At least six terrorists of the Taliban terror outfit were killed in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The deaths were the result of the raids conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Khaama Press reported.

The operation was conducted in the vicinity of Khogyani district according to the statement issued by the provincial government media office.

The Taliban leader killed during the operation has been identified as Faridullah who was also famous as Zindani, the statement added.

Two other individuals, identified as Ezatullah and Hejratullah have been arrested on suspicion of having connections with the Taliban, according to the report.

Last week, Taliban fighters seized a district center in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, while a bomb at an army base in the southern province of Helmand killed at least five people.

Fighters captured the governor’s house and police headquarters in Aq Tapa, in the Qala-e Zal district of Kunduz province and Afghan government forces were fighting to drive them out, said Sayed Assadullah Sadat, a provincial council member.

The Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters had captured a police headquarters, 10 security check posts and a market in Qala-e Zal, north of Kunduz city.&nbsp;

The deaths were the result of the raids conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Khaama Press reported

At least six terrorists of the Taliban terror outfit were killed in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Wednesday. The deaths were the result of the raids conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), Khaama Press reported. The operation was conducted in the vicinity of Khogyani district according to the statement issued by the provincial government media office. The Taliban leader killed during the operation has been identified as Faridullah who was also famous as Zindani, the statement added. Two other individuals, identified as Ezatullah and Hejratullah have been arrested on suspicion of having connections with the Taliban, according to the report. Last week, Taliban fighters seized a district center in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, while a bomb at an army base in the southern province of Helmand killed at least five people. Fighters captured the governor’s house and police headquarters in Aq Tapa, in the Qala-e Zal district of Kunduz province and Afghan government forces were fighting to drive them out, said Sayed Assadullah Sadat, a provincial council member. The Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters had captured a police headquarters, 10 security check posts and a market in Qala-e Zal, north of Kunduz city.

6 Taliban terrorists killed in Afghanistan during raids by Special Operations Forces

35 Taliban militants were killed and 40 others were wounded in United States-led airstrikes at Chahar Bolak district in Balkh province, Afghanistan National Army (ANA) officials said on Saturday.

The airstrikes were carried out on Saturday in close cooperation with the Afghan commandos. The strikes lasted for 40 minutes, the TOLO news quoted Mohammad Hanif Rezaye, spokesman for 209 Shaheen Military Corps in Balkh, as saying.

The commandos then launched operations and cleared the village of Taliban, Rezaye added.

Further, dozens of weapons being used by Taliban attackers were destroyed in the airstrikes.

A week ago an operation was launched to get rid of the Taliban establishments in the area to maintain the security of vulnerable areas in Chahar Bolak district, TOLO further reports.

Balkh Governor Mohammad Ishaq Rahgozar and former governor Atta Mohammad Noor also participated in the operation.

The airstrikes were carried out on Saturday in close cooperation with the Afghan commandos

35 Taliban militants were killed and 40 others were wounded in United States-led airstrikes at Chahar Bolak district in Balkh province, Afghanistan National Army (ANA) officials said on Saturday. The airstrikes were carried out on Saturday in close cooperation with the Afghan commandos. The strikes lasted for 40 minutes, the TOLO news quoted Mohammad Hanif Rezaye, spokesman for 209 Shaheen Military Corps in Balkh, as saying. The commandos then launched operations and cleared the village of Taliban, Rezaye added. Further, dozens of weapons being used by Taliban attackers were destroyed in the airstrikes. A week ago an operation was launched to get rid of the Taliban establishments in the area to maintain the security of vulnerable areas in Chahar Bolak district, TOLO further reports. Balkh Governor Mohammad Ishaq Rahgozar and former governor Atta Mohammad Noor also participated in the operation.

35 Taliban militants killed in US air strikes

Taliban fighters seized a district centre in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, while a bomb at an army base in the southern province of Helmand killed at least five people.

The latest violence came as insurgents pushed ahead with a spring offensive.

Fighters captured the governor’s house and police headquarters in Aq Tapa, in the Qala-e Zal district of Kunduz province and Afghan government forces were fighting to drive them out, said Sayed Assadullah Sadat, a provincial council member.

The Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters had captured a police headquarters, 10 security check posts and a market in Qala-e Zal, north of Kunduz city.

At the other end of the country, in Helmand, insurgents launched a vehicle bomb attack on a military base in Nad Ali district, killing four civilians and a soldier, according to a statement from the provincial governor’s office.

The Taliban announced the official start of their annual spring offensive this week, continuing the heavy fighting seen across Afghanistan recently as warmer weather has set in.

Meanwhile, the Afghan president Ashraf Ghani criticized the Taliban’s spring operation and called it baseless. Ghani also said that all Taliban do not want to fight, but that it’s the minority of Taliban that have forced the majority of Taliban to fight.

Last year, the United States announced a more aggressive strategy with stepped up air strikes and more assistance to Afghan government forces fighting the insurgency, drawing a defiant response from the Taliban, who said they would target American forces in the spring campaign.

The fighting may threaten preparations for parliamentary and district council elections planned in October.

In the eastern province of Nangarhar, a rocket fired by Taliban fighters hit a house in the Hoodi area of Goshta district on Friday night. Five civilians were killed and three were injured.

Six Taliban militants, including a bomb making expert, were killed in a nighttime operation by intelligence officials in the Khogyani district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Friday.

The special National Directorate of Security or NDS forces conducted the operation in Adwar area last night, the Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the six slain rebels included Zarin, a bomb making expert. The security forces also confiscated two Kalashnikovs, one walkie-talkie and five magazines besides destroying some explosives.

The latest violence came as insurgents pushed ahead with a spring offensive

Taliban fighters seized a district centre in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, while a bomb at an army base in the southern province of Helmand killed at least five people. The latest violence came as insurgents pushed ahead with a spring offensive. Fighters captured the governor’s house and police headquarters in Aq Tapa, in the Qala-e Zal district of Kunduz province and Afghan government forces were fighting to drive them out, said Sayed Assadullah Sadat, a provincial council member. The Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters had captured a police headquarters, 10 security check posts and a market in Qala-e Zal, north of Kunduz city. At the other end of the country, in Helmand, insurgents launched a vehicle bomb attack on a military base in Nad Ali district, killing four civilians and a soldier, according to a statement from the provincial governor’s office. The Taliban announced the official start of their annual spring offensive this week, continuing the heavy fighting seen across Afghanistan recently as warmer weather has set in. Meanwhile, the Afghan president Ashraf Ghani criticized the Taliban’s spring operation and called it baseless. Ghani also said that all Taliban do not want to fight, but that it’s the minority of Taliban that have forced the majority of Taliban to fight. Last year, the United States announced a more aggressive strategy with stepped up air strikes and more assistance to Afghan government forces fighting the insurgency, drawing a defiant response from the Taliban, who said they would target American forces in the spring campaign. The fighting may threaten preparations for parliamentary and district council elections planned in October. In the eastern province of Nangarhar, a rocket fired by Taliban fighters hit a house in the Hoodi area of Goshta district on Friday night. Five civilians were killed and three were injured. Six Taliban militants, including a bomb making expert, were killed in a nighttime operation by intelligence officials in the Khogyani district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Friday. The special National Directorate of Security or NDS forces conducted the operation in Adwar area last night, the Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok Afghan News. He said the six slain rebels included Zarin, a bomb making expert. The security forces also confiscated two Kalashnikovs, one walkie-talkie and five magazines besides destroying some explosives.

Taliban seize Afghanistan district centre, attack army base

Four civilians and two soldiers were killed in a Taliban suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan on Saturday.

The suicide bomber attacked an army base using a minivan in southern Helmand province.

The death toll in the attack may rise, an army corps commander spokesperson said.

While no one claimed responsibility for the attack, Taliban insurgents had announced on last Wednesday about their annual spring offensive.

The statement issued by the Taliban insurgents on Wednesday said that the "Al-Khandaq" offensive would make use of "new and intricate tactics" aimed at "crushing, killing and capturing American invaders and their supporters."&nbsp;

The outbreak of spring has traditionally brought an increase in violence in Afghanistan, as melting snow allows fighters to more easily cross the mountainous terrain.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Four civilians and two soldiers were killed in a Taliban suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan on Saturday

Four civilians and two soldiers were killed in a Taliban suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan on Saturday. The suicide bomber attacked an army base using a minivan in southern Helmand province. The death toll in the attack may rise, an army corps commander spokesperson said. While no one claimed responsibility for the attack, Taliban insurgents had announced on last Wednesday about their annual spring offensive. The statement issued by the Taliban insurgents on Wednesday said that the "Al-Khandaq" offensive would make use of "new and intricate tactics" aimed at "crushing, killing and capturing American invaders and their supporters." The outbreak of spring has traditionally brought an increase in violence in Afghanistan, as melting snow allows fighters to more easily cross the mountainous terrain. (With inputs from Reuters)

6 killed in suicide car bomb attack in Afghanistan

Up to two dozen militants have been killed and three dozen others injured as government forces from ground and air began targeting Taliban positions in Charbolak district of the northern Balkh province on Thursday, an army spokesman in the province Mohammad Hanif Rezai said.

"The government forces from the ground and air began attacking Taliban hideouts and positions in Koshka area of Charbolak district at 01:30 a.m. local time today (Thursday) and have killed 24 insurgents and injured 36 others," Rezai said.

Without hinting at possible casualties of the security personnel, the official stressed that the government forces would continue to target militants elsewhere in Balkh province and adjoining areas.

Taliban militants launched their so-called spring offensive on Wednesday and since then they are engaged with government forces in parts of the insurgency-battered country including the restive Charbolak district.

Without hinting at possible casualties of the security personnel, the official stressed that the government forces would continue to target militants elsewhere in Balkh province and adjoining areas.

Up to two dozen militants have been killed and three dozen others injured as government forces from ground and air began targeting Taliban positions in Charbolak district of the northern Balkh province on Thursday, an army spokesman in the province Mohammad Hanif Rezai said. "The government forces from the ground and air began attacking Taliban hideouts and positions in Koshka area of Charbolak district at 01:30 a.m. local time today (Thursday) and have killed 24 insurgents and injured 36 others," Rezai said. Without hinting at possible casualties of the security personnel, the official stressed that the government forces would continue to target militants elsewhere in Balkh province and adjoining areas. Taliban militants launched their so-called spring offensive on Wednesday and since then they are engaged with government forces in parts of the insurgency-battered country including the restive Charbolak district.

24 Taliban terrorists killed as Afghan forces storm Taliban positions

The Taliban announced the start of its annual spring offensive on Wednesday, dismissing an offer for peace talks by President Ashraf Ghani and saying it will focus on U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

The announcement of the Al Khandaq campaign, named after the so-called Battle of the Trench, fought by the Prophet Mohammad to defend the city of Medina in the early days of Islam, marks the symbolic start of the fighting season.

But heavy fighting has been going on in different parts of Afghanistan. Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in a series of high profile attacks in Kabul since the beginning of the year, despite Ghani's offer in February for peace talks "without preconditions".

A Taliban statement on Wednesday dismissed the peace overtures as a "conspiracy".

"Their main effort is to deviate public opinion from the illegitimate foreign occupation of the country, as the Americans have no serious or sincere intentions of bringing the war to an end," the Taliban said.

Acting U.S. Secretary of State John Sullivan said the Taliban announcement underscored the group's "responsibility for the insecurity that destroys the lives of thousands of Afghans each year."

"There is no need for a new 'fighting season'," Sullivan said. "Still, the Taliban announced another campaign of senseless violence targeting the democratically elected and internationally recognised Afghan government and their fellow Afghans."

The militants, fighting to restore their version of strict Islamic law to Afghanistan, said their campaign was a response to a more aggressive U.S. military strategy adopted last year, which aims to force the militants into peace talks.

"Its primary target will be the American invaders and their intelligence agents. Their internal supporters will be dealt with as a secondary target," the Taliban said.

Thousands more U.S. troops have been sent to Afghanistan to help train the army, and commanders have been given greater authority to carry out air strikes against the militants in a major reversal of the previous policy of phased withdrawal of American forces.

As in previous years, the Taliban pledged to protect the lives of civilians, and made no mention of incidents such as an attack it claimed in Kabul in January in which an explosives-packed ambulance blew up, killing about 100 people.

However, the announcement underlines the risk to parliamentary and district council elections scheduled for October as efforts to register voters in remote areas of Afghanistan get underway.

On Sunday, some 60 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a voter registration centre in Kabul in an attack claimed by Islamic State. There have been a number of other attacks outside the capital.

Estimates of Taliban territorial control vary but the Pentagon estimates that 56 percent of the country is under government control, while a BBC survey this year estimated the insurgents were active in 70 percent of Afghanistan.

The announcement of the Al Khandaq campaign, named after the so-called Battle of the Trench, fought by the Prophet Mohammad to defend the city of Medina in the early days of Islam, marks the symbolic start of the fighting season.

The Taliban announced the start of its annual spring offensive on Wednesday, dismissing an offer for peace talks by President Ashraf Ghani and saying it will focus on U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The announcement of the Al Khandaq campaign, named after the so-called Battle of the Trench, fought by the Prophet Mohammad to defend the city of Medina in the early days of Islam, marks the symbolic start of the fighting season. But heavy fighting has been going on in different parts of Afghanistan. Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in a series of high profile attacks in Kabul since the beginning of the year, despite Ghani's offer in February for peace talks "without preconditions". A Taliban statement on Wednesday dismissed the peace overtures as a "conspiracy". "Their main effort is to deviate public opinion from the illegitimate foreign occupation of the country, as the Americans have no serious or sincere intentions of bringing the war to an end," the Taliban said. Acting U.S. Secretary of State John Sullivan said the Taliban announcement underscored the group's "responsibility for the insecurity that destroys the lives of thousands of Afghans each year." "There is no need for a new 'fighting season'," Sullivan said. "Still, the Taliban announced another campaign of senseless violence targeting the democratically elected and internationally recognised Afghan government and their fellow Afghans." The militants, fighting to restore their version of strict Islamic law to Afghanistan, said their campaign was a response to a more aggressive U.S. military strategy adopted last year, which aims to force the militants into peace talks. "Its primary target will be the American invaders and their intelligence agents. Their internal supporters will be dealt with as a secondary target," the Taliban said. Thousands more U.S. troops have been sent to Afghanistan to help train the army, and commanders have been given greater authority to carry out air strikes against the militants in a major reversal of the previous policy of phased withdrawal of American forces. As in previous years, the Taliban pledged to protect the lives of civilians, and made no mention of incidents such as an attack it claimed in Kabul in January in which an explosives-packed ambulance blew up, killing about 100 people. However, the announcement underlines the risk to parliamentary and district council elections scheduled for October as efforts to register voters in remote areas of Afghanistan get underway. On Sunday, some 60 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a voter registration centre in Kabul in an attack claimed by Islamic State. There have been a number of other attacks outside the capital. Estimates of Taliban territorial control vary but the Pentagon estimates that 56 percent of the country is under government control, while a BBC survey this year estimated the insurgents were active in 70 percent of Afghanistan.

Taliban announces spring offensive, dismisses peace overtures

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News brief: Big stories of the day

Several Afghanistan security officials have been killed in separate clashes with the Taliban, police officials said on Tuesday.&nbsp

As per reports, at least five soliders were killed and two were wounded during an attack at their checkpoints in Bala Buluk district. Six Taliban fighters were killed and three others were wounded in the battle, which lasted several hours

Taliban insurgents attacked a check post in Qala-i-Naw city earlier on Monday which led to the death of nine soldiers, as reported by the Tolo news.

In another incident, seven policemen were killed in another Taliban attack on a police check post in Qads district.

The Taliban&nbspclaimed another attack in Afghanistan on April 24, in eastern Ghazni Province that killed at least four members of the local police force and wounded seven.

The attack in Ghazni took place in the district of Jaghatu, where insurgents targeted the local police security post, said Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor. He said the gunbattle lasted several hours and that the Taliban used artillery and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

On April 23, Taliban attacks in western Afghanistan killed 18 soldiers and police officers.

It has been a particularly deadly week in Afghanistan

Several Afghanistan security officials have been killed in separate clashes with the Taliban, police officials said on Tuesday. As per reports, at least five soliders were killed and two were wounded during an attack at their checkpoints in Bala Buluk district. Six Taliban fighters were killed and three others were wounded in the battle, which lasted several hours Taliban insurgents attacked a check post in Qala-i-Naw city earlier on Monday which led to the death of nine soldiers, as reported by the Tolo news. In another incident, seven policemen were killed in another Taliban attack on a police check post in Qads district. The Taliban&nbspclaimed another attack in Afghanistan on April 24, in eastern Ghazni Province that killed at least four members of the local police force and wounded seven. The attack in Ghazni took place in the district of Jaghatu, where insurgents targeted the local police security post, said Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor. He said the gunbattle lasted several hours and that the Taliban used artillery and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. On April 23, Taliban attacks in western Afghanistan killed 18 soldiers and police officers.

Several Afghanistan security personnel killed in Taliban attacks

Five people kidnapped by Taliban from voter registration in Afghanistan were freed on Thursday.

The abducted persons were released without any ransom. However, some negotiation talks were&nbspdone by the tribal leaders and the local elders with the Taliban.

Kidnapped people includes three employees of Independent Election Commission (IEC) and two policemen. They were abducted from the Taliban-controlled area of Ghor after gunmen attacked the voter registration centre.

Voting will continue after security officials give the green light.

The attack raised concerns about the security in the war-torn area's upcoming legislative elections which are scheduled for October 20.

On Tuesday, armed men stormed the voter registration centre while the staff was registering voters. They destroyed voters' documents and kidnapped 3 three employees of Independent Election Commission and two policemen.

The&nbspattack was condemned by the United States as it hoped the process to continue peacefully.

Last weekend Afghanistan started registering voters as it seeks to ensure fraud-free and credible elections.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also urged religious leaders to encourage worshippers coming to the mosques to register themselves and their family members.

The IEC has also acknowledged the security concerns and said that ensuring security in voter registration centre would be a major challenge, especially in rural areas. 
&nbsp

The abducted persons were released without any ransom. However, some negotiation talks were done by the tribal leaders and the local elders with the Taliban

Five people kidnapped by Taliban from voter registration in Afghanistan were freed on Thursday. The abducted persons were released without any ransom. However, some negotiation talks were&nbspdone by the tribal leaders and the local elders with the Taliban. Kidnapped people includes three employees of Independent Election Commission (IEC) and two policemen. They were abducted from the Taliban-controlled area of Ghor after gunmen attacked the voter registration centre. Voting will continue after security officials give the green light. The attack raised concerns about the security in the war-torn area's upcoming legislative elections which are scheduled for October 20. On Tuesday, armed men stormed the voter registration centre while the staff was registering voters. They destroyed voters' documents and kidnapped 3 three employees of Independent Election Commission and two policemen. The&nbspattack was condemned by the United States as it hoped the process to continue peacefully. Last weekend Afghanistan started registering voters as it seeks to ensure fraud-free and credible elections. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also urged religious leaders to encourage worshippers coming to the mosques to register themselves and their family members. The IEC has also acknowledged the security concerns and said that ensuring security in voter registration centre would be a major challenge, especially in rural areas.

Kidnapped Afghan election staff freed by Taliban

A Taliban-led attack on an Afghan checkpoint killed at least 11, officials noted today. A spokesman reported two other forces wounded in the attack that took place on late Saturday.&nbsp;

According to reports, three insurgents were killed while four others were wounded. The attack, reportedly, targeted members of the Local Uprising Forces, militias supported by the government.

While no one claimed the attack, an Afghan official blamed the attack on the Taliban.

Meanwhile, reports also suggest an insurgent attack&nbsp;on two security checkpoints in the eastern Ghazni province. So far, four policemen are reported killed, five others have been wounded.&nbsp;

Arif Noori, a spokesman for the provincial governor, alleged that Taliban opened fire on the checkpoints targetting reinforcements with a roadside bomb.

The Taliban, who control large parts of the province, claimed the attack.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

While no one claimed the attack, an Afghan official blamed the attack on the Taliban

A Taliban-led attack on an Afghan checkpoint killed at least 11, officials noted today. A spokesman reported two other forces wounded in the attack that took place on late Saturday. According to reports, three insurgents were killed while four others were wounded. The attack, reportedly, targeted members of the Local Uprising Forces, militias supported by the government. While no one claimed the attack, an Afghan official blamed the attack on the Taliban. Meanwhile, reports also suggest an insurgent attack on two security checkpoints in the eastern Ghazni province. So far, four policemen are reported killed, five others have been wounded. Arif Noori, a spokesman for the provincial governor, alleged that Taliban opened fire on the checkpoints targetting reinforcements with a roadside bomb. The Taliban, who control large parts of the province, claimed the attack. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan: Insurgents attack checkpoint, kill 11

Taliban militants attacked Afghan security posts in the western province of Herat on Thursday, killing nine soldiers and one police officer, a district governor said on Friday.

The attack occurred in Herat`s Shindand district, said the district`s governor, Shukrullah Shaker. Four people were wounded, he said.

The Taliban, seeking to restore strict Islamic rule after their 2001 defeat by US-led troops, did not immediately comment.

The attack happened just days after a blast in Shindand killed at least six people, including four children.

Earlier on Thursday, Taliban militants stormed a district in Ghazni province, killing more than a dozen people including the district`s governor before retreating.&nbsp;

Fighting in Afghanistan traditionally increases in the spring when warmer weather melts snow blocking mountain passes, increasing the mobility of the insurgents.&nbsp;

Taliban militants attacked Afghan security posts in the western province of Herat on Thursday, killing nine soldiers and one police officer, a district governor said on Friday

Taliban militants attacked Afghan security posts in the western province of Herat on Thursday, killing nine soldiers and one police officer, a district governor said on Friday. The attack occurred in Herat`s Shindand district, said the district`s governor, Shukrullah Shaker. Four people were wounded, he said. The Taliban, seeking to restore strict Islamic rule after their 2001 defeat by US-led troops, did not immediately comment. The attack happened just days after a blast in Shindand killed at least six people, including four children. Earlier on Thursday, Taliban militants stormed a district in Ghazni province, killing more than a dozen people including the district`s governor before retreating. Fighting in Afghanistan traditionally increases in the spring when warmer weather melts snow blocking mountain passes, increasing the mobility of the insurgents.

Taliban kills 10 security forces in Afghan province of Herat

Asserting that the Taliban and the Haqqani network enjoy safe havens in the border regions of Pakistan, a top US Army General today told the lawmakers that it was very difficult to contain insurgency in war-torn Afghanistan if Islamabad continues to harbour terrorists on its soil.

"It's very, very difficult to eliminate any insurgency if that insurgency has safe haven in another country. But right now, the Taliban, the Haqqanis and other organisations do, in fact, enjoy some safe haven in the border regions on the Pakistani side of the border. Pakistan has got to be part of the solution," General Mark A Milley, Chief of Staff of the US Army, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing.

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said to the end insurgency in Afghanistan, it was important to reduce the threat of terrorism something that can be handled on a routine basis by the internal security forces.

"In order to do that, you have to essentially do several things. You mentioned Pakistan. That is key. It's important that Pakistan is part of the solution. It's a regional solution. Part of our strategy is a regional strategy. That very much involves Pakistan," Milley said.

Responding to a question on reconciliation, he said the Afghan government was on the path right now to establish some sort of political reconciliation with various opponent groups. US is in support of that effort, Milley added.

"So it's important that we realign the forces, that we reinforce the capabilities that we're already doing, and that we regionalise the problem, including Pakistan, and that there's some sort of reconciliation process. At the end of the day, that's how that ends, and it ends successfully, and I believe that's achievable,' the General said.

Milley said it was in the national security interest of the United States to maintain troops in Afghanistan.

One of the American objectives since 2001 has been that Afghanistan no longer was a platform for terrorists to conduct strikes on the continental United States, or in the United States.

"That's key. That's why we're there, and that's why we're still there," he said, adding that this can be achieved through a stable Afghanistan.

"So what does that look like? It means that the armed opposition, the Taliban, Haqqani network, Al-Qaida, ISIS, K and all these other groups are reduced in terms of capability that they no longer present an existential threat to the regime in Kabul, and that the Afghan National Security Forces are at large," he said.

"Their army, their police, their intelligence forces can handle the violent threat against the regime at a level that is something akin to crime or banditry," Milley said. 
&nbsp

Milley said it was in the national security interest of the United States to maintain troops in Afghanistan.

Asserting that the Taliban and the Haqqani network enjoy safe havens in the border regions of Pakistan, a top US Army General today told the lawmakers that it was very difficult to contain insurgency in war-torn Afghanistan if Islamabad continues to harbour terrorists on its soil. "It's very, very difficult to eliminate any insurgency if that insurgency has safe haven in another country. But right now, the Taliban, the Haqqanis and other organisations do, in fact, enjoy some safe haven in the border regions on the Pakistani side of the border. Pakistan has got to be part of the solution," General Mark A Milley, Chief of Staff of the US Army, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said to the end insurgency in Afghanistan, it was important to reduce the threat of terrorism something that can be handled on a routine basis by the internal security forces. "In order to do that, you have to essentially do several things. You mentioned Pakistan. That is key. It's important that Pakistan is part of the solution. It's a regional solution. Part of our strategy is a regional strategy. That very much involves Pakistan," Milley said. Responding to a question on reconciliation, he said the Afghan government was on the path right now to establish some sort of political reconciliation with various opponent groups. US is in support of that effort, Milley added. "So it's important that we realign the forces, that we reinforce the capabilities that we're already doing, and that we regionalise the problem, including Pakistan, and that there's some sort of reconciliation process. At the end of the day, that's how that ends, and it ends successfully, and I believe that's achievable,' the General said. Milley said it was in the national security interest of the United States to maintain troops in Afghanistan. One of the American objectives since 2001 has been that Afghanistan no longer was a platform for terrorists to conduct strikes on the continental United States, or in the United States. "That's key. That's why we're there, and that's why we're still there," he said, adding that this can be achieved through a stable Afghanistan. "So what does that look like? It means that the armed opposition, the Taliban, Haqqani network, Al-Qaida, ISIS, K and all these other groups are reduced in terms of capability that they no longer present an existential threat to the regime in Kabul, and that the Afghan National Security Forces are at large," he said. "Their army, their police, their intelligence forces can handle the violent threat against the regime at a level that is something akin to crime or banditry," Milley said.

Taliban, Haqqani Network enjoy safe haven in Pak border region: US Army chief of staff to lawmakers

Several people died including district governor of &nbspKhawaja Omari district, Afghanistan on Thursday after Taliban militant attacked governor's compound and police check posts.

The local media reported seven people killed in the attack while nine other security forces were wounded.

The security checkpoints of Khawja Omari were reportedly attacked early morning around 2 am by Taliban insurgents and was followed with hours of the fierce gunfight. 
&nbsp 
Part of governor's compound was also torched.

Tolo news of Afghanistan reported citing an official statement that after the attack forces called for air support and 27 Talibanis were also killed during the air strikes and clashed.&nbsp

The Taliban militants have claimed the responsibility of the attack and claimed that they have captured district headquarters.

However local police have rejected these claims. 
&nbsp

Several people died including district governor of Khawaja Omari district, Afghanistan on Thursday after Taliban militant attacked governor's compound and police check posts

Several people died including district governor of &nbspKhawaja Omari district, Afghanistan on Thursday after Taliban militant attacked governor's compound and police check posts. The local media reported seven people killed in the attack while nine other security forces were wounded. The security checkpoints of Khawja Omari were reportedly attacked early morning around 2 am by Taliban insurgents and was followed with hours of the fierce gunfight. Part of governor's compound was also torched. Tolo news of Afghanistan reported citing an official statement that after the attack forces called for air support and 27 Talibanis were also killed during the air strikes and clashed. The Taliban militants have claimed the responsibility of the attack and claimed that they have captured district headquarters. However local police have rejected these claims.

Afghanistan: 7 killed in Taliban attack including district governor

At least three Afghanistan National Police soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Faryab province on Sunday.&nbsp;

As per security official Safar Mohammad, a police soldier was killed in an encounter with the Taliban on Dawlat Abad-Qaramqol highway in the Qaramqol district and one was injured.&nbsp;

He further informed that two national police soldiers, including Qaramqol’s district deputy director of the criminal department, were killed and one other soldier was wounded in a roadside bomb in Qaramqol.&nbsp;

Safar said that the electricity was also cut off during those clashes.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, at least six people including four children have reportedly lost their lives in a blast at Afghanistan's Herat province on Monday.

The blast is said to have taken place near a mosque at Shindand district in Afghanistan.

As per security official Safar Mohammad, a police soldier was killed in an encounter with the Taliban on Dawlat Abad-Qaramqol highway in the Qaramqol district and one was injured

At least three Afghanistan National Police soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Faryab province on Sunday. As per security official Safar Mohammad, a police soldier was killed in an encounter with the Taliban on Dawlat Abad-Qaramqol highway in the Qaramqol district and one was injured. He further informed that two national police soldiers, including Qaramqol’s district deputy director of the criminal department, were killed and one other soldier was wounded in a roadside bomb in Qaramqol. Safar said that the electricity was also cut off during those clashes. Meanwhile, at least six people including four children have reportedly lost their lives in a blast at Afghanistan's Herat province on Monday. The blast is said to have taken place near a mosque at Shindand district in Afghanistan.

3 Afghanistan security soldiers killed in separate incidents

At least four senior local leaders, affiliated with the terror outfit Taliban, have been killed during an operation of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

"The NDS operatives conducted a Special Operation in Chahar Dehi area of the district, leaving four dead and three others wounded," reported Khaama Press, citing, the provincial government media office, as saying in a statement.

The statement added that the militants were killed during an operation in Bati Kot district. Five militants were arrested as well.

According to the report, the local Taliban leaders, killed in the operation, have been identified as Tur Dil alias Mullah Tur, Pacha, Mohammad Shafiq alias Sanga, and Muskin.

No comments have been received from the anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban insurgents by far.

According to the report, the local Taliban leaders, killed in the operation, have been identified as Tur Dil alias Mullah Tur, Pacha, Mohammad Shafiq alias Sanga, and Muskin.

At least four senior local leaders, affiliated with the terror outfit Taliban, have been killed during an operation of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. "The NDS operatives conducted a Special Operation in Chahar Dehi area of the district, leaving four dead and three others wounded," reported Khaama Press, citing, the provincial government media office, as saying in a statement. The statement added that the militants were killed during an operation in Bati Kot district. Five militants were arrested as well. According to the report, the local Taliban leaders, killed in the operation, have been identified as Tur Dil alias Mullah Tur, Pacha, Mohammad Shafiq alias Sanga, and Muskin. No comments have been received from the anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban insurgents by far.

4 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan

A local Taliban leader along with another militant have been killed an explosion which was triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan's eastern Laghman province.

The explosives went off prematurely, killing the two militants, as they were busy planning to plant it on a roadside frequented by the Afghan forces in Alisheng district, Khaama Press reported, citing, The provincial government media office, as saying, in a statement.

The militants killed in the explosion were reportedly involved in major terrorist-related activities in Laghman province.

In a bid to target the government staff and security personnel, the anti-government armed militant groups often use explosives materials for the roadside as well as the car bombings, the reports said.&nbsp;

The explosives went off prematurely, killing the two militants, as they were busy planning to plant it

A local Taliban leader along with another militant have been killed an explosion which was triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan's eastern Laghman province. The explosives went off prematurely, killing the two militants, as they were busy planning to plant it on a roadside frequented by the Afghan forces in Alisheng district, Khaama Press reported, citing, The provincial government media office, as saying, in a statement. The militants killed in the explosion were reportedly involved in major terrorist-related activities in Laghman province. In a bid to target the government staff and security personnel, the anti-government armed militant groups often use explosives materials for the roadside as well as the car bombings, the reports said.

Afghanistan: Local Taliban leader dies as IED he was planting explodes

The Taliban has vowed to "take serious revenge" after an Afghan airstrike in an area controlled by the militant group killed or wounded dozens of people, many of them children.

The government and military have said the Afghan Air Force (AAF) hit a Taliban base in the northeastern province of Kunduz on Monday where senior commanders were meeting to plan attacks. 
&nbsp 
But Afghan security sources and witnesses have told&nbspthat AAF helicopters struck a madrassa in Dashte Archi district where a graduation ceremony for religious students was underway.

At least 59 people were killed, including Taliban commanders, according to security sources. Health officials said at least 57 wounded were taken to hospital in the provincial capital Kunduz.&nbsp

The Taliban issued a statement late Wednesday saying it "condemns in the strongest terms this major crime and vows to take serious revenge against the perpetrators".

An AFP photographer was among the first journalists to visit the scene of the airstrike on Wednesday after receiving permission from the Taliban. It is deep inside Taliban-controlled territory and normally inaccessible to the media.&nbsp

The madrassa and mosque appeared to be undamaged. But in a field adjacent to the religious compound, where the graduation ceremony was purportedly held, AFP saw a hole in the ground that locals said was made by a rocket, though that could not be verified.&nbsp

AFP also saw large piles of hats, turbans and shoes that were said to belong to the victims of the airstrike. At least half a dozen freshly dug graves could be seen nearby.

Abdullah, 40, who lives near the compound housing the madrassa and mosque and was invited to attend as a member of the local community, told AFP that he saw the airstrike happen.&nbsp

"We were about to finish the ceremony at 1:00 pm when (Afghan military) aircraft bombarded innocent children," he said Wednesday.

"People were panicked. Children and elders were also wounded in the bombardment."

Government officials in both Kabul and Kunduz have given conflicting figures for the number of casualties, with some denying any civilians had been killed or that a madrassa had been hit.&nbsp

Afghan officials have been known to minimise civilian casualties.

The Afghan military initially denied civilians were among the dead and wounded, but later blamed the Taliban for shooting them. It said 18 Taliban commanders were killed and 12 were wounded in the airstrike.&nbsp

But Naim Mangal, a doctor at the hospital where most of the wounded were taken, told that "all the victims" had been "hit by pieces of bomb, shrapnel".&nbsp

At least 59 people were killed, including Taliban commanders, according to security sources

The Taliban has vowed to "take serious revenge" after an Afghan airstrike in an area controlled by the militant group killed or wounded dozens of people, many of them children. The government and military have said the Afghan Air Force (AAF) hit a Taliban base in the northeastern province of Kunduz on Monday where senior commanders were meeting to plan attacks. But Afghan security sources and witnesses have told&nbspthat AAF helicopters struck a madrassa in Dashte Archi district where a graduation ceremony for religious students was underway. At least 59 people were killed, including Taliban commanders, according to security sources. Health officials said at least 57 wounded were taken to hospital in the provincial capital Kunduz. The Taliban issued a statement late Wednesday saying it "condemns in the strongest terms this major crime and vows to take serious revenge against the perpetrators". An AFP photographer was among the first journalists to visit the scene of the airstrike on Wednesday after receiving permission from the Taliban. It is deep inside Taliban-controlled territory and normally inaccessible to the media. The madrassa and mosque appeared to be undamaged. But in a field adjacent to the religious compound, where the graduation ceremony was purportedly held, AFP saw a hole in the ground that locals said was made by a rocket, though that could not be verified. AFP also saw large piles of hats, turbans and shoes that were said to belong to the victims of the airstrike. At least half a dozen freshly dug graves could be seen nearby. Abdullah, 40, who lives near the compound housing the madrassa and mosque and was invited to attend as a member of the local community, told AFP that he saw the airstrike happen. "We were about to finish the ceremony at 1:00 pm when (Afghan military) aircraft bombarded innocent children," he said Wednesday. "People were panicked. Children and elders were also wounded in the bombardment." Government officials in both Kabul and Kunduz have given conflicting figures for the number of casualties, with some denying any civilians had been killed or that a madrassa had been hit. Afghan officials have been known to minimise civilian casualties. The Afghan military initially denied civilians were among the dead and wounded, but later blamed the Taliban for shooting them. It said 18 Taliban commanders were killed and 12 were wounded in the airstrike. But Naim Mangal, a doctor at the hospital where most of the wounded were taken, told that "all the victims" had been "hit by pieces of bomb, shrapnel".

Taliban vows 'serious revenge' over Afghan airstrike

Villagers in the Afghan province of Kunduz said on Tuesday they had buried dozens of victims of a government air strike in a Taliban-controlled district, in an incident, the United Nations described as "disturbing".

The office of the governor of the northern province said Monday's attack by the government air force on a Taliban meeting had inflicted an unknown number of civilian casualties.

The casualties underlined the risk of greater use of air power under a new US strategy announced last year to try to force the militant group to the negotiating table.&nbsp

Sayed Jaan, a resident of the district of Dasht-i Archi, said he attended two mass funerals of almost 40 people, adding that other burials had taken place.

He said the helicopter attack happened during a religious ceremony, called Dastaar Bandi, to mark young men completing the memorization of the Koran, the Muslim holy book.&nbsp

"There were two mass graves to bury the victims of the bombing and I took part in both burials. In one grave, 16, and in another, 21. Many were young children," Sayed Jaan said.

"There were other burials and people were digging graves."

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a tweet its investigators were in the area looking into "disturbing reports of serious harm" to civilians.&nbsp

A senior Afghan defence ministry official said the air attack happened during a meeting of militants, and killed at least 35 Taliban and wounded many more. He denied reports that civilians were harmed and said two senior Taliban commanders were among those killed.

But provincial government leaders including the governor and police had determined that the strike was against a Taliban meeting but it had also inflicted an undetermined number of civilian casualties, the governor's office said.

The Taliban briefly seized Kunduz city in 2015 and they overran it for the second time the following year. US air strikes destroyed a Kunduz hospital in 2015 killing 42 people, most of the patients and medical staff.

The city has been considered relatively secure over the past year or two but the Taliban control much of the surrounding area.

A video posted online by the Taliban showed at least four bodies of children, wrapped in white shrouds. Other images circulated of children and adults being treated in hospital for injuries, but they could not be verified.

Building up the fledgeling government air force has been a major priority for the NATO-led Resolute Support training and advisory mission.

On Monday, the Taliban said the strike killed 150 religious scholars and civilians and denied that any of their forces had been there.

Last year, more than 10,000 civilians died or were wounded in the war between Afghanistan's Western-backed government and the militants, down 9 per cent from the previous year, UNAMA said in a report in February.

Villagers in the Afghan province of Kunduz said on Tuesday they had buried dozens of victims of a government air strike in a Taliban-controlled district

Villagers in the Afghan province of Kunduz said on Tuesday they had buried dozens of victims of a government air strike in a Taliban-controlled district, in an incident, the United Nations described as "disturbing". The office of the governor of the northern province said Monday's attack by the government air force on a Taliban meeting had inflicted an unknown number of civilian casualties. The casualties underlined the risk of greater use of air power under a new US strategy announced last year to try to force the militant group to the negotiating table. Sayed Jaan, a resident of the district of Dasht-i Archi, said he attended two mass funerals of almost 40 people, adding that other burials had taken place. He said the helicopter attack happened during a religious ceremony, called Dastaar Bandi, to mark young men completing the memorization of the Koran, the Muslim holy book. "There were two mass graves to bury the victims of the bombing and I took part in both burials. In one grave, 16, and in another, 21. Many were young children," Sayed Jaan said. "There were other burials and people were digging graves." The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a tweet its investigators were in the area looking into "disturbing reports of serious harm" to civilians. A senior Afghan defence ministry official said the air attack happened during a meeting of militants, and killed at least 35 Taliban and wounded many more. He denied reports that civilians were harmed and said two senior Taliban commanders were among those killed. But provincial government leaders including the governor and police had determined that the strike was against a Taliban meeting but it had also inflicted an undetermined number of civilian casualties, the governor's office said. The Taliban briefly seized Kunduz city in 2015 and they overran it for the second time the following year. US air strikes destroyed a Kunduz hospital in 2015 killing 42 people, most of the patients and medical staff. The city has been considered relatively secure over the past year or two but the Taliban control much of the surrounding area. A video posted online by the Taliban showed at least four bodies of children, wrapped in white shrouds. Other images circulated of children and adults being treated in hospital for injuries, but they could not be verified. Building up the fledgeling government air force has been a major priority for the NATO-led Resolute Support training and advisory mission. On Monday, the Taliban said the strike killed 150 religious scholars and civilians and denied that any of their forces had been there. Last year, more than 10,000 civilians died or were wounded in the war between Afghanistan's Western-backed government and the militants, down 9 per cent from the previous year, UNAMA said in a report in February.

Afghans bury civilians as UN investigates air strike

At least 27 Taliban militants were killed in operations launched by the security forces in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province in the last three days, according to local officials on Sunday.

They added that the operations were ongoing to eliminate the militants from Wardoj and Yamgan districts of the province, which has been under the group's control for a year.

Badakhshan governor Ahmad Faisal Bigzad said in a statement that security forces had made good progress so far, according to TOLOnews.

"Our security forces are advancing step by step and clearing the villages in order to prevent civilian casualties and are creating check posts in the operations," said Bigzad.

The officials further said that around five villages have been cleared in Badakhshan province.

"In the past two days seven key members of the enemies including a Tajikistani citizen were killed and 17 others were wounded," said Mohammad Naeem Majidi, an army commander in Badakhshan.

Meanwhile, Taliban militants killed one of the five men abducted in western Herat province of Afghanistan, reports said.&nbsp

As per reports, four other men are still with the Taliban.&nbsp

The five Afghan nationals were on their way to a wedding when the terrorists took them on Thursday from Zerkoh.&nbsp

A number of Afghan provincial council members meanwhile stressed that a number of civilians have also suffered during the clashes between the security forces and Taliban militants.

"We welcome the start of the operation and it is necessary that Wardoj and Yamgan district must also be cleared of insurgents. There is no doubt there are civilian casualties in the operation but it is not clear whether the casualties are caused by the security forces or the Taliban, but you can see wounded civilians in the hospital and I hope that the security forces obey all war rules and regulations in order to decrease civilian casualties," said Abdullah Naji Nazari, a provincial council member.

(With ANI inputs)

They added that the operations were ongoing to eliminate the militants from Wardoj and Yamgan districts of the province, which has been under the group's control for a year.

At least 27 Taliban militants were killed in operations launched by the security forces in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province in the last three days, according to local officials on Sunday. They added that the operations were ongoing to eliminate the militants from Wardoj and Yamgan districts of the province, which has been under the group's control for a year. Badakhshan governor Ahmad Faisal Bigzad said in a statement that security forces had made good progress so far, according to TOLOnews. "Our security forces are advancing step by step and clearing the villages in order to prevent civilian casualties and are creating check posts in the operations," said Bigzad. The officials further said that around five villages have been cleared in Badakhshan province. "In the past two days seven key members of the enemies including a Tajikistani citizen were killed and 17 others were wounded," said Mohammad Naeem Majidi, an army commander in Badakhshan. Meanwhile, Taliban militants killed one of the five men abducted in western Herat province of Afghanistan, reports said. As per reports, four other men are still with the Taliban. The five Afghan nationals were on their way to a wedding when the terrorists took them on Thursday from Zerkoh. A number of Afghan provincial council members meanwhile stressed that a number of civilians have also suffered during the clashes between the security forces and Taliban militants. "We welcome the start of the operation and it is necessary that Wardoj and Yamgan district must also be cleared of insurgents. There is no doubt there are civilian casualties in the operation but it is not clear whether the casualties are caused by the security forces or the Taliban, but you can see wounded civilians in the hospital and I hope that the security forces obey all war rules and regulations in order to decrease civilian casualties," said Abdullah Naji Nazari, a provincial council member. (With ANI inputs)

At least 27 Taliban militants killed by security forces in Afghanistan

At least 23 militants, including two Islamic State (IS) militants, were killed in operations by Afghan security forces in the last 24 hours, according to Afghanistan's defence ministry.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement that the operations were conducted in Ghazni, Farah, Badghis, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, and Helmand provinces, while adding that 23 other militants were also injured.

During the operations, a local Taliban commander named Omari was also injured, the MoD was quoted by TOLO news as saying.

Further, the statement said that eight clearance operations, 69 special operations, five airstrikes and 100 supportive air operations were conducted.

Also, vehicles and weapons belonging to the militants were destroyed.&nbsp

At least 23 militants, including two Islamic State (IS) militants, were killed in operations by Afghan security forces in the last 24 hours, according to Afghanistan's defence ministry

At least 23 militants, including two Islamic State (IS) militants, were killed in operations by Afghan security forces in the last 24 hours, according to Afghanistan's defence ministry. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement that the operations were conducted in Ghazni, Farah, Badghis, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, and Helmand provinces, while adding that 23 other militants were also injured. During the operations, a local Taliban commander named Omari was also injured, the MoD was quoted by TOLO news as saying. Further, the statement said that eight clearance operations, 69 special operations, five airstrikes and 100 supportive air operations were conducted. Also, vehicles and weapons belonging to the militants were destroyed.

Afghanistan: 23 militants killed in last 24 hours

Last week, the Afghan air force dropped its first laser-guided missile on a Taliban compound in Farah, the western Afghan province that has seen increasing fighting since the beginning of the year.

The strike was an important milestone for the air force that underlined the growing importance of Farah, where hundreds of Taliban fighters have appeared since US-backed Afghan forces stepped up operations in neighbouring Helmand province.

Over the past month, Taliban fighters have delivered a series of blows to government forces, helped, according to officials in the area, by neighbouring Iran, which shares a long, porous border with the province.

In one recent week, 180 soldiers and police were killed and hundreds wounded, according to a senior security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said weekly death tolls for security forces in the province could reach as high as 250.

The provincial governor stepped down in January blaming political interference and civilians say the situation has become worse.

"We don`t know the reason for the escalation of violence but I can say people are very scared and people in the city haven`t slept in peace for months because of the fighting," said Abdullah, a shopkeeper in Farah city who said he now struggles to pay the rent on his shop.

"There are many people in the same situation. Thousands of young people are jobless, they either join the Taliban or cross the border to Iran to find a living."

The problem underlines broader challenges facing the Kabul government and its US allies, which last year announced a strategy to force the Taliban to the negotiating table through a mix of air strikes and stepped-up assistance to Afghan forces.

This month, Afghan forces, backed by US air power and close assistance from US advisers, began a fresh operation dubbed Maiwand 12, to hit the Taliban in the insurgency hotspots of Marjah and Nad Ali districts of Helmand province.

As operations have increased in Helmand, Western officials acknowledge that the pressure has pushed militants to Farah.&nbsp

But they say the insurgent focus on areas far from former battlegrounds where they had threatened the government show the problems they are facing.&nbsp

"Taliban offensives in these remote areas represent a significant lowering of ambition after their failure to take any provincial capitals in 2017," US Navy Captain Tom Gresback, spokesman for the NATO-led Resolute Support coalition, said in an emailed statement.

US aircraft recently began bombing "drug factories" in opium-rich Helmand, but local leaders and officials in Kabul say the Taliban will fight hard to avoid losing control of smuggling routes, which bring in millions of dollars for the insurgency.

"There are hundreds of fighters who move back and forth between Farah and Helmand," the Afghan security official said.

"There is a route for smuggling opium and heroin from Helmand to Farah and finally Iran and the Taliban and the smugglers will always fight to protect. It is tens of millions of dollars."

The US ambassador to Afghanistan, Robert Bass, told the BBC this month that Iran was providing logistical support to the Taliban, an accusation rejected by Tehran.

Iran has always denied interfering in Afghanistan but Afghan officials say it has multiple interests as well as its general hostility to the United States.&nbsp

They say it fears dams in Farah could slow the flow of water into Iran and has suspicions about a planned Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline.

"There is only one reason behind this: Iran`s interference which provides the insurgents weapons and tries to hamper the TAPI project," said provincial council member Dadullah Qaneh.

"There are many people in the same situation. Thousands of young people are jobless, they either join the Taliban or cross the border to Iran to find a living."

Last week, the Afghan air force dropped its first laser-guided missile on a Taliban compound in Farah, the western Afghan province that has seen increasing fighting since the beginning of the year. The strike was an important milestone for the air force that underlined the growing importance of Farah, where hundreds of Taliban fighters have appeared since US-backed Afghan forces stepped up operations in neighbouring Helmand province. Over the past month, Taliban fighters have delivered a series of blows to government forces, helped, according to officials in the area, by neighbouring Iran, which shares a long, porous border with the province. In one recent week, 180 soldiers and police were killed and hundreds wounded, according to a senior security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said weekly death tolls for security forces in the province could reach as high as 250. The provincial governor stepped down in January blaming political interference and civilians say the situation has become worse. "We don`t know the reason for the escalation of violence but I can say people are very scared and people in the city haven`t slept in peace for months because of the fighting," said Abdullah, a shopkeeper in Farah city who said he now struggles to pay the rent on his shop. "There are many people in the same situation. Thousands of young people are jobless, they either join the Taliban or cross the border to Iran to find a living." The problem underlines broader challenges facing the Kabul government and its US allies, which last year announced a strategy to force the Taliban to the negotiating table through a mix of air strikes and stepped-up assistance to Afghan forces. This month, Afghan forces, backed by US air power and close assistance from US advisers, began a fresh operation dubbed Maiwand 12, to hit the Taliban in the insurgency hotspots of Marjah and Nad Ali districts of Helmand province. As operations have increased in Helmand, Western officials acknowledge that the pressure has pushed militants to Farah. But they say the insurgent focus on areas far from former battlegrounds where they had threatened the government show the problems they are facing. "Taliban offensives in these remote areas represent a significant lowering of ambition after their failure to take any provincial capitals in 2017," US Navy Captain Tom Gresback, spokesman for the NATO-led Resolute Support coalition, said in an emailed statement. US aircraft recently began bombing "drug factories" in opium-rich Helmand, but local leaders and officials in Kabul say the Taliban will fight hard to avoid losing control of smuggling routes, which bring in millions of dollars for the insurgency. "There are hundreds of fighters who move back and forth between Farah and Helmand," the Afghan security official said. "There is a route for smuggling opium and heroin from Helmand to Farah and finally Iran and the Taliban and the smugglers will always fight to protect. It is tens of millions of dollars." The US ambassador to Afghanistan, Robert Bass, told the BBC this month that Iran was providing logistical support to the Taliban, an accusation rejected by Tehran. Iran has always denied interfering in Afghanistan but Afghan officials say it has multiple interests as well as its general hostility to the United States. They say it fears dams in Farah could slow the flow of water into Iran and has suspicions about a planned Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline. "There is only one reason behind this: Iran`s interference which provides the insurgents weapons and tries to hamper the TAPI project," said provincial council member Dadullah Qaneh.

As Afghan forces squeeze in Helmand, Taliban focus shifts

Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan on Thursday, officials said, in her first visit to her native country since she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for advocating education for girls in 2012.

Precise details of her itinerary have been "kept secret in view of the sensitivity surrounding the visit," a government official said of the trip, which is expected to last four days and include a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Accompanied by her parents, the 20-year-old student was escorted through Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport under tight security, according to still photographs broadcast on local television.

Malala has become a global symbol for human rights and a vocal campaigner for girls' education since a gunman boarded her school bus in the Swat valley on October 9, 2012, asked "Who is Malala?" and shot her.

She was treated for her injuries in the British city of Birmingham, where she completed her schooling.

Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, she has continued her campaigning while pursuing her studies at Oxford University.

Many Pakistanis on Twitter were pleased that the campaigner had returned for the visit, despite ongoing security fears.

"I welcome #MalalaYousafzai the brave and resilient daughter of Pakistan back to her country," politician Syed Ali Raza Abidi wrote on Twitter.

But she remains controversial among some conservatives at home, who view her as a Western agent on a mission to shame her country.

One leading Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir issued a plea for opposition politicians and commentators not to use bad language when talking about the visit.

"International media is highly focused on her return and this (bad language) will damage Pakistan`s image," he said.

Malala began her campaigning career aged just 11, when she started writing a blog -- under a pseudonym -- for the BBC`s Urdu service in 2009 about life under the Taliban in Swat, where they were banning girls` education.

In 2007 the Islamist militants had taken over the area, which Malala affectionately called "My Swat", and imposed a brutal, bloody rule. 
Opponents were murdered, people were publicly flogged for supposed breaches of sharia law, women were banned from going to market, and girls were stopped from going to school.

But it was only after the shooting, and Malala`s subsequent near-miraculous recovery in a British hospital, that she became a truly global figure.

She opened a new Twitter account on her last day of school in July 2017 and now has more than a million followers.

"I know that millions of girls around the world are out of school and may never get the opportunity to complete their education," Malala wrote at the time.

Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, she has continued her campaigning while pursuing her studies at Oxford University.

Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan on Thursday, officials said, in her first visit to her native country since she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for advocating education for girls in 2012. Precise details of her itinerary have been "kept secret in view of the sensitivity surrounding the visit," a government official said of the trip, which is expected to last four days and include a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Accompanied by her parents, the 20-year-old student was escorted through Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport under tight security, according to still photographs broadcast on local television. Malala has become a global symbol for human rights and a vocal campaigner for girls' education since a gunman boarded her school bus in the Swat valley on October 9, 2012, asked "Who is Malala?" and shot her. She was treated for her injuries in the British city of Birmingham, where she completed her schooling. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, she has continued her campaigning while pursuing her studies at Oxford University. Many Pakistanis on Twitter were pleased that the campaigner had returned for the visit, despite ongoing security fears. "I welcome #MalalaYousafzai the brave and resilient daughter of Pakistan back to her country," politician Syed Ali Raza Abidi wrote on Twitter. But she remains controversial among some conservatives at home, who view her as a Western agent on a mission to shame her country. One leading Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir issued a plea for opposition politicians and commentators not to use bad language when talking about the visit. "International media is highly focused on her return and this (bad language) will damage Pakistan`s image," he said. Malala began her campaigning career aged just 11, when she started writing a blog -- under a pseudonym -- for the BBC`s Urdu service in 2009 about life under the Taliban in Swat, where they were banning girls` education. In 2007 the Islamist militants had taken over the area, which Malala affectionately called "My Swat", and imposed a brutal, bloody rule. Opponents were murdered, people were publicly flogged for supposed breaches of sharia law, women were banned from going to market, and girls were stopped from going to school. But it was only after the shooting, and Malala`s subsequent near-miraculous recovery in a British hospital, that she became a truly global figure. She opened a new Twitter account on her last day of school in July 2017 and now has more than a million followers. "I know that millions of girls around the world are out of school and may never get the opportunity to complete their education," Malala wrote at the time.

Itinerary 'kept secret' but Malala returns to Pakistan six years after she was shot by Taliban

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai broke down in tears during an emotional return to her native Pakistan on Thursday, six years after she was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen for advocating greater education of girls.

&nbsp;

Yousafzai, travelling with her father and younger brother, met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the capital, Islamabad, before giving a brief speech on national television.

It was Yousafzai's first visit to her homeland since she was shot in late 2012 and airlifted abroad for medical treatment.&nbsp;

"For last five years I have dreamed that I can set foot in my country," she said, wiping away tears

"It's the happiest day of my life. I still can't believe it's happening," added Yousafzai, clad in a traditional shalwar kameez outfit with her head covered with a red and blue dupatta scarf. 
She said that if it had been up to her, she would never have left Pakistan.

"I don`t normally cry ... I`m still 20 years old but I`ve seen so many things in life," she said.

At the age of 17, in 2014, Yousafzai became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her education advocacy. She also became a global symbol of the resilience of women in the face of repression.

Yousafzai spoke of the importance of education and about the efforts of her charitable foundation to help girls, often switching between English and the Pashto and Urdu languages.

"Welcome home," Prime Minister Abbasi told Yousafzai.&nbsp;

"We are very happy that our daughter has come back. When she went away, she was a child of 12. She has returned as the most prominent citizen of Pakistan "

But she is unlikely to travel to her home region of Swat, in the mountains northwest of Islamabad, due to security threats against her, a relative and security sources told.

"It's been the long-held desire of Malala Yousafzai and her parents to visit Swat and see her relatives and friends. But she was not given permission due to security concerns," said one relative, who declined to be identified.

Earlier, Pakistan's Geo TV showed footage of Yousafzai after she arrived at Islamabad airport, walking to a car escorted by security officials.

In October 2012, masked gunmen stopped a bus taking Malala and other girls home from school and shot her. Two of her friends were also wounded.

Last week, on Twitter, Yousafzai, who lives in Britain and is studying at Oxford University, expressed a longing for her homeland.

"On this day, I cherish fond memories of home, of playing cricket on rooftops and singing the national anthem in school. Happy Pakistan Day!" she wrote on March 23.

After surviving the attack, Yousafzai was airlifted abroad and underwent surgery.&nbsp;

The Pakistani Taliban, who seized control of her home district in Pakistan's Swat Valley before being pushed out by the army in 2009, claimed the attack, saying it was in response to a blog she wrote for the BBC Urdu service advocating girls' education.

The hardline Islamist movement blew up girls' schools and imposed a strict interpretation of sharia Islamic law during their rule over Swat.

The Taliban also accused her of promoting Western values in Swat, which is a staunchly conservative part of the mainly-Muslim nation. 
Unable to return to Pakistan after her recovery, Yousafzai stayed in Britain, setting up the Malala Fund and supporting education advocacy groups with a focus on Pakistan, Nigeria, Jordan, Syria and Kenya.

This month, a new girls' school built with her Nobel prize money opened in Shangla, near her home district of Swat.

During her trip to Pakistan, which is expected to last several days, Yousafzai will likely stay in Islamabad and meet friends and family at a hotel, her relatives said.

While she is arguably the most recognisable Pakistani in the world, Yousafzai - known almost universally as Malala - is a polarising figure at home.

She is frequently attacked by religious conservatives as portraying her country in a bad light and seeking fame.

"A traitor has arrived to Pakistan," was one response on Twitter to news of her return, though many other tweets were positive.

A private school headmaster in Swat, Ahmad Shah, said the region's people were eager to greet her.

"Her visit had in fact removed all the rumours, as some people were saying she would never return to Pakistan again," the headmaster said.

"I have noted that the girls in Swat and elsewhere in Pakistan see Malala as their own and believe that whatever she is doing is meant for them," he said.

'For last five years I have dreamed that I can set foot in my country,' she said, wiping away tears

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai broke down in tears during an emotional return to her native Pakistan on Thursday, six years after she was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen for advocating greater education of girls. Yousafzai, travelling with her father and younger brother, met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the capital, Islamabad, before giving a brief speech on national television. It was Yousafzai's first visit to her homeland since she was shot in late 2012 and airlifted abroad for medical treatment. "For last five years I have dreamed that I can set foot in my country," she said, wiping away tears "It's the happiest day of my life. I still can't believe it's happening," added Yousafzai, clad in a traditional shalwar kameez outfit with her head covered with a red and blue dupatta scarf. She said that if it had been up to her, she would never have left Pakistan. "I don`t normally cry ... I`m still 20 years old but I`ve seen so many things in life," she said. At the age of 17, in 2014, Yousafzai became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her education advocacy. She also became a global symbol of the resilience of women in the face of repression. Yousafzai spoke of the importance of education and about the efforts of her charitable foundation to help girls, often switching between English and the Pashto and Urdu languages. "Welcome home," Prime Minister Abbasi told Yousafzai. "We are very happy that our daughter has come back. When she went away, she was a child of 12. She has returned as the most prominent citizen of Pakistan " But she is unlikely to travel to her home region of Swat, in the mountains northwest of Islamabad, due to security threats against her, a relative and security sources told. "It's been the long-held desire of Malala Yousafzai and her parents to visit Swat and see her relatives and friends. But she was not given permission due to security concerns," said one relative, who declined to be identified. Earlier, Pakistan's Geo TV showed footage of Yousafzai after she arrived at Islamabad airport, walking to a car escorted by security officials. In October 2012, masked gunmen stopped a bus taking Malala and other girls home from school and shot her. Two of her friends were also wounded. Last week, on Twitter, Yousafzai, who lives in Britain and is studying at Oxford University, expressed a longing for her homeland. "On this day, I cherish fond memories of home, of playing cricket on rooftops and singing the national anthem in school. Happy Pakistan Day!" she wrote on March 23. After surviving the attack, Yousafzai was airlifted abroad and underwent surgery. The Pakistani Taliban, who seized control of her home district in Pakistan's Swat Valley before being pushed out by the army in 2009, claimed the attack, saying it was in response to a blog she wrote for the BBC Urdu service advocating girls' education. The hardline Islamist movement blew up girls' schools and imposed a strict interpretation of sharia Islamic law during their rule over Swat. The Taliban also accused her of promoting Western values in Swat, which is a staunchly conservative part of the mainly-Muslim nation. Unable to return to Pakistan after her recovery, Yousafzai stayed in Britain, setting up the Malala Fund and supporting education advocacy groups with a focus on Pakistan, Nigeria, Jordan, Syria and Kenya. This month, a new girls' school built with her Nobel prize money opened in Shangla, near her home district of Swat. During her trip to Pakistan, which is expected to last several days, Yousafzai will likely stay in Islamabad and meet friends and family at a hotel, her relatives said. While she is arguably the most recognisable Pakistani in the world, Yousafzai - known almost universally as Malala - is a polarising figure at home. She is frequently attacked by religious conservatives as portraying her country in a bad light and seeking fame. "A traitor has arrived to Pakistan," was one response on Twitter to news of her return, though many other tweets were positive. A private school headmaster in Swat, Ahmad Shah, said the region's people were eager to greet her. "Her visit had in fact removed all the rumours, as some people were saying she would never return to Pakistan again," the headmaster said. "I have noted that the girls in Swat and elsewhere in Pakistan see Malala as their own and believe that whatever she is doing is meant for them," he said.

Watch: Nobel Prize winner Malala in tears on emotional return to Pakistan

Uzbekistan offered on Tuesday to host peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, a move that could make Tashkent a player in settling the decades-long conflict in the neighbouring country.

The former Soviet republic is seeking to raise its international profile as part of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's campaign to open up the nation of 32 million and attract foreign investment after decades of isolation and economic stagnation.

"We stand ready to create all necessary conditions, at any stage of the peace process, to arrange on the territory of Uzbekistan direct talks between the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban movement," Mirziyoyev told a conference in Tashkent attended by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and a number of foreign ministers including those of Russia and Turkey, also attended the conference, but there were no Taliban representatives.

Last month, Ghani offered recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate political group as part of a proposed political process. He repeated the offer on Tuesday, saying it would "let ballots replace bullets". 
Meanwhile, Thomas Shannon, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, warned that if the Taliban rejected the offer, "they will leave us no choice but to oppose them".

Mirziyoyev took over the predominantly Muslim Uzbekistan after the death in 2016 of authoritarian President Islam Karimov, who had run the country since the Soviet era.

Tashkent`s ties with the West were strained under Karimov who was often criticised over his government`s human rights abuses.

Mirziyoyev has promised to liberalise the country and has launched a diplomatic campaign to bring in foreign investment and boost trade.

Tashkent`s ties with the West were strained under Karimov who was often criticised over his government`s human rights abuses.

Uzbekistan offered on Tuesday to host peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, a move that could make Tashkent a player in settling the decades-long conflict in the neighbouring country. The former Soviet republic is seeking to raise its international profile as part of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's campaign to open up the nation of 32 million and attract foreign investment after decades of isolation and economic stagnation. "We stand ready to create all necessary conditions, at any stage of the peace process, to arrange on the territory of Uzbekistan direct talks between the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban movement," Mirziyoyev told a conference in Tashkent attended by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and a number of foreign ministers including those of Russia and Turkey, also attended the conference, but there were no Taliban representatives. Last month, Ghani offered recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate political group as part of a proposed political process. He repeated the offer on Tuesday, saying it would "let ballots replace bullets". Meanwhile, Thomas Shannon, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, warned that if the Taliban rejected the offer, "they will leave us no choice but to oppose them". Mirziyoyev took over the predominantly Muslim Uzbekistan after the death in 2016 of authoritarian President Islam Karimov, who had run the country since the Soviet era. Tashkent`s ties with the West were strained under Karimov who was often criticised over his government`s human rights abuses. Mirziyoyev has promised to liberalise the country and has launched a diplomatic campaign to bring in foreign investment and boost trade.

Uzbekistan offers to host talks between Afghan government, Taliban

The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday welcomed Afghanistan's unconditional call to initiate a peace process with the militant group Taliban.

"We welcome the call of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for starting negotiations with the Taliban without preconditions," Cavusoglu said while addressing the Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan in the Uzbek capital, as reported by the Anadolu Agency.

Earlier on March 25, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was optimistic to end the four-year-old insurgency crises in the country while saying that the on-going peace process was on for national consensus.

Cavusoglu further urged various groups that are active within Afghanistan to recognise the ruling Afghan government.

"We want all the groups in Afghanistan to recognize the Afghan government, condemn violence and become part of legitimate politics," Cavusoglu added.

He further emphasized on the need of the participation by the international agencies to help in the reconciliation process.

Speaking at the same conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underscored the importance of a constructive dialogue between Afghanistan and Taliban for peace and stability in the country.

Further European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said it to be an exemplary opportunity for peace.

Earlier on February 28 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani dwelled on a plan to conduct a peace process with Taliban which might include the latter to be declared as a political party.

However, the Taliban group is yet to respond to President Ghani's offer.&nbsp

Earlier on March 25, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was optimistic to end the four-year-old insurgency crises in the country while saying that the on-going peace process was on for national consensus

The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday welcomed Afghanistan's unconditional call to initiate a peace process with the militant group Taliban. "We welcome the call of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for starting negotiations with the Taliban without preconditions," Cavusoglu said while addressing the Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan in the Uzbek capital, as reported by the Anadolu Agency. Earlier on March 25, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was optimistic to end the four-year-old insurgency crises in the country while saying that the on-going peace process was on for national consensus. Cavusoglu further urged various groups that are active within Afghanistan to recognise the ruling Afghan government. "We want all the groups in Afghanistan to recognize the Afghan government, condemn violence and become part of legitimate politics," Cavusoglu added. He further emphasized on the need of the participation by the international agencies to help in the reconciliation process. Speaking at the same conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underscored the importance of a constructive dialogue between Afghanistan and Taliban for peace and stability in the country. Further European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said it to be an exemplary opportunity for peace. Earlier on February 28 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani dwelled on a plan to conduct a peace process with Taliban which might include the latter to be declared as a political party. However, the Taliban group is yet to respond to President Ghani's offer.

Turkey welcomes Afghan's call for peace process with Taliban

The death toll in the explosion that happened in Afghanistan&#39;s Helmand province has increased to 15, officials said on Saturday.&nbsp;

As per reports, the deceased included children as well. Helmand governor&#39;s spokesman Omar Zwak said the explosion took place outside Helmand stadium in Lashkargah City of the province on Friday when people were leaving the stadium after watching a wrestling match.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has condemned the attack and said in a statement that &quot;The enemies of Afghanistan cannot prevent the celebration of traditional, religious and cultural events in the country&quot;.

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirming the incident on Twitter said, &quot;verifying disturbing reports of attack outside a sports stadium in Helmand.&quot;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which went off outside the match venue in Lashkar Gah - capital of the province of Helmand - in front of a crowd that included local lawmakers.

The attack, which followed a suicide blast in Kabul on Wednesday that was claimed by Islamic State, underlined the continued threat of violence across much of Afghanistan with the approach of spring, when fighting tends to pick up.

The Taliban controls large areas of Helmand, source of much of Afghanistan`s opium crop. But government forces, backed by heavy US air strikes, have succeeded in preventing Lashkar Gah from falling and have made advances in some districts.

The city, which came under threat from the insurgents last year, had been relatively quiet in recent months following offensives by security forces and fighting has shifted to other provinces including neighbouring Farah on the border with Iran.

Helmand governor's spokesman Omar Zwak said the explosion took place outside Helmand stadium in Lashkargah City of the province on Friday when people were leaving the stadium after watching a wrestling match

The death toll in the explosion that happened in Afghanistan's Helmand province has increased to 15, officials said on Saturday. As per reports, the deceased included children as well. Helmand governor's spokesman Omar Zwak said the explosion took place outside Helmand stadium in Lashkargah City of the province on Friday when people were leaving the stadium after watching a wrestling match. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has condemned the attack and said in a statement that "The enemies of Afghanistan cannot prevent the celebration of traditional, religious and cultural events in the country". United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirming the incident on Twitter said, "verifying disturbing reports of attack outside a sports stadium in Helmand." There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which went off outside the match venue in Lashkar Gah - capital of the province of Helmand - in front of a crowd that included local lawmakers. The attack, which followed a suicide blast in Kabul on Wednesday that was claimed by Islamic State, underlined the continued threat of violence across much of Afghanistan with the approach of spring, when fighting tends to pick up. The Taliban controls large areas of Helmand, source of much of Afghanistan`s opium crop. But government forces, backed by heavy US air strikes, have succeeded in preventing Lashkar Gah from falling and have made advances in some districts. The city, which came under threat from the insurgents last year, had been relatively quiet in recent months following offensives by security forces and fighting has shifted to other provinces including neighbouring Farah on the border with Iran.

Afghanistan: Death toll from car bomb attack rises to 15

A suicide bomber on Wednesday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian new year holiday, officials said.&nbsp;

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack - the fifth suicide bombing in the Afghan capital in recent weeks - via its propaganda arm Amaq, SITE Intelligence Group said.&nbsp;

The Taliban earlier denied involvement on Twitter.&nbsp;

Another 18 people were wounded in the blast, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, &quot;all of them civilians&quot;. 
&nbsp; 
There were fears the figure could rise, however, with the health ministry giving a higher toll of 29 people killed and 52 wounded. Afghan officials often give conflicting tolls in the wake of attacks.

The bomber, who was on foot, detonated his device in front of Kabul University and a hospital that was opposite, Rahimi said. 
&nbsp; 
The blast occurred less than 200 metres from Karte Sakhi shrine where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian new year holiday - but had been unable to reach it due to heavy security for the holiday.

So he &quot;detonated himself among teenagers returning from there&quot;, Kabul police chief Mohammad Daud Amin told Tolo News.

Bloodstains could be seen among scattered belongings on the road at the site of the attack. A man who was standing metres from where the explosion happened told Tolo that he saw &quot;at least four bodies in blood&quot; on the ground.

IS has attacked the same shrine once before, in October 2016 when gunmen killed 18 people gathered to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shi&#39;ites.

President Ashraf Ghani, whose government has been repeatedly lambasted for its inability to protect its citizens, condemned the attack in a statement as a &quot;crime against humanity&quot;.

Taliban and Islamic State militants have increasingly targeted the war-weary city in recent months as US and Afghan forces ramp up air strikes and ground offensives against the groups. Wednesday`s blast comes days after a Taliban suicide attacker blew up a bomb-laden car in Kabul, causing multiple casualties. 
&nbsp; 
Some Western and Afghan security experts believe the Haqqani Network, a hard-line wing of the Taliban, has been behind some of the attacks in Kabul in recent months, including those claimed by IS.

The Taliban, Afghanistan`s largest militant group, faces growing pressure to take up a recent offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of peace talks to end the 16-year war. So far it has given only a muted response. This latest suicide attack underscores the growing challenge facing Afghan and foreign forces to protect the already heavily militarised city.&nbsp;

Authorities had increased security ahead of Nawrooz festivities, which militants have previously struck with deadly force.

General John Nicholson, who leads US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, recently told reporters that protecting Kabul was a priority for foreign troops.

&quot;Kabul is our main effort right now, to harden Kabul, to protect the people of Kabul and the international community that are here because of the strategic impact that has and the importance to the campaign,&quot; Nicholson said.&nbsp;

But he acknowledged that preventing further attacks would be challenging in the sprawling city that is poorly mapped and extremely porous.&nbsp;

The latest attack comes as US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford visits Afghanistan to assess the military campaign against insurgents - weeks before the start of the spring fighting season, which is expected to be particularly bloody this year.&nbsp;

Despite calls for the Taliban to sit down with the Afghan government, the group appears to have few reasons to negotiate.

The Taliban has been resurgent since the withdrawal of US-led NATO combat troops at the end of 2014, taking back territory and devastating Afghanistan`s beleaguered security forces.

In October, insurgents controlled or influenced nearly half of Afghanistan`s districts - double the percentage in 2015, the US government`s office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction said in January.

Over the same period, the watchdog said, the number of districts under Afghan government control or influence fell to its lowest level since December 2015.

The Taliban earlier denied involvement on Twitter

A suicide bomber on Wednesday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian new year holiday, officials said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack - the fifth suicide bombing in the Afghan capital in recent weeks - via its propaganda arm Amaq, SITE Intelligence Group said. The Taliban earlier denied involvement on Twitter. Another 18 people were wounded in the blast, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, "all of them civilians". There were fears the figure could rise, however, with the health ministry giving a higher toll of 29 people killed and 52 wounded. Afghan officials often give conflicting tolls in the wake of attacks. The bomber, who was on foot, detonated his device in front of Kabul University and a hospital that was opposite, Rahimi said. The blast occurred less than 200 metres from Karte Sakhi shrine where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian new year holiday - but had been unable to reach it due to heavy security for the holiday. So he "detonated himself among teenagers returning from there", Kabul police chief Mohammad Daud Amin told Tolo News. Bloodstains could be seen among scattered belongings on the road at the site of the attack. A man who was standing metres from where the explosion happened told Tolo that he saw "at least four bodies in blood" on the ground. IS has attacked the same shrine once before, in October 2016 when gunmen killed 18 people gathered to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shi'ites. President Ashraf Ghani, whose government has been repeatedly lambasted for its inability to protect its citizens, condemned the attack in a statement as a "crime against humanity". Taliban and Islamic State militants have increasingly targeted the war-weary city in recent months as US and Afghan forces ramp up air strikes and ground offensives against the groups. Wednesday`s blast comes days after a Taliban suicide attacker blew up a bomb-laden car in Kabul, causing multiple casualties. Some Western and Afghan security experts believe the Haqqani Network, a hard-line wing of the Taliban, has been behind some of the attacks in Kabul in recent months, including those claimed by IS. The Taliban, Afghanistan`s largest militant group, faces growing pressure to take up a recent offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of peace talks to end the 16-year war. So far it has given only a muted response. This latest suicide attack underscores the growing challenge facing Afghan and foreign forces to protect the already heavily militarised city. Authorities had increased security ahead of Nawrooz festivities, which militants have previously struck with deadly force. General John Nicholson, who leads US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, recently told reporters that protecting Kabul was a priority for foreign troops. "Kabul is our main effort right now, to harden Kabul, to protect the people of Kabul and the international community that are here because of the strategic impact that has and the importance to the campaign," Nicholson said. But he acknowledged that preventing further attacks would be challenging in the sprawling city that is poorly mapped and extremely porous. The latest attack comes as US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford visits Afghanistan to assess the military campaign against insurgents - weeks before the start of the spring fighting season, which is expected to be particularly bloody this year. Despite calls for the Taliban to sit down with the Afghan government, the group appears to have few reasons to negotiate. The Taliban has been resurgent since the withdrawal of US-led NATO combat troops at the end of 2014, taking back territory and devastating Afghanistan`s beleaguered security forces. In October, insurgents controlled or influenced nearly half of Afghanistan`s districts - double the percentage in 2015, the US government`s office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction said in January. Over the same period, the watchdog said, the number of districts under Afghan government control or influence fell to its lowest level since December 2015.

Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul attack

The Pentagon said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-seeks-real-action-from-pakistan-on-taliban-haqqani-network-36116">today that it won&#39;t resume security aid</a> to Pakistan until it addresses US concerns on terror safe havens.

&quot;The US government <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-providing-covert-support-to-taliban-35966">has been very honest and open both publicly</a> and privately with Pakistan on the things that they need to address before we can move forward with the resumption of the aid that has been suspended,&quot; Lt Col Mike Andrews, a spokesperson of the Department of Defence told PTI.

Mike Andrews had recently visited Afganistan with US defense secretary James Mattis last week to review security in the region.

&quot;I won&#39;t get into real specifics. The sanctuaries inside of Pakistan where were Taliban fighters can go over the border, can attack and come back and be safe,&quot; Andrews said, adding,&quot;So if Pakistan does this, it would be good for Pakistan, Afghanistan, good for India, be good for the entire region.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;That&#39;s what we want...a safe and secure region where terrorists cannot launch attacks like 9/11 or launch attacks into Europe or into India,&quot; he asserted.

In an attempt to keep the pressure on Pakistan, US Vice President Mike Pence had recently told&nbsp;Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi that his country &quot;must do more&quot; against the Taliban and other militants as the relations between the two nations continued to on the boil.

The US government had suspended $1.5 security assistance to Pakistan in January accusing the Abbassi-led government of providing safe havens to Taliban and the Haqqani Network.

&quot;The US government has been very honest and open both publicly and privately with Pakistan on the things that they need to address before we can move forward with the resumption of the aid that has been suspended,&quot; Lt Col Mike Andrews said.

 
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wYsp78vek4k" width="560"></iframe> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Mike Andrews recently visited Afganistan with US defense secretary James Mattis last week to review security in the region.

The Pentagon said today that it won't resume security aid to Pakistan until it addresses US concerns on terror safe havens. "The US government has been very honest and open both publicly and privately with Pakistan on the things that they need to address before we can move forward with the resumption of the aid that has been suspended," Lt Col Mike Andrews, a spokesperson of the Department of Defence told PTI. Mike Andrews had recently visited Afganistan with US defense secretary James Mattis last week to review security in the region. "I won't get into real specifics. The sanctuaries inside of Pakistan where were Taliban fighters can go over the border, can attack and come back and be safe," Andrews said, adding,"So if Pakistan does this, it would be good for Pakistan, Afghanistan, good for India, be good for the entire region." "That's what we want...a safe and secure region where terrorists cannot launch attacks like 9/11 or launch attacks into Europe or into India," he asserted. In an attempt to keep the pressure on Pakistan, US Vice President Mike Pence had recently told Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi that his country "must do more" against the Taliban and other militants as the relations between the two nations continued to on the boil. The US government had suspended $1.5 security assistance to Pakistan in January accusing the Abbassi-led government of providing safe havens to Taliban and the Haqqani Network. "The US government has been very honest and open both publicly and privately with Pakistan on the things that they need to address before we can move forward with the resumption of the aid that has been suspended," Lt Col Mike Andrews said.

No resumption of security aid until Pak addresses terror concerns: US

US Vice President Mike Pence told Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi that his country &quot;must do more&quot; against the Taliban and other militants, the White House said on Saturday.

&quot;Vice President Pence reiterated President (Donald) Trump`s request that the Government of Pakistan must do more to address the continued presence of the Taliban, Haqqani Network, and other terrorist groups operating in their country,&quot; the White House said in a statement on the Friday call.

&quot;Pakistan could and should work closely with the United States,&quot; Pence said.

According to Washington, there is little sign that Islamabad has made a decision to end its support for the Taliban, which the country&#39;s powerful security services see as safeguarding its interests and as a bulwark against Indian influence in Kabul.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last month proposed peace talks with the Taliban, which could eventually be recognized as a political party if it observes a ceasefire and officially recognizes the Afghan government and constitution.

The Taliban has stopped short of rejecting the proposal, but its response has been muted.

According to Washington, there is little sign that Islamabad has made a decision to end its support for the Taliban

US Vice President Mike Pence told Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi that his country "must do more" against the Taliban and other militants, the White House said on Saturday. "Vice President Pence reiterated President (Donald) Trump`s request that the Government of Pakistan must do more to address the continued presence of the Taliban, Haqqani Network, and other terrorist groups operating in their country," the White House said in a statement on the Friday call. "Pakistan could and should work closely with the United States," Pence said. According to Washington, there is little sign that Islamabad has made a decision to end its support for the Taliban, which the country's powerful security services see as safeguarding its interests and as a bulwark against Indian influence in Kabul. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last month proposed peace talks with the Taliban, which could eventually be recognized as a political party if it observes a ceasefire and officially recognizes the Afghan government and constitution. The Taliban has stopped short of rejecting the proposal, but its response has been muted.

US Vice President Mike Pence urges Pakistan to 'do more' against Taliban

The Taliban claimed the car bomb attack which killed at least three people and wounded several others&nbsp;in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday&nbsp;in an apparent attack on a foreign contractor company.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said all those killed and wounded in the explosion were civilians with no casualties among the contractors.

Witnesses said the casualty toll was higher but confirmed that, like countless other attacks in Kabul, its victims were ordinary people going about their daily activities.

&quot;All those killed were barbers or shoeshine men. I was horrified when I saw their bodies,&quot; said Mohammad Osman, who was nearby when the explosion shattered nearby buildings and who said he had seen four or five bodies.

It was the fourth suicide attack in Kabul in three weeks and comes days after the top US general in Afghanistan said protecting the war-weary city was &quot;our main effort&quot;.

It also comes as the Taliban faces growing pressure to take up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani&#39;s offer last month of peace talks to end the 16-year war.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said all those killed and wounded in the explosion were civilians with no casualties among the contractors

The Taliban claimed the car bomb attack which killed at least three people and wounded several others in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday in an apparent attack on a foreign contractor company. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said all those killed and wounded in the explosion were civilians with no casualties among the contractors. Witnesses said the casualty toll was higher but confirmed that, like countless other attacks in Kabul, its victims were ordinary people going about their daily activities. "All those killed were barbers or shoeshine men. I was horrified when I saw their bodies," said Mohammad Osman, who was nearby when the explosion shattered nearby buildings and who said he had seen four or five bodies. It was the fourth suicide attack in Kabul in three weeks and comes days after the top US general in Afghanistan said protecting the war-weary city was "our main effort". It also comes as the Taliban faces growing pressure to take up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's offer last month of peace talks to end the 16-year war.

Taliban claims deadly car bomb attack in Kabul

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