Pakistan, which remains the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/govt-hasnt-extended-ordinance-jud-no-longer-in-banned-list-saeeds-lawyer-tells-pak-court-173541">breeding ground and supporter of global terrorism</a>, is responsible for three times the terror risk to humanity that Syria poses, says a study — "Humanity at Risk - Global Terror Threat Indicant (GTTI)" — by Oxford University and Strategic Foresight Group (SFG).

As per the GTTI, while the Afghan Taliban and the Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba (LeT) pose the maximum threat to international security in future, Pakistan is placed on top of the list of countries with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fatf-dissatisfied-over-pakistans-efforts-to-combat-terror-financing-report-172508">highest number of terrorist bases and safe havens</a>.

"If we look at the most dangerous terrorist groups, based on hard facts and statistics, we find that Pakistan hosts or aids the majority of them. Also, there are a significant number of groups based in Afghanistan, which operate with the support of Pakistan," the report says.

The over 80-page report, which has been prepared to discuss the challenges in the next decade, presents an analytical framework and tool to enable policymakers to look into the future.

"The rise of competitive extremism of all shades, misuse of weapons of mass destruction and economic disruptions can undermine human progress or even survival in the period from now until 2030. They are all interlinked with terrorism", the report reveals.

Strategic Foresight Group had analysed almost 200 groups actively involved in committing acts of terror in the first half decade of the twenty-first century. During that period, the groups motivated by their own interpretation of Jihadi ideology accounted for only a fourth of almost 200 groups around the world.

Among these groups, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)/Daesh has attracted much of media space in the last five years. But with swift rise and fall of ISIL/Daesh, the Al-Qaida remains the most resilient network. Until 2011, it was led by Osama bin Laden but now his son, Hamza bin Osama bin Laden has emerged, as what sections of the media describe, as the "new crown prince of terror".

The most significant factor influencing the future of Jihadi groups would be the support they get from states, intelligence agencies and criminal networks.

"The birth of Al-Qaida was in Pakistan and then Pakistan influenced Afghanistan. Osama Bin Laden had a safe haven in a huge compound near the Pakistani military establishment in Abbottabad. The compound was much larger than the surrounding houses of retired Pakistani military officers. The occupants of the compound often bought expensive goods from a neighbourhood shop that most people in the vicinity could not afford. The presence of an important family in the compound was nothing but conspicuous," the report reveals.

The report has also given a comprehensive detail about the global terror outfits operating from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen and many other countries who have linkages with each other.

In Pakistan, the terror groups are based in FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Quetta and Kalat (Balochistan), Punjab and Sindh. Enjoying patronage of the law enforcement agencies, they easily plan and plot major attacks and raise funds for their activities.

In a shocking revelation report says: "The Jihadi thought processes have proved to be most resilient for almost 150 years, beginning in what is today Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan. Many extremist movements rose and collapsed. But the Jihadi movement has survived in Pakistan and Afghanistan, now firmly spreading to the Middle East and North and West Africa."

On Friday, Afghanistan's deputy Defence Minister, Hilaluddin Helal, said at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on defence, that more than 50,000 militants from 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan and out of these 70 per cent are Pakistanis.

Pakistan, which remains the breeding ground and supporter of global terrorism, is responsible for three times the terror risk to humanity that Syria poses, says a study — "Humanity at Risk - Global Terror Threat Indicant (GTTI)" — by Oxford University and Strategic Foresight Group (SFG).

Pakistan, which remains the breeding ground and supporter of global terrorism, is responsible for three times the terror risk to humanity that Syria poses, says a study — "Humanity at Risk - Global Terror Threat Indicant (GTTI)" — by Oxford University and Strategic Foresight Group (SFG). As per the GTTI, while the Afghan Taliban and the Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba (LeT) pose the maximum threat to international security in future, Pakistan is placed on top of the list of countries with the highest number of terrorist bases and safe havens. "If we look at the most dangerous terrorist groups, based on hard facts and statistics, we find that Pakistan hosts or aids the majority of them. Also, there are a significant number of groups based in Afghanistan, which operate with the support of Pakistan," the report says. The over 80-page report, which has been prepared to discuss the challenges in the next decade, presents an analytical framework and tool to enable policymakers to look into the future. "The rise of competitive extremism of all shades, misuse of weapons of mass destruction and economic disruptions can undermine human progress or even survival in the period from now until 2030. They are all interlinked with terrorism", the report reveals. Strategic Foresight Group had analysed almost 200 groups actively involved in committing acts of terror in the first half decade of the twenty-first century. During that period, the groups motivated by their own interpretation of Jihadi ideology accounted for only a fourth of almost 200 groups around the world. Among these groups, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)/Daesh has attracted much of media space in the last five years. But with swift rise and fall of ISIL/Daesh, the Al-Qaida remains the most resilient network. Until 2011, it was led by Osama bin Laden but now his son, Hamza bin Osama bin Laden has emerged, as what sections of the media describe, as the "new crown prince of terror". The most significant factor influencing the future of Jihadi groups would be the support they get from states, intelligence agencies and criminal networks. "The birth of Al-Qaida was in Pakistan and then Pakistan influenced Afghanistan. Osama Bin Laden had a safe haven in a huge compound near the Pakistani military establishment in Abbottabad. The compound was much larger than the surrounding houses of retired Pakistani military officers. The occupants of the compound often bought expensive goods from a neighbourhood shop that most people in the vicinity could not afford. The presence of an important family in the compound was nothing but conspicuous," the report reveals. The report has also given a comprehensive detail about the global terror outfits operating from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen and many other countries who have linkages with each other. In Pakistan, the terror groups are based in FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Quetta and Kalat (Balochistan), Punjab and Sindh. Enjoying patronage of the law enforcement agencies, they easily plan and plot major attacks and raise funds for their activities. In a shocking revelation report says: "The Jihadi thought processes have proved to be most resilient for almost 150 years, beginning in what is today Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan. Many extremist movements rose and collapsed. But the Jihadi movement has survived in Pakistan and Afghanistan, now firmly spreading to the Middle East and North and West Africa." On Friday, Afghanistan's deputy Defence Minister, Hilaluddin Helal, said at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on defence, that more than 50,000 militants from 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan and out of these 70 per cent are Pakistanis.

Pakistan three times the terror risk that Syria is: Oxford report

A top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years has been freed, sources said Thursday, in an apparent move to aid tentative talks between the United States and the militant group.

The release of Abdul Ghani Baradar -- the former right-hand man of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, who died in 2013 -- came less than two weeks after US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the group's representatives in Qatar to discuss ending the Afghan conflict.

Baradar was among several senior Taliban leaders freed this week, after the Taliban demanded their release in direct talks with Khalilzad on October 12, a senior Taliban leader told AFP on the condition of anonymity.

"We believe that they were released at the US's request," the leader said.

He said Baradar would likely stay in Pakistan and shuttle between the Taliban's Doha office, Kabul and Islamabad.

"It was important for confidence building and all three will participate in the next round of talks with the US in Qatar," he added.

Baradar was the most high-profile Afghan Taliban leader detained by Pakistan since the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

He was arrested in the southern port city of Karachi in 2010, reportedly in an operation that was described as a huge blow to the militant group, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 when it was toppled by a US-led invasion.

It was not clear what role, if any, he would play in peace talks.

"Baradar was freed yesterday afternoon and he joined his family," Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP in a WhatsApp message.

A Pakistani intelligence official also said Baradar was "released a couple of days ago".

Baradar's release comes after the recent election of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has long advocated talks with the Taliban and other Islamist insurgents in the region to bring an end to years of fighting.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier this month also pledged to support negotiations with the Taliban as the country lobbies the United States to restore military aid.

The United States has long pressed Pakistan to crack down on the Taliban and other militant groups, which Washington says have safe havens in Pakistan's border areas and links to its shadowy military establishment -- charges Islamabad has repeatedly denied.

Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives in Doha as part of a regional trip designed to coordinate efforts to convince the group to negotiate an end to the war.&nbsp;

A top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years has been freed, sources said Thursday, in an apparent move to aid tentative talks between the United States and the militant group.

A top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years has been freed, sources said Thursday, in an apparent move to aid tentative talks between the United States and the militant group. The release of Abdul Ghani Baradar -- the former right-hand man of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, who died in 2013 -- came less than two weeks after US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the group's representatives in Qatar to discuss ending the Afghan conflict. Baradar was among several senior Taliban leaders freed this week, after the Taliban demanded their release in direct talks with Khalilzad on October 12, a senior Taliban leader told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "We believe that they were released at the US's request," the leader said. He said Baradar would likely stay in Pakistan and shuttle between the Taliban's Doha office, Kabul and Islamabad. "It was important for confidence building and all three will participate in the next round of talks with the US in Qatar," he added. Baradar was the most high-profile Afghan Taliban leader detained by Pakistan since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. He was arrested in the southern port city of Karachi in 2010, reportedly in an operation that was described as a huge blow to the militant group, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 when it was toppled by a US-led invasion. It was not clear what role, if any, he would play in peace talks. "Baradar was freed yesterday afternoon and he joined his family," Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP in a WhatsApp message. A Pakistani intelligence official also said Baradar was "released a couple of days ago". Baradar's release comes after the recent election of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has long advocated talks with the Taliban and other Islamist insurgents in the region to bring an end to years of fighting. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier this month also pledged to support negotiations with the Taliban as the country lobbies the United States to restore military aid. The United States has long pressed Pakistan to crack down on the Taliban and other militant groups, which Washington says have safe havens in Pakistan's border areas and links to its shadowy military establishment -- charges Islamabad has repeatedly denied. Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives in Doha as part of a regional trip designed to coordinate efforts to convince the group to negotiate an end to the war.

Pakistan frees Taliban leader after US talks with militants

More than 50,000 militants from 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan, the country's deputy Defence Minister, Hilaluddin Helal, said on Friday. Out of these 70 per cent are Pakistanis.

"Currently, 21 terrorist organisations are operating in the country. The total number of militants stands at 50,200," Helal said at the eight Beijing Xiangshan Forum on defence, which opened on Thursday.

The minister added that Afghanistan had become "a central battlefield" for members of various terrorist organizations that are "fighting for influence in the region."

"[The number of militants active in Afghanistan] includes 8,023 international terrorists," Helal stressed, noting that Taliban is the biggest group operating in the country and is comprised of about 38,000 people.

The Islamic State terrorist group now has over 2,000 members in Afghanistan, he underlined.

"As much as 70 per cent of IS [members] are Pakistanis, 6 per cent are Uzbeks, 4 per cent are Chechens, 3 per cent are Arabs, 1 per cent are Chinese and 14 per cent are Afghans," Helal pointed out.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from an unstable political, social and security situation due to simmering Taliban insurgency.

The violence is exacerbated by the activities of various terrorist groups, including the IS.

More than 50,000 militants from 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan, the country's deputy Defence Minister, Hilaluddin Helal, said on Friday.

More than 50,000 militants from 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan, the country's deputy Defence Minister, Hilaluddin Helal, said on Friday. Out of these 70 per cent are Pakistanis. "Currently, 21 terrorist organisations are operating in the country. The total number of militants stands at 50,200," Helal said at the eight Beijing Xiangshan Forum on defence, which opened on Thursday. The minister added that Afghanistan had become "a central battlefield" for members of various terrorist organizations that are "fighting for influence in the region." "[The number of militants active in Afghanistan] includes 8,023 international terrorists," Helal stressed, noting that Taliban is the biggest group operating in the country and is comprised of about 38,000 people. The Islamic State terrorist group now has over 2,000 members in Afghanistan, he underlined. "As much as 70 per cent of IS [members] are Pakistanis, 6 per cent are Uzbeks, 4 per cent are Chechens, 3 per cent are Arabs, 1 per cent are Chinese and 14 per cent are Afghans," Helal pointed out. Afghanistan has long been suffering from an unstable political, social and security situation due to simmering Taliban insurgency. The violence is exacerbated by the activities of various terrorist groups, including the IS.

Over 50,000 militants from 21 groups are in Afghanistan: Defence Ministry

A top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years has been freed, sources said Thursday, in an apparent move to aid tentative talks between the United States and the militant group.

The release of Abdul Ghani Baradar -- the former right-hand man of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, who died in 2013 -- came less than two weeks after US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the group's representatives in Qatar to discuss ending the Afghan conflict.

Baradar was among several senior Taliban leaders freed this week, after the Taliban demanded their release in direct talks with Khalilzad on October 12, a senior Taliban leader told AFP on the condition of anonymity.

"We believe that they were released at the US's request," the leader said.

He said Baradar would likely stay in Pakistan and shuttle between the Taliban's Doha office, Kabul and Islamabad.

"It was important for confidence building and all three will participate in the next round of talks with the US in Qatar," he added.

Baradar was the most high-profile Afghan Taliban leader detained by Pakistan since the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

He was arrested in the southern port city of Karachi in 2010, reportedly in an operation that was described as a huge blow to the militant group, which ruled

Afghanistan from 1996-2001 when it was toppled by a US-led invasion.

It was not clear what role, if any, he would play in peace talks.

"Baradar was freed yesterday afternoon and he joined his family," Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP in a WhatsApp message. 
A Pakistani intelligence official also said Baradar was "released a couple of days ago".

Baradar's release comes after the recent election of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has long advocated talks with the Taliban and other Islamist insurgents in the region to bring an end to years of fighting.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier this month also pledged to support negotiations with the Taliban as the country lobbies the United States to restore military aid.

The United States has long pressed Pakistan to crack down on the Taliban and other militant groups, which Washington says have safe havens in Pakistan's border areas and links to its shadowy military establishment -- charges Islamabad has repeatedly denied.

Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives in Doha as part of a regional trip designed to coordinate efforts to convince the group to negotiate an end to the war.

Pakistan frees Taliban leader after US talks with terrorists

Afghanistan's National Unity Government's CEO Abdullah Abdullah said on Monday that Taliban's thoughts and ideas have been rejected, as people came out to vote for Saturday's parliamentary elections despite threats by the group.

The CEO stated, "The Taliban wanted to build a bloodstream, but the Taliban were defeated and the Taliban's thoughts and ideas were rejected," according to TOLOnews.

"Our old men and females, youths and their enthusiasm, standing in line to vote, all that shows that people do not want Taliban ideology, but the Afghan people want a system based on the people's vote, and in fact, we have witnessed a historical moment," further claimed Abdullah, who also stated that the Afghans have proved that they reject the sound of violence, terror and the return to the dark days of the past.

Meanwhile, he also outlined that there were lapses during Saturday's polls. Referring to the Independent Election Commission (IEC), he said, "The people's demand from these commissions is that their complaints should be addressed and the shortcomings that have taken place should be resolved and people have the right for their complaints to be addressed."

He further dismissed rumours that held NATO-led Resolute Support responsible for the attacks in Kandahar's governor's house which left the province's police chief General Abdul Raziq dead.

Abdullah said, "The rumors that the action (attack on Raziq) was done by Resolute Support is just helping the enemy."

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani termed the elections as a "historic success" for democracy, while thanking the people for their active participation, despite threats by the Taliban.

"The great people of Afghanistan, thank you! By casting your votes, you sent a message to the world that you do not want violence, you demonstrated your determination through democracy. You proved to the Taliban that this nation will not surrender to anyone," Ghani stated in a speech on Sunday.

He further thanked the women of the country for participating both as candidates and voters. "I thank these women and their families. Their participation is a historic success for Afghanistan's democracy and it is a great beginning for our new generation. I hope that you participate in the presidential elections in such a large scale," he said.

Ghani also extended his gratitude to all the candidates who participated and helped mobilise the people.

"I thank you (candidates), you participated in a credible and healthy competition and mobilized the people. You have a deep root among the people. Because of you, there was enthusiasm and movement among the people. From among 2,500 candidates, only 250 will go to the Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament), we do not have losers or winners here, all of you are the winner of democracy," he said, according to TOLOnews.

The IEC Chief, Abdul Badi Sayyad also lauded the Afghan people, and said, "I thank the Afghans for their large turnout in the elections, it rejected the rumours around allegation of ghost registration. this helps Afghanistan to further develop democracy and democratic institutions. I also thank political parties and civil society who mobilized the people to participate. I also thank the Afghan government leaders who supported us and encouraged us.

Elections were at 4,500 polling centres, except Kandahar, and were held at 276 centres today."

Sayyad further mentioned that vote counting has been completed by 80 per cent of the polling stations. The IEC has stated that over three million Afghans voted in the parliamentary elections.

Elections are yet to take place in the provinces of Kandahar and Ghazni, as elections were postponed. The recent attack in Kandahar governor's house which claimed the life of the region's police chief let to the postponement in Kandahar, while security reasons and disagreements on reducing constituencies led to the deferral of elections in Ghazni.

Afghans voted for the Wolesi Jirga, or the lower house of the parliament during Saturday's polls which are being viewed as a precursor for the 2019 Presidential elections in Afghanistan. 
&nbsp;

Afghanistan's National Unity Government's CEO Abdullah Abdullah said on Monday that Taliban's thoughts and ideas have been rejected, as people came out to vote for Saturday's parliamentary elections despite threats by the group.

Afghanistan's National Unity Government's CEO Abdullah Abdullah said on Monday that Taliban's thoughts and ideas have been rejected, as people came out to vote for Saturday's parliamentary elections despite threats by the group. The CEO stated, "The Taliban wanted to build a bloodstream, but the Taliban were defeated and the Taliban's thoughts and ideas were rejected," according to TOLOnews. "Our old men and females, youths and their enthusiasm, standing in line to vote, all that shows that people do not want Taliban ideology, but the Afghan people want a system based on the people's vote, and in fact, we have witnessed a historical moment," further claimed Abdullah, who also stated that the Afghans have proved that they reject the sound of violence, terror and the return to the dark days of the past. Meanwhile, he also outlined that there were lapses during Saturday's polls. Referring to the Independent Election Commission (IEC), he said, "The people's demand from these commissions is that their complaints should be addressed and the shortcomings that have taken place should be resolved and people have the right for their complaints to be addressed." He further dismissed rumours that held NATO-led Resolute Support responsible for the attacks in Kandahar's governor's house which left the province's police chief General Abdul Raziq dead. Abdullah said, "The rumors that the action (attack on Raziq) was done by Resolute Support is just helping the enemy." Meanwhile, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani termed the elections as a "historic success" for democracy, while thanking the people for their active participation, despite threats by the Taliban. "The great people of Afghanistan, thank you! By casting your votes, you sent a message to the world that you do not want violence, you demonstrated your determination through democracy. You proved to the Taliban that this nation will not surrender to anyone," Ghani stated in a speech on Sunday. He further thanked the women of the country for participating both as candidates and voters. "I thank these women and their families. Their participation is a historic success for Afghanistan's democracy and it is a great beginning for our new generation. I hope that you participate in the presidential elections in such a large scale," he said. Ghani also extended his gratitude to all the candidates who participated and helped mobilise the people. "I thank you (candidates), you participated in a credible and healthy competition and mobilized the people. You have a deep root among the people. Because of you, there was enthusiasm and movement among the people. From among 2,500 candidates, only 250 will go to the Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament), we do not have losers or winners here, all of you are the winner of democracy," he said, according to TOLOnews. The IEC Chief, Abdul Badi Sayyad also lauded the Afghan people, and said, "I thank the Afghans for their large turnout in the elections, it rejected the rumours around allegation of ghost registration. this helps Afghanistan to further develop democracy and democratic institutions. I also thank political parties and civil society who mobilized the people to participate. I also thank the Afghan government leaders who supported us and encouraged us. Elections were at 4,500 polling centres, except Kandahar, and were held at 276 centres today." Sayyad further mentioned that vote counting has been completed by 80 per cent of the polling stations. The IEC has stated that over three million Afghans voted in the parliamentary elections. Elections are yet to take place in the provinces of Kandahar and Ghazni, as elections were postponed. The recent attack in Kandahar governor's house which claimed the life of the region's police chief let to the postponement in Kandahar, while security reasons and disagreements on reducing constituencies led to the deferral of elections in Ghazni. Afghans voted for the Wolesi Jirga, or the lower house of the parliament during Saturday's polls which are being viewed as a precursor for the 2019 Presidential elections in Afghanistan.

Taliban defeated, their ideas rejected: Afghanistan's Abdullah Abdullah

Problems plagued hundreds of Afghan polling centres Sunday in the shambolic legislative election's second day of voting, fuelling criticism of organisers and eroding hopes for credible results after a ballot marred by deadly violence.

As voters once again braved the threat of militant attacks in more than 20 provinces, an AFP tally of casualty figures from across the war-torn country showed the number of civilians and security forces killed or wounded in polling-related violence on Saturday was nearly 300.

That is more than four times the latest figures released by the interior ministry.&nbsp;

The huge discrepancy supports speculation that officials have deliberately downplayed the violence, adding to concerns about the lack of transparency and credibility of the long-delayed election that is seen as a dry run for next year's presidential vote.&nbsp;

At some of the 253 polling centres opened for voting on Sunday, election workers still struggled to use biometric verification devices and voter rolls were "either incomplete or non-existent", Electoral Complaints Commission spokesman Ali Reza Rohani told reporters.

"Most of the problems we had yesterday still exist today," said Rohani, adding some polling sites again opened late and had insufficient ballot papers.

Another 148 polling sites that were supposed to open remained closed for security reasons, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP.

The IEC's chronic mishandling of the parliamentary election, which is the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, has all but dashed hopes it can competently organise the presidential ballot, scheduled for April.

"This does not bode well for next year," Afghanistan Analysts Network co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP.

"The IEC has clearly shown its lack of capacity to run acceptable and transparent elections, instead publishing doctored figures."&nbsp;

A Western official, who had monitored the months-long preparations, told AFP they had no confidence left in the IEC.

"None at all," they said on the condition of anonymity.

"With the current IEC leadership there are a lot of doubts that they would be able to handle the presidential election properly," political analyst Haroun Mir said.

Initial IEC figures show around three million Afghans risked their lives to vote on Saturday -- many waiting hours for polling centres to open -- despite scores of militant attacks.

Nearly nine million voters registered for the parliamentary election, but many suspect a significant number of those were based on fake identification documents that fraudsters planned to use to stuff ballot boxes.

But the fact any Afghans turned out to vote was an achievement in itself, some observers noted.&nbsp;

"The people of Afghanistan showed that they are still hopeful for their future," Mir said.&nbsp;

Despite the shortcomings in the voting process, that was "undoubtedly a great achievement", he said.&nbsp;

Turnout was likely affected after the Taliban issued several warnings in the days leading up to the poll demanding the more than 2,500 candidates for the lower house withdraw from the race and for voters to stay home.

The militant group on Saturday claimed it carried out more than 400 attacks on the "fake election".&nbsp;

There were no reports of poll-related violence on Sunday, but officials said a roadside bomb killed 11 members of a family driving in the eastern province of Nangarhar.&nbsp;

'Important milestone'

Official observers described disorder and chaos at polling centres on Saturday where election workers did not know how to use biometric devices that the IEC had rolled out at the eleventh hour to appease political leaders and said were required for votes to be counted.&nbsp;

Many voters who had registered their names months ago were not on the roll, and the Taliban commandeered some polling centres and refused to let people cast their ballots.&nbsp;

There are concerns that extending voting by a day could "impact transparency of the process" and provide "opportunity for fraud", Election and Transparency Watch Organization of Afghanistan said.

Some 44 people already have been charged with "illegal interference in the election and fraud", the interior ministry said.

As vote counting continued and officials began the process of transferring ballot boxes to Kabul, Afghan voters took to social media to vent their frustration at the debacle.

"Shame on the IEC," Hosai Mangal wrote on the IEC's official Facebook page.

"There was no order at all, I could not find my name at the polling centre where I registered."

Another angry voter wrote: "The worst elections ever."

But embattled IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad on Sunday defended the organisation's handling of the election, saying the problems were not due to "weak management".

Despite the chaos, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which has spearheaded international efforts to advise the IEC, said the election was "an important milestone in Afghanistan's transition to self-reliance".

UNAMA urged observers, political parties, candidates and voters to play a "constructive role in the days ahead to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as votes are tallied".&nbsp;

Problems plagued hundreds of Afghan polling centres Sunday in the shambolic legislative election's second day of voting, fuelling criticism of organisers and eroding hopes for credible results after a ballot marred by deadly violence.

Problems plagued hundreds of Afghan polling centres Sunday in the shambolic legislative election's second day of voting, fuelling criticism of organisers and eroding hopes for credible results after a ballot marred by deadly violence. As voters once again braved the threat of militant attacks in more than 20 provinces, an AFP tally of casualty figures from across the war-torn country showed the number of civilians and security forces killed or wounded in polling-related violence on Saturday was nearly 300. That is more than four times the latest figures released by the interior ministry. The huge discrepancy supports speculation that officials have deliberately downplayed the violence, adding to concerns about the lack of transparency and credibility of the long-delayed election that is seen as a dry run for next year's presidential vote. At some of the 253 polling centres opened for voting on Sunday, election workers still struggled to use biometric verification devices and voter rolls were "either incomplete or non-existent", Electoral Complaints Commission spokesman Ali Reza Rohani told reporters. "Most of the problems we had yesterday still exist today," said Rohani, adding some polling sites again opened late and had insufficient ballot papers. Another 148 polling sites that were supposed to open remained closed for security reasons, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP. The IEC's chronic mishandling of the parliamentary election, which is the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, has all but dashed hopes it can competently organise the presidential ballot, scheduled for April. "This does not bode well for next year," Afghanistan Analysts Network co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP. "The IEC has clearly shown its lack of capacity to run acceptable and transparent elections, instead publishing doctored figures." A Western official, who had monitored the months-long preparations, told AFP they had no confidence left in the IEC. "None at all," they said on the condition of anonymity. "With the current IEC leadership there are a lot of doubts that they would be able to handle the presidential election properly," political analyst Haroun Mir said. Initial IEC figures show around three million Afghans risked their lives to vote on Saturday -- many waiting hours for polling centres to open -- despite scores of militant attacks. Nearly nine million voters registered for the parliamentary election, but many suspect a significant number of those were based on fake identification documents that fraudsters planned to use to stuff ballot boxes. But the fact any Afghans turned out to vote was an achievement in itself, some observers noted. "The people of Afghanistan showed that they are still hopeful for their future," Mir said. Despite the shortcomings in the voting process, that was "undoubtedly a great achievement", he said. Turnout was likely affected after the Taliban issued several warnings in the days leading up to the poll demanding the more than 2,500 candidates for the lower house withdraw from the race and for voters to stay home. The militant group on Saturday claimed it carried out more than 400 attacks on the "fake election". There were no reports of poll-related violence on Sunday, but officials said a roadside bomb killed 11 members of a family driving in the eastern province of Nangarhar. 'Important milestone' Official observers described disorder and chaos at polling centres on Saturday where election workers did not know how to use biometric devices that the IEC had rolled out at the eleventh hour to appease political leaders and said were required for votes to be counted. Many voters who had registered their names months ago were not on the roll, and the Taliban commandeered some polling centres and refused to let people cast their ballots. There are concerns that extending voting by a day could "impact transparency of the process" and provide "opportunity for fraud", Election and Transparency Watch Organization of Afghanistan said. Some 44 people already have been charged with "illegal interference in the election and fraud", the interior ministry said. As vote counting continued and officials began the process of transferring ballot boxes to Kabul, Afghan voters took to social media to vent their frustration at the debacle. "Shame on the IEC," Hosai Mangal wrote on the IEC's official Facebook page. "There was no order at all, I could not find my name at the polling centre where I registered." Another angry voter wrote: "The worst elections ever." But embattled IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad on Sunday defended the organisation's handling of the election, saying the problems were not due to "weak management". Despite the chaos, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which has spearheaded international efforts to advise the IEC, said the election was "an important milestone in Afghanistan's transition to self-reliance". UNAMA urged observers, political parties, candidates and voters to play a "constructive role in the days ahead to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as votes are tallied".

Afghan polling centres plagued by problems as casualties surge

Parliamentary elections are <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-braces-for-militant-attacks-as-polling-centres-open-172420">underway in Afghanistan</a> amid high terror and war. However, people braved the threats and gathered in large numbers for a democratic Afghan.&nbsp;

Polling centers opened at 7:00 am (0230 GMT) across the war-torn country, with some 54,000 security forces deployed to protect them.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-afghanistan-election-matters-to-india-172402">Also read: Why Afghanistan election matters to India?</a>

At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far.

Here are the updates so far:&nbsp;

- Polling stations in Kabul opened Saturday morning and witnessed hundreds of people making their way to the ballots to cast their votes.&nbsp;

- Ballot counting will begin upon the conclusion of voting at 4 pm Kabul time in the presence of election observers, Al Jazeera reported.

- The electoral commission has not set a timeline for announcing official results, but preliminary results are expected within a month.

- Gardez Cit in the Paktia province also saw voters in large number early Saturday morning.

- Security has been tight all across the country. Forces patrolled the streets in Kabul as people made their way to the polling stations.&nbsp;

- Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also cast his vote as well as Herat's governor and other officials. Ghani took to Twitter to announce the news saying, "I just voted. And I thank the ANDSF, the IEC staff, and the great people of Afghanistan who made it possible to vote despite the risks involved. Today we proved together that we uphold democracy. With casting our ballots without fear we honor the sacrifices of the fallen."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I just voted. And I thank the ANDSF, the IEC staff, and the great people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> who made it possible to vote despite the risks involved. Today we proved together that we uphold democracy. With casting our ballots without fear we honor the sacrifices of the fallen. <a href="https://t.co/wrUCEa0MCR">pic.twitter.com/wrUCEa0MCR</a>
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashrafghani/status/1053489777624993793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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- Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah also cast his vote. He then lauded the efforts of the security forces and also condemned the death of Gen. Abdul Raziq and Gen. Momin Hussainkhail.

- Former national security advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar also voted in today's&nbsp;parliamentary elections. Second Vice President Sarwar Danish also cast his vote in Kabul.&nbsp;

-&nbsp;Not all polling stations open on time.

Parliamentary elections are underway in Afghanistan amid high terror and war. However, people braved the threats and gathered in large numbers for a democratic Afghan.

Parliamentary elections are underway in Afghanistan amid high terror and war. However, people braved the threats and gathered in large numbers for a democratic Afghan. Polling centers opened at 7:00 am (0230 GMT) across the war-torn country, with some 54,000 security forces deployed to protect them. Also read: Why Afghanistan election matters to India? At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far. Here are the updates so far: - Polling stations in Kabul opened Saturday morning and witnessed hundreds of people making their way to the ballots to cast their votes. - Ballot counting will begin upon the conclusion of voting at 4 pm Kabul time in the presence of election observers, Al Jazeera reported. - The electoral commission has not set a timeline for announcing official results, but preliminary results are expected within a month. - Gardez Cit in the Paktia province also saw voters in large number early Saturday morning. - Security has been tight all across the country. Forces patrolled the streets in Kabul as people made their way to the polling stations. - Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also cast his vote as well as Herat's governor and other officials. Ghani took to Twitter to announce the news saying, "I just voted. And I thank the ANDSF, the IEC staff, and the great people of Afghanistan who made it possible to vote despite the risks involved. Today we proved together that we uphold democracy. With casting our ballots without fear we honor the sacrifices of the fallen." I just voted. And I thank the ANDSF, the IEC staff, and the great people of #Afghanistan who made it possible to vote despite the risks involved. Today we proved together that we uphold democracy. With casting our ballots without fear we honor the sacrifices of the fallen. pic.twitter.com/wrUCEa0MCR — Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) October 20, 2018 × - Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah also cast his vote. He then lauded the efforts of the security forces and also condemned the death of Gen. Abdul Raziq and Gen. Momin Hussainkhail. - Former national security advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar also voted in today's parliamentary elections. Second Vice President Sarwar Danish also cast his vote in Kabul. - Not all polling stations open on time.

Afghanistan elections: Here are the updates so far

Afghans are widely divided on the outcomes of the parliamentary elections that are scheduled for Saturday in the militancy-plagued country amid tight security.

The elections began at 07:00 on Saturday amid the threat of violence.

A spate of domestic problems have seriously hampered Afghanistan's social and economic development for a long time. According to reports from the Afghan state media, over 50 percent of Afghans are living under the poverty line, and the unemployment rate has remained high.

Violent attacks are becoming frequent in many parts of the country, triggering deep security concerns among the public.

However, many people said that they would go to the polls, hoping that the new parliament will bring positive changes to the country.

"Yes, I will vote, because we need good parliamentary members who are well educated. I will try my best to vote for the candidates that I support. We are living in an unsafe country, and the security situation is bad, but we hope to have a good future, so I will vote," said Mohammad Yar, a university student in the capital city of Kabul.

Besides the security challenges, there are also concerns over the transparency of the vote, with some worrying that there will be frauds in the elections as there were before.

"I don't think the election is transparent, because some candidates promised to buy ballots with money from some voters, and some other candidates provided rice or oil to people during the election campaign. Therefore, the election is not transparent, and it cannot bring a good future to the people," said Yama, an automobile mechanic in Kabul.

Statistics show that nearly half of the Afghans will not be able to vote. Therefore, the result will not be so significant and persuasive.

"There is no good environment like peace in Afghanistan. More than 50 or 40 percent of Afghanistan is under control of the Taliban and other groups. So half of Afghanistan they are not possible to held election. And still there are a lot of sign of corruption in the election," said Ghulam Jelani Zwak, a political analyst.

The Afghanistan Parliament, or the National Assembly, is Afghanistan's national legislature. A total of 2,565 candidates will vie for 249 seats in the lower house, including 417 women candidates, and voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19,000 polling stations in 33 provinces.

Afghans are widely divided on the outcomes of the parliamentary elections that are scheduled for Saturday in the militancy-plagued country amid tight security. The elections began at 07:00 on Saturday amid the threat of violence.

Afghans are widely divided on the outcomes of the parliamentary elections that are scheduled for Saturday in the militancy-plagued country amid tight security. The elections began at 07:00 on Saturday amid the threat of violence. A spate of domestic problems have seriously hampered Afghanistan's social and economic development for a long time. According to reports from the Afghan state media, over 50 percent of Afghans are living under the poverty line, and the unemployment rate has remained high. Violent attacks are becoming frequent in many parts of the country, triggering deep security concerns among the public. However, many people said that they would go to the polls, hoping that the new parliament will bring positive changes to the country. "Yes, I will vote, because we need good parliamentary members who are well educated. I will try my best to vote for the candidates that I support. We are living in an unsafe country, and the security situation is bad, but we hope to have a good future, so I will vote," said Mohammad Yar, a university student in the capital city of Kabul. Besides the security challenges, there are also concerns over the transparency of the vote, with some worrying that there will be frauds in the elections as there were before. "I don't think the election is transparent, because some candidates promised to buy ballots with money from some voters, and some other candidates provided rice or oil to people during the election campaign. Therefore, the election is not transparent, and it cannot bring a good future to the people," said Yama, an automobile mechanic in Kabul. Statistics show that nearly half of the Afghans will not be able to vote. Therefore, the result will not be so significant and persuasive. "There is no good environment like peace in Afghanistan. More than 50 or 40 percent of Afghanistan is under control of the Taliban and other groups. So half of Afghanistan they are not possible to held election. And still there are a lot of sign of corruption in the election," said Ghulam Jelani Zwak, a political analyst. The Afghanistan Parliament, or the National Assembly, is Afghanistan's national legislature. A total of 2,565 candidates will vie for 249 seats in the lower house, including 417 women candidates, and voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19,000 polling stations in 33 provinces.

Afghans divided on outcome of parliamentary elections

A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least 15 people as voting concluded in parliamentary elections overshadowed by the threat of violence and long delays at polling stations.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, which appeared to have been the most serious of a day marked by a series of smaller-scale attacks that caused dozens of casualties across the country.

Voting should have been concluded by the time the suicide bomber struck a polling station in the north of Kabul, killing 10 civilians and five police, but polling stations were kept open longer than normal to cope with large numbers of people who had been unable to cast ballots.

Turnout was higher than expected, with long lines forming outside polling centres in the main cities, but many voters were forced to endure extended waits because of technical and organisational problems.

"People's enthusiasm and participation despite threats, intimidation and attacks by militants must be lauded today," said one senior international security official, who added: "The electioneering process will require close scrutiny as it is clear that there were multiple failures."

Untested biometric voter-registration equipment, rushed in at the last minute to counter voter fraud, caused particular problems. The Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan, a civil action group, said the devices suffered malfunctions in more than 40 percent of polling centres.

"The biggest problem is with the biometric machines, there are some sites where they're not working and a lot of voters have been discouraged and have gone home," said Nasibullah Sayedi, a voter in the western city of Herat.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC), the body overseeing the ballot, said voting hours would be extended in some centres to cope with demand and some polling stations, which had not opened at all, would be open on Sunday.

Warning to voters

In the days leading to the vote, Taliban militants issued a series of statements telling people not to take part in what they consider a foreign-imposed process and warning election centres may be attacked.

Security officials said there were more than 120 hand grenade or improvised explosives attacks but they said many of these did not target voting centres but were aimed nearby, apparently with the aim of frightening voters away rather than causing casualties.

Afghanistan's political scene is still tainted by the aftermath of a disputed presidential vote in 2014 that forced the two main rival groupings to form an unstable partnership. Both sides were accused of massive electoral cheating.

But high turnout, at least in the major cities, reflected strong support for the process in the face of threats from militant attacks and widespread disillusion with a corrupt political class.

"I want candidates to serve the country and hear the voices of the disabled and the poor," said Abdullah, a wheelchair-bound voter in Herat. "People ask what difference one person's vote will make but I say, if a million disabled people come out to vote, don't you think that will make a difference?"

Allegations of fraud

However numerous allegations of voter fraud made before election have presented a challenge to the legitimacy of the process, seen by Afghanistan's international partners as a vital step ahead of more important presidential elections next year.

Due to the difficulty of collecting and collating results across Afghanistan, the overall results will not be known for at least two weeks.

In Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan, men and women came out in numbers to vote and created human chains around six polling stations to prevent the entry of suicide bombers.

Some 8.8 million voters have been registered but an unknown number, by some estimates as many as 50 percent or more, are believed to be fraudulently or incorrectly registered.

About 2,450 candidates are competing for places in the lower house, which has 250 seats, including one reserved for a candidate from the Sikh minority. Under the constitution, parliament reviews and ratifies laws but has little real power.

Election authorities originally planned 7,355 polling centres but only 4,530 were open due to security concerns, according to the IEC.

Voting was postponed for a week in Kandahar province after the assassination of the powerful local police chief Gen. Abdul Razeq. The ballot was also delayed in Ghazni province by arguments about the representation of different ethnic groups.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least 15 people as voting concluded in parliamentary elections overshadowed by the threat of violence and long delays at polling stations.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least 15 people as voting concluded in parliamentary elections overshadowed by the threat of violence and long delays at polling stations. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, which appeared to have been the most serious of a day marked by a series of smaller-scale attacks that caused dozens of casualties across the country. Voting should have been concluded by the time the suicide bomber struck a polling station in the north of Kabul, killing 10 civilians and five police, but polling stations were kept open longer than normal to cope with large numbers of people who had been unable to cast ballots. Turnout was higher than expected, with long lines forming outside polling centres in the main cities, but many voters were forced to endure extended waits because of technical and organisational problems. "People's enthusiasm and participation despite threats, intimidation and attacks by militants must be lauded today," said one senior international security official, who added: "The electioneering process will require close scrutiny as it is clear that there were multiple failures." Untested biometric voter-registration equipment, rushed in at the last minute to counter voter fraud, caused particular problems. The Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan, a civil action group, said the devices suffered malfunctions in more than 40 percent of polling centres. "The biggest problem is with the biometric machines, there are some sites where they're not working and a lot of voters have been discouraged and have gone home," said Nasibullah Sayedi, a voter in the western city of Herat. The Independent Election Commission (IEC), the body overseeing the ballot, said voting hours would be extended in some centres to cope with demand and some polling stations, which had not opened at all, would be open on Sunday. Warning to voters In the days leading to the vote, Taliban militants issued a series of statements telling people not to take part in what they consider a foreign-imposed process and warning election centres may be attacked. Security officials said there were more than 120 hand grenade or improvised explosives attacks but they said many of these did not target voting centres but were aimed nearby, apparently with the aim of frightening voters away rather than causing casualties. Afghanistan's political scene is still tainted by the aftermath of a disputed presidential vote in 2014 that forced the two main rival groupings to form an unstable partnership. Both sides were accused of massive electoral cheating. But high turnout, at least in the major cities, reflected strong support for the process in the face of threats from militant attacks and widespread disillusion with a corrupt political class. "I want candidates to serve the country and hear the voices of the disabled and the poor," said Abdullah, a wheelchair-bound voter in Herat. "People ask what difference one person's vote will make but I say, if a million disabled people come out to vote, don't you think that will make a difference?" Allegations of fraud However numerous allegations of voter fraud made before election have presented a challenge to the legitimacy of the process, seen by Afghanistan's international partners as a vital step ahead of more important presidential elections next year. Due to the difficulty of collecting and collating results across Afghanistan, the overall results will not be known for at least two weeks. In Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan, men and women came out in numbers to vote and created human chains around six polling stations to prevent the entry of suicide bombers. Some 8.8 million voters have been registered but an unknown number, by some estimates as many as 50 percent or more, are believed to be fraudulently or incorrectly registered. About 2,450 candidates are competing for places in the lower house, which has 250 seats, including one reserved for a candidate from the Sikh minority. Under the constitution, parliament reviews and ratifies laws but has little real power. Election authorities originally planned 7,355 polling centres but only 4,530 were open due to security concerns, according to the IEC. Voting was postponed for a week in Kandahar province after the assassination of the powerful local police chief Gen. Abdul Razeq. The ballot was also delayed in Ghazni province by arguments about the representation of different ethnic groups.

Afghan voters brave attacks, delays on election day

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voting gets under way in the long-delayed legislative election that the Taliban has vowed to attack.

Polling centres opened at 7:00 am (0230 GMT) across the war-torn country, with some 54,000 security forces deployed to protect them.&nbsp;

But there are concerns the killing of a powerful police chief in southern Afghanistan on Thursday will scare off many voters.

Polling has been delayed in Kandahar province until October 27 after a Taliban-claimed attack on a US-Afghan security meeting that killed three people, including General Abdul Raziq.

General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, escaped injury in the shooting, but 13 others were wounded.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghans-gear-up-to-vote-despite-ongoing-fighting-in-as-many-as-20-out-of-34-provinces-172398">Afghans gear to vote despite ongoing crisis in as many as 20 out of 34 provinces</a>

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Friday urged voters to turn out to cast their ballots -- but "vote only once" -- and called on others not to interfere in the process.&nbsp;

"They should observe impartiality in the election so that we have a transparent, impartial and fair election in Afghanistan," IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad told reporters.

Taliban threats&nbsp;

Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-afghanistan-election-matters-to-india-172402">parliamentary election</a>, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

But the threat of militant attacks and expectations for massive fraud are expected to deter many voters from showing up at the more than 5,000 polling centres.&nbsp;

In the days leading up to the poll, the Taliban issued several statements urging candidates to withdraw and voters to boycott what the group calls a "malicious American conspiracy".

Shambolic preparations for the ballot have been made worse by a wave of poll-related violence that has left hundreds dead or wounded.&nbsp;

At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far.

The most recent victim was Abdul Jabar Qahraman, who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand.

Most of the candidates are political novices and include doctors, mullahs and journalists. Those with the deepest pockets are expected to win.&nbsp;

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has spearheaded international efforts to keep Afghan organisers on track, on Friday called on voters to "exercise their constitutional right to vote".&nbsp;

The poll is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes".

But the 11th hour introduction of biometric voter verification machines, which have never been used in an Afghan election, threatens to derail the&nbsp;process.

Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed.

There are also fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10.

Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, the IEC has said, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voting gets under way in the long-delayed legislative election that the Taliban has vowed to attack. Polling centres opened at 7:00 am (0230 GMT) across the war-torn country, with some 54,000 security forces deployed to protect them.

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voting gets under way in the long-delayed legislative election that the Taliban has vowed to attack. Polling centres opened at 7:00 am (0230 GMT) across the war-torn country, with some 54,000 security forces deployed to protect them. But there are concerns the killing of a powerful police chief in southern Afghanistan on Thursday will scare off many voters. Polling has been delayed in Kandahar province until October 27 after a Taliban-claimed attack on a US-Afghan security meeting that killed three people, including General Abdul Raziq. General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, escaped injury in the shooting, but 13 others were wounded. Also read: Afghans gear to vote despite ongoing crisis in as many as 20 out of 34 provinces The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Friday urged voters to turn out to cast their ballots -- but "vote only once" -- and called on others not to interfere in the process. "They should observe impartiality in the election so that we have a transparent, impartial and fair election in Afghanistan," IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad told reporters. Taliban threats Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. But the threat of militant attacks and expectations for massive fraud are expected to deter many voters from showing up at the more than 5,000 polling centres. In the days leading up to the poll, the Taliban issued several statements urging candidates to withdraw and voters to boycott what the group calls a "malicious American conspiracy". Shambolic preparations for the ballot have been made worse by a wave of poll-related violence that has left hundreds dead or wounded. At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far. The most recent victim was Abdul Jabar Qahraman, who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand. Most of the candidates are political novices and include doctors, mullahs and journalists. Those with the deepest pockets are expected to win. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has spearheaded international efforts to keep Afghan organisers on track, on Friday called on voters to "exercise their constitutional right to vote". The poll is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes". But the 11th hour introduction of biometric voter verification machines, which have never been used in an Afghan election, threatens to derail the process. Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed. There are also fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10. Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, the IEC has said, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.

Afghanistan braces for militant attacks as polling centres open

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voters turn out for the long-delayed legislative election across the war-torn country that the Taliban has vowed to attack.

Some 54,000 security forces have been deployed to protect polling centres, which open at 7:00 am, but there are concerns the killing of a powerful police chief on Thursday will scare off many voters.&nbsp;

Voting has been delayed in the southern province of Kandahar after a Taliban-claimed attack on a US-Afghan security meeting that killed three people, including General Abdul Raziq.

General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, escaped injury in the shooting, but 13 others were wounded.

Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

But the threat of militant attacks and expectations for massive fraud are expected to deter many voters from showing up at the more than 5,000 polling centres.&nbsp;

In the days leading up to the poll, the Taliban has issued several statements urging candidates to withdraw and voters to boycott what the group calls a "malicious American conspiracy".

Shambolic preparations for the ballot have been made worse by a wave of poll-related violence that has left hundreds dead or wounded.&nbsp;

At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far.

The most recent victim was Abdul Jabar Qahraman, who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand.

Most of the candidates are political novices and include doctors, mullahs and journalists. Those with the deepest pockets are expected to win.&nbsp;

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has spearheaded international efforts to keep Afghan election organisers on track, on Friday urged voters to "exercise their constitutional right to vote".&nbsp;

The poll is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes".

But the eleventh hour introduction of biometric voter verification machines, which have never been used in an Afghan election, threatens to derail the&nbsp;process.

Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed.

There are also fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10.

Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, the Independent Election Commission has said, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voters turn out for the long-delayed legislative election across the war-torn country that the Taliban has vowed to attack.

Afghans are bracing for more deadly violence on Saturday as voters turn out for the long-delayed legislative election across the war-torn country that the Taliban has vowed to attack. Some 54,000 security forces have been deployed to protect polling centres, which open at 7:00 am, but there are concerns the killing of a powerful police chief on Thursday will scare off many voters. Voting has been delayed in the southern province of Kandahar after a Taliban-claimed attack on a US-Afghan security meeting that killed three people, including General Abdul Raziq. General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, escaped injury in the shooting, but 13 others were wounded. Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. But the threat of militant attacks and expectations for massive fraud are expected to deter many voters from showing up at the more than 5,000 polling centres. In the days leading up to the poll, the Taliban has issued several statements urging candidates to withdraw and voters to boycott what the group calls a "malicious American conspiracy". Shambolic preparations for the ballot have been made worse by a wave of poll-related violence that has left hundreds dead or wounded. At least 10 candidates out of more than 2,500 contesting the lower-house election have been killed so far. The most recent victim was Abdul Jabar Qahraman, who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand. Most of the candidates are political novices and include doctors, mullahs and journalists. Those with the deepest pockets are expected to win. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has spearheaded international efforts to keep Afghan election organisers on track, on Friday urged voters to "exercise their constitutional right to vote". The poll is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes". But the eleventh hour introduction of biometric voter verification machines, which have never been used in an Afghan election, threatens to derail the process. Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed. There are also fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10. Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, the Independent Election Commission has said, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.

Afghanistan braces for militant attacks as voters go to the polls

Two Pakistani security personnel have been killed in a targeted attack carried out by the Taliban militants in the country's restive Waziristan district, officials said.&nbsp;

The incident took place in Walma Langar Khel area where the two personnel had gone to fetch water. The security personnel came under attack from the Taliban militants as they were returning from the area, said the official.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed the responsibility of the attack.&nbsp;

Waziristan has long been a sanctuary for Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups.

Two Pakistani security personnel have been killed in a targeted attack carried out by the Taliban militants in the country's restive Waziristan district, officials said.

Two Pakistani security personnel have been killed in a targeted attack carried out by the Taliban militants in the country's restive Waziristan district, officials said. The incident took place in Walma Langar Khel area where the two personnel had gone to fetch water. The security personnel came under attack from the Taliban militants as they were returning from the area, said the official. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed the responsibility of the attack. Waziristan has long been a sanctuary for Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups.

Pakistani security personnel killed by militants in Pakistan

Resolute Support Commander General Austin Scott Miller, who escaped uninjured in Thursday's attack at the Kandahar Governor's house, tweeted that he "lost a great friend" while referring to Kandahar police chief General Abdul Raziq, who was killed in the attack.

Gen Scott Miller took to Resolute Support's official Twitter account to state, "Today I lost a great friend Lt. Gen. Raziq. We had served together for many years. Afghanistan lost a patriot, my condolences to the people of Afghanistan. The good he did for Afghanistan and the Afghan people cannot be undone."

Taliban has since claimed responsibility for the attack which also killed the head of the provincial National Directorate of Security (NDS) Gen. Abdul Momin Hassankhail and injured Kandahar's Governor Zalmai Wesa, the commander of Maiwand 404 police zone, a coalition force member and two Americans after a high-profile meeting on Thursday.

Taliban further stated that they had targeted both Raziq and Miller, according to Al Jazeera.

TOLOnews reported that the attack was initiated by at least one of the governor's bodyguards.

The attack occurred when officials were on their way to the helipad after the meeting, which included the Resolute Support Commander. Saturday's parliamentary elections were discussed during the meeting held between the officials.

Colonel Dave Butler, the spokesperson for US Forces-Afghanistan tweeted that the attacker had been killed in the "Afghan-on-Afghan" incident. "This was an Afghan-on-Afghan incident. Three Americans were wounded, have been medically evacuated and are stable. General Miller is uninjured. We are being told the area is secure. The attacker is dead."

He has since updated his statement to claim that one US service member, one US civilian and one non-American coalition contractor were wounded in the incident, while the Resolute Support Commander Gen Scott Miller escaped unscathed.

In the wake of the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences and condemned the terrorist attack.

"Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terrorist attack in Kandahar. India condemns it most strongly and mourns with our Afghan brethren the loss of life, including that of Kandahar's senior leadership. We stand in solidarity with the brave people of Afghanistan in fighting terrorism imposed on them," he tweeted.

The attack comes ahead of the Afghanistan parliamentary elections, slated to be held on Saturday.

Resolute Support Commander General Austin Scott Miller, who escaped uninjured in Thursday's attack at the Kandahar Governor's house, tweeted that he "lost a great friend" while referring to Kandahar police chief General Abdul Raziq, who was killed in the attack.

Resolute Support Commander General Austin Scott Miller, who escaped uninjured in Thursday's attack at the Kandahar Governor's house, tweeted that he "lost a great friend" while referring to Kandahar police chief General Abdul Raziq, who was killed in the attack. Gen Scott Miller took to Resolute Support's official Twitter account to state, "Today I lost a great friend Lt. Gen. Raziq. We had served together for many years. Afghanistan lost a patriot, my condolences to the people of Afghanistan. The good he did for Afghanistan and the Afghan people cannot be undone." Taliban has since claimed responsibility for the attack which also killed the head of the provincial National Directorate of Security (NDS) Gen. Abdul Momin Hassankhail and injured Kandahar's Governor Zalmai Wesa, the commander of Maiwand 404 police zone, a coalition force member and two Americans after a high-profile meeting on Thursday. Taliban further stated that they had targeted both Raziq and Miller, according to Al Jazeera. TOLOnews reported that the attack was initiated by at least one of the governor's bodyguards. The attack occurred when officials were on their way to the helipad after the meeting, which included the Resolute Support Commander. Saturday's parliamentary elections were discussed during the meeting held between the officials. Colonel Dave Butler, the spokesperson for US Forces-Afghanistan tweeted that the attacker had been killed in the "Afghan-on-Afghan" incident. "This was an Afghan-on-Afghan incident. Three Americans were wounded, have been medically evacuated and are stable. General Miller is uninjured. We are being told the area is secure. The attacker is dead." He has since updated his statement to claim that one US service member, one US civilian and one non-American coalition contractor were wounded in the incident, while the Resolute Support Commander Gen Scott Miller escaped unscathed. In the wake of the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences and condemned the terrorist attack. "Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terrorist attack in Kandahar. India condemns it most strongly and mourns with our Afghan brethren the loss of life, including that of Kandahar's senior leadership. We stand in solidarity with the brave people of Afghanistan in fighting terrorism imposed on them," he tweeted. The attack comes ahead of the Afghanistan parliamentary elections, slated to be held on Saturday.

US general who escaped unhurt condemns loss of Afghan general; Taliban claims responsibility of attack

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province. The election has been postponed in the restive Ghazni province. The Taliban has threatened to disrupt the polls.

On Thursday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on a high-level meeting inside the Kandahar governor's compound, wiping out the top political leadership of the province. Voting in Kandahar has also been postponed by a week. Here's a look at how Afghans are gearing up to brave the bullets to cast their ballot on Saturday.

Afghanistan is going ahead with the parliamentary election on Saturday in spite of security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces.&nbsp;

The election will be held amid a particularly vicious campaign by the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State terror group, which have been staging near-daily attacks.&nbsp;

Besides the security challenges, there have also been concerns over the transparency of the vote. For the first time, the election commission has equipped polling stations with a biometric identification system.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-afghanistan-election-matters-to-india-172402">Also read: Why Afghanistan election matters to India?</a>

The deputy chair of the Election Commission said that while security remains a challenge, the commission is hopeful for a peaceful polling day.&nbsp;

"We think that we will have some challenges on the polling day because of the security situation of Afghanistan but we had very good meetings with security people in different organisations and they are prepared for the polling day, and we hope to not have kind of attack in that day," Wasima Badghisi, Deputy Chair of Election Commission noted.&nbsp;

More than 50 thousand members of Afghan security forces will be deployed to secure the polling stations. Afghan defence ministry spokesperson believes that the Taliban will attempt to disrupt the election process.

"They (Taliban) will try to create problems because if democracy and people's rights are established there will be no place for terrorism, killing of people and mafia but we assure you that we will ensure the security of elections with full force," Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, Afghan defence ministry spokesperson stated.&nbsp;

But Jawed says that Afghan security forces have taken all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful polling day. Afghan officials announced three levels of security belts at each polling centre.

There have been deadly attacks against candidates and campaign rallies, both by the Taliban and the Islamic State terrorists. The Taliban, who have been fighting the Afghans and the NATO forces for more than 17 years, have condemned the election and warned candidates and Afghan security forces they would be targeted.

They have also warned teachers and students not to participate in the election and not to allow schools to be used as polling centres.

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province.

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province. The election has been postponed in the restive Ghazni province. The Taliban has threatened to disrupt the polls. On Thursday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on a high-level meeting inside the Kandahar governor's compound, wiping out the top political leadership of the province. Voting in Kandahar has also been postponed by a week. Here's a look at how Afghans are gearing up to brave the bullets to cast their ballot on Saturday. Afghanistan is going ahead with the parliamentary election on Saturday in spite of security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces. The election will be held amid a particularly vicious campaign by the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State terror group, which have been staging near-daily attacks. Besides the security challenges, there have also been concerns over the transparency of the vote. For the first time, the election commission has equipped polling stations with a biometric identification system. Also read: Why Afghanistan election matters to India? The deputy chair of the Election Commission said that while security remains a challenge, the commission is hopeful for a peaceful polling day. "We think that we will have some challenges on the polling day because of the security situation of Afghanistan but we had very good meetings with security people in different organisations and they are prepared for the polling day, and we hope to not have kind of attack in that day," Wasima Badghisi, Deputy Chair of Election Commission noted. More than 50 thousand members of Afghan security forces will be deployed to secure the polling stations. Afghan defence ministry spokesperson believes that the Taliban will attempt to disrupt the election process. "They (Taliban) will try to create problems because if democracy and people's rights are established there will be no place for terrorism, killing of people and mafia but we assure you that we will ensure the security of elections with full force," Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, Afghan defence ministry spokesperson stated. But Jawed says that Afghan security forces have taken all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful polling day. Afghan officials announced three levels of security belts at each polling centre. There have been deadly attacks against candidates and campaign rallies, both by the Taliban and the Islamic State terrorists. The Taliban, who have been fighting the Afghans and the NATO forces for more than 17 years, have condemned the election and warned candidates and Afghan security forces they would be targeted. They have also warned teachers and students not to participate in the election and not to allow schools to be used as polling centres.

Afghans gear to vote despite ongoing crisis in as many as 20 out of 34 provinces

A Taliban attack on top US and Afghan security chiefs inside a highly secure compound in Afghanistan is a major coup for the insurgents that threatens to torpedo peace talks and destabilise the country's south, analysts say.

A gunman wearing an Afghan security forces uniform opened fire on a group including General Scott Miller -- the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan -- and powerful Afghan police chief General Abdul Raziq on Thursday as they ended a meeting in the southern city of Kandahar.

Within seconds Raziq, an anti-Taliban strongman and key US ally who was credited with keeping a lid on the insurgency in the south, was dead along with Kandahar's provincial intelligence chief and an Afghan journalist.&nbsp;

Miller escaped unhurt in the bold attack the militants said had targeted the US general and Raziq, whom they had previously accused of killing thousands of Taliban detainees and had attempted to assassinate dozens of times.

The interior ministry said Friday three suspects have been detained over the shooting, which also wounded 13.

That the Taliban could mount a deadly insider assault on top US and Afghan security chiefs in such a secure location has rattled a country long used to high-profile targeted killings and violence.

It signalled the Taliban could "strike whenever and wherever it wants" and would embolden the insurgents, said Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center.

"This attack is a huge blow to stability," he added.

Increased attacks

The Taliban, which controls or contests swathes of the war-torn country, has made significant territorial gains and threatened provincial capitals in recent months as it steps up attacks.

The increased aggression had been seen as an attempt by the Taliban to strengthen its negotiating position in talks with the United States to end the 17-year war.

Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, raising hopes for peace.

But analysts said the latest attack may have jeopardised those tentative efforts.&nbsp;

"There will be questions asked whether the Taliban are really serious about peace talks," said Rahimullah Yusufzai, an expert on the group.&nbsp;

Afghanistan Analysts Network said the Taliban's claim that the shooter, who officials said was a member of the wounded provincial governor's security team, had targeted Miller -- something the United States disputes -- would complicate the US position.&nbsp;

"It is difficult to imagine how the US government will be able to defend holding talks with an organisation that claims it attempted to kill the US supreme commander in Afghanistan," AAN said in a report.

'Expect a meltdown'&nbsp;

Raziq, whose power extended beyond Kandahar to neighbouring provinces in southern Afghanistan, was either "respected or feared" by Afghans, said military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhail.

His death would be demoralising for beleaguered security forces and leave a dangerous power vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

"It will be hard for the government to find someone who could replace him as a powerful force against the Taliban," Amarkhail said.&nbsp;

Yusufzai said killing Raziq was "one of the Taliban's biggest achievements in this war".

"Expect a meltdown in Kandahar," a foreign diplomat told AFP.

"He was the one guaranteeing security in Kandahar."&nbsp;

But US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Friday that Raziq's death would not fundamentally change the security situation in the province.

"It's a tragic loss of a patriot for Afghanistan. But I don't see it having a long term effect on our area," Mattis told reporters on the sidelines of a security summit in Singapore.

Miller made a public appearance in Kabul on Friday, visiting an Afghan security checkpoint where he expressed condolences over the "tragic event".&nbsp;

"My assessment is that I was not the target. It was a very close confined space. But I don't assess that I was a target," Miller told Afghan broadcaster Tolo News.

The government is now scrambling to secure the south on the eve of parliamentary elections that the Taliban has vowed to attack.

A spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani said elections in Kandahar would be postponed for a week following the attack. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Preparations for the ballot, already more than three years late, have been marred by bloody violence and there are concerns that Raziq's death will deter even more voters from turning up at polling centres around the country.

Almost nine million people have registered to vote for the poll, which is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election.

Hundreds of people have been killed or wounded in poll-related violence. At least 10 candidates have been killed, most of them murdered.&nbsp;

"The Taliban would be very pleased that they've done this on the eve of the election," Yusufzai said.&nbsp;

A Taliban attack on top US and Afghan security chiefs inside a highly secure compound in Afghanistan is a major coup for the insurgents that threatens to torpedo peace talks and destabilise the country's south, analysts say.

A Taliban attack on top US and Afghan security chiefs inside a highly secure compound in Afghanistan is a major coup for the insurgents that threatens to torpedo peace talks and destabilise the country's south, analysts say. A gunman wearing an Afghan security forces uniform opened fire on a group including General Scott Miller -- the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan -- and powerful Afghan police chief General Abdul Raziq on Thursday as they ended a meeting in the southern city of Kandahar. Within seconds Raziq, an anti-Taliban strongman and key US ally who was credited with keeping a lid on the insurgency in the south, was dead along with Kandahar's provincial intelligence chief and an Afghan journalist. Miller escaped unhurt in the bold attack the militants said had targeted the US general and Raziq, whom they had previously accused of killing thousands of Taliban detainees and had attempted to assassinate dozens of times. The interior ministry said Friday three suspects have been detained over the shooting, which also wounded 13. That the Taliban could mount a deadly insider assault on top US and Afghan security chiefs in such a secure location has rattled a country long used to high-profile targeted killings and violence. It signalled the Taliban could "strike whenever and wherever it wants" and would embolden the insurgents, said Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center. "This attack is a huge blow to stability," he added. Increased attacks The Taliban, which controls or contests swathes of the war-torn country, has made significant territorial gains and threatened provincial capitals in recent months as it steps up attacks. The increased aggression had been seen as an attempt by the Taliban to strengthen its negotiating position in talks with the United States to end the 17-year war. Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, raising hopes for peace. But analysts said the latest attack may have jeopardised those tentative efforts. "There will be questions asked whether the Taliban are really serious about peace talks," said Rahimullah Yusufzai, an expert on the group. Afghanistan Analysts Network said the Taliban's claim that the shooter, who officials said was a member of the wounded provincial governor's security team, had targeted Miller -- something the United States disputes -- would complicate the US position. "It is difficult to imagine how the US government will be able to defend holding talks with an organisation that claims it attempted to kill the US supreme commander in Afghanistan," AAN said in a report. 'Expect a meltdown' Raziq, whose power extended beyond Kandahar to neighbouring provinces in southern Afghanistan, was either "respected or feared" by Afghans, said military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhail. His death would be demoralising for beleaguered security forces and leave a dangerous power vacuum that would be difficult to fill. "It will be hard for the government to find someone who could replace him as a powerful force against the Taliban," Amarkhail said. Yusufzai said killing Raziq was "one of the Taliban's biggest achievements in this war". "Expect a meltdown in Kandahar," a foreign diplomat told AFP. "He was the one guaranteeing security in Kandahar." But US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Friday that Raziq's death would not fundamentally change the security situation in the province. "It's a tragic loss of a patriot for Afghanistan. But I don't see it having a long term effect on our area," Mattis told reporters on the sidelines of a security summit in Singapore. Miller made a public appearance in Kabul on Friday, visiting an Afghan security checkpoint where he expressed condolences over the "tragic event". "My assessment is that I was not the target. It was a very close confined space. But I don't assess that I was a target," Miller told Afghan broadcaster Tolo News. The government is now scrambling to secure the south on the eve of parliamentary elections that the Taliban has vowed to attack. A spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani said elections in Kandahar would be postponed for a week following the attack. Preparations for the ballot, already more than three years late, have been marred by bloody violence and there are concerns that Raziq's death will deter even more voters from turning up at polling centres around the country. Almost nine million people have registered to vote for the poll, which is seen as a crucial test for next year's presidential election. Hundreds of people have been killed or wounded in poll-related violence. At least 10 candidates have been killed, most of them murdered. "The Taliban would be very pleased that they've done this on the eve of the election," Yusufzai said.

Afghan election: Brazen Taliban attack threatens peace talks, stability

The parliamentary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/the-importance-of-afghan-elections-possible-withdrawal-of-foreign-troops-172166">elections in Afghanistan</a> will be held on October 20th and this year would be unique because a majority of the candidates are less than 40-years-old.&nbsp;

Most of these young candidates - nearly 60 per cent - are entrepreneurs, journalists, teachers or former government employees.&nbsp;

As polling is set to take place under the shadow of gun and terror, the Taliban has asked the candidates and voters to boycott the elections but still, over 2,000 candidates, including over 400 women, have braved the violence for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/understanding-the-afghanistan-parliamentary-elections-171961">democratic Afghanistan</a>.&nbsp;

Here are some of the&nbsp;candidates and their stories:&nbsp;

Twenty-six-year-old Javid Faisal was until recently a deputy spokesperson for Abdullah Abdullah, chief executive of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Faisal is running for parliament from Kandahar which is the second largest city of Afghanistan but Taliban remains active in the province. It is feared that voting may be disrupted in Kandahar with the Taliban striking in the city with a deadly attack which&nbsp;killed the Abdul Razeq on Thursday.&nbsp;

Faisal's campaign centres around issues such as education, employment and basic amenities such as water.&nbsp;

Bilal Sarwary is another candidate from Kunar in north-eastern Afghanistan who worked as a journalist for BBC and other media organisations.&nbsp;

Next is 38-year-old Narinder Singh, a Sikh-Afghan. Singh is the only Sikh candidate in the election. He decided to contest the election after his father - Avtar Singh Khalsa - was killed in a suicide attack carried out by the Islamic State terror group in the eastern city of Jalalabad.&nbsp;

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-attack-on-sikhs-hindus-in-jalalabad-148598">attack also killed</a> 19 other Sikh- Afghans. At the time, Khalsa was running for the Afghan parliament.&nbsp;

Now, Khalsa's son is contesting in the only seat reserved for Sikh and Hindu candidates. Narinder Singh laments that the Sikh community continues to live in fear and without adequate security in spite of the deadly attack.&nbsp;

Zaika Wardak, is an independent candidate contesting from Kabul. Zaika's father - General Abdul Ali Wardak - was killed during the communist take-over in 1978.&nbsp;

Her brother, a former army general Zalmay Wardak, who was a candidate in the election, was killed in August this year. She also lost her husband in a car accident in 2011.&nbsp;

She is an engineer by training and heads an association for female engineers in the Afghan capital.&nbsp;

The parliamentary election is widely seen as a dry run or a semi-final for the 2019 presidential elections in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The parliamentary elections in Afghanistan will be held on October 20th and this year would be unique because a majority of the candidates are less than 40-years-old.

The parliamentary elections in Afghanistan will be held on October 20th and this year would be unique because a majority of the candidates are less than 40-years-old. Most of these young candidates - nearly 60 per cent - are entrepreneurs, journalists, teachers or former government employees. As polling is set to take place under the shadow of gun and terror, the Taliban has asked the candidates and voters to boycott the elections but still, over 2,000 candidates, including over 400 women, have braved the violence for a democratic Afghanistan. Here are some of the candidates and their stories: Twenty-six-year-old Javid Faisal was until recently a deputy spokesperson for Abdullah Abdullah, chief executive of Afghanistan. Faisal is running for parliament from Kandahar which is the second largest city of Afghanistan but Taliban remains active in the province. It is feared that voting may be disrupted in Kandahar with the Taliban striking in the city with a deadly attack which killed the Abdul Razeq on Thursday. Faisal's campaign centres around issues such as education, employment and basic amenities such as water. Bilal Sarwary is another candidate from Kunar in north-eastern Afghanistan who worked as a journalist for BBC and other media organisations. Next is 38-year-old Narinder Singh, a Sikh-Afghan. Singh is the only Sikh candidate in the election. He decided to contest the election after his father - Avtar Singh Khalsa - was killed in a suicide attack carried out by the Islamic State terror group in the eastern city of Jalalabad. The attack also killed 19 other Sikh- Afghans. At the time, Khalsa was running for the Afghan parliament. Now, Khalsa's son is contesting in the only seat reserved for Sikh and Hindu candidates. Narinder Singh laments that the Sikh community continues to live in fear and without adequate security in spite of the deadly attack. Zaika Wardak, is an independent candidate contesting from Kabul. Zaika's father - General Abdul Ali Wardak - was killed during the communist take-over in 1978. Her brother, a former army general Zalmay Wardak, who was a candidate in the election, was killed in August this year. She also lost her husband in a car accident in 2011. She is an engineer by training and heads an association for female engineers in the Afghan capital. The parliamentary election is widely seen as a dry run or a semi-final for the 2019 presidential elections in Afghanistan.

Young candidates in Afghan ballot battleground amid turmoil

With parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20 in Afghanistan, the elections are being viewed as crucial tests run for the presidential vote and are being held after a delay of three and a half years.&nbsp;

The Afghan parliament’s term was extended post-June 2015 to promote transparency in the electoral system. But unfortunately, no major reforms have been carried out since then. Instead, the electoral process has just courted more controversies.

Saturday's election will be the third time that the country will elect members to the lower house of the parliament post-Taliban.

The elections are crucial for Afghanistan at multiple levels.

For starters, they will lay the foundation for next year's presidential elections.

Afghanistan's National Unity government is already facing the test as their elite position has dropped behind potential candidates, President Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah are mired in a power struggle. If these parliamentary elections do not go smoothly, the ruling coalition could be in trouble.

The Taliban is, of course, another key factor that threatens democracy in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Threats and attacks by the Taliban and the Islamic state-Khorasan province --- both opposing mainstream politics --- have hampered voter registration processes. This is likely to impact turnout on voting day as well.

Taliban has reportedly been threatening villagers that their homes will be targeted if they vote. Taliban terrorists have also targeted election rallies and claimed several lives in the last few weeks.

The United States is trying to negotiate peace with the Taliban and the results of these elections will have a direct impact on that as well.

But the biggest implication of this election could be the eventual withdrawal of foreign troops from the country.&nbsp;

Transparent democracy is the most likely way to provide long-term stability to the country. A failed democratic process would mean the country plunges into further chaos and in the long run, demand even more international troops and funds. &nbsp;

With parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20 in Afghanistan, the elections are being viewed as crucial tests run for the presidential vote and are being held after a delay of three and a half years.

With parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20 in Afghanistan, the elections are being viewed as crucial tests run for the presidential vote and are being held after a delay of three and a half years. The Afghan parliament’s term was extended post-June 2015 to promote transparency in the electoral system. But unfortunately, no major reforms have been carried out since then. Instead, the electoral process has just courted more controversies. Saturday's election will be the third time that the country will elect members to the lower house of the parliament post-Taliban. The elections are crucial for Afghanistan at multiple levels. For starters, they will lay the foundation for next year's presidential elections. Afghanistan's National Unity government is already facing the test as their elite position has dropped behind potential candidates, President Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah are mired in a power struggle. If these parliamentary elections do not go smoothly, the ruling coalition could be in trouble. The Taliban is, of course, another key factor that threatens democracy in Afghanistan. Threats and attacks by the Taliban and the Islamic state-Khorasan province --- both opposing mainstream politics --- have hampered voter registration processes. This is likely to impact turnout on voting day as well. Taliban has reportedly been threatening villagers that their homes will be targeted if they vote. Taliban terrorists have also targeted election rallies and claimed several lives in the last few weeks. The United States is trying to negotiate peace with the Taliban and the results of these elections will have a direct impact on that as well. But the biggest implication of this election could be the eventual withdrawal of foreign troops from the country. Transparent democracy is the most likely way to provide long-term stability to the country. A failed democratic process would mean the country plunges into further chaos and in the long run, demand even more international troops and funds.

Afghanistan elections could lead to withdrawal of foreign troops

Javid Jaihoon, who started life selling water on the streets of Kabul, is one of a clutch of Afghan businessmen whose multimillion-dollar fortunes, built in the boom years after the fall of the Taliban, are now fuelling a run for parliament.

As well as featuring prominently among the riot of campaign posters now plastering the streets ahead of Saturday's election, they are burnishing their image with TV ads, football team sponsorships or treats like free admission to amusement parks.

"It's not suits that make you different," the shaven-headed Jaihoon, known widely as "Lala" ("Brother") Javid, told Reuters, lightly brushing his own Armani jacket. "'Lala Javid' himself is a brand that's known all over the country."

After a childhood selling cups of water and loose bananas, Jaihoon was among a class of entrepreneurs agile and ruthless enough to seize their chance during the wild decade after 2001 when Western money and contracts were pouring into Afghanistan with few questions asked.

Now worth $200 million, according to his own estimate, Jaihoon owns Afghanistan's largest cement factory, a bank and a security company that together employ more than 8,000 people.

"Anyone can become a millionaire if they work hard and believe in achieving something," he said.

Even as the Taliban have extended their reach from their rural heartlands to the outskirts of major cities like Kabul, money is being made in Afghanistan and the rise of such entrepreneurs underlines its undoubted power in local politics.

While often closely linked to the political elite, they represent a change from the old class of former Mujahideen leaders and strongmen, several of whom have children running for parliament.

Like father, like son&nbsp;

The sons of Hizb-i Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and former anti-Soviet commanders Ismail Khan, Mohammad Moheqeq and Karim Khalili, are all standing, using the aura of their family name to power their campaigns.

All are considered likely to win seats and continue the dynasties created by their fathers in the turbulent years that began with the assassination of former President Daud Khan and the arrival of the Soviets in the late 1970s.

But for many in the new business class, the election is less a matter of political power than protecting their interests.

"As a businessman, you basically have to pay and fill the pockets of a lot of people if you get a contract," said Habibullah Esmati, a candidate who owns a popular fun park near Kabul zoo. "But if I am elected to parliament, I will be immune from paying protection money. It will be an insurance for my businesses and investment."

Critics say that for those with money and connections, a seat in parliament offers excellent opportunities to win lucrative government contracts together with protection against prosecution. There is a great incentive to buy votes either directly or through promises and favours and campaign spending limits appear to be openly flouted.

"In Afghanistan, the first criterion for voters is money, then ethnic and family connections," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of the Transparent Election Foundation

Afghanistan, a watchdog body. He said one female candidate, without the means of some rivals, had come to his office in tears because people were demanding $50 for their vote.

"I don't need money"&nbsp;

But like many businessmen-turned-politicians in Western countries, Afghan entrepreneurs typically promise that their wealth will enable them to resist the corruption for which parliament has become notorious.

"My election slogan is 'Fight against poverty and unemployment'. But to support youth and provide them with jobs, I have to be in parliament," Jaihoon said.

"I am not like other MPs who think being in parliament is a lucrative business. I don't need money and I won't go to the ministers to get something done. I will summon them and make sure they do their jobs," he said.

A former football player, he also sponsors a team in Afghanistan's Premier League, a well-tried formula for boosting popularity.

The league was itself rescued from financial problems last month by another wealthy entrepreneur-turned-candidate called Ajmal Rahmani, known popularly as "Armoured Ajmal" after his business selling bulletproof cars to the Kabul elite.

Rahmani's campaign posters now adorn the grounds where spectators on match day get gift bags bearing his image, an updated version of the traditional feasts and hospitality Afghan politicians offer at meetings with their supporters.

Esmati, who opened up his funfair to the public during the campaign, tempting almost 10,000 potential voters with a free day out, also sees the value of innovative approaches to garnering support.

"Other MPs had feasts and feeding people," he said. "But I gave them entertainment and I believe entertainment is more important than food."

Javid Jaihoon, who started life selling water on the streets of Kabul, is one of a clutch of Afghan businessmen whose multimillion-dollar fortunes, built in the boom years after the fall of the Taliban, are now fuelling a run for parliament.

Javid Jaihoon, who started life selling water on the streets of Kabul, is one of a clutch of Afghan businessmen whose multimillion-dollar fortunes, built in the boom years after the fall of the Taliban, are now fuelling a run for parliament. As well as featuring prominently among the riot of campaign posters now plastering the streets ahead of Saturday's election, they are burnishing their image with TV ads, football team sponsorships or treats like free admission to amusement parks. "It's not suits that make you different," the shaven-headed Jaihoon, known widely as "Lala" ("Brother") Javid, told Reuters, lightly brushing his own Armani jacket. "'Lala Javid' himself is a brand that's known all over the country." After a childhood selling cups of water and loose bananas, Jaihoon was among a class of entrepreneurs agile and ruthless enough to seize their chance during the wild decade after 2001 when Western money and contracts were pouring into Afghanistan with few questions asked. Now worth $200 million, according to his own estimate, Jaihoon owns Afghanistan's largest cement factory, a bank and a security company that together employ more than 8,000 people. "Anyone can become a millionaire if they work hard and believe in achieving something," he said. Even as the Taliban have extended their reach from their rural heartlands to the outskirts of major cities like Kabul, money is being made in Afghanistan and the rise of such entrepreneurs underlines its undoubted power in local politics. While often closely linked to the political elite, they represent a change from the old class of former Mujahideen leaders and strongmen, several of whom have children running for parliament. Like father, like son The sons of Hizb-i Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and former anti-Soviet commanders Ismail Khan, Mohammad Moheqeq and Karim Khalili, are all standing, using the aura of their family name to power their campaigns. All are considered likely to win seats and continue the dynasties created by their fathers in the turbulent years that began with the assassination of former President Daud Khan and the arrival of the Soviets in the late 1970s. But for many in the new business class, the election is less a matter of political power than protecting their interests. "As a businessman, you basically have to pay and fill the pockets of a lot of people if you get a contract," said Habibullah Esmati, a candidate who owns a popular fun park near Kabul zoo. "But if I am elected to parliament, I will be immune from paying protection money. It will be an insurance for my businesses and investment." Critics say that for those with money and connections, a seat in parliament offers excellent opportunities to win lucrative government contracts together with protection against prosecution. There is a great incentive to buy votes either directly or through promises and favours and campaign spending limits appear to be openly flouted. "In Afghanistan, the first criterion for voters is money, then ethnic and family connections," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of the Transparent Election Foundation Afghanistan, a watchdog body. He said one female candidate, without the means of some rivals, had come to his office in tears because people were demanding $50 for their vote. "I don't need money" But like many businessmen-turned-politicians in Western countries, Afghan entrepreneurs typically promise that their wealth will enable them to resist the corruption for which parliament has become notorious. "My election slogan is 'Fight against poverty and unemployment'. But to support youth and provide them with jobs, I have to be in parliament," Jaihoon said. "I am not like other MPs who think being in parliament is a lucrative business. I don't need money and I won't go to the ministers to get something done. I will summon them and make sure they do their jobs," he said. A former football player, he also sponsors a team in Afghanistan's Premier League, a well-tried formula for boosting popularity. The league was itself rescued from financial problems last month by another wealthy entrepreneur-turned-candidate called Ajmal Rahmani, known popularly as "Armoured Ajmal" after his business selling bulletproof cars to the Kabul elite. Rahmani's campaign posters now adorn the grounds where spectators on match day get gift bags bearing his image, an updated version of the traditional feasts and hospitality Afghan politicians offer at meetings with their supporters. Esmati, who opened up his funfair to the public during the campaign, tempting almost 10,000 potential voters with a free day out, also sees the value of innovative approaches to garnering support. "Other MPs had feasts and feeding people," he said. "But I gave them entertainment and I believe entertainment is more important than food."

Football, funfairs and fortunes: In Afghan election, money talks

At least 10 election candidates have been killed, thousands of polling centres closed, and many voters are likely to stay home due to the threat of militant attacks.

This is democracy, Afghanistan style.

Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

But shambolic preparations, expectations of industrial-scale fraud, and escalating poll-related violence threaten to derail the election, which the international community is advising and largely funding.&nbsp;

"We're trying to make a terrible situation slightly less bad," a Western diplomat told AFP, reflecting a sharp drop in expectations for a credible result, even by Afghan standards.

Alarm is growing as the beleaguered Independent Election Commission (IEC), which has been skewered for its poor handling of the process, struggles to distribute voting materials to more than 5,000 polling centres before they open at 7:00 am on Saturday.

They are supposed to include biometric voter verification devices that Afghan political leaders and officials only agreed to use a few weeks ago and have been made mandatory, despite being untested and not required by law.

Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, IEC spokesman Sayed Hafizullah Hashimi told AFP, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them.&nbsp;

Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed.

There also are fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10.

"Using technology can help transparency but it can also create confusion if not used properly," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan.

'Pseudo-democracy'&nbsp;

More than 2,500 candidates are competing for 249 seats in the lower house, including doctors, mullahs, the sons of former warlords, and at least one prisoner.

Campaigning has been marred by bloody violence. At least 10 candidates have been killed so far, including Abdul Jabar Qahraman who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand.

The Taliban has warned candidates to withdraw from the ballot, which it has vowed to attack, and told education workers to stop their schools from being used as polling centres.

The election is seen as a rehearsal for the presidential vote scheduled for April and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes".

Despite speculation the vote could be postponed again, Hashimi said it had to go ahead on time.

"It is already snowing in some provinces and the weather is getting colder," Hashimi told AFP.

"If we delay the elections for a week, it means we won't have them."

Observers expect turnout on polling day to be far lower than the 8.9 million registered to vote in the first legislative election since 2010.

More than 2,000 voting centres have already been closed for security reasons, and the threat of more militant attacks are likely to persuade many voters to avoid the poll.

Some 54,000 members of Afghanistan's already overstretched security forces will be deployed to protect the ballot.

To help boost numbers, Hashimi on Wednesday urged the media to focus on the elections, not violence.

There are widespread suspicions that a significant number of voter registrations were based on fake identification documents, which fraudsters hope to use to stuff ballot boxes.

Registrations in the eastern province of Paktia, for example, were "an implausible" 141 percent of the estimated eligible population, Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN) said in a recent report.

"The fraud is already baked in," a Western diplomat told AFP, adding Afghan officials may never know how many people actually voted.

That has further eroded confidence and deterred potential voters.

"Most of the people I have been talking to say they won't go to vote, some even didn't bother to register, and many said 'we would love to vote if we knew the system would work'," AAN co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP.

"It's not that Afghans are tired of democracy. They're tired of this kind of pseudo-democracy."

At least 10 election candidates have been killed, thousands of polling centres closed, and many voters are likely to stay home due to the threat of militant attacks.

At least 10 election candidates have been killed, thousands of polling centres closed, and many voters are likely to stay home due to the threat of militant attacks. This is democracy, Afghanistan style. Almost nine million people have registered to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election, which is more than three years late and only the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. But shambolic preparations, expectations of industrial-scale fraud, and escalating poll-related violence threaten to derail the election, which the international community is advising and largely funding. "We're trying to make a terrible situation slightly less bad," a Western diplomat told AFP, reflecting a sharp drop in expectations for a credible result, even by Afghan standards. Alarm is growing as the beleaguered Independent Election Commission (IEC), which has been skewered for its poor handling of the process, struggles to distribute voting materials to more than 5,000 polling centres before they open at 7:00 am on Saturday. They are supposed to include biometric voter verification devices that Afghan political leaders and officials only agreed to use a few weeks ago and have been made mandatory, despite being untested and not required by law. Votes cast without the controversial machines will not be counted, IEC spokesman Sayed Hafizullah Hashimi told AFP, even though polling centre workers have received little or no training in how to use them. Observers are concerned the results could be thrown into turmoil if the devices are broken, lost or destroyed. There also are fears the data could be manipulated before preliminary results are released on November 10. "Using technology can help transparency but it can also create confusion if not used properly," said Naeem Ayubzada, director of the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan. 'Pseudo-democracy' More than 2,500 candidates are competing for 249 seats in the lower house, including doctors, mullahs, the sons of former warlords, and at least one prisoner. Campaigning has been marred by bloody violence. At least 10 candidates have been killed so far, including Abdul Jabar Qahraman who was blown up Wednesday by a bomb placed under his sofa in the southern province of Helmand. The Taliban has warned candidates to withdraw from the ballot, which it has vowed to attack, and told education workers to stop their schools from being used as polling centres. The election is seen as a rehearsal for the presidential vote scheduled for April and an important milestone ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva in November where Afghanistan is under pressure to show progress on "democratic processes". Despite speculation the vote could be postponed again, Hashimi said it had to go ahead on time. "It is already snowing in some provinces and the weather is getting colder," Hashimi told AFP. "If we delay the elections for a week, it means we won't have them." Observers expect turnout on polling day to be far lower than the 8.9 million registered to vote in the first legislative election since 2010. More than 2,000 voting centres have already been closed for security reasons, and the threat of more militant attacks are likely to persuade many voters to avoid the poll. Some 54,000 members of Afghanistan's already overstretched security forces will be deployed to protect the ballot. To help boost numbers, Hashimi on Wednesday urged the media to focus on the elections, not violence. There are widespread suspicions that a significant number of voter registrations were based on fake identification documents, which fraudsters hope to use to stuff ballot boxes. Registrations in the eastern province of Paktia, for example, were "an implausible" 141 percent of the estimated eligible population, Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN) said in a recent report. "The fraud is already baked in," a Western diplomat told AFP, adding Afghan officials may never know how many people actually voted. That has further eroded confidence and deterred potential voters. "Most of the people I have been talking to say they won't go to vote, some even didn't bother to register, and many said 'we would love to vote if we knew the system would work'," AAN co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP. "It's not that Afghans are tired of democracy. They're tired of this kind of pseudo-democracy."

Afghan-style democracy faces test in legislative election

Five Czech soldiers have been injured in an attack in Afghanistan only two months after three others were killed, the Czech defence ministry said on Thursday.

"The attack on the Czech patrol occurred on Wednesday around 1220 GMT near the Bagram base in the Parwan province," the ministry said in a statement.

The five soldiers were injured when a civilian vehicle loaded with explosives was blown up near an armoured vehicle which then rolled over, it added.

One soldier with serious injuries underwent surgery and his life is no longer in danger.

Another with light injuries remained in hospital while the other three were released, the ministry said.

On August 5, three Czech soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing while on patrol in the eastern Parwan province alongside a US soldier and two Afghan soldiers, who were wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

It was the deadliest assault on NATO soldiers in many months.

The Lidove noviny broadsheet daily reported on Wednesday that Czech special forces had killed one of the August attackers and captured another, while Czech TV reported "far more" had been killed and captured.

Thirteen Czech soldiers have been killed in NATO missions in Afghanistan.

Five Czech soldiers have been injured in an attack in Afghanistan only two months after three others were killed, the Czech defence ministry said on Thursday. "The attack on the Czech patrol occurred on Wednesday around 1220 GMT near the Bagram base in the Parwan province," the ministry said in a statement.

Five Czech soldiers have been injured in an attack in Afghanistan only two months after three others were killed, the Czech defence ministry said on Thursday. "The attack on the Czech patrol occurred on Wednesday around 1220 GMT near the Bagram base in the Parwan province," the ministry said in a statement. The five soldiers were injured when a civilian vehicle loaded with explosives was blown up near an armoured vehicle which then rolled over, it added. One soldier with serious injuries underwent surgery and his life is no longer in danger. Another with light injuries remained in hospital while the other three were released, the ministry said. On August 5, three Czech soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing while on patrol in the eastern Parwan province alongside a US soldier and two Afghan soldiers, who were wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. It was the deadliest assault on NATO soldiers in many months. The Lidove noviny broadsheet daily reported on Wednesday that Czech special forces had killed one of the August attackers and captured another, while Czech TV reported "far more" had been killed and captured. Thirteen Czech soldiers have been killed in NATO missions in Afghanistan.

Five Czech soldiers injured in Afghanistan attack: Defence Ministry

Afghanistan is set to hold parliamentary elections on October 20th to elect members of the House of the People after about three years of delay amid massive violence <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-election-candidate-killed-by-bomb-under-office-chair-171942">killing and wounding</a> several candidates.

The elections were scheduled to be held on October 15, 2016, but were postponed to&nbsp;July 7, 2018, and then to October 20. The previous parliamentary elections were held in 2010.

All the previous elections in 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2014 were marred by violence and the results bitterly contested. The disagreement over the results of the presidential election in 2014 produced two heads of state—Ashraf Ghani&nbsp;as the president and Abdullah Abdullah (half Tazik) as the Chief Executive.&nbsp;

The Parliment of Afghanistan has two houses: 249-seat Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) and the 102-seat Meshrano Jirga (House of Elders).&nbsp;

The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC) has already disqualified 35 candidates as they have links with armed groups.

More than 2,500 candidates are running for 249 seats in Afghanistan’s parliament in Saturday’s election.

This year's elections also include 400 women running for the seats, despite being threatened or attacked. The number include teachers, doctors as well as activists.

&nbsp;<img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d036b20-2b46-48da-bc50-9cfc6ea6f262" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%285%29.jpg" />

Female Afghan parliamentary election candidate, Dewa Niazai

Nearly nine million people have registered to vote, but far fewer are expected to turn out on polling day due to threats of violence and expectations for massive fraud.

On October 20, Afghan voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 21,000 polling stations across the country except in Ghazni - which reportedly won’t be having polls at all. According to news reports, 54,000 members of Afghanistan’s security forces will be responsible for protecting polling centers on election day.

Elections marred by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-blast-kills-election-candidate-in-southern-province-171871">fraud and violence</a> could threaten to divide or even collapse the current government.

<img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5a060c06-706a-4359-aefc-c0ed8dd26468" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29.jpg" />

Afghan security forces members carry an injured policeman

Security officials predict that far worse attacks could come from the foreign-based Islamic State militia, which has killed scores of civilians in bombings in Kabul this year, including an attack on a voter ID center that resulted in the deaths of more than 60 people.&nbsp;

Another worry is the potential for massive fraud, especially the misuse of ballots and voter ID cards. Large quantities of false or extra ID cards have reportedly been distributed, and a costly last-minute effort to install biometric technology at polling stations may not succeed in catching problems.

At the same time, the Taliban and other groups have deliberately targeted previous rounds of voting. For opponents of the government, they see undermining elections as a useful means of proving the weakness of the government and its waning international support. There have been attacks on both individual candidates and campaign gatherings. 
&nbsp;

Afghanistan is set to hold parliamentary elections on October 20th to elect members of the House of the People after about three years of delay amid massive violence killing and wounding several candidates.

Afghanistan is set to hold parliamentary elections on October 20th to elect members of the House of the People after about three years of delay amid massive violence killing and wounding several candidates. The elections were scheduled to be held on October 15, 2016, but were postponed to July 7, 2018, and then to October 20. The previous parliamentary elections were held in 2010. All the previous elections in 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2014 were marred by violence and the results bitterly contested. The disagreement over the results of the presidential election in 2014 produced two heads of state—Ashraf Ghani as the president and Abdullah Abdullah (half Tazik) as the Chief Executive. The Parliment of Afghanistan has two houses: 249-seat Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) and the 102-seat Meshrano Jirga (House of Elders). The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC) has already disqualified 35 candidates as they have links with armed groups. More than 2,500 candidates are running for 249 seats in Afghanistan’s parliament in Saturday’s election. This year's elections also include 400 women running for the seats, despite being threatened or attacked. The number include teachers, doctors as well as activists. Female Afghan parliamentary election candidate, Dewa Niazai Nearly nine million people have registered to vote, but far fewer are expected to turn out on polling day due to threats of violence and expectations for massive fraud. On October 20, Afghan voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 21,000 polling stations across the country except in Ghazni - which reportedly won’t be having polls at all. According to news reports, 54,000 members of Afghanistan’s security forces will be responsible for protecting polling centers on election day. Elections marred by fraud and violence could threaten to divide or even collapse the current government. Afghan security forces members carry an injured policeman Security officials predict that far worse attacks could come from the foreign-based Islamic State militia, which has killed scores of civilians in bombings in Kabul this year, including an attack on a voter ID center that resulted in the deaths of more than 60 people. Another worry is the potential for massive fraud, especially the misuse of ballots and voter ID cards. Large quantities of false or extra ID cards have reportedly been distributed, and a costly last-minute effort to install biometric technology at polling stations may not succeed in catching problems. At the same time, the Taliban and other groups have deliberately targeted previous rounds of voting. For opponents of the government, they see undermining elections as a useful means of proving the weakness of the government and its waning international support. There have been attacks on both individual candidates and campaign gatherings.

Understanding the Afghanistan parliamentary elections

The deadly violence in Afghanistan has escalated in the country ahead of the October 20 parliamentary elections.&nbsp;

A third blast struck Afghanistan on Wednesday killing another Afghan candidate, Jabar Qahraman.

Qahraman's death has taken the number of candidates' killing&nbsp;in Afghanistan to 10.

Most of the 10 candidates who have died in the lead-up to the election were murdered in targeted killings.

Qahraman was the second candidate killed in Lashkar Gah this month after Saleh Mohammad Asikzaiwho was killed in a suicide attack last week.

The Taliban which has been perpetrating the attacks&nbsp;had earlier warned candidates to withdraw their names from the parliamentary elections.&nbsp;

It has also issued a fresh warning calling on "educational workers" to stop schools being turned into polling centres and prevent teachers and students from participating as workers.

The Taliban which ruled from 1996 to 2001 demand the boycott of the elections to overthrow the Western-backed government and restore their Islamist regime.

In their fight against the government, the outfit has been perpetrating attacks in the country to stop the authorities and the civilians from participating in the election process.

About hundreds of people have been killed or wounded in the attacks across the country&nbsp;ahead of the elections in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

20 Afghanistan soldiers were killed while 11 others were injured in an attack on two military check posts in the western Farah province bordering Iran on Sunday.

22 people were killed last week in an explosion at an election rally for a woman candidate in the northeastern province of Takhar.

In the wake of the escalating violence, preparations for the election also remains in shambles. The authorities are still struggling to distribute voting materials to more than 5000 polling centres.&nbsp;

The election for parliament's lower house is seen as a dry run for the presidential vote scheduled for April.

Almost nine million people have registered to vote, but observers expect far fewer to turn out due to the threat of militant attacks and expectations of widespread fraud.

More than 50,000 members of Afghanistan's already overstretched security forces are being deployed to protect polling centres on election day.

About dozens of Afghan police officers were killed in two attacks claimed by Taliban on October 16 in the northern province of Samangan and in the Central province of Daikundi.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The deadly violence in Afghanistan has escalated in the country ahead of the October 20 parliamentary elections. A third blast struck Afghanistan on Wednesday killing another Afghan candidate, Jabar Qahraman.

The deadly violence in Afghanistan has escalated in the country ahead of the October 20 parliamentary elections. A third blast struck Afghanistan on Wednesday killing another Afghan candidate, Jabar Qahraman. Qahraman's death has taken the number of candidates' killing in Afghanistan to 10. Most of the 10 candidates who have died in the lead-up to the election were murdered in targeted killings. Qahraman was the second candidate killed in Lashkar Gah this month after Saleh Mohammad Asikzaiwho was killed in a suicide attack last week. The Taliban which has been perpetrating the attacks had earlier warned candidates to withdraw their names from the parliamentary elections. It has also issued a fresh warning calling on "educational workers" to stop schools being turned into polling centres and prevent teachers and students from participating as workers. The Taliban which ruled from 1996 to 2001 demand the boycott of the elections to overthrow the Western-backed government and restore their Islamist regime. In their fight against the government, the outfit has been perpetrating attacks in the country to stop the authorities and the civilians from participating in the election process. About hundreds of people have been killed or wounded in the attacks across the country ahead of the elections in Afghanistan. 20 Afghanistan soldiers were killed while 11 others were injured in an attack on two military check posts in the western Farah province bordering Iran on Sunday. 22 people were killed last week in an explosion at an election rally for a woman candidate in the northeastern province of Takhar. In the wake of the escalating violence, preparations for the election also remains in shambles. The authorities are still struggling to distribute voting materials to more than 5000 polling centres. The election for parliament's lower house is seen as a dry run for the presidential vote scheduled for April. Almost nine million people have registered to vote, but observers expect far fewer to turn out due to the threat of militant attacks and expectations of widespread fraud. More than 50,000 members of Afghanistan's already overstretched security forces are being deployed to protect polling centres on election day. About dozens of Afghan police officers were killed in two attacks claimed by Taliban on October 16 in the northern province of Samangan and in the Central province of Daikundi. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan elections: In the shadow of terror

The Taliban mounted attacks on two military check posts&nbsp;in the western Farah province bordering Iran on Sunday, killing at least 20 Afghanistan soldiers and injuring 11.

While five Taliban members were also killed in the attack, more than 10 Afghan soldiers have been taken as hostages by the group.

The Governor of Pusht Rod district confirmed the attacks by the Taliban on two military check posts and told Anadolu Agency that the confrontation started on Saturday night and carried on till the wee hours of Sunday morning.

He further mentioned that arms and ammunition have also been taken by the Taliban group while confirming the abovementioned figures.

However, Muhibullah Muhib, the provincial police headquarters'&nbsp;spokesman, confirmed the death of only 10 soldiers, adding that Special Forces reached the site to free five soldiers who have been taken hostage by Taliban.

Meanwhile, Taliban's spokesperson Qari Yosuf Ahmadi claimed that 21 Afghan soldiers were killed, while 12 soldiers have been taken in as captives by the group while taking full responsibility for the attacks. He further mentioned that no Taliban member has been killed in the attack.

Taliban had recently launched an attack on a number of security check posts in Jawzjan province in northern Afghanistan, which led to the death of at least 15 Afghan security personnel and left 26 security personnel injured.

The attack in Farah comes just a few days after a Taliban delegation met US'&nbsp;Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar to discuss "a peaceful solution in Afghanistan".&nbsp;

The Taliban mounted attacks on two military check posts in the western Farah province bordering Iran on Sunday, killing at least 20 Afghanistan soldiers and injuring 11.

The Taliban mounted attacks on two military check posts in the western Farah province bordering Iran on Sunday, killing at least 20 Afghanistan soldiers and injuring 11. While five Taliban members were also killed in the attack, more than 10 Afghan soldiers have been taken as hostages by the group. The Governor of Pusht Rod district confirmed the attacks by the Taliban on two military check posts and told Anadolu Agency that the confrontation started on Saturday night and carried on till the wee hours of Sunday morning. He further mentioned that arms and ammunition have also been taken by the Taliban group while confirming the abovementioned figures. However, Muhibullah Muhib, the provincial police headquarters' spokesman, confirmed the death of only 10 soldiers, adding that Special Forces reached the site to free five soldiers who have been taken hostage by Taliban. Meanwhile, Taliban's spokesperson Qari Yosuf Ahmadi claimed that 21 Afghan soldiers were killed, while 12 soldiers have been taken in as captives by the group while taking full responsibility for the attacks. He further mentioned that no Taliban member has been killed in the attack. Taliban had recently launched an attack on a number of security check posts in Jawzjan province in northern Afghanistan, which led to the death of at least 15 Afghan security personnel and left 26 security personnel injured. The attack in Farah comes just a few days after a Taliban delegation met US' Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar to discuss "a peaceful solution in Afghanistan".

Afghanistan: Taliban attacks soldiers in western province; 20 killed

The Taliban have reinstated a security guarantee in Afghanistan for the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC), two months after withdrawing safe passage for the neutral humanitarian agency, the militant group and an ICRC official said on Friday.

A meeting in the Taliban's Qatar-based political office between its leaders and agency officials ended with the renewal of a pact allowing the agency to continue to provide, and expand, medical aid to all parties harmed by warfare.

"The security agreement...is once again reinstated and calls on all mujahideen to grant access...and provide security for the personnel and equipment of this organization," the Taliban said in a statement, referring to its members.

The Taliban leadership in Doha discussed the humanitarian situation and security concerns before renewing the pledge, said Andrea Catta Preta, the ICRC's spokeswoman in the Afghan capital.

"We told the Taliban leaders about our support to all prisoners in Afghanistan jails, we explained our medical programs," she added. "Finally, we reached an understanding."

In August, the Taliban had accused the Red Cross of failing to provide adequate medical aid to prisoners on a hunger strike in Kabul's Pul-e Charkhi prison and withdrew the security cover.

The decision forced the ICRC to suspend several emergency programs in Afghanistan, where it has had a presence for three decades and about 1,000 staff. Last year it scaled back operations after attacks killed seven of its staff.

The ICRC treats all parties harmed by warfare and does not take sides. It operates in Taliban-controlled areas with guarantees of safety and helps to repatriate bodies from both sides after fighting between the militants and the Afghan army.

The Taliban have reinstated a security guarantee in Afghanistan for the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC), two months after withdrawing safe passage for the neutral humanitarian agency, the militant group and an ICRC official said on Friday.

The Taliban have reinstated a security guarantee in Afghanistan for the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC), two months after withdrawing safe passage for the neutral humanitarian agency, the militant group and an ICRC official said on Friday. A meeting in the Taliban's Qatar-based political office between its leaders and agency officials ended with the renewal of a pact allowing the agency to continue to provide, and expand, medical aid to all parties harmed by warfare. "The security agreement...is once again reinstated and calls on all mujahideen to grant access...and provide security for the personnel and equipment of this organization," the Taliban said in a statement, referring to its members. The Taliban leadership in Doha discussed the humanitarian situation and security concerns before renewing the pledge, said Andrea Catta Preta, the ICRC's spokeswoman in the Afghan capital. "We told the Taliban leaders about our support to all prisoners in Afghanistan jails, we explained our medical programs," she added. "Finally, we reached an understanding." In August, the Taliban had accused the Red Cross of failing to provide adequate medical aid to prisoners on a hunger strike in Kabul's Pul-e Charkhi prison and withdrew the security cover. The decision forced the ICRC to suspend several emergency programs in Afghanistan, where it has had a presence for three decades and about 1,000 staff. Last year it scaled back operations after attacks killed seven of its staff. The ICRC treats all parties harmed by warfare and does not take sides. It operates in Taliban-controlled areas with guarantees of safety and helps to repatriate bodies from both sides after fighting between the militants and the Afghan army.

Taliban restore Red Cross security guarantee in Afghanistan

Taliban leaders and the newly-appointed US special envoy for peace efforts in Afghanistan will continue to hold meetings to discuss ways to end the ongoing war, the Taliban said in a statement on Saturday.

Zalmay Khalilzad, an Afghan-born US diplomat, met with Taliban leaders in Qatar on Friday in an effort to find a way to end the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan.

"Both sides spoke (about) an end to the occupation and peaceful solution to the Afghan issue ... Both sides agreed to continue meeting in the future," Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban`s spokesman, said in a statement.&nbsp;

Taliban leaders and the newly-appointed US special envoy for peace efforts in Afghanistan will continue to hold meetings to discuss ways to end the ongoing war, the Taliban said in a statement on Saturday.

Taliban leaders and the newly-appointed US special envoy for peace efforts in Afghanistan will continue to hold meetings to discuss ways to end the ongoing war, the Taliban said in a statement on Saturday. Zalmay Khalilzad, an Afghan-born US diplomat, met with Taliban leaders in Qatar on Friday in an effort to find a way to end the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan. "Both sides spoke (about) an end to the occupation and peaceful solution to the Afghan issue ... Both sides agreed to continue meeting in the future," Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban`s spokesman, said in a statement.

Taliban says will continue talks with US special envoy for peace efforts in Afghanistan

An Afghan official says attacks by the Taliban in the country's north have killed eight people four soldiers and four civilians.

Military spokesman Hanif Rezaie says the troops died in Kunduz province when the Taliban attacked a military outpost in the district of Archi on Friday morning. He says six were wounded in the assault.

Rezaie says the civilians were killed on Thursday, when a car bomb targeting an election campaign headquarters in Faryab province exploded prematurely.

He says several Taliban fighters died in both incidents.

Afghanistan is holding parliamentary elections on October 20. The campaign has already been marred by violence.

On Tuesday, a suicide bomber struck the home of an election candidate in the city of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand province, killing the candidate and seven others.&nbsp;

An Afghan official says attacks by the Taliban in the country's north have killed eight people four soldiers and four civilians. Military spokesman Hanif Rezaie says the troops died in Kunduz province when the Taliban attacked a military outpost in the district of Archi on Friday morning.

An Afghan official says attacks by the Taliban in the country's north have killed eight people four soldiers and four civilians. Military spokesman Hanif Rezaie says the troops died in Kunduz province when the Taliban attacked a military outpost in the district of Archi on Friday morning. He says six were wounded in the assault. Rezaie says the civilians were killed on Thursday, when a car bomb targeting an election campaign headquarters in Faryab province exploded prematurely. He says several Taliban fighters died in both incidents. Afghanistan is holding parliamentary elections on October 20. The campaign has already been marred by violence. On Tuesday, a suicide bomber struck the home of an election candidate in the city of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand province, killing the candidate and seven others.

Taliban attacks kill eight in country's north: Afghan official

A suicide bomber killed eight people in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Tuesday, including a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections, the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting the vote, officials said.

The election candidate, Saleh Mohammad Achekzai, was killed in the blast at an election rally in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand, Omar Zwak, the provincial governor's spokesman confirmed. At least 11 people were wounded.

No group has claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack in the province bordering Pakistan that has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the Taliban insurgency.

Taliban militants have ramped up attacks in strategic provinces ahead of the October 20 election, and ordered Afghans on Monday to boycott voting, while demanding a complete withdrawal of foreign forces as the only way to end the 17-year-old war.

Hundreds of people have been killed or hurt in violence linked to the election, with two major attacks in the capital, Kabul, in April and in Khost province in May, but security officials say attacks could pick up as polling day nears.

Violence has surged in the run-up to the vote, which militants have vowed to disrupt. At least 13 people were killed and more than 30 injured in a suicide attack at an election rally in the eastern province of Nangarhar this month.

Almost 9 million voters and 2,500 candidates competing for places in the 249-seat lower house have been registered and campaigning officially began late last month.

In addition, one seat is reserved for the Sikh community, which was targeted by a suicide bombing in July.

A spike in militant violence has forced candidates to hold closed-door rallies and avoid mass gatherings.

"An attack on the elections is an attack on the Afghan people," John Bass, the US ambassador to Afghanistan, said on social network Twitter.

A suicide bomber killed eight people in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Tuesday, including a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections, the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting the vote, officials said.

A suicide bomber killed eight people in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Tuesday, including a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections, the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting the vote, officials said. The election candidate, Saleh Mohammad Achekzai, was killed in the blast at an election rally in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand, Omar Zwak, the provincial governor's spokesman confirmed. At least 11 people were wounded. No group has claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack in the province bordering Pakistan that has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the Taliban insurgency. Taliban militants have ramped up attacks in strategic provinces ahead of the October 20 election, and ordered Afghans on Monday to boycott voting, while demanding a complete withdrawal of foreign forces as the only way to end the 17-year-old war. Hundreds of people have been killed or hurt in violence linked to the election, with two major attacks in the capital, Kabul, in April and in Khost province in May, but security officials say attacks could pick up as polling day nears. Violence has surged in the run-up to the vote, which militants have vowed to disrupt. At least 13 people were killed and more than 30 injured in a suicide attack at an election rally in the eastern province of Nangarhar this month. Almost 9 million voters and 2,500 candidates competing for places in the 249-seat lower house have been registered and campaigning officially began late last month. In addition, one seat is reserved for the Sikh community, which was targeted by a suicide bombing in July. A spike in militant violence has forced candidates to hold closed-door rallies and avoid mass gatherings. "An attack on the elections is an attack on the Afghan people," John Bass, the US ambassador to Afghanistan, said on social network Twitter.

Suicide bomber kills eight at Afghan election rally, including candidate

Washington's newly named point man tasked with finding a peaceful end to Afghanistan's 17-year war is in Pakistan to seek help from the new government in Islamabad in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table, the US Embassy said Tuesday.

A former US ambassador in Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Pakistan from neighbouring Afghanistan. His tour of the region will also include Middle East stops in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In Afghanistan, he met with President Ashraf Ghani, a long-time friend. Khalilzad, who was also born in Afghanistan, first served in Kabul as a special envoy of President George W Bush following the 2001 ouster of the Taliban, and then later as Washington's ambassador.

But Khalilzad has had a prickly relationship with Pakistan and has often accused Islamabad of fomenting violence in Afghanistan by supporting the Taliban. He has even said the United States should declare Pakistan a terrorist state.

Washington and Kabul have both repeatedly accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for Taliban insurgents, a claim Islamabad has denied and countered with charges that its own insurgents have found sanctuary in Afghanistan.

Both neighbouring countries have been brutally targeted by militants. In Pakistan the perpetrators have most often been the region's Islamic State affiliate, as well as the Pakistani Taliban.

In neighbouring Afghanistan, the IS has been relentless in attacks, mostly targeting minority Shiites. The Afghan Taliban say they restrict their attacks to Afghan security forces but thousands of civilians have been killed in their attacks.

Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan has been a strident critic of Islamabad's previous participation in Washington's so-called war on terror.&nbsp;

However, he promised after winning the polls in July that his government would be "partners in peace." It is not clear what that would entail but Pakistan has supported Afghan President Ghani's peace overtures to the Taliban.

In Pakistan, Khalilzad was met by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, who led a delegation that included "security, defense and diplomatic officials," according to a tweet from the foreign office spokesman. There were no further details.

Pakistan's Afghan policy is largely seen as navigated by the military and its intelligence agency, known by its acronym, ISI.

Khalilzad's tour of the region, which was first announced by the State Department as a mission to coordinate and lead U.S. Efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, has been shrouded in secrecy.

One of his stops is Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. In July, the Taliban said they met there with Alice Wells, Washington's then-top diplomat in the region.

Washington has neither denied nor confirmed the meeting though Wells was in Qatar at the time. It is not known whether there would be a similar meeting with Khalilzad on his visit.

Direct talks with the US have been a persistent demand of the Taliban, who accuse Ghani's government of being America's "puppets." The Taliban have refused so far to comment on Khalilzad's appointment.

The Afghan Taliban have condemned Afghanistan's parliamentary elections later this month and threatened more attacks on Afghan security forces.

In a statement on Monday, which was also released in English, the Taliban also urged Afghan candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot lists.&nbsp;

They denounced the polls as an America-designed ploy to further US interests in Afghanistan and warned Afghan security forces that they would be targeted.

The statement also repeated the long-standing Taliban demand for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.

Washington's newly named point man tasked with finding a peaceful end to Afghanistan's 17-year war is in Pakistan to seek help from the new government in Islamabad in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table, the US Embassy said Tuesday.

Washington's newly named point man tasked with finding a peaceful end to Afghanistan's 17-year war is in Pakistan to seek help from the new government in Islamabad in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table, the US Embassy said Tuesday. A former US ambassador in Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Pakistan from neighbouring Afghanistan. His tour of the region will also include Middle East stops in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In Afghanistan, he met with President Ashraf Ghani, a long-time friend. Khalilzad, who was also born in Afghanistan, first served in Kabul as a special envoy of President George W Bush following the 2001 ouster of the Taliban, and then later as Washington's ambassador. But Khalilzad has had a prickly relationship with Pakistan and has often accused Islamabad of fomenting violence in Afghanistan by supporting the Taliban. He has even said the United States should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. Washington and Kabul have both repeatedly accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for Taliban insurgents, a claim Islamabad has denied and countered with charges that its own insurgents have found sanctuary in Afghanistan. Both neighbouring countries have been brutally targeted by militants. In Pakistan the perpetrators have most often been the region's Islamic State affiliate, as well as the Pakistani Taliban. In neighbouring Afghanistan, the IS has been relentless in attacks, mostly targeting minority Shiites. The Afghan Taliban say they restrict their attacks to Afghan security forces but thousands of civilians have been killed in their attacks. Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan has been a strident critic of Islamabad's previous participation in Washington's so-called war on terror. However, he promised after winning the polls in July that his government would be "partners in peace." It is not clear what that would entail but Pakistan has supported Afghan President Ghani's peace overtures to the Taliban. In Pakistan, Khalilzad was met by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, who led a delegation that included "security, defense and diplomatic officials," according to a tweet from the foreign office spokesman. There were no further details. Pakistan's Afghan policy is largely seen as navigated by the military and its intelligence agency, known by its acronym, ISI. Khalilzad's tour of the region, which was first announced by the State Department as a mission to coordinate and lead U.S. Efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, has been shrouded in secrecy. One of his stops is Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. In July, the Taliban said they met there with Alice Wells, Washington's then-top diplomat in the region. Washington has neither denied nor confirmed the meeting though Wells was in Qatar at the time. It is not known whether there would be a similar meeting with Khalilzad on his visit. Direct talks with the US have been a persistent demand of the Taliban, who accuse Ghani's government of being America's "puppets." The Taliban have refused so far to comment on Khalilzad's appointment. The Afghan Taliban have condemned Afghanistan's parliamentary elections later this month and threatened more attacks on Afghan security forces. In a statement on Monday, which was also released in English, the Taliban also urged Afghan candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot lists. They denounced the polls as an America-designed ploy to further US interests in Afghanistan and warned Afghan security forces that they would be targeted. The statement also repeated the long-standing Taliban demand for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.

US envoy on Afghan peace takes his mission to Pakistan

Afghan Taliban recently mounted an attack on a number of security check posts in the Jawzjan province, resulting in the death of at least 15 security personnel.

The attack, which took place in Qosh Tepa district of the northern Afghanistan province on Sunday night, also resulted in a further 26 security force personnel being injured, TOLO News cited sources as saying.

Authorities have issued warnings that unless air support is provided to aid the forces, the district will be claimed by the Taliban militants.

"Clashes are still ongoing in the district," officials were also quoted by TOLO News as saying.

However, a security policeman, Kamaluddin Yawar stated that "four security forces were killed in the attack and four others were wounded."

"At least 30 Taliban were killed and 19 others including their shadow district governor were wounded in the attack. Two security check posts were also fallen to the Taliban," Yawar added.

The Taliban have also confirmed the attack.

Afghan Taliban recently mounted an attack on a number of security check posts in the Jawzjan province, resulting in the death of at least 15 security personnel. The attack, which took place in Qosh Tepa district of the northern Afghanistan province on Sunday night, also resulted in a further 26 security force personnel being injured, TOLO News cited sources as saying.

Afghan Taliban recently mounted an attack on a number of security check posts in the Jawzjan province, resulting in the death of at least 15 security personnel. The attack, which took place in Qosh Tepa district of the northern Afghanistan province on Sunday night, also resulted in a further 26 security force personnel being injured, TOLO News cited sources as saying. Authorities have issued warnings that unless air support is provided to aid the forces, the district will be claimed by the Taliban militants. "Clashes are still ongoing in the district," officials were also quoted by TOLO News as saying. However, a security policeman, Kamaluddin Yawar stated that "four security forces were killed in the attack and four others were wounded." "At least 30 Taliban were killed and 19 others including their shadow district governor were wounded in the attack. Two security check posts were also fallen to the Taliban," Yawar added. The Taliban have also confirmed the attack.

Afghanistan: At least 15 security personnel die in Taliban attacks

US&nbsp;adviser on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Kabul to hold the first round of talks with Afghan leaders since being appointed an envoy to lead peace efforts with the Taliban and end the 17-year war, Afghan officials said on Sunday.

Last month Khalilzad, 67, an Afghan-born former US&nbsp;ambassador to Kabul and Iraq, joined the US&nbsp;State Department team to lead the reconciliation effort and peace talks with the Taliban.

A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said Khalilzad met with Ghani on Sunday and he is expected to meet senior ministers and top diplomats in Kabul on Monday.

A senior government official said Khalilzad will be travelling to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Qatar as part of a 10-day trip in an attempt to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.

Khalilzad’s appointment last month highlighted the US administration's fresh efforts to convince the Taliban leadership to participate in the Afghan peace process, despite a surge in attacks by the militant group.

Khalilzad's knowledge of Afghanistan’s main languages, culture and politics could help him engage with all the stakeholders in the peace process in addition to his experience advising or working for four US&nbsp;administrations.

But his visit comes as the Taliban and the Islamic State group ramp up attacks across the country two weeks before the country is set to hold long-delayed parliamentary polls.

In the latest incident, Taliban fighters killed at least 10 policemen in a district in central Afghanistan and blocked arterial highways.

US adviser on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Kabul to hold the first round of talks with Afghan leaders since being appointed an envoy to lead peace efforts with the Taliban and end the 17-year war, Afghan officials said on Sunday.

US adviser on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Kabul to hold the first round of talks with Afghan leaders since being appointed an envoy to lead peace efforts with the Taliban and end the 17-year war, Afghan officials said on Sunday. Last month Khalilzad, 67, an Afghan-born former US ambassador to Kabul and Iraq, joined the US State Department team to lead the reconciliation effort and peace talks with the Taliban. A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said Khalilzad met with Ghani on Sunday and he is expected to meet senior ministers and top diplomats in Kabul on Monday. A senior government official said Khalilzad will be travelling to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Qatar as part of a 10-day trip in an attempt to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. Khalilzad’s appointment last month highlighted the US administration's fresh efforts to convince the Taliban leadership to participate in the Afghan peace process, despite a surge in attacks by the militant group. Khalilzad's knowledge of Afghanistan’s main languages, culture and politics could help him engage with all the stakeholders in the peace process in addition to his experience advising or working for four US administrations. But his visit comes as the Taliban and the Islamic State group ramp up attacks across the country two weeks before the country is set to hold long-delayed parliamentary polls. In the latest incident, Taliban fighters killed at least 10 policemen in a district in central Afghanistan and blocked arterial highways.

US special envoy to Afghanistan arrives in Kabul as Taliban launch fresh attacks

The Taliban on Monday vowed to target government security forces in upcoming parliamentary elections, as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with Afghan leaders to discuss ways to end the 17-year war.

Describing the polls as a "malicious American conspiracy" and urging voters to boycott them, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militants would pull no punches to disrupt the long-delayed ballot scheduled for October 20.&nbsp;

While the Taliban would take care to avoid civilian casualties, "people who are trying to help in holding this process successfully by providing security should be targeted and no stone should be left unturned for the prevention and failure" of the election, Mujahid said in a statement published in English.

The interior ministry dismissed the Taliban's statement as "words fed to them by their foreign backers" and said security would be provided for voters.

The Taliban -- Afghanistan's largest militant group that was toppled from power in the 2001 US-led invasion -- typically issue inflammatory and hyperbolic statements about the Afghan government and its international backers.

But this latest declaration comes just days before the parliamentary election, which is seen as a crucial dry run for next year's presidential vote and has already been marred by deadly violence.

It also comes as Khalilzad meets with Afghan leaders for the first time since his appointment last month to steer peace efforts with the militants.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's equivalent of prime minister, welcomed the visit by Afghanistan-born Khalilzad in televised remarks on Monday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"We believe if more attention is paid to the (peace) process, there is a good chance of success," Abdullah said.

Khalilzad -- a high-profile former US ambassador to Kabul, Baghdad and the United Nations -- is on a 10-day regional trip that also includes Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.&nbsp;

He met with President Ashraf Ghani and other top leaders on Sunday night to discuss "an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process", Ghani's office said in a statement.

"I will use my experiences in the international arena and connections in the region to reach this goal (of peace)," Khalilzad told Tolo News.

Afghan and international players have been ratcheting up efforts to hold talks with the Taliban.

An unprecedented ceasefire in June followed by talks between US officials and Taliban representatives in Qatar in July fuelled hopes that negotiations could bring an end to the fighting.

But a wave of attacks by the Taliban and the Islamic State group in recent months has poured cold water on the nascent optimism.&nbsp;

The Taliban on Monday vowed to target government security forces in upcoming parliamentary elections, as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with Afghan leaders to discuss ways to end the 17-year war.

The Taliban on Monday vowed to target government security forces in upcoming parliamentary elections, as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with Afghan leaders to discuss ways to end the 17-year war. Describing the polls as a "malicious American conspiracy" and urging voters to boycott them, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militants would pull no punches to disrupt the long-delayed ballot scheduled for October 20. While the Taliban would take care to avoid civilian casualties, "people who are trying to help in holding this process successfully by providing security should be targeted and no stone should be left unturned for the prevention and failure" of the election, Mujahid said in a statement published in English. The interior ministry dismissed the Taliban's statement as "words fed to them by their foreign backers" and said security would be provided for voters. The Taliban -- Afghanistan's largest militant group that was toppled from power in the 2001 US-led invasion -- typically issue inflammatory and hyperbolic statements about the Afghan government and its international backers. But this latest declaration comes just days before the parliamentary election, which is seen as a crucial dry run for next year's presidential vote and has already been marred by deadly violence. It also comes as Khalilzad meets with Afghan leaders for the first time since his appointment last month to steer peace efforts with the militants. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's equivalent of prime minister, welcomed the visit by Afghanistan-born Khalilzad in televised remarks on Monday. "We believe if more attention is paid to the (peace) process, there is a good chance of success," Abdullah said. Khalilzad -- a high-profile former US ambassador to Kabul, Baghdad and the United Nations -- is on a 10-day regional trip that also includes Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He met with President Ashraf Ghani and other top leaders on Sunday night to discuss "an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process", Ghani's office said in a statement. "I will use my experiences in the international arena and connections in the region to reach this goal (of peace)," Khalilzad told Tolo News. Afghan and international players have been ratcheting up efforts to hold talks with the Taliban. An unprecedented ceasefire in June followed by talks between US officials and Taliban representatives in Qatar in July fuelled hopes that negotiations could bring an end to the fighting. But a wave of attacks by the Taliban and the Islamic State group in recent months has poured cold water on the nascent optimism.

Taliban vows to attack Afghan security forces during elections

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