge of the Afghan government, a senior Iranian security official was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as saying on Wednesday during a visit to Kabul.

Iran has been holding talks with Afghanistan's Taliban with the knowledge of the Afghan government, a senior Iranian security official was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as saying on Wednesday during a visit to Kabul. The news came days after reports last week of talks between US and Taliban officials over proposals for a ceasefire in Afghanistan and a future withdrawal of foreign troops ahead of possible peace negotiations. Talks between Iran and the Taliban were held "to help curb the security problems in Afghanistan," Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was quoted by IRNA as saying. "All contacts and talks with the Taliban group have been with the knowledge of Afghanistan's government and this process will continue," he said. He gave no further details. Majority-Shi'ite Iran has long had close ties to Shi'ites in neighbouring Afghanistan whose militias have fought the Taliban's Sunni militants. But in recent months Afghan officials have accused Tehran, which the United States says is trying to extend its influence in western Afghanistan, of providing the Taliban with money, weapons and explosives. Iran denies that. Earlier this month, Afghan forces abandoned a remote western district bordering Iran, leaving the area to the Taliban after the government failed to resupply troops stationed there. In November, the United States displayed pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to militants in Yemen and Afghanistan, a move by Washington to pressure Tehran to curb its regional activities. Iran denies supplying arms to the militants. In October, the United States accused Iran of providing military training, financing and weapons to the Taliban and targeted sanctions against eight individuals, including two linked to the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Tehran denies the accusations.

Iran in talks with Afghan Taliban: Report

Gunmen entered a Kabul government&nbsp;compound in Afghanistan after detonating a car bomb, officials said.

The attack occurred outside Afghanistan's ministry of public works.&nbsp;Afghan security forces have killed two of the attackers and freed 200 employees trapped inside one of the buildings occupied by the gunmen, the government said.&nbsp;

Afghanistan's ministry of labour said a number of gunmen had entered the compound.

"There are still some hostages with the enemy and a clearance operation is ongoing," Interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

It is still not known who is responsible for the latest attack.

At least four people have been wounded, health ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said.

Today's attack was the biggest in Kabul since November 28 when the Taliban detonated a car bomb outside the compound of British security firm G4S, killing at least 10 people. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Gunmen entered a Kabul government compound in Afghanistan after detonating a car bomb, officials said. The attack occurred outside Afghanistan's ministry of public works.

Gunmen entered a Kabul government compound in Afghanistan after detonating a car bomb, officials said. The attack occurred outside Afghanistan's ministry of public works. Afghan security forces have killed two of the attackers and freed 200 employees trapped inside one of the buildings occupied by the gunmen, the government said. Afghanistan's ministry of labour said a number of gunmen had entered the compound. "There are still some hostages with the enemy and a clearance operation is ongoing," Interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. It is still not known who is responsible for the latest attack. At least four people have been wounded, health ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said. Today's attack was the biggest in Kabul since November 28 when the Taliban detonated a car bomb outside the compound of British security firm G4S, killing at least 10 people.

Afghanistan: Car bomb attack in Kabul; 2 gunmen killed

As many as eight <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-doubts-afghan-talibans-desire-for-peace-185562">Taliban </a>militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Herat province in western <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-ceasefire-push-in-focus-in-us-taliban-talks-185000">Afghanistan</a>, officials said on Sunday.

Ziarat Shah Abed, a top commander in Herat, was quoted by TOLOnews as saying that the skirmish occurred in Shayan village of Obe district in Herat when the Taliban launched an attack at an army check-post.

Abed added that eight terrorists were killed and 15 others were injured in the clash. He confirmed that there were no casualties among the armed forces and civilians.

The Afghan security forces conduct regular operations in various parts of the war-torn country in an effort to dispel the militants from the affected areas.

As many as eight Taliban militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Herat province in western Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday. Ziarat Shah Abed, a top commander in Herat, was quoted by TOLOnews as saying that the skirmish occurred in Shayan village of Obe district in Herat when the Taliban launched an attack at an army check-post.

As many as eight Taliban militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Herat province in western Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday. Ziarat Shah Abed, a top commander in Herat, was quoted by TOLOnews as saying that the skirmish occurred in Shayan village of Obe district in Herat when the Taliban launched an attack at an army check-post. Abed added that eight terrorists were killed and 15 others were injured in the clash. He confirmed that there were no casualties among the armed forces and civilians. The Afghan security forces conduct regular operations in various parts of the war-torn country in an effort to dispel the militants from the affected areas.

Eight Taliban terrorists killed in clash with security forces in Afghanistan

President Donald Trump has decided to pull a significant number of troops from Afghanistan, a US official told AFP on Thursday, a day after he announced a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-islamic-state-defeated-us-will-pull-all-forces-out-of-syira-185369">withdrawal from Syria</a>.

"That decision has been made. There will be a significant withdrawal," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Currently, the United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan working either with a NATO mission to support Afghan forces or in separate counter-terrorism operations.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-right-for-me-to-step-down-us-defense-secretary-jim-mattis-quits-185565">It is right for me to step down, says US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis&nbsp;</a>

Trump made his decision Tuesday, the same time he told the Pentagon he wanted to pull all US forces out of Syria.&nbsp;

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis quit earlier Thursday, saying his views were no longer reconcilable with Trump's.

The president's twin foreign policy decisions on Syria and Afghanistan are nothing less than epic, and could begin to unspool a series of cascading and unpredictable events across the Middle East and in Afghanistan.

Mattis and other top military advisors last year persuaded Trump to commit thousands of new troops to Afghanistan, where the Taliban were slaughtering local forces in the thousands and making major gains.

Trump at the time said his instinct was to get out of Afghanistan.

The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 7,000 troops would be returning from Afghanistan.

The pullout comes as the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-doubts-afghan-talibans-desire-for-peace-185562">US pushes for a peace deal with the Taliban</a>.

President Donald Trump has decided to pull a significant number of troops from Afghanistan, a US official told AFP on Thursday, a day after he announced a withdrawal from Syria.

President Donald Trump has decided to pull a significant number of troops from Afghanistan, a US official told AFP on Thursday, a day after he announced a withdrawal from Syria. "That decision has been made. There will be a significant withdrawal," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Currently, the United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan working either with a NATO mission to support Afghan forces or in separate counter-terrorism operations. Also read: It is right for me to step down, says US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Trump made his decision Tuesday, the same time he told the Pentagon he wanted to pull all US forces out of Syria. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis quit earlier Thursday, saying his views were no longer reconcilable with Trump's. The president's twin foreign policy decisions on Syria and Afghanistan are nothing less than epic, and could begin to unspool a series of cascading and unpredictable events across the Middle East and in Afghanistan. Mattis and other top military advisors last year persuaded Trump to commit thousands of new troops to Afghanistan, where the Taliban were slaughtering local forces in the thousands and making major gains. Trump at the time said his instinct was to get out of Afghanistan. The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 7,000 troops would be returning from Afghanistan. The pullout comes as the US pushes for a peace deal with the Taliban.

Trump to cut troops in Afghanistan: US official

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad raised doubts Thursday about the Taliban's desire to end the 17-year war, after the militants refused to meet with a Kabul-backed negotiating team.

While he was certain the Afghan government wanted to stop the conflict, Khalilzad told Ariana News that he questioned whether the Taliban were "genuinely seeking peace".

"We have to wait and see their forthcoming steps," Khalilzad said according to a translation of the interview provided by the US embassy in Kabul.

Khalilzad's remarks to Afghan media following his latest face-to-face meeting with the Taliban echoed those expressed privately by some Western diplomats in the capital.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan also attended the talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, which the United Arab Emirates hailed as "positive for all parties concerned".

But the Taliban would not meet with a 12-person Afghan delegation, Khalilzad said, describing the decision as "wrong".

"If the Taliban are really seeking peace, they have to sit with the Afghan government ultimately to reach an agreement on the future political settlement in Afghanistan," the former US ambassador to Kabul said.

The Taliban have long refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which the group accuses of being a puppet of the United States.

In a message released Tuesday the militants said they had held "preliminary talks" with Khalilzad on Monday.

They also said they had held "extensive" meetings with officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, repeating demands for international forces to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

Those three countries were the only ones to recognise the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime.

The meetings are the latest in a flurry of diplomatic efforts as Washington seeks a way out of the Afghan conflict, which began with the 2001 US-led invasion of the country that had harboured Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.

While US President Donald Trump wanted to end the war, Khalilzad told Tolo News that Washington's "main objective" was to ensure Afghanistan did not pose a threat to the United States in the future.

While ruling out a "pre-9/11 situation" in Afghanistan, Khalilzad said he had told the Taliban that "if the menace of terrorism is tackled, the United States is not looking for a permanent military presence" in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Khalilzad repeated his desire for a peace deal before the Afghan presidential election scheduled to be held in April, but added it was up to the "government and the Taliban".&nbsp;

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad raised doubts Thursday about the Taliban's desire to end the 17-year war, after the militants refused to meet with a Kabul-backed negotiating team.

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad raised doubts Thursday about the Taliban's desire to end the 17-year war, after the militants refused to meet with a Kabul-backed negotiating team. While he was certain the Afghan government wanted to stop the conflict, Khalilzad told Ariana News that he questioned whether the Taliban were "genuinely seeking peace". "We have to wait and see their forthcoming steps," Khalilzad said according to a translation of the interview provided by the US embassy in Kabul. Khalilzad's remarks to Afghan media following his latest face-to-face meeting with the Taliban echoed those expressed privately by some Western diplomats in the capital. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan also attended the talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, which the United Arab Emirates hailed as "positive for all parties concerned". But the Taliban would not meet with a 12-person Afghan delegation, Khalilzad said, describing the decision as "wrong". "If the Taliban are really seeking peace, they have to sit with the Afghan government ultimately to reach an agreement on the future political settlement in Afghanistan," the former US ambassador to Kabul said. The Taliban have long refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which the group accuses of being a puppet of the United States. In a message released Tuesday the militants said they had held "preliminary talks" with Khalilzad on Monday. They also said they had held "extensive" meetings with officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, repeating demands for international forces to be withdrawn from Afghanistan. Those three countries were the only ones to recognise the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime. The meetings are the latest in a flurry of diplomatic efforts as Washington seeks a way out of the Afghan conflict, which began with the 2001 US-led invasion of the country that had harboured Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. While US President Donald Trump wanted to end the war, Khalilzad told Tolo News that Washington's "main objective" was to ensure Afghanistan did not pose a threat to the United States in the future. While ruling out a "pre-9/11 situation" in Afghanistan, Khalilzad said he had told the Taliban that "if the menace of terrorism is tackled, the United States is not looking for a permanent military presence" in the country. Khalilzad repeated his desire for a peace deal before the Afghan presidential election scheduled to be held in April, but added it was up to the "government and the Taliban".

US envoy doubts Afghan Taliban's desire for peace

The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday that reconciliation talks it hosted between the United States and Taliban officials from Afghanistan produced tangible and positive results.

The two days of meetings aimed at ending Afghanistan's 17-year conflict were held in Abu Dhabi, with the attendance of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.The "US-Taliban reconciliation talks" produced "tangible results that are positive for all parties concerned", state-run WAM news agency said.

A new round of talks would be held in Abu Dhabi "to complete the Afghanistan reconciliation process," WAM said without providing further details.

The meetings are the latest in a flurry of diplomatic efforts as Washington seeks a way out of the Afghan conflict, which began with the US invasion in 2001.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said he had "productive" meetings in the UAE with Afghan and international partners "to promote intra-Afghan dialogue towards ending the conflict".

Khalilzad tweeted that he met with Pakistani officials on Wednesday to brief them, before plans to travel onwards to meet Afghan leaders in Kabul.

An Afghan negotiating team travelled to Abu Dhabi for "proximity dialogue" with the Taliban in preparation for face-to-face meetings, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri said Tuesday.

The Taliban has not confirmed meeting Afghan officials, saying Tuesday they had held "preliminary talks" with the US envoy.

They also said they had held "extensive" meetings with officials from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and the UAE, repeating demands for international forces to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

Those three countries were the only ones to recognise the Taliban government during its five-year rule from 1996.&nbsp;

The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday that reconciliation talks it hosted between the United States and Taliban officials from Afghanistan produced tangible and positive results.

The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday that reconciliation talks it hosted between the United States and Taliban officials from Afghanistan produced tangible and positive results. The two days of meetings aimed at ending Afghanistan's 17-year conflict were held in Abu Dhabi, with the attendance of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.The "US-Taliban reconciliation talks" produced "tangible results that are positive for all parties concerned", state-run WAM news agency said. A new round of talks would be held in Abu Dhabi "to complete the Afghanistan reconciliation process," WAM said without providing further details. The meetings are the latest in a flurry of diplomatic efforts as Washington seeks a way out of the Afghan conflict, which began with the US invasion in 2001. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said he had "productive" meetings in the UAE with Afghan and international partners "to promote intra-Afghan dialogue towards ending the conflict". Khalilzad tweeted that he met with Pakistani officials on Wednesday to brief them, before plans to travel onwards to meet Afghan leaders in Kabul. An Afghan negotiating team travelled to Abu Dhabi for "proximity dialogue" with the Taliban in preparation for face-to-face meetings, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri said Tuesday. The Taliban has not confirmed meeting Afghan officials, saying Tuesday they had held "preliminary talks" with the US envoy. They also said they had held "extensive" meetings with officials from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and the UAE, repeating demands for international forces to be withdrawn from Afghanistan. Those three countries were the only ones to recognise the Taliban government during its five-year rule from 1996.

UAE says 'positive' results from US-Taliban talks

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that Pakistan will do everything within its power to further the peace process in Afghanistan as talks sponsored by the country between the US and the Taliban were being held in the UAE to end the 17-year bloody conflict.

The US and the Taliban have previously met on at least two occasions in Qatar but it is the first time that they are holding talks outside Doha, where the insurgent group has a political office, according to officials.

Khan highlighted the role being played by Pakistan in holding the talks between the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-ceasefire-push-in-focus-in-us-taliban-talks-185000">US and the Taliban </a>in Abu Dhabi.

He expressed his desire for peace to end the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between the Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people," Khan said on Twitter

Khan also said, "Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process".

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan were the only three nations to recognise the Taliban government during its five-year rule from 1996-2001.

The Taliban are fighting to flush out international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that Pakistan will do everything within its power to further the peace process in Afghanistan as talks sponsored by the country between the US and the Taliban were being held in the UAE to end the 17-year bloody conflict.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that Pakistan will do everything within its power to further the peace process in Afghanistan as talks sponsored by the country between the US and the Taliban were being held in the UAE to end the 17-year bloody conflict. The US and the Taliban have previously met on at least two occasions in Qatar but it is the first time that they are holding talks outside Doha, where the insurgent group has a political office, according to officials. Khan highlighted the role being played by Pakistan in holding the talks between the US and the Taliban in Abu Dhabi. He expressed his desire for peace to end the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan. "Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between the Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people," Khan said on Twitter Khan also said, "Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process". Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan were the only three nations to recognise the Taliban government during its five-year rule from 1996-2001. The Taliban are fighting to flush out international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001.

Pak will do everything within its power for Afghan peace: Imran Khan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday highlighted the part Pakistan is playing in the US-Taliban negotiations, a round of which were held in the UAE a day earlier.

Imran said he hoped that the could bring an end to "almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people".

"Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi," Khan tweeted.

"Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process."

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Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1074888807248474112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Imran Khan's remarks come a day after United States diplomats and Taliban representatives met in the United Arab Emirates for the first round of talks facilitated by Pakistan on finding a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday highlighted the part Pakistan is playing in the US-Taliban negotiations, a round of which were held in the UAE a day earlier.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday highlighted the part Pakistan is playing in the US-Taliban negotiations, a round of which were held in the UAE a day earlier. Imran said he hoped that the could bring an end to "almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people". "Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi," Khan tweeted. "Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process." Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 18, 2018 × Imran Khan's remarks come a day after United States diplomats and Taliban representatives met in the United Arab Emirates for the first round of talks facilitated by Pakistan on finding a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

We helped in dialogue between US and Taliban, says Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Talks between US and Taliban officials aimed at arranging peace negotiations in Afghanistan were set for a second day on Tuesday after discussions around the future of foreign forces and a possible six-month ceasefire, Taliban sources said.

The three-day meeting in Abu Dhabi is at least the third time that US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-forces-abandon-district-after-taliban-pressure-183544">Taliban </a>representatives as diplomatic efforts to end the 17-year war have intensified this year.

On Monday, a Taliban delegation met officials from Saudi Arabia,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-army-says-it-backs-us-peace-talks-with-afghan-taliban-181980"> Pakistan</a> and the United Arab Emirates ahead of their meeting with Khalilzad, who was appointed to oversee Washington's peace effort in September.

Taliban officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US delegation was pressing for a six-month ceasefire as well as an agreement to name Taliban representatives to a future caretaker government.

The officials said the Taliban, fighting to drive foreign forces from Afghanistan and bring in their version of strict Islamic law, were resisting a ceasefire as they felt it would damage their cause and help US and Afghan forces.

"If these three countries - Saudi Arabia, UAE and Pakistan - become guarantors and the US appoints the head of a caretaker government in Afghanistan that we nominate, then we can think about a ceasefire," one senior Taliban official said.

There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Kabul.

The latest round of diplomacy comes about a year after the United States sent thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan and stepped up air strikes to record levels, with the aim of pushing the Taliban to accept talks.

However, despite US insistence that any peace settlement must be agreed between Afghans, the Taliban have refused to talk directly with officials from the Kabul government, which they consider an illegitimate, foreign-appointed regime.

"Talks revolved around withdrawal of occupation forces from Afghanistan, ending the oppression being carried out by the United States and her allies and views were exchanged with the said countries about peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.

An Afghan government team travelled to Abu Dhabi "to begin proximity dialogue with the Taliban delegation and to prepare for a face-to-face meeting between the two sides", government spokesman Haroon Chakansuri said in a statement.

But there was no sign from the Taliban that they were ready to accept talks with the government. On Monday, Mujahid dismissed reports of a meeting as "propaganda".

The United States says the aim of the talks is to facilitate an Afghan-led process and the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan in the talks reflects a US desire to bring in countries with an interest in Afghanistan.

Previous meetings were held in Qatar, where the Taliban maintains a political office, but a push to include Saudi Arabia, which is hostile to the gas-rich Gulf state, prompted a change of venue to Abu Dhabi.

Talks between US and Taliban officials aimed at arranging peace negotiations in Afghanistan were set for a second day on Tuesday after discussions around the future of foreign forces and a possible six-month ceasefire, Taliban sources said.

Talks between US and Taliban officials aimed at arranging peace negotiations in Afghanistan were set for a second day on Tuesday after discussions around the future of foreign forces and a possible six-month ceasefire, Taliban sources said. The three-day meeting in Abu Dhabi is at least the third time that US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met Taliban representatives as diplomatic efforts to end the 17-year war have intensified this year. On Monday, a Taliban delegation met officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates ahead of their meeting with Khalilzad, who was appointed to oversee Washington's peace effort in September. Taliban officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US delegation was pressing for a six-month ceasefire as well as an agreement to name Taliban representatives to a future caretaker government. The officials said the Taliban, fighting to drive foreign forces from Afghanistan and bring in their version of strict Islamic law, were resisting a ceasefire as they felt it would damage their cause and help US and Afghan forces. "If these three countries - Saudi Arabia, UAE and Pakistan - become guarantors and the US appoints the head of a caretaker government in Afghanistan that we nominate, then we can think about a ceasefire," one senior Taliban official said. There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Kabul. The latest round of diplomacy comes about a year after the United States sent thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan and stepped up air strikes to record levels, with the aim of pushing the Taliban to accept talks. However, despite US insistence that any peace settlement must be agreed between Afghans, the Taliban have refused to talk directly with officials from the Kabul government, which they consider an illegitimate, foreign-appointed regime. "Talks revolved around withdrawal of occupation forces from Afghanistan, ending the oppression being carried out by the United States and her allies and views were exchanged with the said countries about peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. An Afghan government team travelled to Abu Dhabi "to begin proximity dialogue with the Taliban delegation and to prepare for a face-to-face meeting between the two sides", government spokesman Haroon Chakansuri said in a statement. But there was no sign from the Taliban that they were ready to accept talks with the government. On Monday, Mujahid dismissed reports of a meeting as "propaganda". The United States says the aim of the talks is to facilitate an Afghan-led process and the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan in the talks reflects a US desire to bring in countries with an interest in Afghanistan. Previous meetings were held in Qatar, where the Taliban maintains a political office, but a push to include Saudi Arabia, which is hostile to the gas-rich Gulf state, prompted a change of venue to Abu Dhabi.

Afghanistan ceasefire push in focus in US, Taliban talks

Afghan forces, backed by US advisers and air power, are targeting Taliban field commanders seen as a major obstacle to possible peace talks, as they step up military pressure on the insurgents, security officials said.

Abdul Manan, the shadow Taliban governor of the strategic province of Helmand and the insurgents' top military commander in the south, was killed in a joint operation by US and Afghan special forces on December 2.

Two days later, the Taliban shadow governor of Ghor province in central Afghanistan was killed while on a visit to Helmand and on Saturday, the shadow governor of Paktika, on the border with Pakistan, was killed in a raid by Afghan special forces.

"The war-hardened Taliban field commanders are the biggest obstacle to peace efforts because they believe they are winning militarily," said a senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to talk to the media.

"The plan was designed to eliminate them and pave the way for future talks," he said.

Najib Danish, interior ministry spokesman, said government forces would use all means to remove hurdles blocking peace and stability.

Senior commanders have been targeted regularly in the past but the current campaign is part of a strategy to apply heavier battlefield pressure on the Taliban even while diplomatic efforts to start peace talks intensify ahead of presidential elections next year.

The Taliban, whose fighters briefly overran the central city of Ghazni in August, have steadily increased territorial gains since NATO forces ended combat missions in 2014, leaving the government in control of no more than two thirds of the country.

But as moves towards a possible start to talks with the Taliban have stepped up following US President Donald Trump's appointment of former ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad as special peace envoy, fighting has intensified.

'PRECISELY TARGET'

Air and ground operations have surged in recent weeks as General Scott Miller, who took command of US forces in Afghanistan in September, has pressed government forces to go on the attack to strengthen their hand in any talks.

"We've realigned support and precision lethal assets to precisely target the Taliban more often and more effectively to set conditions for the negotiated settlement," said Colonel David Butler, spokesman for US Forces Afghanistan.

"We don't consider the death of these leaders decisive, unfortunately many more will die until the Taliban decide to stop fighting. The only lasting solution will be a political settlement," he said.

As air strikes have increased, so has the risk of civilian casualties but Afghan security officials say, despite that danger, the local commanders remain high priority targets.

The decision to target regional Taliban commanders reflects a belief that many of them oppose a peaceful settlement that would threaten lucrative tax collection operations and revenues from sources like illegal mining and narcotics.

The officials say that ever since the death of former Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a US drone strike in 2016, field commanders have kept increasing control over finances raised in their areas.

Mansour, who ran the movement's finances for Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, kept a firm grip on revenues, ensuring that commanders passed revenues up the line for later distribution.

Under his successor, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, that system changed, with field commanders given more independence and control over revenues, meaning many have an interest in seeing conflict and lawlessness go on.

"Local commanders were told to earn and fund their own fighting in areas under their command. That helped them get very rich and they by no means wanted any peace," a second security official said.

Afghan forces, backed by US advisers and air power, are targeting Taliban field commanders seen as a major obstacle to possible peace talks, as they step up military pressure on the insurgents, security officials said.

Afghan forces, backed by US advisers and air power, are targeting Taliban field commanders seen as a major obstacle to possible peace talks, as they step up military pressure on the insurgents, security officials said. Abdul Manan, the shadow Taliban governor of the strategic province of Helmand and the insurgents' top military commander in the south, was killed in a joint operation by US and Afghan special forces on December 2. Two days later, the Taliban shadow governor of Ghor province in central Afghanistan was killed while on a visit to Helmand and on Saturday, the shadow governor of Paktika, on the border with Pakistan, was killed in a raid by Afghan special forces. "The war-hardened Taliban field commanders are the biggest obstacle to peace efforts because they believe they are winning militarily," said a senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to talk to the media. "The plan was designed to eliminate them and pave the way for future talks," he said. Najib Danish, interior ministry spokesman, said government forces would use all means to remove hurdles blocking peace and stability. Senior commanders have been targeted regularly in the past but the current campaign is part of a strategy to apply heavier battlefield pressure on the Taliban even while diplomatic efforts to start peace talks intensify ahead of presidential elections next year. The Taliban, whose fighters briefly overran the central city of Ghazni in August, have steadily increased territorial gains since NATO forces ended combat missions in 2014, leaving the government in control of no more than two thirds of the country. But as moves towards a possible start to talks with the Taliban have stepped up following US President Donald Trump's appointment of former ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad as special peace envoy, fighting has intensified. 'PRECISELY TARGET' Air and ground operations have surged in recent weeks as General Scott Miller, who took command of US forces in Afghanistan in September, has pressed government forces to go on the attack to strengthen their hand in any talks. "We've realigned support and precision lethal assets to precisely target the Taliban more often and more effectively to set conditions for the negotiated settlement," said Colonel David Butler, spokesman for US Forces Afghanistan. "We don't consider the death of these leaders decisive, unfortunately many more will die until the Taliban decide to stop fighting. The only lasting solution will be a political settlement," he said. As air strikes have increased, so has the risk of civilian casualties but Afghan security officials say, despite that danger, the local commanders remain high priority targets. The decision to target regional Taliban commanders reflects a belief that many of them oppose a peaceful settlement that would threaten lucrative tax collection operations and revenues from sources like illegal mining and narcotics. The officials say that ever since the death of former Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a US drone strike in 2016, field commanders have kept increasing control over finances raised in their areas. Mansour, who ran the movement's finances for Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, kept a firm grip on revenues, ensuring that commanders passed revenues up the line for later distribution. Under his successor, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, that system changed, with field commanders given more independence and control over revenues, meaning many have an interest in seeing conflict and lawlessness go on. "Local commanders were told to earn and fund their own fighting in areas under their command. That helped them get very rich and they by no means wanted any peace," a second security official said.

Afghan forces seek to press Taliban by targeting field commanders

Afghan forces abandoned a remote district in the west of the country, leaving the area to Taliban insurgents after the government failed to resupply dozens of troops stationed there, provincial officials said on Wednesday.

Local officials said the Shebkoh district of Farah province, bordering Iran, has been under Taliban siege for months, making it difficult for the government to send reinforcements.

Mosa Nazari, deputy governor of Farah, said Afghanistan's military leadership faced difficulty supplying and reinforcing the troops in Shebkoh district and it had been decided to withdraw in order to avoid casualties.

"The plan to leave the district was there for months and it was finally decided," Nazari told Reuters, adding that the forces withdrew all ammunition and vehicles to the provincial capital of Farah.

US military advisers have regularly pressed Afghan commanders to concentrate their forces and avoid exposed outposts that are difficult to defend and supply.

The Taliban, fighting to drive out foreign forces and re-impose its version of strict Islamic Law, said in a statement the Afghan government abandoned the district after a heavy firefight overnight, and the group seized an amount of ammunition.

A sparsely populated province, Farah has been the scene of intense fighting since the beginning of the year. Afghan forces have suffered heavy losses, including the killings of dozens of well-armed elite special forces there.

Shebkoh is a route for narcotics being smuggled from Helmand, the main source of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, to Farah and Iran.

Afghan officials have accused Tehran, which the United States says is trying to extend its influence in western Afghanistan, of providing the insurgents with money, modern weapons and explosives. Iran denies the accusation.

Areas of western Afghanistan have seen heavy fighting in recent days. Last week, at least 14 Afghan soldiers were killed and 20 captured when Taliban fighters attacked an outpost in Shindand district in Herat, the province neighbouring Farah.

Afghan and foreign forces have recently increased air strikes, targeting and killing senior Taliban commanders, including the powerful shadowy governor of Helmand province last week.

US diplomatic efforts to begin peace talks with the Taliban have picked up with appointment by Washington of Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US ambassador to Kabul, as a special peace envoy. 
&nbsp;

Afghan forces abandoned a remote district in the west of the country, leaving the area to Taliban insurgents after the government failed to resupply dozens of troops stationed there, provincial officials said on Wednesday.

Afghan forces abandoned a remote district in the west of the country, leaving the area to Taliban insurgents after the government failed to resupply dozens of troops stationed there, provincial officials said on Wednesday. Local officials said the Shebkoh district of Farah province, bordering Iran, has been under Taliban siege for months, making it difficult for the government to send reinforcements. Mosa Nazari, deputy governor of Farah, said Afghanistan's military leadership faced difficulty supplying and reinforcing the troops in Shebkoh district and it had been decided to withdraw in order to avoid casualties. "The plan to leave the district was there for months and it was finally decided," Nazari told Reuters, adding that the forces withdrew all ammunition and vehicles to the provincial capital of Farah. US military advisers have regularly pressed Afghan commanders to concentrate their forces and avoid exposed outposts that are difficult to defend and supply. The Taliban, fighting to drive out foreign forces and re-impose its version of strict Islamic Law, said in a statement the Afghan government abandoned the district after a heavy firefight overnight, and the group seized an amount of ammunition. A sparsely populated province, Farah has been the scene of intense fighting since the beginning of the year. Afghan forces have suffered heavy losses, including the killings of dozens of well-armed elite special forces there. Shebkoh is a route for narcotics being smuggled from Helmand, the main source of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, to Farah and Iran. Afghan officials have accused Tehran, which the United States says is trying to extend its influence in western Afghanistan, of providing the insurgents with money, modern weapons and explosives. Iran denies the accusation. Areas of western Afghanistan have seen heavy fighting in recent days. Last week, at least 14 Afghan soldiers were killed and 20 captured when Taliban fighters attacked an outpost in Shindand district in Herat, the province neighbouring Farah. Afghan and foreign forces have recently increased air strikes, targeting and killing senior Taliban commanders, including the powerful shadowy governor of Helmand province last week. US diplomatic efforts to begin peace talks with the Taliban have picked up with appointment by Washington of Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US ambassador to Kabul, as a special peace envoy.

Afghan forces abandon district after Taliban pressure

A Taliban attack in Shindad district here on Thursday night killed at least 14 soldiers of the Afghan National Army and kidnapped 20.

On one hand, provincial governor's spokesman Jailani Farhad told TOLOnews on Friday that the attack was orchestrated by Taliban militants and also confirmed the fatalities.

On the other hand, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence noted that only 10 soldiers had been killed during the assault but did not divulge any more details.

The Ministry's spokesman Sayed Javid Ghafor further said that investigations pertaining to the incident were ongoing.

Quoting local sources, Pajhwok News Agency also reported that weapons at the outpost were taken by the Taliban militants while adding that help could only reach the region on Friday morning.

The attacks come in the wake of calls for the re-initiation of peace talks in Afghanistan, which has seen strife within its borders since the last 17 years.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani had recently formed a 12-member team for peace talks with the Taliban.

Meanwhile, the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, is currently on an eight-nation tour from December 2 to December 20 for accelerating the peace process in Afghanistan.

He has, until now, met with Ghani in Kabul on Thursday along with the Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, following which he departed for Moscow to hold discussions.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A Taliban attack in Shindad district here on Thursday night killed at least 14 soldiers of the Afghan National Army and kidnapped 20. On one hand, provincial governor's spokesman Jailani Farhad told TOLOnews on Friday that the attack was orchestrated by Taliban militants and also confirmed the fatalities.

A Taliban attack in Shindad district here on Thursday night killed at least 14 soldiers of the Afghan National Army and kidnapped 20. On one hand, provincial governor's spokesman Jailani Farhad told TOLOnews on Friday that the attack was orchestrated by Taliban militants and also confirmed the fatalities. On the other hand, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence noted that only 10 soldiers had been killed during the assault but did not divulge any more details. The Ministry's spokesman Sayed Javid Ghafor further said that investigations pertaining to the incident were ongoing. Quoting local sources, Pajhwok News Agency also reported that weapons at the outpost were taken by the Taliban militants while adding that help could only reach the region on Friday morning. The attacks come in the wake of calls for the re-initiation of peace talks in Afghanistan, which has seen strife within its borders since the last 17 years. Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani had recently formed a 12-member team for peace talks with the Taliban. Meanwhile, the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, is currently on an eight-nation tour from December 2 to December 20 for accelerating the peace process in Afghanistan. He has, until now, met with Ghani in Kabul on Thursday along with the Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, following which he departed for Moscow to hold discussions.

Taliban launches brutal attack on Afghan Army

The death last week of the Taliban's senior leader in southern Afghanistan in a US&nbsp;air strike highlights a surge in operations amid pressure to coax the increasingly confident insurgents to accept talks to end the 17-year war.

As US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad makes a fresh round of visits to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries this week and resumes meetings with Taliban representatives, military operations have spiked sharply across the country.

The aim, say Afghan and US officials, is to build as strong a position as possible for the hoped-for start of peace talks with the Taliban.

Khalilzad told US broadcaster PBS last week that he was "in a hurry" to secure an agreement with the Taliban, ideally ahead of presidential elections scheduled for April 20.

While US officials have avoided talk of deadlines, the new urgency has raised fears among many in the Afghan government that the United States seeks a quick way out of its longest war.

"The United States basically wants a dignified withdrawal," said one senior Afghan government official who is in near-daily contact with US diplomats working on the peace process.

"Progress towards peace remains elusive," the Pentagon Lead Inspector General told Congress in the latest report last month, as civilian and military casualties grow and just 65 percent of the population lives under government control.

Large Taliban forces have this year overrun the western city of Farah and the central city of Ghazni, fuelling perceptions that the insurgents, estimated to number 60,000 fighters, are winning.

To regain the initiative, Gen. Scott Miller, who arrived as commander of US forces in Afghanistan in September, has pushed Afghan forces to go on the offensive, backed by US Special Forces and air strikes.

One such strike killed Abdul Manan, the Taliban's shadow governor for Helmand province, on Saturday.

Defence ministry spokesman Ghafoor Ahmad Javed said 161 air strikes in the past two weeks by Afghanistan's own fledgling air force were part of operations which he estimated had killed hundreds of Taliban fighters.

"They've lost many commanders and suffered lots of casualties, they've lost training centres and economic support centres including narcotics," he said.

"When they're under pressure, they know they can't get anywhere without the peace process."

The death of two US Special Forces soldiers and an airman in a roadside bomb blast near Ghazni last week also highlighted the Americans' increasingly active role.

"There is more fighting now than a few weeks ago," said Samilhullah, a resident of Ghazni, overrun this year by thousands of Taliban fighters in one of their biggest operations in years.

"I see many American and Afghan forces in my village and everyday there are sounds of explosions, gunfire and helicopters flying around."

Dangers

The approach was designed to complement the diplomatic push toward opening negotiations with the Taliban, said Colonel Dave Butler, the spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan.

"We're near a political settlement," he added. "If the Taliban want to keep fighting, we will fight and ensure that they feel the pressure."

The US military has dropped more munitions in air strikes this year than any other full year since the height of the US presence in 2011, seeking to bolster Afghan forces reeling from what officials say are unsustainable losses.

Afghan and Western officials have warned that a hasty withdrawal of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan would lead to a collapse in understrength Afghan forces, which have been suffering 600 deaths on average every month since 2015.

The Taliban, who have refused to deal with the Afghan government, calling it an illegitimate "puppet" regime, have struck an increasingly confident tone in official statements, declaring this week that the US was "on the brink of defeat".

However, Taliban representatives have also acknowledged some progress in talks with Khalilzad, focusing on the withdrawal of international forces, the release of prisoners and lifting curbs on international travel by Taliban officials.

"There are certain secrets of our meeting with him which we don't want to disclose, as the United States is trying to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible," one Taliban official who has been involved in the Qatar talks told Reuters last month.

Trump's recent letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, urging him to help the process, underlines the importance the issue has garnered in Washington.

But both Western and Afghan officials are keenly aware that US President Donald Trump has long been sceptical of the Afghanistan mission, and had to be persuaded to beef up US forces there as part of the South Asia strategy announced last year.

While the discussions continue, diplomats in Kabul joke about the "Tweet of Damocles" hanging over the engagement, a reference to Trump's penchant for surprise announcements on social media. 
&nbsp;

"There is a real sense that the diplomatic and military effort has to be seen to be producing results quite soon, otherwise the White House may simply lose patience," said one Western diplomat in Kabul.

The death last week of the Taliban's senior leader in southern Afghanistan in a US air strike highlights a surge in operations amid pressure to coax the increasingly confident insurgents to accept talks to end the 17-year war.

The death last week of the Taliban's senior leader in southern Afghanistan in a US air strike highlights a surge in operations amid pressure to coax the increasingly confident insurgents to accept talks to end the 17-year war. As US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad makes a fresh round of visits to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries this week and resumes meetings with Taliban representatives, military operations have spiked sharply across the country. The aim, say Afghan and US officials, is to build as strong a position as possible for the hoped-for start of peace talks with the Taliban. Khalilzad told US broadcaster PBS last week that he was "in a hurry" to secure an agreement with the Taliban, ideally ahead of presidential elections scheduled for April 20. While US officials have avoided talk of deadlines, the new urgency has raised fears among many in the Afghan government that the United States seeks a quick way out of its longest war. "The United States basically wants a dignified withdrawal," said one senior Afghan government official who is in near-daily contact with US diplomats working on the peace process. "Progress towards peace remains elusive," the Pentagon Lead Inspector General told Congress in the latest report last month, as civilian and military casualties grow and just 65 percent of the population lives under government control. Large Taliban forces have this year overrun the western city of Farah and the central city of Ghazni, fuelling perceptions that the insurgents, estimated to number 60,000 fighters, are winning. To regain the initiative, Gen. Scott Miller, who arrived as commander of US forces in Afghanistan in September, has pushed Afghan forces to go on the offensive, backed by US Special Forces and air strikes. One such strike killed Abdul Manan, the Taliban's shadow governor for Helmand province, on Saturday. Defence ministry spokesman Ghafoor Ahmad Javed said 161 air strikes in the past two weeks by Afghanistan's own fledgling air force were part of operations which he estimated had killed hundreds of Taliban fighters. "They've lost many commanders and suffered lots of casualties, they've lost training centres and economic support centres including narcotics," he said. "When they're under pressure, they know they can't get anywhere without the peace process." The death of two US Special Forces soldiers and an airman in a roadside bomb blast near Ghazni last week also highlighted the Americans' increasingly active role. "There is more fighting now than a few weeks ago," said Samilhullah, a resident of Ghazni, overrun this year by thousands of Taliban fighters in one of their biggest operations in years. "I see many American and Afghan forces in my village and everyday there are sounds of explosions, gunfire and helicopters flying around." Dangers The approach was designed to complement the diplomatic push toward opening negotiations with the Taliban, said Colonel Dave Butler, the spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan. "We're near a political settlement," he added. "If the Taliban want to keep fighting, we will fight and ensure that they feel the pressure." The US military has dropped more munitions in air strikes this year than any other full year since the height of the US presence in 2011, seeking to bolster Afghan forces reeling from what officials say are unsustainable losses. Afghan and Western officials have warned that a hasty withdrawal of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan would lead to a collapse in understrength Afghan forces, which have been suffering 600 deaths on average every month since 2015. The Taliban, who have refused to deal with the Afghan government, calling it an illegitimate "puppet" regime, have struck an increasingly confident tone in official statements, declaring this week that the US was "on the brink of defeat". However, Taliban representatives have also acknowledged some progress in talks with Khalilzad, focusing on the withdrawal of international forces, the release of prisoners and lifting curbs on international travel by Taliban officials. "There are certain secrets of our meeting with him which we don't want to disclose, as the United States is trying to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible," one Taliban official who has been involved in the Qatar talks told Reuters last month. Trump's recent letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, urging him to help the process, underlines the importance the issue has garnered in Washington. But both Western and Afghan officials are keenly aware that US President Donald Trump has long been sceptical of the Afghanistan mission, and had to be persuaded to beef up US forces there as part of the South Asia strategy announced last year. While the discussions continue, diplomats in Kabul joke about the "Tweet of Damocles" hanging over the engagement, a reference to Trump's penchant for surprise announcements on social media. "There is a real sense that the diplomatic and military effort has to be seen to be producing results quite soon, otherwise the White House may simply lose patience," said one Western diplomat in Kabul.

Afghan peace push backed by surge in air strikes, operations

The death toll among Afghanistan's security forces will no longer be sustainable unless urgent measures are taken to address recruiting and training issues, a top US general said Tuesday.

Since the start of 2015, when Afghan police and army units succeeded NATO as bearing responsibility for Afghanistan's security, tens of thousands of local forces have been killed, mainly in Taliban attacks.

Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, who has been nominated to lead the US military's Central Command that oversees wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan, said the death rate may not be sustainable.

McKenzie said he would work urgently with General Austin Miller, the head of the NATO mission and US Forces Afghanistan, to tackle problems of recruitment, training and how the Afghans "present forces for actual execution" of missions.

"They are fighting hard, but their losses are not going to be sustainable unless we correct this problem," McKenzie told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his nomination hearing.

"It has General Miller's direct attention and, if confirmed, it would be something that I would like to work with him on as a matter of great importance."

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last month said 28,529 Afghan security forces had been killed since the start of 2015, a figure far higher than anything previously acknowledged.

McKenzie added that Afghan forces are still unable to effectively withstand the Taliban, who have made steady gains in recent years and who now number about 60,000 in Afghanistan.

The Afghan forces are "not there yet, and if we left precipitously right now I do not believe they would be able to successfully defend their country," McKenzie said.&nbsp;

The general would take the helm of Centcom at a difficult time in Afghanistan, where 17 years since the US-led invasion violence is showing no signs of abating.

US lawmakers and President Donald Trump are growing increasingly frustrated with a succession of generals promising things may soon turn a corner and angered over the $45 billion or so America still pays annually for its involvement in Afghanistan.

McKenzie couldn't say how much longer the US will be in Afghanistan.

"I do know that today it would be very difficult for (the Afghan security forces) to survive without our and our coalition partners' assistance."

Echoing comments made last month by General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, McKenzie said he believed the situation in Afghanistan remains a stalemate.

"The operational military situation is largely stalemated," he said, noting however that he holds out hopes for political efforts for a settlement.

If confirmed, McKenzie would gain a fourth star and replace General Joseph Votel, who is retiring.

The death toll among Afghanistan's security forces will no longer be sustainable unless urgent measures are taken to address recruiting and training issues, a top US general said Tuesday.

The death toll among Afghanistan's security forces will no longer be sustainable unless urgent measures are taken to address recruiting and training issues, a top US general said Tuesday. Since the start of 2015, when Afghan police and army units succeeded NATO as bearing responsibility for Afghanistan's security, tens of thousands of local forces have been killed, mainly in Taliban attacks. Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, who has been nominated to lead the US military's Central Command that oversees wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan, said the death rate may not be sustainable. McKenzie said he would work urgently with General Austin Miller, the head of the NATO mission and US Forces Afghanistan, to tackle problems of recruitment, training and how the Afghans "present forces for actual execution" of missions. "They are fighting hard, but their losses are not going to be sustainable unless we correct this problem," McKenzie told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his nomination hearing. "It has General Miller's direct attention and, if confirmed, it would be something that I would like to work with him on as a matter of great importance." Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last month said 28,529 Afghan security forces had been killed since the start of 2015, a figure far higher than anything previously acknowledged. McKenzie added that Afghan forces are still unable to effectively withstand the Taliban, who have made steady gains in recent years and who now number about 60,000 in Afghanistan. The Afghan forces are "not there yet, and if we left precipitously right now I do not believe they would be able to successfully defend their country," McKenzie said. The general would take the helm of Centcom at a difficult time in Afghanistan, where 17 years since the US-led invasion violence is showing no signs of abating. US lawmakers and President Donald Trump are growing increasingly frustrated with a succession of generals promising things may soon turn a corner and angered over the $45 billion or so America still pays annually for its involvement in Afghanistan. McKenzie couldn't say how much longer the US will be in Afghanistan. "I do know that today it would be very difficult for (the Afghan security forces) to survive without our and our coalition partners' assistance." Echoing comments made last month by General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, McKenzie said he believed the situation in Afghanistan remains a stalemate. "The operational military situation is largely stalemated," he said, noting however that he holds out hopes for political efforts for a settlement. If confirmed, McKenzie would gain a fourth star and replace General Joseph Votel, who is retiring.

Afghan security losses may not be sustainable: US general

Pakistan continues to use Afghan Taliban as a hedge against India, a top American commander has told lawmakers, as he expressed the US frustration over Islamabad's failure to take concrete steps to deny safe havens to terrorist groups.&nbsp;

Marine Corps Lt Genenral Kenneth McKenzie's remarks came days after US President Donald Trump sought Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's help in the Afghan peace process.&nbsp;

The Trump administration, in the recent months, has intensified its efforts to seek a negotiated settlement of America's longest war in Afghanistan where the US has lost over 2,400 soldiers since late 2001, when it invaded the country after the 9/11 terror attacks.

The Taliban are fighting to flush out US-led international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001.&nbsp;

"Pakistan is an essential element in long-term stability in Afghanistan," McKenzie told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday during his confirmation hearing for commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Pakistan could play a key role in facilitating talks between the Taliban and government of Afghanistan, he said.

"Pakistan does not appear to be using the full extent of its influence to encourage the Taliban to come to the table," he said.

"We continue to see the Taliban being utilised as a hedge against India rather than as part of a stable, reconciled Afghanistan," McKenzie said.

His answers to the Senate Armed Services Committee come after it became public that Trump has written a letter to Imran Khan, seeking his help in the Afghan peace process.

"President Trump sent a letter to Prime Minister Khan, requesting Pakistan's full support to the US-led Afghan peace process and Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad's upcoming trip to the region," a spokesperson of the National Security Council, White House, told PTI.

"In the letter, the President recognises that Pakistan has the ability to deny the Taliban sanctuary on its territory," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

"The letter also makes it clear that Pakistan's assistance with the Afghan peace process is fundamental to building an enduring US-Pakistan partnership," the spokesperson said.

McKenzie told lawmakers that he did not see much of a change in Pakistan's behaviour towards Afghanistan or its stand against terrorist groups. 
Despite Pakistan's positive rhetoric in support of the US' South Asia Strategy, violent extremist organisations (VEOs) operate along its border with Afghanistan, he said.

"While Pakistan has conducted some operations against VEOs in the country, they must continue to expand these operations and remain aggressively engaged," McKenzie said.

"Taking concrete steps that deny VEO safe havens in Pakistan, as well as VEO freedom of movement from Pakistan to Afghanistan, remains an important task that Pakistan needs to fulfil. Pakistan must leverage their influence over the Taliban leadership to help compel them to come to the table for reconciliation negotiations," he added.&nbsp;

McKenzie said the US CENTCOM would continue to support the State Department as it works towards a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Afghanistan which includes ensuring that Islamabad's equities are acknowledged in any future agreement.

"Pakistan's action or inaction, as it relates to stability in Afghanistan, has often led to US's frustration," he said, adding that stability in the South Asia region remains the most important mutual strategic interest for both the US and Pakistan.

"We must continue to engage with the Pakistani leadership to realise how we can achieve this mutual interest," McKenzie said.&nbsp;

"I do believe that any solution in Afghanistan is going to require the assistance of Pakistan. It has to be a regional solution, not just a solution centred in Afghanistan," he said.&nbsp;

It is in Pakistan's long-term interest to have a government in Afghanistan that is stable, and that that they can do business with, he said.&nbsp;

"So I think Pakistan has not shown indications, by and large over the last few years, of being a serious partner in this regard," McKenzie said.&nbsp;

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday met Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad. McKenzie said that the meeting was to see if the US can find some way forward. It will be hard to reach a settlement without some form of assistance or Pakistan.&nbsp;

"Probably Pakistan knows very clearly that their assistance will be required to reach an end-state in Afghanistan. I think the task that we have is to make it attractive to them so that they see that it is in their best interest to do that,"McKenzie said.

Pakistan continues to use Afghan Taliban as a hedge against India, a top American commander has told lawmakers, as he expressed the US frustration over Islamabad's failure to take concrete steps to deny safe havens to terrorist groups.

Pakistan continues to use Afghan Taliban as a hedge against India, a top American commander has told lawmakers, as he expressed the US frustration over Islamabad's failure to take concrete steps to deny safe havens to terrorist groups. Marine Corps Lt Genenral Kenneth McKenzie's remarks came days after US President Donald Trump sought Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's help in the Afghan peace process. The Trump administration, in the recent months, has intensified its efforts to seek a negotiated settlement of America's longest war in Afghanistan where the US has lost over 2,400 soldiers since late 2001, when it invaded the country after the 9/11 terror attacks. The Taliban are fighting to flush out US-led international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001. "Pakistan is an essential element in long-term stability in Afghanistan," McKenzie told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday during his confirmation hearing for commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Pakistan could play a key role in facilitating talks between the Taliban and government of Afghanistan, he said. "Pakistan does not appear to be using the full extent of its influence to encourage the Taliban to come to the table," he said. "We continue to see the Taliban being utilised as a hedge against India rather than as part of a stable, reconciled Afghanistan," McKenzie said. His answers to the Senate Armed Services Committee come after it became public that Trump has written a letter to Imran Khan, seeking his help in the Afghan peace process. "President Trump sent a letter to Prime Minister Khan, requesting Pakistan's full support to the US-led Afghan peace process and Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad's upcoming trip to the region," a spokesperson of the National Security Council, White House, told PTI. "In the letter, the President recognises that Pakistan has the ability to deny the Taliban sanctuary on its territory," the spokesperson said. "The letter also makes it clear that Pakistan's assistance with the Afghan peace process is fundamental to building an enduring US-Pakistan partnership," the spokesperson said. McKenzie told lawmakers that he did not see much of a change in Pakistan's behaviour towards Afghanistan or its stand against terrorist groups. Despite Pakistan's positive rhetoric in support of the US' South Asia Strategy, violent extremist organisations (VEOs) operate along its border with Afghanistan, he said. "While Pakistan has conducted some operations against VEOs in the country, they must continue to expand these operations and remain aggressively engaged," McKenzie said. "Taking concrete steps that deny VEO safe havens in Pakistan, as well as VEO freedom of movement from Pakistan to Afghanistan, remains an important task that Pakistan needs to fulfil. Pakistan must leverage their influence over the Taliban leadership to help compel them to come to the table for reconciliation negotiations," he added. McKenzie said the US CENTCOM would continue to support the State Department as it works towards a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Afghanistan which includes ensuring that Islamabad's equities are acknowledged in any future agreement. "Pakistan's action or inaction, as it relates to stability in Afghanistan, has often led to US's frustration," he said, adding that stability in the South Asia region remains the most important mutual strategic interest for both the US and Pakistan. "We must continue to engage with the Pakistani leadership to realise how we can achieve this mutual interest," McKenzie said. "I do believe that any solution in Afghanistan is going to require the assistance of Pakistan. It has to be a regional solution, not just a solution centred in Afghanistan," he said. It is in Pakistan's long-term interest to have a government in Afghanistan that is stable, and that that they can do business with, he said. "So I think Pakistan has not shown indications, by and large over the last few years, of being a serious partner in this regard," McKenzie said. US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday met Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad. McKenzie said that the meeting was to see if the US can find some way forward. It will be hard to reach a settlement without some form of assistance or Pakistan. "Probably Pakistan knows very clearly that their assistance will be required to reach an end-state in Afghanistan. I think the task that we have is to make it attractive to them so that they see that it is in their best interest to do that,"McKenzie said.

Pakistan continues to use Afghan Taliban as hedge against India: US commander

A top commander of the Taliban has been killed in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand in a joint operation by Afghan and US Special Forces, Afghan officials and Taliban members said on Sunday.

Abdul Manan, who was in charge of Helmand province for the insurgent group, was killed along with 29 others by an air strike on Saturday while he was meeting local commanders and fighters in the Nawzad district, Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin Khan said.

His death was confirmed by Taliban members in Helmand and neighbouring Kandahar province but there was no initial confirmation from the US military, which said it was looking into the incident.

The death of Mullah Manan, who commanded Taliban fighters as they steadily increased their control over Helmand in the years following the end of most international combat missions in 2014, was seen as a major success by Afghan officials.

"He was the most senior Taliban commander in the south and his death will have an overall impact on security," one senior security official in Kabul said.

The report of Manan`s death comes as both the Western-backed security forces and the Taliban have pushed to gain the momentum at the same time as efforts have stepped up to find a peaceful settlement to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan.

Although contacts have started between US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives, there has been no let-up in the fighting, with both sides aiming to build a favourable position in advance of any peace talks.

A top commander of the Taliban has been killed in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand in a joint operation by Afghan and US Special Forces, Afghan officials and Taliban members said on Sunday.

A top commander of the Taliban has been killed in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand in a joint operation by Afghan and US Special Forces, Afghan officials and Taliban members said on Sunday. Abdul Manan, who was in charge of Helmand province for the insurgent group, was killed along with 29 others by an air strike on Saturday while he was meeting local commanders and fighters in the Nawzad district, Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin Khan said. His death was confirmed by Taliban members in Helmand and neighbouring Kandahar province but there was no initial confirmation from the US military, which said it was looking into the incident. The death of Mullah Manan, who commanded Taliban fighters as they steadily increased their control over Helmand in the years following the end of most international combat missions in 2014, was seen as a major success by Afghan officials. "He was the most senior Taliban commander in the south and his death will have an overall impact on security," one senior security official in Kabul said. The report of Manan`s death comes as both the Western-backed security forces and the Taliban have pushed to gain the momentum at the same time as efforts have stepped up to find a peaceful settlement to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan. Although contacts have started between US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives, there has been no let-up in the fighting, with both sides aiming to build a favourable position in advance of any peace talks.

Senior Afghan Taliban commander killed in air strike: Officials

At least 30 Afghan civilians were killed in US air strikes in the Afghan province of Helmand, officials and residents of the area said on Wednesday, the latest casualties from a surge in air operations aimed at driving the Taliban into talks.

Afghanistan's NATO-led force said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-forms-team-to-negotiate-peace-with-taliban-179970">Afghan government</a> forces and US advisers came under fire from Taliban fighters in a compound in Garmsir district and called in an air strike, but the ground forces were not aware of any civilians in or near the compound.

Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin Khan said troops had called in air strikes against Taliban fighters in Garmsir, causing both civilian and Taliban casualties.

A resident of the area called Mohammadullah said the clash began late on Tuesday.

"Foreign forces bombed the area and the bombs hit my brother's house," he said.

He said women and 16 children were among the dead.

Another resident, Feda Mohammad, said some victims were still buried in the rubble of the compound.

"The area is under the control of Taliban but all of the victims of last night's bombing are civilians," he said.

The NATO-led Resolute Support forces said Afghan forces and US advisers came under fire from Taliban equipped with machines guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

"At the time of the strike, the ground force was unaware of any civilians in or around the compound; they only knew that the Taliban was using the building as a fighting position," a force spokeswoman said in a statement.

"We investigate every credible allegation of error and review every mission to learn, adapt and improve," she said.

The deaths are the latest in a growing civilian casualty toll caused by air strikes and underline the severity of the Afghan war even as moves to begin peace talks have picked up with contacts between US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives.

The United Nations said last month the number of civilian casualties from air strikes in the first nine months of the year was already higher than in any entire year since at least 2009.

The increase has come together with a sharp jump in the number of air operations under a US strategy aimed at stepping up pressure on the Taliban to force them to accept a negotiated end to the 17-year war.

According to figures from the US military, US aircraft had released 5,213 weapons by the end of September, up from 4,361 for the entire 2017 and the highest number since 2011 when there were more than 100,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

At least 30 Afghan civilians were killed in US air strikes in the Afghan province of Helmand, officials and residents of the area said on Wednesday, the latest casualties from a surge in air operations aimed at driving the Taliban into talks.

At least 30 Afghan civilians were killed in US air strikes in the Afghan province of Helmand, officials and residents of the area said on Wednesday, the latest casualties from a surge in air operations aimed at driving the Taliban into talks. Afghanistan's NATO-led force said Afghan government forces and US advisers came under fire from Taliban fighters in a compound in Garmsir district and called in an air strike, but the ground forces were not aware of any civilians in or near the compound. Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin Khan said troops had called in air strikes against Taliban fighters in Garmsir, causing both civilian and Taliban casualties. A resident of the area called Mohammadullah said the clash began late on Tuesday. "Foreign forces bombed the area and the bombs hit my brother's house," he said. He said women and 16 children were among the dead. Another resident, Feda Mohammad, said some victims were still buried in the rubble of the compound. "The area is under the control of Taliban but all of the victims of last night's bombing are civilians," he said. The NATO-led Resolute Support forces said Afghan forces and US advisers came under fire from Taliban equipped with machines guns and rocket-propelled grenades. "At the time of the strike, the ground force was unaware of any civilians in or around the compound; they only knew that the Taliban was using the building as a fighting position," a force spokeswoman said in a statement. "We investigate every credible allegation of error and review every mission to learn, adapt and improve," she said. The deaths are the latest in a growing civilian casualty toll caused by air strikes and underline the severity of the Afghan war even as moves to begin peace talks have picked up with contacts between US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives. The United Nations said last month the number of civilian casualties from air strikes in the first nine months of the year was already higher than in any entire year since at least 2009. The increase has come together with a sharp jump in the number of air operations under a US strategy aimed at stepping up pressure on the Taliban to force them to accept a negotiated end to the 17-year war. According to figures from the US military, US aircraft had released 5,213 weapons by the end of September, up from 4,361 for the entire 2017 and the highest number since 2011 when there were more than 100,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

At least 30 Afghan civilians killed in US air strike: Officials

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-makes-investment-pitch-at-un-conference-179818">Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani </a>has formed a 12-strong negotiating team to seek a peace agreement that would include the Taliban in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rights of women, he told a UN conference on Wednesday.

"I'm pleased to announce today that after several months of intensive consultation with our citizens across the country, we have formulated a roadmap for peace negotiations," Ghani said.

"We have formed the required bodies and mechanisms to pursue a peace agreement. We are now moving ahead into the next chapter of the peace process."

Ghani made an investment pitch at a UN conference on Tuesday, describing the business opportunities and challenges in a country where millions are displaced or close to starvation.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has formed a 12-strong negotiating team to seek a peace agreement that would include the Taliban in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rights of women, he told a UN conference on Wednesday.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has formed a 12-strong negotiating team to seek a peace agreement that would include the Taliban in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rights of women, he told a UN conference on Wednesday. "I'm pleased to announce today that after several months of intensive consultation with our citizens across the country, we have formulated a roadmap for peace negotiations," Ghani said. "We have formed the required bodies and mechanisms to pursue a peace agreement. We are now moving ahead into the next chapter of the peace process." Ghani made an investment pitch at a UN conference on Tuesday, describing the business opportunities and challenges in a country where millions are displaced or close to starvation.

Afghan president forms team to negotiate peace with Taliban

At least 22 police were killed in a Taliban ambush in western Afghanistan, a health official said Monday, in another blow to Afghan forces already suffering record casualties.&nbsp;

The attack on the police convoy in Farah province on Sunday also wounded at least two officers, said Shir Ahmad Weda, director of the public hospital in the provincial capital.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a WhatsApp message, saying 25 police were killed and four wounded.

"Four vehicles were destroyed and a large quantity of weapons were seized," Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a spokesman for the militants, added.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks on Afghan security forces in recent months, inflicting record casualties even as efforts to engage the militants in peace talks intensify.&nbsp;

At least 22 police were killed in a Taliban ambush in western Afghanistan, a health official said Monday, in another blow to Afghan forces already suffering record casualties.

At least 22 police were killed in a Taliban ambush in western Afghanistan, a health official said Monday, in another blow to Afghan forces already suffering record casualties. The attack on the police convoy in Farah province on Sunday also wounded at least two officers, said Shir Ahmad Weda, director of the public hospital in the provincial capital. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a WhatsApp message, saying 25 police were killed and four wounded. "Four vehicles were destroyed and a large quantity of weapons were seized," Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a spokesman for the militants, added. The Taliban have stepped up attacks on Afghan security forces in recent months, inflicting record casualties even as efforts to engage the militants in peace talks intensify.

At least 22 Afghan police killed in Taliban ambush: Official

Afghan leaders and international diplomats meet in Geneva on Tuesday to evaluate whether strategies and aid offered to Afghanistan are helping resolve the quagmire created by the 17-year war, paving way for the withdrawal of foreign troops.

The two-day conference on Afghanistan, jointly hosted by the Afghan government and the United Nations comes at a time when US President Donald Trump’s administration is actively seeking a peace deal with the Taliban.

While no fresh financial commitments are expected, the conference will be a chance for donors to measure results against the $15.2 billion committed for Afghanistan at the last funding meeting in Brussels in 2016.

“At least 60 per cent of all the promises made by President Ghani at Brussels have been implemented. Discussions will be held regarding the challenges,” said Haroon Chakhansuri, President Ashraf Ghani’s spokesman.

With Afghan security forces struggling to hold back increasingly confident Taliban fighters and Western appetite for further commitments uncertain, the conference comes at a sensitive moment.

The government will present a growth strategy mapping out how an economy battered by 40 years of war can one day stand on its own as well as pledges on issues ranging from fighting corruption to women’s empowerment.

However, diplomats said much of the focus will be on side meetings, where officials from Afghanistan and regional and Western countries will have a chance to assess the efforts of US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Ghani, facing a war-weary public at home, is expected to press regional countries to support the process but he has so far been kept on the sidelines by the Taliban’s refusal to talk to his government, which they consider illegitimate.

His own future will be decided by presidential elections due in April but organizational and political problems may hamper the vote with authorities admitting they are considering a delay of three months.

The Taliban, fighting to drive out international forces and establish their version of strict Islamic law, will not be attending but will be closely monitoring the talks.

“We hope the international leaders accept our demands and put pressure on the US to withdraw all foreign forces from Afghanistan,” said a Taliban member. “Otherwise the conference will hold little significance.”

The United States currently has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, serving in the NATO-led Resolute Support training and advisory mission as well as in separate counter-terrorism operations against militant groups like Islamic State.

Afghan leaders and international diplomats meet in Geneva on Tuesday to evaluate whether strategies and aid offered to Afghanistan are helping resolve the quagmire created by the 17-year war, paving way for the withdrawal of foreign troops.

Afghan leaders and international diplomats meet in Geneva on Tuesday to evaluate whether strategies and aid offered to Afghanistan are helping resolve the quagmire created by the 17-year war, paving way for the withdrawal of foreign troops. The two-day conference on Afghanistan, jointly hosted by the Afghan government and the United Nations comes at a time when US President Donald Trump’s administration is actively seeking a peace deal with the Taliban. While no fresh financial commitments are expected, the conference will be a chance for donors to measure results against the $15.2 billion committed for Afghanistan at the last funding meeting in Brussels in 2016. “At least 60 per cent of all the promises made by President Ghani at Brussels have been implemented. Discussions will be held regarding the challenges,” said Haroon Chakhansuri, President Ashraf Ghani’s spokesman. With Afghan security forces struggling to hold back increasingly confident Taliban fighters and Western appetite for further commitments uncertain, the conference comes at a sensitive moment. The government will present a growth strategy mapping out how an economy battered by 40 years of war can one day stand on its own as well as pledges on issues ranging from fighting corruption to women’s empowerment. However, diplomats said much of the focus will be on side meetings, where officials from Afghanistan and regional and Western countries will have a chance to assess the efforts of US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Ghani, facing a war-weary public at home, is expected to press regional countries to support the process but he has so far been kept on the sidelines by the Taliban’s refusal to talk to his government, which they consider illegitimate. His own future will be decided by presidential elections due in April but organizational and political problems may hamper the vote with authorities admitting they are considering a delay of three months. The Taliban, fighting to drive out international forces and establish their version of strict Islamic law, will not be attending but will be closely monitoring the talks. “We hope the international leaders accept our demands and put pressure on the US to withdraw all foreign forces from Afghanistan,” said a Taliban member. “Otherwise the conference will hold little significance.” The United States currently has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, serving in the NATO-led Resolute Support training and advisory mission as well as in separate counter-terrorism operations against militant groups like Islamic State.

World powers meet in Geneva on Afghan reforms, peace prospects

Pakistani policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur heard of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-firing-reported-outside-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-178903">attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi</a> while driving to work. She rushed to the scene to find two of her colleagues dead, and a trio of insurgents attempting to blow their way into the building.

Her fast response and actions during the nearly two-hour assault on the diplomatic mission in the southern port city have been praised for saving countless lives, turning 30-year-old Talpur into an instant celebrity - and potential feminist icon - in Pakistan, where female police officers remain rare.

"The moment I arrived, an exchange of fire was taking place, blasts had been heard, smoke was emanating," Talpur, an assistant superintendent, told Reuters.

Right away, she took up a position to fire at the attackers and began calling for reinforcements.

"We started to advance inside the consulate and gradually neutralized the situation," she said.

Since the attack a picture of Talpur holding her pistol, flanked by commandos, has gone viral on social media in Pakistan. Her bravery has also earned her a nomination for the country's highest award for police officers.

Friday's attack, claimed by separatist insurgents from the impoverished southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, killed four people, including two police officers who Talpur said were the real heroes.

"The real credit goes to assistant sub-inspector Ashraf (Dawood) and constable Amir (Khan) who kept the attackers engaged and sacrificed their lives," she said.

Once the attack ended, Talpur was among the first police officers to enter the mission and began reassuring the staff.

"When I entered there was a Chinese lady and three or four Pakistani men," she recalled. "The Chinese lady hugged me and I told her 'you are in safe hands, things are under control'."

Talpur, who is scheduled to be promoted soon, will be one of only two female officers above the rank of assistant superintendent in the Sindh provincial police force. But she believes women have a big role to play in law enforcement.

"A woman can be a better detective than a man, we see each and every thing and memorize it better," she said.

Pakistan was recently ranked as the fourth worst country for women in a study conducted by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. But the police and military have recently been running programmes to encourage more women in law enforcement roles and in the armed forces.

Police officers are on the front lines of Pakistan's battle against militancy, often targeted by Islamist and insurgent groups. In 2016, 59 cadets were killed when militants stormed a police academy in the southwestern city of Quetta. The attack was claimed by Islamic State, but Pakistani authorities blamed it on local militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

In Karachi, officers have been targeted by Taliban militants and scores have been killed in a wave of urban violence that engulfed the city for two decades from the 1990s.

Talpur, who hails from a small conservative village in the southern Sindh province, was studying to be a chartered accountant when she decided her chosen profession was too "dull" and joined the police instead.

Pakistani policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur heard of the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi while driving to work. She rushed to the scene to find two of her colleagues dead, and a trio of insurgents attempting to blow their way into the building.

Pakistani policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur heard of the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi while driving to work. She rushed to the scene to find two of her colleagues dead, and a trio of insurgents attempting to blow their way into the building. Her fast response and actions during the nearly two-hour assault on the diplomatic mission in the southern port city have been praised for saving countless lives, turning 30-year-old Talpur into an instant celebrity - and potential feminist icon - in Pakistan, where female police officers remain rare. "The moment I arrived, an exchange of fire was taking place, blasts had been heard, smoke was emanating," Talpur, an assistant superintendent, told Reuters. Right away, she took up a position to fire at the attackers and began calling for reinforcements. "We started to advance inside the consulate and gradually neutralized the situation," she said. Since the attack a picture of Talpur holding her pistol, flanked by commandos, has gone viral on social media in Pakistan. Her bravery has also earned her a nomination for the country's highest award for police officers. Friday's attack, claimed by separatist insurgents from the impoverished southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, killed four people, including two police officers who Talpur said were the real heroes. "The real credit goes to assistant sub-inspector Ashraf (Dawood) and constable Amir (Khan) who kept the attackers engaged and sacrificed their lives," she said. Once the attack ended, Talpur was among the first police officers to enter the mission and began reassuring the staff. "When I entered there was a Chinese lady and three or four Pakistani men," she recalled. "The Chinese lady hugged me and I told her 'you are in safe hands, things are under control'." Talpur, who is scheduled to be promoted soon, will be one of only two female officers above the rank of assistant superintendent in the Sindh provincial police force. But she believes women have a big role to play in law enforcement. "A woman can be a better detective than a man, we see each and every thing and memorize it better," she said. Pakistan was recently ranked as the fourth worst country for women in a study conducted by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. But the police and military have recently been running programmes to encourage more women in law enforcement roles and in the armed forces. Police officers are on the front lines of Pakistan's battle against militancy, often targeted by Islamist and insurgent groups. In 2016, 59 cadets were killed when militants stormed a police academy in the southwestern city of Quetta. The attack was claimed by Islamic State, but Pakistani authorities blamed it on local militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. In Karachi, officers have been targeted by Taliban militants and scores have been killed in a wave of urban violence that engulfed the city for two decades from the 1990s. Talpur, who hails from a small conservative village in the southern Sindh province, was studying to be a chartered accountant when she decided her chosen profession was too "dull" and joined the police instead.

Pakistani woman police commander led defence of Chinese mission

Afghan authorities are considering postponing a presidential election scheduled for April 20 next year, officials said, following heavy criticism of the chaotic organization of parliamentary elections last month.

Kubra Rezaie, a spokeswoman at the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said an option was being considered in which the presidential election, along with already delayed parliamentary elections in the central province of Ghazni and district council elections could be delayed by three months.

"But we cannot say they will be postponed because this is something at an initial stage," she said.

Last month's parliamentary elections, which saw huge delays at polling stations across Afghanistan, came in for heavy criticism over problems ranging from incomplete voter lists to malfunctioning biometric voter verification equipment.

However, any delay to the presidential ballot could provoke strong opposition from political groups, many of which suspect President Ashraf Ghani of trying to engineer his own re-election.

The issue is complicated by diplomatic efforts to start peace talks with the Taliban, who have met US&nbsp;special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad but who have refused to deal with the Afghan government, which they consider illegitimate.

The IEC has announced preliminary result for parliamentary elections in 10 of the 33 Afghan provinces where voting took place. The election was not held in Ghazni due to disputes over representation between different ethnic groups.

Results in the rest of the provinces have yet to be announced as recounting votes continues in some provinces, caused by the large number of complaints about fairness.

Afghan authorities are considering postponing a presidential election scheduled for April 20 next year, officials said, following heavy criticism of the chaotic organization of parliamentary elections last month.

Afghan authorities are considering postponing a presidential election scheduled for April 20 next year, officials said, following heavy criticism of the chaotic organization of parliamentary elections last month. Kubra Rezaie, a spokeswoman at the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said an option was being considered in which the presidential election, along with already delayed parliamentary elections in the central province of Ghazni and district council elections could be delayed by three months. "But we cannot say they will be postponed because this is something at an initial stage," she said. Last month's parliamentary elections, which saw huge delays at polling stations across Afghanistan, came in for heavy criticism over problems ranging from incomplete voter lists to malfunctioning biometric voter verification equipment. However, any delay to the presidential ballot could provoke strong opposition from political groups, many of which suspect President Ashraf Ghani of trying to engineer his own re-election. The issue is complicated by diplomatic efforts to start peace talks with the Taliban, who have met US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad but who have refused to deal with the Afghan government, which they consider illegitimate. The IEC has announced preliminary result for parliamentary elections in 10 of the 33 Afghan provinces where voting took place. The election was not held in Ghazni due to disputes over representation between different ethnic groups. Results in the rest of the provinces have yet to be announced as recounting votes continues in some provinces, caused by the large number of complaints about fairness.

Afghanistan considering delaying April presidential election

At least 22 policemen were killed in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-plans-to-take-part-in-moscow-talks-on-afghanistan-on-september-4-160710">Taliban ambush</a> in Afghanistan's western province of Farah late on Sunday, officials said, adding to the growing casualty toll on Afghan security forces fighting an increasingly confident insurgency.

Taliban fighters ambushed a security forces' convoy in Lash-e Joveyn district of Farah, a remote and sparsely populated province on the border with Iran where the Taliban have control of large parts of the countryside.

Police spokesman Mohebullah Moheb confirmed the ambush but gave no details. A spokesman at the provincial hospital said 22 bodies had been brought in from the incident.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said 25 police, including senior commanders, had been killed and four vehicles were destroyed in the attack. Large quantities of weapons were captured, he said.

Afghan authorities no longer release detailed figures but U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis recently confirmed casualties have been running at some 500 a month, a figure many officials in Kabul say understates the real toll.

The losses have been mounting even while U.S. diplomatic efforts to begin peace talks with the Taliban have picked up with the appointment by Washington of Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. ambassador to Kabul, as special peace envoy.

At least 22 policemen were killed in a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan's western province of Farah late on Sunday, officials said, adding to the growing casualty toll on Afghan security forces fighting an increasingly confident insurgency.

At least 22 policemen were killed in a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan's western province of Farah late on Sunday, officials said, adding to the growing casualty toll on Afghan security forces fighting an increasingly confident insurgency. Taliban fighters ambushed a security forces' convoy in Lash-e Joveyn district of Farah, a remote and sparsely populated province on the border with Iran where the Taliban have control of large parts of the countryside. Police spokesman Mohebullah Moheb confirmed the ambush but gave no details. A spokesman at the provincial hospital said 22 bodies had been brought in from the incident. Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said 25 police, including senior commanders, had been killed and four vehicles were destroyed in the attack. Large quantities of weapons were captured, he said. Afghan authorities no longer release detailed figures but U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis recently confirmed casualties have been running at some 500 a month, a figure many officials in Kabul say understates the real toll. The losses have been mounting even while U.S. diplomatic efforts to begin peace talks with the Taliban have picked up with the appointment by Washington of Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. ambassador to Kabul, as special peace envoy.

At least 22 Afghan policemen killed in Taliban ambush: Officials

The Vice-Chancellor of a leading university in Pakistan has come under fire for allegedly making controversial remarks against the country's powerful army saying that terrorists were making up to its top ranks.

A petition was filed Saturday with the Punjab province Governor and Chancellor of the University of Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar, seeking the removal of the varsity's VC Niaz Ahmed for the remarks.

In the petition filed by one Muhammad Ali said that Ahmed, in a speech on campus, had claimed that the Pakistan Army was facing the challenge of terrorists making up to its top ranks.

"A terrorist had made up to high rank in the Pakistan Army. In fact, he was working for the Taliban and had killed many of soldiers during the Swat Operation (in 2009)," Ali alleged.

He also said that the VC further claimed that "in Swat, there was an army major, who went on leave three-to-four times and every time he told his subordinate soldiers not to retaliate to the Taliban's firing as per an understanding (undercover deal) between Taliban and the Army.

The petitioner said the VC instead of narrating stories of valour of the Pakistan Army martyrs, mentioned an incident which has no relevance.

He also said that slogans against the Pakistan Army were written on one of the underpasses at the varsity's campus but the VC did not take any action and alleged that he patronises activists of Islami Jamiat Tulaba.

PU spokesperson Khurram Shahzad told PTI that the Vice Chancellor "did not mean anything that could harm repute of the institution of the army which is defending the boundaries of Pakistan".&nbsp;

He said in the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor highlighted the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in 1965 War and his speech was taken out of context as all allegations against him are "baseless".

The Vice-Chancellor of a leading university in Pakistan has come under fire for allegedly making controversial remarks against the country's powerful army saying that terrorists were making up to its top ranks.

The Vice-Chancellor of a leading university in Pakistan has come under fire for allegedly making controversial remarks against the country's powerful army saying that terrorists were making up to its top ranks. A petition was filed Saturday with the Punjab province Governor and Chancellor of the University of Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar, seeking the removal of the varsity's VC Niaz Ahmed for the remarks. In the petition filed by one Muhammad Ali said that Ahmed, in a speech on campus, had claimed that the Pakistan Army was facing the challenge of terrorists making up to its top ranks. "A terrorist had made up to high rank in the Pakistan Army. In fact, he was working for the Taliban and had killed many of soldiers during the Swat Operation (in 2009)," Ali alleged. He also said that the VC further claimed that "in Swat, there was an army major, who went on leave three-to-four times and every time he told his subordinate soldiers not to retaliate to the Taliban's firing as per an understanding (undercover deal) between Taliban and the Army. The petitioner said the VC instead of narrating stories of valour of the Pakistan Army martyrs, mentioned an incident which has no relevance. He also said that slogans against the Pakistan Army were written on one of the underpasses at the varsity's campus but the VC did not take any action and alleged that he patronises activists of Islami Jamiat Tulaba. PU spokesperson Khurram Shahzad told PTI that the Vice Chancellor "did not mean anything that could harm repute of the institution of the army which is defending the boundaries of Pakistan". He said in the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor highlighted the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in 1965 War and his speech was taken out of context as all allegations against him are "baseless".

Pak university Vice Chancellor comes under fire for his remarks against powerful army 

Afghanistan has a better chance of finding peace than it has for many years, with more coordination in international peace efforts and willingness to include all parties, the top UN humanitarian official in the country said on Friday.

Taliban leaders met US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad at their political headquarters in Qatar last week for the second time in the past month, and President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States was in "very strong" peace negotiations.

The Taliban, who are waging a war to oust the Western-backed Afghan government and expel foreign forces from Afghanistan, have launched a series of high-profile attacks against Afghan security forces in recent weeks.

"There are new-found opportunities in Afghanistan and there are very well founded hopes for peace," UN resident coordinator Toby Lanzer told reporters in Geneva.&nbsp;

"It sounds like a paradox but there are better opportunities today than there have been in many, many, many years for Afghanistan to be at peace with itself and with its key neighbours."

He declined to go into detail, but said discussions would go on in the coming days, weeks and months.

"What I can tell you is there is more coordination amongst the international community than we’ve witnessed in recent times. And there is more openness in certain sectors of the international community to make sure that everyone is part of the conversation. And those are two very important changes."

The turning point came in February when the Afghan government said it was ready for talks without preconditions, and since then there had been as low but steady outreach to parties with a stake in what was going on in Afghanistan, as well as to the Taliban, he said.

But after 40 years of instability, tremendous progress would not come within months.

"And I think that while this happens there will be spoilers, and there will people who want to derail things," he said, adding that the Islamic State armed group had exerted itself more in 2018 than in 2017 and would have to be dealt with.

&nbsp;

Afghanistan has a better chance of finding peace than it has for many years, with more coordination in international peace efforts and willingness to include all parties, the top UN humanitarian official in the country said on Friday.

Afghanistan has a better chance of finding peace than it has for many years, with more coordination in international peace efforts and willingness to include all parties, the top UN humanitarian official in the country said on Friday. Taliban leaders met US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad at their political headquarters in Qatar last week for the second time in the past month, and President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States was in "very strong" peace negotiations. The Taliban, who are waging a war to oust the Western-backed Afghan government and expel foreign forces from Afghanistan, have launched a series of high-profile attacks against Afghan security forces in recent weeks. "There are new-found opportunities in Afghanistan and there are very well founded hopes for peace," UN resident coordinator Toby Lanzer told reporters in Geneva. "It sounds like a paradox but there are better opportunities today than there have been in many, many, many years for Afghanistan to be at peace with itself and with its key neighbours." He declined to go into detail, but said discussions would go on in the coming days, weeks and months. "What I can tell you is there is more coordination amongst the international community than we’ve witnessed in recent times. And there is more openness in certain sectors of the international community to make sure that everyone is part of the conversation. And those are two very important changes." The turning point came in February when the Afghan government said it was ready for talks without preconditions, and since then there had been as low but steady outreach to parties with a stake in what was going on in Afghanistan, as well as to the Taliban, he said. But after 40 years of instability, tremendous progress would not come within months. "And I think that while this happens there will be spoilers, and there will people who want to derail things," he said, adding that the Islamic State armed group had exerted itself more in 2018 than in 2017 and would have to be dealt with.

UN says hopes for peace in Afghanistan are well founded

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States was "in very strong" peace negotiations in Afghanistan but he did not known whether they would be successful.

"I really think the people of Afghanistan ... are tired of fighting," Trump told reporters after delivering a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/donald-trump-hints-could-make-first-visit-to-afghanistan-178908">Thanksgiving holiday message</a> to US&nbsp;troops in Afghanistan, scene of one of America's longest-ever wars.

"We are talking about peace and we'll see if that happens ... We have negotiations going on. I don't know that they are going to be successful, probably they're not. Who knows? They might be, they might not be."

Trump was speaking after Taliban leaders met with US&nbsp;special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad at their political headquarters in Qatar last week for the second time in the past month.

Khalilzad said on Sunday he hoped to reach a peace deal by April 20, a deadline that coincides with the date set for presidential elections in Afghanistan.

However, the Taliban said their three-day meeting with Khalilzad to pave the way for peace talks ended with no agreement on any issue and they had not accepted any deadline set by the United States to wrap up talks.

Khalilzad's public statement that the Taliban believe they will "not win militarily" apparently angered senior members of the group, who warned US&nbsp;officials against mixed messages that could muddle the peace process.

US&nbsp;troops invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of a campaign to topple the Taliban following the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. Some 14,000 US&nbsp;personnel are still there.

The Taliban have strengthened their grip over the past three years, with the government in Kabul controlling just 56 per cent of Afghanistan, down from 72 per cent in 2015, a US&nbsp;government report showed this month.

Two senior US officials confirmed this week that a second round of peace talks ended last week and the Taliban expected Khalilzad to visit Qatar for a meeting before the end of 2018.

Trump hinted he may go to Afghanistan, a country he has yet to visit almost two years into his presidency, even though previous US&nbsp;commanders-in-chief have routinely visited troops in active war zones.

Trump told troops in the teleconference that while they were fighting, he was taking tough action to secure the southern borders of the United States from illegal immigration.

"You are doing it over there; we are doing it over here," he said.

"We have a very powerful border now ... We took old broken wall and we wrapped it with barbed wire plus ... nobody is getting through these walls and we're going to make sure they're the right people because that's what you and your family want," he said.

"That's why we're all fighting – you know, we're fighting for borders, we're fighting for our country."

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States was "in very strong" peace negotiations in Afghanistan but he did not known whether they would be successful.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States was "in very strong" peace negotiations in Afghanistan but he did not known whether they would be successful. "I really think the people of Afghanistan ... are tired of fighting," Trump told reporters after delivering a Thanksgiving holiday message to US troops in Afghanistan, scene of one of America's longest-ever wars. "We are talking about peace and we'll see if that happens ... We have negotiations going on. I don't know that they are going to be successful, probably they're not. Who knows? They might be, they might not be." Trump was speaking after Taliban leaders met with US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad at their political headquarters in Qatar last week for the second time in the past month. Khalilzad said on Sunday he hoped to reach a peace deal by April 20, a deadline that coincides with the date set for presidential elections in Afghanistan. However, the Taliban said their three-day meeting with Khalilzad to pave the way for peace talks ended with no agreement on any issue and they had not accepted any deadline set by the United States to wrap up talks. Khalilzad's public statement that the Taliban believe they will "not win militarily" apparently angered senior members of the group, who warned US officials against mixed messages that could muddle the peace process. US troops invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of a campaign to topple the Taliban following the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. Some 14,000 US personnel are still there. The Taliban have strengthened their grip over the past three years, with the government in Kabul controlling just 56 per cent of Afghanistan, down from 72 per cent in 2015, a US government report showed this month. Two senior US officials confirmed this week that a second round of peace talks ended last week and the Taliban expected Khalilzad to visit Qatar for a meeting before the end of 2018. Trump hinted he may go to Afghanistan, a country he has yet to visit almost two years into his presidency, even though previous US commanders-in-chief have routinely visited troops in active war zones. Trump told troops in the teleconference that while they were fighting, he was taking tough action to secure the southern borders of the United States from illegal immigration. "You are doing it over there; we are doing it over here," he said. "We have a very powerful border now ... We took old broken wall and we wrapped it with barbed wire plus ... nobody is getting through these walls and we're going to make sure they're the right people because that's what you and your family want," he said. "That's why we're all fighting – you know, we're fighting for borders, we're fighting for our country."

Trump says US in 'very strong' negotiations in Afghanistan

The Taliban in Afghanistan have not yet shown any sign they are serious about ending their 17-year insurgency despite US efforts to push a fresh peace process, the country's de facto prime minister has said.

Abdullah Abdullah, who serves as "chief executive" of the unity government in Kabul, struck a far more sceptical tone about the prospects of a deal than his political rival, President Ashraf Ghani, and his Western counterparts.

Ghani said earlier this month it was "not a question of if, but when" an agreement would be reached with the Taliban, while the US envoy to the country even raised the possibility of a breakthrough before presidential elections in April.

"Recently there are renewed efforts in terms of the international community and especially the US," Abdullah told AFP during a wide-ranging interview in Paris that also covered his own political ambitions.

"We are not judging it too prematurely, but I would say that our experience as of now has been that they (the Taliban) have not shown any intention to get seriously engaged in the peace negotiations," he added.

The comment on Wednesday came after the latest atrocity targeting civilians in Kabul when a bomber killed 55 people at a banquet hall at a ceremony to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.

Abdullah, a political veteran of the fight against Soviet forces in the 1980s and Taliban rule in the 90s, called it "beyond comprehension."&nbsp;

Beleaguered Afghan security forces are also suffering an unprecedented level of casualties across the country where the Taliban and the Islamic State group are stepping up attacks.

Returning to Kabul on Thursday after a three-day trip to France, Abdullah said he expected to be briefed fully about the latest round of talks between US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban, which are believed to have taken place in Qatar last week.

Whatever the outcome, he argued that Afghanistan should hold its presidential election as scheduled next April despite a recent upsurge in violence and suggestions from some that it should be delayed.

"My idea is to stick to the timing, make it work, because it's part of the system and legitimacy of the system depends on the elections," he said.&nbsp;

"At the same time, continue the efforts on peace with full vigour."&nbsp;

He downplayed any suggestion of a pre-election breakthrough with the Taliban.

"It will be very surprising if that happens, but should it happen ... That would be welcomed by the people of Afghanistan," he added.

Abdullah has kept up suspense about his own political ambitions after twice running for president in 2009 and 2014 in campaigns that ended bitterly amid accusations of fraud.

After being beaten in 2014 by Ghani, Abdullah agreed to become prime minister of the unity government in a US-brokered deal -- but the rivalry between the two men continues.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

"I will actively be involved one way or another, but I have not made that final decision," Abdullah said when asked if he would run in 2019.

Looking ahead to next April's vote, Abdullah was candid about the lack of progress made in correcting the weaknesses in Afghanistan's fraud-plagued electoral system.

He said he was "disappointed" by parliamentary elections in October, which were marred by a shambolic rollout of new biometric polling technology and missing or incomplete voter lists.

"Our expectations for the parliamentary elections and the conduct of them was much higher, and the people's expectations were much higher," he said.

There were thousands of complaints lodged against the Independent Electoral Commission, although four million voters did defy the security worries to turn out and cast a ballot.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The unity government had pledged to tackle problems that have repeatedly undermined faith in Afghan elections since the US-led invasion in 2001 overthrew the Taliban government in Kabul.

But Abdullah suggested that these efforts, like in other areas, have been hit by the fractious nature of decision-making in the multi-party government.

"It was the commitment of the unity government in 2014... That we will start implementing reforms. We started very late. Why did we do that?" he asked.

Abdullah's defeats in 2009 and then again in 2014 -- when he won the first round but slumped to a surprise defeat in the second -- led to political crises which threatened to unravel the country's fragile political system.

Should observers fear another tainted poll?&nbsp;

"There were a lot of lessons from the parliamentary elections. Should we and other relevant institutions deal with them thoroughly and seriously we can have and we should have better elections than in 2014," he said.

The Taliban in Afghanistan have not yet shown any sign they are serious about ending their 17-year insurgency despite US efforts to push a fresh peace process, the country's de facto prime minister has said.

The Taliban in Afghanistan have not yet shown any sign they are serious about ending their 17-year insurgency despite US efforts to push a fresh peace process, the country's de facto prime minister has said. Abdullah Abdullah, who serves as "chief executive" of the unity government in Kabul, struck a far more sceptical tone about the prospects of a deal than his political rival, President Ashraf Ghani, and his Western counterparts. Ghani said earlier this month it was "not a question of if, but when" an agreement would be reached with the Taliban, while the US envoy to the country even raised the possibility of a breakthrough before presidential elections in April. "Recently there are renewed efforts in terms of the international community and especially the US," Abdullah told AFP during a wide-ranging interview in Paris that also covered his own political ambitions. "We are not judging it too prematurely, but I would say that our experience as of now has been that they (the Taliban) have not shown any intention to get seriously engaged in the peace negotiations," he added. The comment on Wednesday came after the latest atrocity targeting civilians in Kabul when a bomber killed 55 people at a banquet hall at a ceremony to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. Abdullah, a political veteran of the fight against Soviet forces in the 1980s and Taliban rule in the 90s, called it "beyond comprehension." Beleaguered Afghan security forces are also suffering an unprecedented level of casualties across the country where the Taliban and the Islamic State group are stepping up attacks. Returning to Kabul on Thursday after a three-day trip to France, Abdullah said he expected to be briefed fully about the latest round of talks between US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban, which are believed to have taken place in Qatar last week. Whatever the outcome, he argued that Afghanistan should hold its presidential election as scheduled next April despite a recent upsurge in violence and suggestions from some that it should be delayed. "My idea is to stick to the timing, make it work, because it's part of the system and legitimacy of the system depends on the elections," he said. "At the same time, continue the efforts on peace with full vigour." He downplayed any suggestion of a pre-election breakthrough with the Taliban. "It will be very surprising if that happens, but should it happen ... That would be welcomed by the people of Afghanistan," he added. Abdullah has kept up suspense about his own political ambitions after twice running for president in 2009 and 2014 in campaigns that ended bitterly amid accusations of fraud. After being beaten in 2014 by Ghani, Abdullah agreed to become prime minister of the unity government in a US-brokered deal -- but the rivalry between the two men continues. "I will actively be involved one way or another, but I have not made that final decision," Abdullah said when asked if he would run in 2019. Looking ahead to next April's vote, Abdullah was candid about the lack of progress made in correcting the weaknesses in Afghanistan's fraud-plagued electoral system. He said he was "disappointed" by parliamentary elections in October, which were marred by a shambolic rollout of new biometric polling technology and missing or incomplete voter lists. "Our expectations for the parliamentary elections and the conduct of them was much higher, and the people's expectations were much higher," he said. There were thousands of complaints lodged against the Independent Electoral Commission, although four million voters did defy the security worries to turn out and cast a ballot. The unity government had pledged to tackle problems that have repeatedly undermined faith in Afghan elections since the US-led invasion in 2001 overthrew the Taliban government in Kabul. But Abdullah suggested that these efforts, like in other areas, have been hit by the fractious nature of decision-making in the multi-party government. "It was the commitment of the unity government in 2014... That we will start implementing reforms. We started very late. Why did we do that?" he asked. Abdullah's defeats in 2009 and then again in 2014 -- when he won the first round but slumped to a surprise defeat in the second -- led to political crises which threatened to unravel the country's fragile political system. Should observers fear another tainted poll? "There were a lot of lessons from the parliamentary elections. Should we and other relevant institutions deal with them thoroughly and seriously we can have and we should have better elections than in 2014," he said.

Afghan Taliban not serious about peace, says government chief

Three children were killed after a mortar shell they mistook for a toy exploded in a field in Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley, police said Thursday.

The district was under the de facto control of the Pakistani Taliban in 2007-2009 until a military operation ended their rule, and has since seen sporadic militant attacks.

"The shell exploded when the children were playing with it and some started hitting it with stones," Sayed Wali Khan, a local police official in Swat, told AFP.

Khan said one child was immediately killed in the explosion -- which occurred in Nela Gram village on Wednesday -- while two others died in a local hospital.

The dead included two brothers and their cousin, aged between four and nine years old. Three others sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment.

The Swat valley was home to Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai.

When it was held by the Pakistani Taliban they imposed a harsh brand of Islamic law, and carried out public floggings and executions.

Three children were killed after a mortar shell they mistook for a toy exploded in a field in Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley, police said Thursday. The district was under the de facto control of the Pakistani Taliban in 2007-2009 until a military operation ended their rule, and has since seen sporadic militant attacks.

Three children were killed after a mortar shell they mistook for a toy exploded in a field in Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley, police said Thursday. The district was under the de facto control of the Pakistani Taliban in 2007-2009 until a military operation ended their rule, and has since seen sporadic militant attacks. "The shell exploded when the children were playing with it and some started hitting it with stones," Sayed Wali Khan, a local police official in Swat, told AFP. Khan said one child was immediately killed in the explosion -- which occurred in Nela Gram village on Wednesday -- while two others died in a local hospital. The dead included two brothers and their cousin, aged between four and nine years old. Three others sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment. The Swat valley was home to Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai. When it was held by the Pakistani Taliban they imposed a harsh brand of Islamic law, and carried out public floggings and executions.

Three children killed playing with mortar in Pakistan's Swat: Police

US & Russia negotiating peace with terrorists?

Afghan opium producers were hit hard by the worst drought in living memory this year and excessive supply, with output and prices falling sharply as the area under poppy cultivation shrank, an annual survey said Monday.

In sharp contrast to a bumper 2017, the value of opium -- a key source of funding for the Taliban -- as it left poppy-growing farms fell 56 per cent to $604 million, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said.

Potential opium production from this year's harvest dropped 29 per cent to 6,400 tons -- partially reversing last year's 87 per cent increase -- as cultivation shrank by 20 per cent and yields fell.

The sharp drop in area under cultivation to 263,000 hectares (650,000 acres) was still the second-highest level since systemic opium poppy monitoring began in 1994, according to the Afghanistan Opium Survey, jointly compiled by the UNODC and the Afghan counter-narcotics ministry.

Crops failed on a "major scale" across northern and western Afghanistan due to the dry spell, the report said. Nearly 70 per cent of poppy cultivation was in the militant stronghold of southern Afghanistan.

The Taliban has long profited from poppies by taxing farmers and traffickers, and running their own drug-making factories that turn raw opium into morphine or heroin for export.

Despite falling prices, which the report said was due to the high level of supply in the market, the lack of alternative cash crops has left many Afghan farmers hooked on growing opium poppies.

"Opium poppy has become a crucial component of the Afghan economy that secures the livelihoods of many Afghans who engage in cultivation, work on poppy fields or partake in the illicit drug trade," the report said.

Opium poppy weeding and harvesting alone provided up to 354,000 full-time jobs in 2017 in rural areas, it added.

Agricultural advances, including the use of solar-powered irrigation systems, fertilisers and pesticides, also may have made opium production viable even "under unfavourable natural conditions and falling prices".

Afghan-led efforts to eradicate opium poppies failed to make much of a dent in the illicit industry, with only 406 hectares cleared in four provinces, compared with 750 hectares in 14 provinces last year. Only 10 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are considered poppy-free, unchanged from 2017.

International donors have spent billions of dollars on counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan over the past decade, including efforts to encourage farmers to switch to other cash crops such as saffron. But those efforts have shown little results.

Addiction levels have also risen sharply -- from almost nothing under the 1996-2001 Taliban regime -- giving rise to a new generation of addicts since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

Afghan opium producers were hit hard by the worst drought in living memory this year and excessive supply, with output and prices falling sharply as the area under poppy cultivation shrank, an annual survey said Monday.

Afghan opium producers were hit hard by the worst drought in living memory this year and excessive supply, with output and prices falling sharply as the area under poppy cultivation shrank, an annual survey said Monday. In sharp contrast to a bumper 2017, the value of opium -- a key source of funding for the Taliban -- as it left poppy-growing farms fell 56 per cent to $604 million, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said. Potential opium production from this year's harvest dropped 29 per cent to 6,400 tons -- partially reversing last year's 87 per cent increase -- as cultivation shrank by 20 per cent and yields fell. The sharp drop in area under cultivation to 263,000 hectares (650,000 acres) was still the second-highest level since systemic opium poppy monitoring began in 1994, according to the Afghanistan Opium Survey, jointly compiled by the UNODC and the Afghan counter-narcotics ministry. Crops failed on a "major scale" across northern and western Afghanistan due to the dry spell, the report said. Nearly 70 per cent of poppy cultivation was in the militant stronghold of southern Afghanistan. The Taliban has long profited from poppies by taxing farmers and traffickers, and running their own drug-making factories that turn raw opium into morphine or heroin for export. Despite falling prices, which the report said was due to the high level of supply in the market, the lack of alternative cash crops has left many Afghan farmers hooked on growing opium poppies. "Opium poppy has become a crucial component of the Afghan economy that secures the livelihoods of many Afghans who engage in cultivation, work on poppy fields or partake in the illicit drug trade," the report said. Opium poppy weeding and harvesting alone provided up to 354,000 full-time jobs in 2017 in rural areas, it added. Agricultural advances, including the use of solar-powered irrigation systems, fertilisers and pesticides, also may have made opium production viable even "under unfavourable natural conditions and falling prices". Afghan-led efforts to eradicate opium poppies failed to make much of a dent in the illicit industry, with only 406 hectares cleared in four provinces, compared with 750 hectares in 14 provinces last year. Only 10 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are considered poppy-free, unchanged from 2017. International donors have spent billions of dollars on counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan over the past decade, including efforts to encourage farmers to switch to other cash crops such as saffron. But those efforts have shown little results. Addiction levels have also risen sharply -- from almost nothing under the 1996-2001 Taliban regime -- giving rise to a new generation of addicts since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

Afghan opium producers hit hard by drought in 2018

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