The <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Taliban" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/afghan-taliban-say-they-want-to-end-war-through-dialogue/articleshow/62931819.cms~Taliban-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Taliban">Taliban</a> said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Afghanistan" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/afghan-taliban-say-they-want-to-end-war-through-dialogue/articleshow/62931819.cms~Afghanistan-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>&#39;s 17-year war through talks, while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against US forces would go on.

A more aggressive US strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Donald-Trump" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/afghan-taliban-say-they-want-to-end-war-through-dialogue/articleshow/62931819.cms~Donald Trump-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</a> in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centres and two provincial capitals. 
 
But the terrorists control large parts of the countryside and have responded to the more aggressive US strategy with two attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people. 
 
The attacks have toughened both the US and Afghan governments&#39; stand against initiating talks with the insurgents, although neither side seems capable of winning the conflict. 
 
&quot;Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue,&quot; the Taliban said.

The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the US-backed government, said the United States must end its &quot;occupation&quot; and accept the Taliban right to form a government &quot;consistent with the beliefs of our people&quot;. 
 
In their statement, the Taliban did not mention a January 27 raid on a top Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bomb attack on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100. They claimed both attacks. 
 
The terrorists only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds. A government spokesman declined to comment on the statement. 
 
&#39;Louder than words&#39; 
 
A spokesman for Afghanistan&#39;s NATO-led military mission said the recent Taliban attacks on civilians demonstrated they were not ready to enter &quot;good-faith peace negotiations&quot; while the government had on numerous occasions made clear it was willing to begin a peace process. 
 
&quot;The Taliban statement alone does not show willingness to engage in peace talks. The recent attacks speak louder than these words,&quot; said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback. 
 
The Taliban said it was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side &quot;through healthy politics and dialogue&quot;, adding the chances for dialogue were &quot;not exhausted&quot;. 
 
Preliminary talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled.

But low-level contacts between the government, international groups including the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/United-Nations" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/afghan-taliban-say-they-want-to-end-war-through-dialogue/articleshow/62931819.cms~United Nations-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/United-Nations">United Nations</a> and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated. 
 
Progress has been blocked by the deep mistrust between the government and the Taliban, as well as uncertainty about the role of neighbours including Pakistan, which Afghanistan has long accused of aiding the insurgents.

Pakistan rejects accusations that it sponsors the Taliban. 
 
The Taliban said their willingness to play a &quot;constructive role in finding a peaceful solution&quot; should not be taken as a sign of weakness. 
 
&quot;This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped,&quot; they said. 
 
They said they had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The terrorists only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds

The Taliban said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end Afghanistan's 17-year war through talks, while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against US forces would go on. A more aggressive US strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centres and two provincial capitals. But the terrorists control large parts of the countryside and have responded to the more aggressive US strategy with two attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people. The attacks have toughened both the US and Afghan governments' stand against initiating talks with the insurgents, although neither side seems capable of winning the conflict. "Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue," the Taliban said. The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the US-backed government, said the United States must end its "occupation" and accept the Taliban right to form a government "consistent with the beliefs of our people". In their statement, the Taliban did not mention a January 27 raid on a top Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bomb attack on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100. They claimed both attacks. The terrorists only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds. A government spokesman declined to comment on the statement. 'Louder than words' A spokesman for Afghanistan's NATO-led military mission said the recent Taliban attacks on civilians demonstrated they were not ready to enter "good-faith peace negotiations" while the government had on numerous occasions made clear it was willing to begin a peace process. "The Taliban statement alone does not show willingness to engage in peace talks. The recent attacks speak louder than these words," said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback. The Taliban said it was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side "through healthy politics and dialogue", adding the chances for dialogue were "not exhausted". Preliminary talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled. But low-level contacts between the government, international groups including the United Nations and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated. Progress has been blocked by the deep mistrust between the government and the Taliban, as well as uncertainty about the role of neighbours including Pakistan, which Afghanistan has long accused of aiding the insurgents. Pakistan rejects accusations that it sponsors the Taliban. The Taliban said their willingness to play a "constructive role in finding a peaceful solution" should not be taken as a sign of weakness. "This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped," they said. They said they had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else.

Afghan Taliban say they want to end war through dialogue

Taliban militants today killed four paramilitary soldiers in an ambush in Pakistan&#39;s restive southwestern Balochistan province, police said.

The Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were targeted when they were on a routine patrol on Sariab road in Quetta.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Quetta Razzaq Cheema said that the attackers fired at the vehicle carrying the FC officials and fled after the incident.

&quot;It was a coordinated attack and the purpose was to target the FC personnel in the vehicle,&quot; Cheema said.

&quot;Four security personnel were killed in the attack,&quot; he told the media.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility for the attack.

This was the latest attack in a series of terror strikes carried out against security personnel in Quetta and other parts of the troubled province this year.

Last month, at least seven persons were killed on Zarghoon Road in Quetta when a suicide bomber rammed his motorbike into a police truck.

Balochistan Governor Mohammad Achakzai condemned that the latest attack and urged the law enforcement agencies to arrest the culprits at the earliest.&nbsp;

The Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were targeted when they were on a routine patrol on Sariab road in Quetta

Taliban militants today killed four paramilitary soldiers in an ambush in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province, police said. The Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were targeted when they were on a routine patrol on Sariab road in Quetta. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Quetta Razzaq Cheema said that the attackers fired at the vehicle carrying the FC officials and fled after the incident. "It was a coordinated attack and the purpose was to target the FC personnel in the vehicle," Cheema said. "Four security personnel were killed in the attack," he told the media. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility for the attack. This was the latest attack in a series of terror strikes carried out against security personnel in Quetta and other parts of the troubled province this year. Last month, at least seven persons were killed on Zarghoon Road in Quetta when a suicide bomber rammed his motorbike into a police truck. Balochistan Governor Mohammad Achakzai condemned that the latest attack and urged the law enforcement agencies to arrest the culprits at the earliest.

Taliban kill 4 paramilitary soldiers in Pak's Balochistan

The Taliban militants today killed four paramilitary soldiers in an ambush in Pakistan&#39;s restive southwestern Balochistan province, police said.

The Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were targeted when they were on a routine patrol on Sariab road in Quetta.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Quetta Razzaq Cheema said that the attackers fired at the vehicle carrying the FC officials and fled after the incident.

&quot;It was a coordinated attack and the purpose was to target the FC personnel in the vehicle,&quot; Cheema said.

&quot;Four security personnel were killed in the attack,&quot; he told the media.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility for the attack.

This was the latest attack in a series of terror strikes carried out against security personnel in Quetta and other parts of the troubled province this year.

Last month, at least seven persons were killed on Zarghoon Road in Quetta when a suicide bomber rammed his motorbike into a police truck.

Balochistan Governor Mohammad Achakzai condemned that the latest attack and urged the law enforcement agencies to arrest the culprits at the earliest.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility for the attack

The Taliban militants today killed four paramilitary soldiers in an ambush in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province, police said. The Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were targeted when they were on a routine patrol on Sariab road in Quetta. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Quetta Razzaq Cheema said that the attackers fired at the vehicle carrying the FC officials and fled after the incident. "It was a coordinated attack and the purpose was to target the FC personnel in the vehicle," Cheema said. "Four security personnel were killed in the attack," he told the media. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility for the attack. This was the latest attack in a series of terror strikes carried out against security personnel in Quetta and other parts of the troubled province this year. Last month, at least seven persons were killed on Zarghoon Road in Quetta when a suicide bomber rammed his motorbike into a police truck. Balochistan Governor Mohammad Achakzai condemned that the latest attack and urged the law enforcement agencies to arrest the culprits at the earliest.

Taliban kills 4 paramilitary soldiers in Pakistan's Balochistan

At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and around 10 were left wounded in an airstrike in Afghanistan&#39;s northern province of Sari Pul on Wednesday, reports said.&nbsp;

The airstrike operations by the Afghan forces took place on Tuesday night and targeted Taliban hideouts at Shah Toot locality, Sayyad district after Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force struck a militants&#39; position where three militants were killed and one wounded.&nbsp;

The Afghan forces also conducted operations in Nad-e-Ali district where three more Taliban militants were killed.

On Wednesday, one militant named Mohammad Akram was killed and two militants were wounded, after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were carrying to plant along a main road, detonated accidentally in Archi district of neighbouring Kunduz province.&nbsp;

The Afghan forces discovered and confiscated 20 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) during the same operations, the report said. 
&nbsp;

The airstrike operations by the Afghan forces took place on Tuesday night and targeted Taliban hideouts at Shah Toot locality, Sayyad district after Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force struck a militants' position where three militants were killed and one wounded

At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and around 10 were left wounded in an airstrike in Afghanistan's northern province of Sari Pul on Wednesday, reports said. The airstrike operations by the Afghan forces took place on Tuesday night and targeted Taliban hideouts at Shah Toot locality, Sayyad district after Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force struck a militants' position where three militants were killed and one wounded. The Afghan forces also conducted operations in Nad-e-Ali district where three more Taliban militants were killed. On Wednesday, one militant named Mohammad Akram was killed and two militants were wounded, after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were carrying to plant along a main road, detonated accidentally in Archi district of neighbouring Kunduz province. The Afghan forces discovered and confiscated 20 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) during the same operations, the report said.

15 Taliban militants killed during airstike in Afghanistan

Local media of Afghanistan has reported the arrest of five persons in connection with the January 21 <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-five-dead-in-kabul-hotel-attack-afghan-spy-agency-30204">attack on the Intercontinental hotel in&nbsp;Kabul.</a>

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Breaking : Five persons arrested in connection with attack on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/intercontinentalhotel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#intercontinentalhotel</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>
&mdash; Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) <a href="https://twitter.com/pajhwok/status/957555713584390145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At least four <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184">Taliban gunmen attacked Kabul&#39;s landmark Intercontinental Hotel </a>on Saturday and started shooting at guests, which went on for 12 hours.

The overnight attack killed at least 22 people, the majority of them were foreigners including citizens from Venezuela, the Ukraine, Germany and Kazakhstan and America.

About 100 people were kept hostage who later were released after the attack.

During the investigation after the attack, many<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-hotel-guests-describe-lax-security-before-deadly-attack-30537"> issues relating to security </a>came to the light.

A witness and a security source said that at least two of the gunmen were armed and inside the hotel before the attack began, and questions have been raised &mdash; including by the country&#39;s interior minister &mdash; over whether the militants had inside help.

Constantly under threat, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kabul-explosion-death-toll-increases-to-103-30982">Kabul also faced another deadly attack </a>on Saturday, in which 103 were killed and 235 were wounded.

An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years.

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-explosion-the-perpetrators-of-these-dastardly-attacks-should-be-brought-to-justice-says-ministry-of-external-affairs-30922"> Ministry of External Affairs&nbsp;strongly condemned t</a>he&nbsp;suicide-bomb explosion on Saturday.&nbsp;

At least four Taliban gunmen attacked Kabul's landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday and started shooting at guests, which went on for 12-hours

Local media of Afghanistan has reported the arrest of five persons in connection with the January 21 attack on the Intercontinental hotel in Kabul. Breaking : Five persons arrested in connection with attack on #intercontinentalhotel in #Kabul.#Afghanistan — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) January 28, 2018 × At least four Taliban gunmen attacked Kabul's landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday and started shooting at guests, which went on for 12 hours. The overnight attack killed at least 22 people, the majority of them were foreigners including citizens from Venezuela, the Ukraine, Germany and Kazakhstan and America. About 100 people were kept hostage who later were released after the attack. During the investigation after the attack, many issues relating to security came to the light. A witness and a security source said that at least two of the gunmen were armed and inside the hotel before the attack began, and questions have been raised — including by the country's interior minister — over whether the militants had inside help. Constantly under threat, Kabul also faced another deadly attack on Saturday, in which 103 were killed and 235 were wounded. An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years. The Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the suicide-bomb explosion on Saturday.

Five arrested over Kabul Intercontinental hotel shooting

India on Sunday strongly condemned the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/gunfire-and-explosions-rock-kabul-hotel-as-siege-draws-to-an-end-30232" target="_blank">terrorist attack on the Intercontinental Hotel</a> in Kabul, which claimed 18 lives.&quot;We express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed in this heinous attack and wish speedy recovery to the injured,&quot; the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

&quot;Reports about attack having being carried out by terrorists of internationally proscribed Haqqani Network are a matter of serious concern and bring to fore once again the need to effectively deal with safe havens and sanctuaries that these terrorists find in our shared neighbourhood,&quot; the statement added.

Furthermore, India expressed solidarity with Afghanistan in bringing the perpetrators of these terrorist attacks and their supporters to justice.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pray-for-me-kabul-hotel-guests-plea-during-bloody-siege-30234" target="_blank">&#39;Pray for me,&#39;&nbsp;Kabul hotel guest says during bloody siege</a>

Gunmen stormed the heavily-guarded hotel located on a hilltop in the Bagh-e Bala area late on Saturday setting off a gun battle with security forces that continued into Sunday morning.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday condemned the attack and called for regional and international cooperation against terrorism.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah also condemned the attack and commended security forces for saving people trapped inside the hotel during the attack. &quot;I commend the Afghan Forces for their bravery and professional action of rescuing over 100 civilians and killing all terrorists in the insane attack on Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. I condemn the attack and condole with the victim families,&quot; Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

According to Interior Ministry spokesperson Najib Danish, around 100 guests and staffers were rescued, of which 16 of them were foreign nationals.

He said all those who had died or were wounded had been Afghan nationals. The Interior Ministry also dismissed reports of a hostage situation.The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack comes just days after the US embassy in Kabul issued a warning about possible attacks on hotels in the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;

'We express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed in this heinous attack and wish speedy recovery to the injured,' the Ministry of External Affairs said

India on Sunday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, which claimed 18 lives."We express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed in this heinous attack and wish speedy recovery to the injured," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "Reports about attack having being carried out by terrorists of internationally proscribed Haqqani Network are a matter of serious concern and bring to fore once again the need to effectively deal with safe havens and sanctuaries that these terrorists find in our shared neighbourhood," the statement added. Furthermore, India expressed solidarity with Afghanistan in bringing the perpetrators of these terrorist attacks and their supporters to justice. Also read: 'Pray for me,' Kabul hotel guest says during bloody siege Gunmen stormed the heavily-guarded hotel located on a hilltop in the Bagh-e Bala area late on Saturday setting off a gun battle with security forces that continued into Sunday morning. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday condemned the attack and called for regional and international cooperation against terrorism. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah also condemned the attack and commended security forces for saving people trapped inside the hotel during the attack. "I commend the Afghan Forces for their bravery and professional action of rescuing over 100 civilians and killing all terrorists in the insane attack on Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. I condemn the attack and condole with the victim families," Abdullah wrote on Twitter. According to Interior Ministry spokesperson Najib Danish, around 100 guests and staffers were rescued, of which 16 of them were foreign nationals. He said all those who had died or were wounded had been Afghan nationals. The Interior Ministry also dismissed reports of a hostage situation.The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack comes just days after the US embassy in Kabul issued a warning about possible attacks on hotels in the city.

India condemns Kabul hotel attack

The attack on the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel continues, reporters at the site have told WION.&nbsp;

The reporters, stationed outside the hotel, said the sound of gunfire and explosions could still be heard from inside. It is thought two attackers are still within the premises.&nbsp;

Afghanistan&#39;s Interior Ministry has said earlier on Sunday that the attack on the hotel was over.&nbsp;

The interior ministry had said then that three attackers had been killed, and that 126 people, including 41 foreigners, had been rescued.&nbsp;

It added that five civilians had been killed and six wounded.&nbsp;

The Taliban however, which has now taken responsibility for the attack, has said there were five attackers involved. If that is correct, that means two gunmen are still somewhere inside the hotel premise.&nbsp;

Media outlets are now also reporting the death toll as six, not five. The sixth victim they are saying is a foreigner -- a woman.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-five-dead-in-kabul-hotel-attack-afghan-spy-agency-30204" target="_blank">At least 5 dead in Kabul hotel attack, 100 hostages rescued</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184" target="_blank">Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel under attack &#39;by at least four gunmen&#39;</a>

The attackers had barged into the hotel on Saturday night, which was due to host an IT conference today.&nbsp;

&quot;Four attackers are inside the building,&quot; an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are &quot;shooting at guests&quot;, he said.

Hotel guests inside, speaking to people outside, said they saw scenes of celebration turn into a chaotic nightmare in a minute. And that they saw people running in terror, some of them falling as they got hit by bullets.&nbsp;

News reports had quoted a number of guests saying over the phone that were hiding in their rooms, and begging the security services to come rescue them. Later, the reports said, they found the guests&#39; phones switched off.&nbsp;

Special forces were early Sunday morning dropped onto the roof of the luxury hotel by helicopter.&nbsp;

By late Sunday morning, thick black smoke was billowing out of parts of the hotel.&nbsp;

The Taliban had also attacked the Intercontinental in 2011.&nbsp;

Afghanistan's Interior Ministry had said earlier that the siege was over and that three attackers had been killed

The attack on the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel continues, reporters at the site have told WION. The reporters, stationed outside the hotel, said the sound of gunfire and explosions could still be heard from inside. It is thought two attackers are still within the premises. Afghanistan's Interior Ministry has said earlier on Sunday that the attack on the hotel was over. The interior ministry had said then that three attackers had been killed, and that 126 people, including 41 foreigners, had been rescued. It added that five civilians had been killed and six wounded. The Taliban however, which has now taken responsibility for the attack, has said there were five attackers involved. If that is correct, that means two gunmen are still somewhere inside the hotel premise. Media outlets are now also reporting the death toll as six, not five. The sixth victim they are saying is a foreigner -- a woman. Also read: At least 5 dead in Kabul hotel attack, 100 hostages rescued Also read: Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen' The attackers had barged into the hotel on Saturday night, which was due to host an IT conference today. "Four attackers are inside the building," an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are "shooting at guests", he said. Hotel guests inside, speaking to people outside, said they saw scenes of celebration turn into a chaotic nightmare in a minute. And that they saw people running in terror, some of them falling as they got hit by bullets. News reports had quoted a number of guests saying over the phone that were hiding in their rooms, and begging the security services to come rescue them. Later, the reports said, they found the guests' phones switched off. Special forces were early Sunday morning dropped onto the roof of the luxury hotel by helicopter. By late Sunday morning, thick black smoke was billowing out of parts of the hotel. The Taliban had also attacked the Intercontinental in 2011.

Kabul hotel attack continues, now in its 17th hour

Afghanistan Sunday declared a day of national mourning as the toll for those killed by a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance in Kabul topped 100 people and tensions remained high after insurgents struck in the city for the second time in a week.&nbsp;

At least 103 people were killed and 235 wounded in Saturday`s lunchtime attack claimed by the Taliban, which caused panic in the war-torn capital and overwhelmed its hospitals.&nbsp;

Kabul remained on high alert as the presidential palace declared a national day of mourning for Sunday, with flags flying at half-mast. The attack was one of the worst to strike the capital in recent years.&nbsp;

Central Kabul was unusually quiet on Sunday, a normal workday in Afghanistan, with little traffic and few people on the streets.&nbsp;

In contrast, security checkpoints have been beefed up, particularly near the blast scene, as the city braced for the possibility of further violence.&nbsp;

A security alert issued on Sunday warned that the Islamic State group -- which claimed a deadly attack on Save the Children`s office in Afghanistan`s east on Wednesday -- was planning to attack supermarkets and shops in Kabul frequented by foreigners.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump called for &quot;decisive action&quot; against the Taliban over the assault as other international leaders also condemned the attack.

Afghan authorities gave an updated toll Sunday for those killed and maimed in the huge blast.&nbsp;

&quot;Unfortunately a number of wounded people have died in hospital. The number of martyrs is now 103 and wounded is 235,&quot; Interior Minister Wais Barmak told reporters.&nbsp;

Most of the victims were relatives of patients at a nearby hospital, said Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, the head of Afghanistan`s spy agency, describing the attack as a reaction by the Taliban to losses on the battlefield.&nbsp;

&quot;It does not mean a lapse (in security). We have foiled many attacks, but some are difficult to control,&quot; the head of National Directorate of Security told reporters.

Ordinary Afghans took to social media to express their anguish and sorrow at rapidly worsening security as the Taliban and IS militants step up attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians.&nbsp;

&quot;We are so heartbroken in Kabul that we don`t know how to start our new day,&quot; Freshta Karim wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

&quot;Shall we stay home or go to work, shall we meet our friends and cry or shall we force ourselves to create an illusion of hope? How are you starting your day in Kabul?&quot;&nbsp;

Naser Danesh tweeted: &quot;In Kabul starting a day without explosion, it would be a surprise. One could only imagine that kind of a day.&quot;

On Facebook, Naweed Qaderi wrote: &quot;It is a big shame for the government, they repeatedly fail to protect people. The leaders must lose a son or daughter to feel the pain of poor people.&quot;&nbsp;

The blast happened in a crowded area of the city where several high-profile organisations including the European Union have offices.

The force of the explosion shook the windows of buildings hundreds of metres away and caused some low-rise structures in the immediate vicinity to collapse.

The scene of the attack was scattered with body parts, blood and debris. Children were among the wounded. The government has blamed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, which Afghan and Western officials suspect of involvement in at least some of the recent attacks in the capital.&nbsp;

Aerial footage showed two ambulances -- the second one driven by the suicide attacker -- approaching the first checkpoint, Barmak told reporters.&nbsp;

Police checked the first vehicle and, assuming the two ambulances were together, waved them through, he said.&nbsp;

Both ambulances went to the parking lot of the Jamhuriat hospital. After 20 minutes the suicide attacker drove on to the second checkpoint.&nbsp;

&quot;At the second checkpoint he was recognised and blew (up) his explosive-laden car,&quot; interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said earlier. He said four suspects had been arrested.

The attack came exactly a week after Taliban insurgents stormed Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental hotel and killed at least 25 people, the majority foreigners.

But there is still confusion over the true toll from that attack with conflicting figures given by officials and Afghan media reporting higher numbers.

Stanekzai said five people had been arrested so far over the hotel raid.&nbsp;

Some foreign organisations are reassessing their presence in Afghanistan following the spate of deadly violence.

The Aga Khan Foundation is moving its foreign staff out of the country, several sources told AFP.

At least one Western humanitarian group is relocating its foreign staff to other cities in Afghanistan, a source said.

At least 103 people were killed and 235 wounded in Saturday`s lunchtime attack claimed by the Taliban, which caused panic in the war-torn capital and overwhelmed its hospitals.

Afghanistan Sunday declared a day of national mourning as the toll for those killed by a huge bomb hidden in an ambulance in Kabul topped 100 people and tensions remained high after insurgents struck in the city for the second time in a week. At least 103 people were killed and 235 wounded in Saturday`s lunchtime attack claimed by the Taliban, which caused panic in the war-torn capital and overwhelmed its hospitals. Kabul remained on high alert as the presidential palace declared a national day of mourning for Sunday, with flags flying at half-mast. The attack was one of the worst to strike the capital in recent years. Central Kabul was unusually quiet on Sunday, a normal workday in Afghanistan, with little traffic and few people on the streets. In contrast, security checkpoints have been beefed up, particularly near the blast scene, as the city braced for the possibility of further violence. A security alert issued on Sunday warned that the Islamic State group -- which claimed a deadly attack on Save the Children`s office in Afghanistan`s east on Wednesday -- was planning to attack supermarkets and shops in Kabul frequented by foreigners. US President Donald Trump called for "decisive action" against the Taliban over the assault as other international leaders also condemned the attack. Afghan authorities gave an updated toll Sunday for those killed and maimed in the huge blast. "Unfortunately a number of wounded people have died in hospital. The number of martyrs is now 103 and wounded is 235," Interior Minister Wais Barmak told reporters. Most of the victims were relatives of patients at a nearby hospital, said Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, the head of Afghanistan`s spy agency, describing the attack as a reaction by the Taliban to losses on the battlefield. "It does not mean a lapse (in security). We have foiled many attacks, but some are difficult to control," the head of National Directorate of Security told reporters. Ordinary Afghans took to social media to express their anguish and sorrow at rapidly worsening security as the Taliban and IS militants step up attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians. "We are so heartbroken in Kabul that we don`t know how to start our new day," Freshta Karim wrote on Twitter. "Shall we stay home or go to work, shall we meet our friends and cry or shall we force ourselves to create an illusion of hope? How are you starting your day in Kabul?" Naser Danesh tweeted: "In Kabul starting a day without explosion, it would be a surprise. One could only imagine that kind of a day." On Facebook, Naweed Qaderi wrote: "It is a big shame for the government, they repeatedly fail to protect people. The leaders must lose a son or daughter to feel the pain of poor people." The blast happened in a crowded area of the city where several high-profile organisations including the European Union have offices. The force of the explosion shook the windows of buildings hundreds of metres away and caused some low-rise structures in the immediate vicinity to collapse. The scene of the attack was scattered with body parts, blood and debris. Children were among the wounded. The government has blamed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, which Afghan and Western officials suspect of involvement in at least some of the recent attacks in the capital. Aerial footage showed two ambulances -- the second one driven by the suicide attacker -- approaching the first checkpoint, Barmak told reporters. Police checked the first vehicle and, assuming the two ambulances were together, waved them through, he said. Both ambulances went to the parking lot of the Jamhuriat hospital. After 20 minutes the suicide attacker drove on to the second checkpoint. "At the second checkpoint he was recognised and blew (up) his explosive-laden car," interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said earlier. He said four suspects had been arrested. The attack came exactly a week after Taliban insurgents stormed Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental hotel and killed at least 25 people, the majority foreigners. But there is still confusion over the true toll from that attack with conflicting figures given by officials and Afghan media reporting higher numbers. Stanekzai said five people had been arrested so far over the hotel raid. Some foreign organisations are reassessing their presence in Afghanistan following the spate of deadly violence. The Aga Khan Foundation is moving its foreign staff out of the country, several sources told AFP. At least one Western humanitarian group is relocating its foreign staff to other cities in Afghanistan, a source said.

Kabul on high alert after ambulance bomb toll tops 100

Just a few days after the major attack in Kabul&rsquo;s Intercontinental Hotel which killed around 22 people, the US White House directed Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban&#39;s leaders who operate from Pakistani territory.

&quot;We call on Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban&#39;s leaders and prevent the group from using Pakistani territory to support its operations,&quot; White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.

&quot;In Afghanistan, where terrorists attacked a hotel in Kabul, such attacks on civilians only strengthen our resolve to support our Afghan partners,&quot; Sanders said.

&quot;We commend the swift and effective response of the Afghan security forces. Afghan forces, with our support, will continue to relentlessly pursue the enemies of Afghanistan, who also seek to export terror around the world,&quot; she said.

Shortly after the instructions by the White House Pakistani ambassador to the US stated that Pakistan had already removed them and their facilities.

Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry further gave an &ldquo;open challenge&rdquo; to anyone who could point to surviving safe havens, claiming that military forces had &ldquo;cleaned out&rdquo; all terrorists, their &ldquo;hideouts and sanctuaries and their IED (improvised explosive devices) factories&rdquo; from Pakistan in operations since 2014 and &ldquo;when somebody turns around and tells us that there are safe havens existing there we say to them please show us where&rdquo;.

The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened on Saturday, in which at least 22 civilians were killed, including foreign nationals. The six attackers were killed by Afghan forces, the government in Kabul had said. The Afghan government did not mention Pakistan.

&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

Shortly after the instructions by the White House Pakistani ambassador to the US stated that Pakistan had already removed them and their facilities

Just a few days after the major attack in Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel which killed around 22 people, the US White House directed Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban's leaders who operate from Pakistani territory. "We call on Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban's leaders and prevent the group from using Pakistani territory to support its operations," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference. "In Afghanistan, where terrorists attacked a hotel in Kabul, such attacks on civilians only strengthen our resolve to support our Afghan partners," Sanders said. "We commend the swift and effective response of the Afghan security forces. Afghan forces, with our support, will continue to relentlessly pursue the enemies of Afghanistan, who also seek to export terror around the world," she said. Shortly after the instructions by the White House Pakistani ambassador to the US stated that Pakistan had already removed them and their facilities. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry further gave an “open challenge” to anyone who could point to surviving safe havens, claiming that military forces had “cleaned out” all terrorists, their “hideouts and sanctuaries and their IED (improvised explosive devices) factories” from Pakistan in operations since 2014 and “when somebody turns around and tells us that there are safe havens existing there we say to them please show us where”. The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened on Saturday, in which at least 22 civilians were killed, including foreign nationals. The six attackers were killed by Afghan forces, the government in Kabul had said. The Afghan government did not mention Pakistan. (With PTI inputs)

US tells Pakistan to 'immediately arrest or expel Taliban from its soil,' Pakistan asks for proof

The death toll from a devastating suicide bomb blast in Kabul has risen to 103 with hundreds more wounded, officials said Sunday, making it the worst attack in the Afghan capital in months.

&quot;Unfortunately a number of wounded people have died in hospital. The number of martyrs is now 103,&quot; interior minister Wais Barmak told reporters, adding that another 235 were wounded.

An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-40-dead-140-wounded-after-massive-suicide-bomb-explosion-rocks-kabul-30897">Kabul </a>on Saturday in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years.

The Taliban-claimed assault -- the second carried out by the militant group in the Afghan capital in a week -- triggered chaotic scenes as terrified survivors fled the area scattered with body parts, blood and debris, and hospitals were overwhelmed by a large number of wounded.

The blast happened in an area where several high-profile organisations, including the European Union, have offices. Members of the EU delegation in Kabul were in their &quot;safe room&quot; and there were no casualties.&nbsp;

US President Donald on Sunday asked countries to take&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-attack-donald-trump-seeks-decisive-action-against-taliban-30943">decisive action</a>&nbsp;against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them, in an indirect but obvious reference to Pakistan.

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-explosion-the-perpetrators-of-these-dastardly-attacks-should-be-brought-to-justice-says-ministry-of-external-affairs-30922">&nbsp;Ministry of External Affairs</a>&nbsp;has strongly condemned the massive suicide-bomb&nbsp;explosion in Kabul.&nbsp;The official release noted that the &quot;barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment.&quot;

<a href="http://wioncms.cloudapp.net/dashboard/webdesk/addeditstory.aspx">Pakistan</a>, on Saturday, strongly condemned the&nbsp;terror attack in Kabul that claimed at least 95 lives and called for cooperation among countries for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism.

An ambulance packed with explosives blew up in a crowded area of Kabul on Saturday

The death toll from a devastating suicide bomb blast in Kabul has risen to 103 with hundreds more wounded, officials said Sunday, making it the worst attack in the Afghan capital in months. "Unfortunately a number of wounded people have died in hospital. The number of martyrs is now 103," interior minister Wais Barmak told reporters, adding that another 235 were wounded. An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul on Saturday in one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years. The Taliban-claimed assault -- the second carried out by the militant group in the Afghan capital in a week -- triggered chaotic scenes as terrified survivors fled the area scattered with body parts, blood and debris, and hospitals were overwhelmed by a large number of wounded. The blast happened in an area where several high-profile organisations, including the European Union, have offices. Members of the EU delegation in Kabul were in their "safe room" and there were no casualties. US President Donald on Sunday asked countries to take decisive action against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them, in an indirect but obvious reference to Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the massive suicide-bomb explosion in Kabul. The official release noted that the "barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment." Pakistan, on Saturday, strongly condemned the terror attack in Kabul that claimed at least 95 lives and called for cooperation among countries for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism.

Kabul explosion: Death toll increases to 103

US President Donald on Sunday asked countries to take decisive action against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them, in an indirect but obvious reference to Pakistan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-explosion-un-us-condemn-terrorist-attack-eiffel-tower-to-go-dark-30938" target="_blank">UN, US condemn terrorist attack, Eiffel Tower to go dark</a>

In one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years, an explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul yesterday, killing at least 95 people and wounding 158 others.

Trump issued a strong statement in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack claimed by the Taliban, which is second such assault in the Afghan capital in a week.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-explosion-the-perpetrators-of-these-dastardly-attacks-should-be-brought-to-justice-says-ministry-of-external-affairs-30922" target="_blank"> India reacts to Kabul explosion &mdash; &#39;The perpetrators should be brought to justice,&#39; says MEA</a>

&quot;Now, all countries should take decisive action against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them,&quot; Trump said.

Both the US and Afghanistan claim that the Taliban has been successful in carrying out such attacks with impunity because of the continued existence of terrorist safe havens inside Pakistan, a charge repeatedly denied by Islamabad.

But the Trump administration early this month suspended nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan alleging that Islamabad is not taking appropriate actions against the Taliban and the Haqqani network.

&quot;I condemn the despicable car bombing attack in Kabul today (Saturday) that has left scores of innocent civilians dead and hundreds injured. This murderous attack renews our resolve and that of our Afghan partners,&quot; he said.

&quot;The Taliban&#39;s cruelty will not prevail,&quot; Trump said as he reiterated his commitment to free Aghanistan from terrorists.

&quot;The United States is committed to a secure Afghanistan that is free from terrorists who would target Americans, our allies, and anyone who does not share their wicked ideology,&quot; the US President said.

In his address to the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said on Friday that his administration was committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never becomes a safe haven for terrorists.

&quot;We are committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who want to commit mass murder to our civilian populations,&quot; Trump said.

Trump issued a strong statement in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack claimed by the Taliban

US President Donald on Sunday asked countries to take decisive action against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them, in an indirect but obvious reference to Pakistan. Also read: UN, US condemn terrorist attack, Eiffel Tower to go dark In one of the biggest blasts to rock the war-torn city in recent years, an explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul yesterday, killing at least 95 people and wounding 158 others. Trump issued a strong statement in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack claimed by the Taliban, which is second such assault in the Afghan capital in a week. Also read: India reacts to Kabul explosion — 'The perpetrators should be brought to justice,' says MEA "Now, all countries should take decisive action against the Taliban and the terrorist infrastructure that supports them," Trump said. Both the US and Afghanistan claim that the Taliban has been successful in carrying out such attacks with impunity because of the continued existence of terrorist safe havens inside Pakistan, a charge repeatedly denied by Islamabad. But the Trump administration early this month suspended nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan alleging that Islamabad is not taking appropriate actions against the Taliban and the Haqqani network. "I condemn the despicable car bombing attack in Kabul today (Saturday) that has left scores of innocent civilians dead and hundreds injured. This murderous attack renews our resolve and that of our Afghan partners," he said. "The Taliban's cruelty will not prevail," Trump said as he reiterated his commitment to free Aghanistan from terrorists. "The United States is committed to a secure Afghanistan that is free from terrorists who would target Americans, our allies, and anyone who does not share their wicked ideology," the US President said. In his address to the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said on Friday that his administration was committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never becomes a safe haven for terrorists. "We are committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who want to commit mass murder to our civilian populations," Trump said.

Kabul attack: Donald Trump seeks decisive action against Taliban

The United States has called on Pakistan to arrest or expel the Taliban insurgents from its soil.

This US reaction comes after a deadly attack at central Kabul`s Intercontinental Hotel claimed 18 lives.

However, a survivor of the hotel attack said the number of casualties was much higher than revealed by government sources.

According to a media&nbsp;report, White House Spokesperson Sarah Sanders on Monday said, &quot;We call on Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban`s leaders and prevent the group from using Pakistani territory to support its operations.&quot;

In Afghanistan, where terrorists attacked the hotel in Kabul, such attacks on civilians only strengthen our resolve to support our Afghan partners,&quot; she added.

Earlier on Sunday, Afghanistan Ministry of Interior (MoI) confirmed that all the three terrorists, who attacked the Intercontinental Hotel here, have been eliminated after a 13-hour stand-off.

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal took to Twitter to condemn the attack and rejected the allegations of involvement of Pakistani nationals in the attack. &quot;We reject the knee-jerk allegations by some Afghan circles to point the finger at Pakistan for the terrorist attack on intercontinental hotel in Kabul. There is a need for a credible investigation into the attack, including on reported security lapses,&quot; Faisal tweeted.

This US reaction comes after a deadly attack at central Kabul`s Intercontinental Hotel claimed 18 lives

The United States has called on Pakistan to arrest or expel the Taliban insurgents from its soil. This US reaction comes after a deadly attack at central Kabul`s Intercontinental Hotel claimed 18 lives. However, a survivor of the hotel attack said the number of casualties was much higher than revealed by government sources. According to a media report, White House Spokesperson Sarah Sanders on Monday said, "We call on Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban`s leaders and prevent the group from using Pakistani territory to support its operations." In Afghanistan, where terrorists attacked the hotel in Kabul, such attacks on civilians only strengthen our resolve to support our Afghan partners," she added. Earlier on Sunday, Afghanistan Ministry of Interior (MoI) confirmed that all the three terrorists, who attacked the Intercontinental Hotel here, have been eliminated after a 13-hour stand-off. Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal took to Twitter to condemn the attack and rejected the allegations of involvement of Pakistani nationals in the attack. "We reject the knee-jerk allegations by some Afghan circles to point the finger at Pakistan for the terrorist attack on intercontinental hotel in Kabul. There is a need for a credible investigation into the attack, including on reported security lapses," Faisal tweeted.

US calls on Pakistan to arrest or expel Taliban from its soil

At least five senior members of Al-Qaeda have been killed in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in an operation of the security forces on Thursday.&nbsp;

The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday in night Toato locality.&nbsp;

The five senior leaders including one from Afghanistan, one from Pakistan, and three from Chechnya, had been assigned to prepare militants for suicide and other terrorist attacks in the country.

According to an official statement by the provincial government said, &quot;Five senior&nbsp;Al-Qaeda&nbsp;network leaders, hailing from&nbsp;Afghanistan,&nbsp;Pakistan, and Chechnya, were actively involved in planning and coordinating suicide attacks in the country&quot;.

As per reports, the Afghan member has been identified as&nbsp;Mulla Sondai, known as Seraj, who was in-charge of the propaganda campaign.

The Afghan security forces found four Ak-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, a pistol and some ammunition after the operations.

No casualties were reported so far.

The Taliban and Al-Qaeda affiliates have not yet given an official statement regarding the development.

The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday night at the Toato locality in Nangarhar province

At least five senior members of Al-Qaeda have been killed in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in an operation of the security forces on Thursday. The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday in night Toato locality. The five senior leaders including one from Afghanistan, one from Pakistan, and three from Chechnya, had been assigned to prepare militants for suicide and other terrorist attacks in the country. According to an official statement by the provincial government said, "Five senior Al-Qaeda network leaders, hailing from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Chechnya, were actively involved in planning and coordinating suicide attacks in the country". As per reports, the Afghan member has been identified as Mulla Sondai, known as Seraj, who was in-charge of the propaganda campaign. The Afghan security forces found four Ak-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, a pistol and some ammunition after the operations. No casualties were reported so far. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda affiliates have not yet given an official statement regarding the development.

At least 5 Al-Qaeda members killed in Afghanistan

Four heavily-armed gunmen raided Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, shooting at guests and staff and setting the building on fire, officials said, in an hours-long assault that is still ongoing.

Local television channel Tolo News is reporting that at least 15 people have been killed or wounded.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Special forces were lowered by helicopters onto the roof of the luxury hilltop hotel during the siege, interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP, adding two attackers had been killed.&nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest assault in the war-torn Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners.

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<h5>We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us&#39;</h5>
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It is not clear how many people are still inside the hotel, which was previously attacked by Taliban militants in 2011, or whether any foreigners are among them.

&quot;Four attackers are inside the building,&quot; an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are &quot;shooting at guests&quot;, he said.

A guest hiding in a room told AFP he could hear gunfire inside the 1960s hotel where dozens of people attending an information technology conference on Sunday were staying.

&quot;I don`t know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor,&quot; the man, who did not want to be named, said by telephone.

&quot;We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us.&quot;

His phone was switched off when AFP tried to contact him again.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184" target="_blank">Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel under attack &#39;by at least four gunmen&#39;</a>

Rahimi said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they stormed the hotel, which is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and political gatherings.

&quot;Seven wounded people have been taken to hospital,&quot; Rahimi said.

&quot;Some other guests have been rescued. We will be able to release casualty figures once the operation ends.&quot;&nbsp;

But several hours after the attack started Afghan security spokesmen switched off their mobile phones or refused to answer AFP`s calls for an update.

Afghan media is reporting multiple casualties in the attack, which comes days after a UN Security Council delegation visited Kabul for a close-up view of the conflict.

The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.The last major attack on a high-end hotel in Kabul was in March 2014 when four teenage gunmen raided the Serena, killing nine people including an AFP journalist.&nbsp;

The Intercontinental was targeted in June 2011 when a suicide attack claimed by the Taliban killed 21 people, including 10 civilians.

Even before Saturday`s attack was over, authorities were questioning how the assailants got past the hotel`s security, which was taken over by a private company two weeks ago, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP.

&quot;They probably used a back door in the kitchen to enter,&quot; he said.

Abdullah Sabet, an official at the communications and information technology ministry, said IT officials from around the country were staying at the hotel ahead of a conference on Sunday.&nbsp;

&quot;There were 40 of them in the hotel. We don`t know if any of them have been killed or wounded,&quot; Sabet said.

Security at the Intercontinental, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, is relatively lax compared with other luxury hotels in Kabul.

A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held in one of its function rooms earlier Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy`s political counsellor Zhang Zhixin.

An AFP reporter who attended the conference passed through two vehicle security checkpoints. At the entrance to the building, there was a physical inspection that could be easily evaded by scaling a low-level barrier and entering the lobby.&nbsp;

Security alerts sent in recent days to foreigners living in the Afghan capital warned that &quot;extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul&quot; as well as public gatherings and other locations &quot;where foreigners are known to congregate&quot;.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said it was not known if any American citizens had been caught up in the attack.

Security in Kabul has been tightened since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others -- mostly civilians. No group has yet claimed that attack.

The Islamic State group has claimed most of the recent attacks in the Afghan capital, but authorities suspect that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network has been involved in at least some of them.&nbsp;

The deadliest of the recent attacks happened at a Shiite cultural centre on December 29 when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing more than 40 people.

The attack began Saturday. 'Four attackers are inside the building,' an official at the National Directorate of Security spy agency said. They are 'shooting at guests'

Four heavily-armed gunmen raided Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, shooting at guests and staff and setting the building on fire, officials said, in an hours-long assault that is still ongoing. Local television channel Tolo News is reporting that at least 15 people have been killed or wounded. Special forces were lowered by helicopters onto the roof of the luxury hilltop hotel during the siege, interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP, adding two attackers had been killed. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest assault in the war-torn Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners. We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us' × It is not clear how many people are still inside the hotel, which was previously attacked by Taliban militants in 2011, or whether any foreigners are among them. "Four attackers are inside the building," an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are "shooting at guests", he said. A guest hiding in a room told AFP he could hear gunfire inside the 1960s hotel where dozens of people attending an information technology conference on Sunday were staying. "I don`t know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor," the man, who did not want to be named, said by telephone. "We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us." His phone was switched off when AFP tried to contact him again. Also read: Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen' Rahimi said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they stormed the hotel, which is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and political gatherings. "Seven wounded people have been taken to hospital," Rahimi said. "Some other guests have been rescued. We will be able to release casualty figures once the operation ends." But several hours after the attack started Afghan security spokesmen switched off their mobile phones or refused to answer AFP`s calls for an update. Afghan media is reporting multiple casualties in the attack, which comes days after a UN Security Council delegation visited Kabul for a close-up view of the conflict. The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.The last major attack on a high-end hotel in Kabul was in March 2014 when four teenage gunmen raided the Serena, killing nine people including an AFP journalist. The Intercontinental was targeted in June 2011 when a suicide attack claimed by the Taliban killed 21 people, including 10 civilians. Even before Saturday`s attack was over, authorities were questioning how the assailants got past the hotel`s security, which was taken over by a private company two weeks ago, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP. "They probably used a back door in the kitchen to enter," he said. Abdullah Sabet, an official at the communications and information technology ministry, said IT officials from around the country were staying at the hotel ahead of a conference on Sunday. "There were 40 of them in the hotel. We don`t know if any of them have been killed or wounded," Sabet said. Security at the Intercontinental, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, is relatively lax compared with other luxury hotels in Kabul. A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held in one of its function rooms earlier Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy`s political counsellor Zhang Zhixin. An AFP reporter who attended the conference passed through two vehicle security checkpoints. At the entrance to the building, there was a physical inspection that could be easily evaded by scaling a low-level barrier and entering the lobby. Security alerts sent in recent days to foreigners living in the Afghan capital warned that "extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul" as well as public gatherings and other locations "where foreigners are known to congregate". US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said it was not known if any American citizens had been caught up in the attack. Security in Kabul has been tightened since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others -- mostly civilians. No group has yet claimed that attack. The Islamic State group has claimed most of the recent attacks in the Afghan capital, but authorities suspect that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network has been involved in at least some of them. The deadliest of the recent attacks happened at a Shiite cultural centre on December 29 when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing more than 40 people.

Attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel continues, several dead

The US House of Representatives<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-is-the-centre-of-the-taliban-says-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-31620"> moved a bill to end &quot;non-defence aid&quot; to </a>Pakistan. The bill seeks to divert the money for infrastructure projects in the United States.

President Trump has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/protest-in-kabul-as-afghan-officials-press-pakistan-over-attacks-31477">repeatedly warned Pakistan about </a>stopping aid and lashed out at the government for not doing enough to stop terrorists operating on its soil.

The bill introduced by Congressmen Mark Sanford from South Carolina and Thomas Massie from Kentucky seeks to prohibit the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from sending American taxpayer money to Pakistan.

&ldquo;When the American people support other nations, our generosity shouldn&rsquo;t be used to reward terrorists with US taxpayer dollars,&rdquo; Sanford said while presenting the bill.

Last month the US had suspended security assistance to Pakistan for failing to take &quot;decisive action&quot; against Taliban.

President Trump had earlier said the US has &quot;foolishly&quot; spent $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years and &quot;got nothing but lies &amp; deceit&quot; in return. &nbsp;

Foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier said Pakistan is better off without the US aid while addressing the Senate Standing Committee on Finance in Pakistan.

&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s bring that money home and use it to help rebuild our infrastructure instead of giving it to a nation that persecutes Christians and imprisons people such as the doctor that helped us get Osama bin Laden,&rdquo; Senator Paul said.

President Trump has repeatedly warned Pakistan about stopping aid and lashed out at the government for not doing enough to stop terrorists operating on its soil.

The US House of Representatives moved a bill to end "non-defence aid" to Pakistan. The bill seeks to divert the money for infrastructure projects in the United States. President Trump has repeatedly warned Pakistan about stopping aid and lashed out at the government for not doing enough to stop terrorists operating on its soil. The bill introduced by Congressmen Mark Sanford from South Carolina and Thomas Massie from Kentucky seeks to prohibit the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from sending American taxpayer money to Pakistan. “When the American people support other nations, our generosity shouldn’t be used to reward terrorists with US taxpayer dollars,” Sanford said while presenting the bill. Last month the US had suspended security assistance to Pakistan for failing to take "decisive action" against Taliban. President Trump had earlier said the US has "foolishly" spent $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years and "got nothing but lies & deceit" in return. Foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier said Pakistan is better off without the US aid while addressing the Senate Standing Committee on Finance in Pakistan. “Let’s bring that money home and use it to help rebuild our infrastructure instead of giving it to a nation that persecutes Christians and imprisons people such as the doctor that helped us get Osama bin Laden,” Senator Paul said.

US House of Representatives moves bill to end 'non-defence aid' to Pakistan

Afghanistan&#39;s &quot;King in the North&quot; lolls in an armchair under the portrait of President Ashraf Ghani, the man who sacked him last year &mdash; and who he may now challenge for the country&#39;s top job.

Atta Mohammad Noor is refusing to give up the governorship of the northern province of Balkh. Instead, he is using the political crisis to show off his strength, turning him into one of Afghanistan&#39;s most famous politicians.

The dispute comes at a bad time for Ghani&#39;s US-backed government, which is facing growing public fury over recent deadly attacks in Kabul and elsewhere in the war-torn country that have laid bare its inability to protect civilians.

&quot;They think I am a big challenge for the 2019 elections,&quot; Noor told AFP in the lavishly furnished office of the fortified governor&#39;s compound that has been his since 2004.

&quot;I am very honest and that&#39;s why people trust me. This is a very big concern for my political rivals. That is why they tried to isolate me, to decrease my popularity among the people, but it went the other way.&quot;

The decision to oust the bearded strongman on December 18 has backfired badly on Ghani, who has been criticised for his poor timing and clumsy handling of the issue.

Instead of weakening a rival ahead of the presidential election, Ghani has thrust the more charismatic Noor onto the national stage where he has been capitalising on his newfound fame.

Meanwhile, the new governor Mohammad Daud has been forced to work in Kabul, while his predecessor continues to sit in his office in the provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif, hiring and firing district chiefs as if to signal his authority.

In daily back-to-back meetings and televised rallies, Noor has been rubbing shoulders with representatives of various ethnic groups and political parties from across the country.

The gruelling schedule, which Noor&#39;s aides say often lasts until the early hours of the morning, underscores the challenge the former anti-Soviet fighter faces to broaden his appeal in a country where ethnic divisions run deep.

&quot;I&#39;m very happy that I&#39;ve done good things and people love me but these meetings also need a lot of patience,&quot; admitted Noor, who cuts a dash in a black shalwar kameez and matching leather boots.For weeks, negotiators for Ghani and Noor&#39;s Tajik-dominated Jamiat-e-Islami party have been trying to resolve the conflict which has its roots in the hotly contested 2014 presidential election results.

Ghani, who belongs to the country&#39;s largest Pashtun ethnic group, took the presidency in a US-brokered power-sharing deal with his rival, Jamiat-backed Abdullah Abdullah, who was named chief executive.

Jamiat has accused Ghani of failing to fulfil the terms of the agreement and has submitted demands to the president&#39;s negotiators, including giving parties a bigger representation in parliament, something that would likely benefit the party.

But as the talks drag on there are growing fears the crisis could turn violent, sparking calls from the White House and others for a peaceful resolution.

&quot;If Ghani accepts (the demands) then of course we will end the dispute,&quot; said Noor, adding he would be prepared to step down.

&quot;If he doesn&#39;t accept then we will... change our current soft behaviour.&quot;In war-torn Afghanistan where security forces are struggling to beat back insurgents, Balkh stands out for its relative peace and prosperity.

Locals told AFP that Noor was the reason for their good fortune &mdash; an achievement that may make corruption allegations against him easier to overlook in a country where many politicians are seen as both dishonest and incompetent.

&quot;He has constructed a lot and the security is good,&quot; Abdul Khalil said as he sat beside a wooden trailer stacked with mandarins in Mazar-i-Sharif, where there are few blast walls and security forces in the streets.

&quot;Everyone is very happy with him.&quot;

Taxi driver Mohammad Hashem effusively described Noor as the &quot;perfect&quot; governor, as he drove past billboards plastered with Noor&#39;s portrait.

Some question whether the growing support for Noor, said to be one of the richest men in Afghanistan, is genuine or an opportunistic move by people hoping for a slice of his largesse.

But even if his popularity is real, many wonder if it would be possible for a non-Pashtun to win the presidency in a country where political loyalties often run along ethnic lines.

&quot;His growing network of anti-Ghani friends across the country contains a lot of strong, proud Pashtuns who would never endorse a non-Pashtun presidential candidate,&quot; a Western official said.

But Noor, who said he would only run for the presidency if Jamiat backed him, is confident Afghan voters would look beyond his Tajik roots.

&quot;The majority of Afghans look at who can serve better, provide services and maintain security,&quot; said Noor.

&quot;The people of Afghanistan will vote for that, not for ethnicity.&quot;

The decision to oust the bearded strongman on December 18 has backfired badly on Ghani, who has been criticised for his poor timing and clumsy handling of the issue

Afghanistan's "King in the North" lolls in an armchair under the portrait of President Ashraf Ghani, the man who sacked him last year — and who he may now challenge for the country's top job. Atta Mohammad Noor is refusing to give up the governorship of the northern province of Balkh. Instead, he is using the political crisis to show off his strength, turning him into one of Afghanistan's most famous politicians. The dispute comes at a bad time for Ghani's US-backed government, which is facing growing public fury over recent deadly attacks in Kabul and elsewhere in the war-torn country that have laid bare its inability to protect civilians. "They think I am a big challenge for the 2019 elections," Noor told AFP in the lavishly furnished office of the fortified governor's compound that has been his since 2004. "I am very honest and that's why people trust me. This is a very big concern for my political rivals. That is why they tried to isolate me, to decrease my popularity among the people, but it went the other way." The decision to oust the bearded strongman on December 18 has backfired badly on Ghani, who has been criticised for his poor timing and clumsy handling of the issue. Instead of weakening a rival ahead of the presidential election, Ghani has thrust the more charismatic Noor onto the national stage where he has been capitalising on his newfound fame. Meanwhile, the new governor Mohammad Daud has been forced to work in Kabul, while his predecessor continues to sit in his office in the provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif, hiring and firing district chiefs as if to signal his authority. In daily back-to-back meetings and televised rallies, Noor has been rubbing shoulders with representatives of various ethnic groups and political parties from across the country. The gruelling schedule, which Noor's aides say often lasts until the early hours of the morning, underscores the challenge the former anti-Soviet fighter faces to broaden his appeal in a country where ethnic divisions run deep. "I'm very happy that I've done good things and people love me but these meetings also need a lot of patience," admitted Noor, who cuts a dash in a black shalwar kameez and matching leather boots.For weeks, negotiators for Ghani and Noor's Tajik-dominated Jamiat-e-Islami party have been trying to resolve the conflict which has its roots in the hotly contested 2014 presidential election results. Ghani, who belongs to the country's largest Pashtun ethnic group, took the presidency in a US-brokered power-sharing deal with his rival, Jamiat-backed Abdullah Abdullah, who was named chief executive. Jamiat has accused Ghani of failing to fulfil the terms of the agreement and has submitted demands to the president's negotiators, including giving parties a bigger representation in parliament, something that would likely benefit the party. But as the talks drag on there are growing fears the crisis could turn violent, sparking calls from the White House and others for a peaceful resolution. "If Ghani accepts (the demands) then of course we will end the dispute," said Noor, adding he would be prepared to step down. "If he doesn't accept then we will... change our current soft behaviour."In war-torn Afghanistan where security forces are struggling to beat back insurgents, Balkh stands out for its relative peace and prosperity. Locals told AFP that Noor was the reason for their good fortune — an achievement that may make corruption allegations against him easier to overlook in a country where many politicians are seen as both dishonest and incompetent. "He has constructed a lot and the security is good," Abdul Khalil said as he sat beside a wooden trailer stacked with mandarins in Mazar-i-Sharif, where there are few blast walls and security forces in the streets. "Everyone is very happy with him." Taxi driver Mohammad Hashem effusively described Noor as the "perfect" governor, as he drove past billboards plastered with Noor's portrait. Some question whether the growing support for Noor, said to be one of the richest men in Afghanistan, is genuine or an opportunistic move by people hoping for a slice of his largesse. But even if his popularity is real, many wonder if it would be possible for a non-Pashtun to win the presidency in a country where political loyalties often run along ethnic lines. "His growing network of anti-Ghani friends across the country contains a lot of strong, proud Pashtuns who would never endorse a non-Pashtun presidential candidate," a Western official said. But Noor, who said he would only run for the presidency if Jamiat backed him, is confident Afghan voters would look beyond his Tajik roots. "The majority of Afghans look at who can serve better, provide services and maintain security," said Noor. "The people of Afghanistan will vote for that, not for ethnicity."

Future president? Afghan strongman mulls bid for highest office

At least 25 Taliban militants have been killed and 13 others have been injured in the central Ghazni province of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The Provincial Police Office&#39;s statement on Monday said&nbsp;that the militants were killed on Sunday during an ongoing military operation.

The &#39;Nabard-e-Ahanin&#39; operation was launched a week ago in Deh Yak district of the province to clear the area of insurgents.

Officials say that the operation is still underway adding that &quot;the air force is also supporting the forces.&quot;

Separately, 12 militants were killed as Afghan military warplanes attacked Taliban hideouts in the northern Badakhshan, Faryab and Sari Pul provinces on Monday.&nbsp;

The government attacked the hideouts with bombs in Badakhshan province&rsquo;s Wardoj district, killing six insurgents.&nbsp;

On Sunday, at least 100 militants were killed in total by the security forces in the country. This comes following three major militant attacks in Kabul during the past two weeks.

The Provincial Police Office's statement on Monday as saying that the militants were killed on Sunday during an ongoing military operation

At least 25 Taliban militants have been killed and 13 others have been injured in the central Ghazni province of Afghanistan. The Provincial Police Office's statement on Monday said that the militants were killed on Sunday during an ongoing military operation. The 'Nabard-e-Ahanin' operation was launched a week ago in Deh Yak district of the province to clear the area of insurgents. Officials say that the operation is still underway adding that "the air force is also supporting the forces." Separately, 12 militants were killed as Afghan military warplanes attacked Taliban hideouts in the northern Badakhshan, Faryab and Sari Pul provinces on Monday. The government attacked the hideouts with bombs in Badakhshan province’s Wardoj district, killing six insurgents. On Sunday, at least 100 militants were killed in total by the security forces in the country. This comes following three major militant attacks in Kabul during the past two weeks.

At least 25 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan

&nbsp;At least three soldiers were killed and seven wounded on Saturday in a suicide attack on an army base camp in northern Pakistan, officials said, in a region that was once controlled by a local faction of the Taliban.

Attacks have decreased sharply in the picturesque Swat Valley but can cause alarm in a region where Pakistani Taliban insurgents took partial control in 2007, before being ousted two years later in a major military operation hailed as an important blow against Islamist violence.

Swat was the first sizeable region outside Pakistan&rsquo;s lawless tribal regions bordering Afghanistan to fall to the militants. More than 2,000 Taliban fighters have been driven out of the region, government officials say.

The Pakistan Army&#39;s public relations wing said in a statement that the &quot;suicide attack&quot; in the Swat Valley took place at the &quot;army unit sports area&quot;.

A security official who asked not to be identified said the suicide bomber blew himself up as soldiers were playing a volleyball match that was being watched by a number of local civilians.

He added that the casualty count could rise as a large number of people had gathered in the area.

The attack was claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, in a statement sent to the media.

&quot;God willing Tehreek-e-Taliban has started the process of revenge attacks,&quot; Taliban spokesman Mohammad Khurasani said in the statement. &quot;Wait for more (attacks) to follow.&quot;

The military has been on alert for signs of a Taliban resurgence as it seeks to rebuild civilian institutions and win over the local population as a bulwark against radical ideology.

Since being chased out the region, the Taliban have carried out revenge attacks against anti-militancy activists and attempted to extort money from business owners in a region where Pakistan has stationed more than 4,000 soldiers.

Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the attack in a region that has also increasingly become an important part of the country&#39;s domestic tourism industry, with ski resorts popping up along the hills of the Swat Valley.

&quot;No cowardly attack can deter us in pursuing our struggle against the menace of terrorism to its logical conclusion. We will continue our fight till the last trace is rooted out,&quot; the prime minister said in a statement.

The region was once controlled by a local faction of the Taliban

At least three soldiers were killed and seven wounded on Saturday in a suicide attack on an army base camp in northern Pakistan, officials said, in a region that was once controlled by a local faction of the Taliban. Attacks have decreased sharply in the picturesque Swat Valley but can cause alarm in a region where Pakistani Taliban insurgents took partial control in 2007, before being ousted two years later in a major military operation hailed as an important blow against Islamist violence. Swat was the first sizeable region outside Pakistan’s lawless tribal regions bordering Afghanistan to fall to the militants. More than 2,000 Taliban fighters have been driven out of the region, government officials say. The Pakistan Army's public relations wing said in a statement that the "suicide attack" in the Swat Valley took place at the "army unit sports area". A security official who asked not to be identified said the suicide bomber blew himself up as soldiers were playing a volleyball match that was being watched by a number of local civilians. He added that the casualty count could rise as a large number of people had gathered in the area. The attack was claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, in a statement sent to the media. "God willing Tehreek-e-Taliban has started the process of revenge attacks," Taliban spokesman Mohammad Khurasani said in the statement. "Wait for more (attacks) to follow." The military has been on alert for signs of a Taliban resurgence as it seeks to rebuild civilian institutions and win over the local population as a bulwark against radical ideology. Since being chased out the region, the Taliban have carried out revenge attacks against anti-militancy activists and attempted to extort money from business owners in a region where Pakistan has stationed more than 4,000 soldiers. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the attack in a region that has also increasingly become an important part of the country's domestic tourism industry, with ski resorts popping up along the hills of the Swat Valley. "No cowardly attack can deter us in pursuing our struggle against the menace of terrorism to its logical conclusion. We will continue our fight till the last trace is rooted out," the prime minister said in a statement.

Suicide bomber kills at least three soldiers in northern Pakistan

Afghan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-was-planned-in-pakistan-afghan-envoy-to-us-31193">President Ashraf Ghani today lashed</a> out at Pakistan accusing its neighbour of being the &quot;Taliban centre&quot;.

&quot;We are waiting for Pakistan to act,&quot; Ghani said in a televised address to the nation.

&quot;Pakistan is the centre of the Taliban. It is time for the Pakistani government to take a decision,&quot; the president said.

Afghanistan blamed terrorists in Pakistan for the recent attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.&nbsp;A suicide bomber hit a crowded city street a week later. At least 130 people were killed in both attacks stroking public anger.

Afghan and US officials said the Haqqani Network linked to the Taliban and believed to be based in Pakistan was responsible.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&quot;Is what they want for themselves the same for all Islamic countries, or is it an image that only their Islamic scholars know but that other Islamic scholars don&#39;t know?,&quot; the Afghan president said in anger.

Pakistan&#39;s foreign office was quick to react asserting that Pakistan and Afghanistan were both victims of terrorism and needed to work together to fight the common threat.

&quot;We reject any allegations of support to the Haqqani network or the Taliban, and of allowing them to use our soil. Pakistan has been taking action against all terrorists groups in its territory,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s foreign office said.&nbsp;

&quot;It is our commitment to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,&quot; the statement added.

&quot;Pakistan affirms solidarity with the people and government of Afghanistan in fighting the menace of terrorism,&quot; he said in a statement.&nbsp;

&quot;We feel the pain of our Afghan brothers and sisters,&quot; the foreign office added. 
&nbsp;

Pakistan foreign office was quick to react asserting that Pakistan and Afghanistan were both victims of terrorism

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today lashed out at Pakistan accusing its neighbour of being the "Taliban centre". "We are waiting for Pakistan to act," Ghani said in a televised address to the nation. "Pakistan is the centre of the Taliban. It is time for the Pakistani government to take a decision," the president said. Afghanistan blamed terrorists in Pakistan for the recent attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. A suicide bomber hit a crowded city street a week later. At least 130 people were killed in both attacks stroking public anger. Afghan and US officials said the Haqqani Network linked to the Taliban and believed to be based in Pakistan was responsible. "Is what they want for themselves the same for all Islamic countries, or is it an image that only their Islamic scholars know but that other Islamic scholars don't know?," the Afghan president said in anger. Pakistan's foreign office was quick to react asserting that Pakistan and Afghanistan were both victims of terrorism and needed to work together to fight the common threat. "We reject any allegations of support to the Haqqani network or the Taliban, and of allowing them to use our soil. Pakistan has been taking action against all terrorists groups in its territory," Pakistan's foreign office said. "It is our commitment to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the statement added. "Pakistan affirms solidarity with the people and government of Afghanistan in fighting the menace of terrorism," he said in a statement. "We feel the pain of our Afghan brothers and sisters," the foreign office added.

Pakistan is 'centre' of Taliban, says Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

Afghanistan&#39;s envoy to the Unites States Majeed Qarar, spoke to WION giving details about Pakistan&#39;s involvement in the recent Afghan terror attacks.&nbsp;

&quot;It is not that this news has emerged recently. In Afghanistan, everyone knows where the Talibani forces are coming from in Pakistan,&quot; Qarar told WION.

Qarar noted that the international media is not aware of this fact but &quot;these are clear evidence&quot;.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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A clear proof that the attack on Kabul&#39;s Inter (Con) Hotel was planned in a madrasa, on Pakistan&#39;s soil. Abdul Qahar, the father of one of the suicide attackers is an eyewitness of the story. Please watch the video: <a href="https://t.co/uGFdT4nZ7a">https://t.co/uGFdT4nZ7a</a>
&mdash; Majeed Qarar (@MajeedQarar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MajeedQarar/status/958022789138649088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Speaking of the Trump administration&#39;s stance on Pakistan and terror groups, Qarar hoped that the White House continues to tighten its grip around Pakistan with respect to terrorism.

Qarar noted that Pakistan always retaliates when put under pressure. &quot;The country has been supplying military-grade equipment to terror forces. Instead of solving the matter they meddle with our internal issues. We admit that we have issues, we faced wars for years,&quot; noted Qarar.

Qarar&nbsp;said that Pakistan&#39;s atrocities are only going to unify the Afghan nations. He shared that the Afghan forces manage to seize material on a daily basis.

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<h5>These military-grade equipment are not available anywhere for sale. Pakistan sells them through its domestic black market.</h5>
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&quot;And these are military-grade equipment, not available anywhere for sale. Pakistan sells these through its domestic black market; they buy these weapons from international companies.&quot;

Qarar concluded by saying that Pakistan should stop meddling with Afghanistan&#39;s internal affairs and give up its stance of denial. &quot;Pakistan must do its part, accept what they are doing,&quot; shared Qarar.

Qarar recently shared a video on his social media platform.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-was-planned-in-pakistan-afghan-envoy-to-us-31193">Attack on Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel was planned in Pakistan: Afghan envoy to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-was-planned-in-pakistan-afghan-envoy-to-us-31193">US</a>

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The night vision goggles found with Taliban attackers in maiwand&#39;s ANA base were military grade goggles (Not sold to public) procured by Pak army from a British company &amp; supplied 2 Lashkar-e-Tayyeba in Kashmir &amp; Taliban in Afghanistn. Lashkar-e-Tayyeba is an int&#39;l terrorist org.
&mdash; Majeed Qarar (@MajeedQarar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MajeedQarar/status/957805793541345283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In the video, Abdul Qahar -- an eyewitness of the incident -- shares details about his son&#39;s enrollment in a Pakistan-based Madrasa. Qahar&#39;s son was one of the suicide attackers in the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel attack.&nbsp;

Qarar noted that the international media is not aware of this fact but these serve as clear evidence

Afghanistan's envoy to the Unites States Majeed Qarar, spoke to WION giving details about Pakistan's involvement in the recent Afghan terror attacks. "It is not that this news has emerged recently. In Afghanistan, everyone knows where the Talibani forces are coming from in Pakistan," Qarar told WION. Qarar noted that the international media is not aware of this fact but "these are clear evidence". A clear proof that the attack on Kabul's Inter (Con) Hotel was planned in a madrasa, on Pakistan's soil. Abdul Qahar, the father of one of the suicide attackers is an eyewitness of the story. Please watch the video: https://t.co/uGFdT4nZ7a — Majeed Qarar (@MajeedQarar) January 29, 2018 × Speaking of the Trump administration's stance on Pakistan and terror groups, Qarar hoped that the White House continues to tighten its grip around Pakistan with respect to terrorism. Qarar noted that Pakistan always retaliates when put under pressure. "The country has been supplying military-grade equipment to terror forces. Instead of solving the matter they meddle with our internal issues. We admit that we have issues, we faced wars for years," noted Qarar. Qarar said that Pakistan's atrocities are only going to unify the Afghan nations. He shared that the Afghan forces manage to seize material on a daily basis. These military-grade equipment are not available anywhere for sale. Pakistan sells them through its domestic black market. × "And these are military-grade equipment, not available anywhere for sale. Pakistan sells these through its domestic black market; they buy these weapons from international companies." Qarar concluded by saying that Pakistan should stop meddling with Afghanistan's internal affairs and give up its stance of denial. "Pakistan must do its part, accept what they are doing," shared Qarar. Qarar recently shared a video on his social media platform. Also read: Attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel was planned in Pakistan: Afghan envoy to US The night vision goggles found with Taliban attackers in maiwand's ANA base were military grade goggles (Not sold to public) procured by Pak army from a British company & supplied 2 Lashkar-e-Tayyeba in Kashmir & Taliban in Afghanistn. Lashkar-e-Tayyeba is an int'l terrorist org. — Majeed Qarar (@MajeedQarar) January 29, 2018 × In the video, Abdul Qahar -- an eyewitness of the incident -- shares details about his son's enrollment in a Pakistan-based Madrasa. Qahar's son was one of the suicide attackers in the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel attack.

Pakistan buys weapons from international companies, sells to Taliban through domestic markets: Afghan envoy to US tells WION

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/state-of-the-union-address-us-president-donald-trump-bids-for-safe-strong-and-united-america-31271">State of the Union address: US President Donald Trump bids for &#39;safe, strong and united America&#39;</a>

Broadcast live across the country, the address serves as a platform for the President to directly communicate to the people of America.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-active-in-70-per-cent-of-afghanistan-bbc-study-finds-31274">Taliban active in 70 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-active-in-70-per-cent-of-afghanistan-bbc-study-finds-31274">per cent</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-active-in-70-per-cent-of-afghanistan-bbc-study-finds-31274"> of Afghanistan, BBC study finds</a>

The BBC study said the Afghan government controlled 122 districts, or about 30 percent of the country. Still, it noted that did not mean that they were free from Taliban attacks.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-donald-trump-urges-us-parties-set-aside-differences-31272">President Donald Trump urges US parties set aside differences</a>

President Donald Trump gives his first official State of the Union Address from the United States Capitol in front of a joint session of Congress.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/im-not-a-quitter-says-uks-may-as-leadership-questions-stack-up-31270">I&#39;m not a quitter, says UK&#39;s May as leadership questions stack up</a>

May has come under fire in recent days from several factions within her own party.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/facebook-to-ban-cryptocurrency-related-ads-31275">Facebook to ban cryptocurrency-related ads</a>

The new policy will be implemented across its platforms, including Facebook, Audience Network, and Instagram, the company said.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

State of the Union address: US President Donald Trump bids for 'safe, strong and united America' Broadcast live across the country, the address serves as a platform for the President to directly communicate to the people of America. Taliban active in 70 per cent of Afghanistan, BBC study finds The BBC study said the Afghan government controlled 122 districts, or about 30 percent of the country. Still, it noted that did not mean that they were free from Taliban attacks. President Donald Trump urges US parties set aside differences President Donald Trump gives his first official State of the Union Address from the United States Capitol in front of a joint session of Congress. I'm not a quitter, says UK's May as leadership questions stack up May has come under fire in recent days from several factions within her own party. Facebook to ban cryptocurrency-related ads The new policy will be implemented across its platforms, including Facebook, Audience Network, and Instagram, the company said.

WION Morning News Brief, January 31, 2018

The Taliban are openly active in 70 per cent of Afghanistan&#39;s districts, fully controlling 4 percent of the country and demonstrating an open physical presence in another 66 per cent, according to a BBC study published on Tuesday.

The BBC estimate, which it said was based on conversations with more than 1,200 individual local sources in all districts of the South Asian country, was significantly higher than the most recent assessment by the NATO-led coalition of the Taliban&#39;s presence.

The coalition said on Tuesday that the Taliban contested or controlled only 44 percent of Afghan districts as of October 2017.

Afghanistan has been reeling over the past nine days from a renewed spate of violence that is adding scrutiny to the latest, more aggressive US backed strategy to bolster Afghan forces battling the Taliban in a 16-year-old war.

A bomb hidden in an ambulance struck the city centre and killed more than 100 people, just over a week after an attack on the Hotel Intercontinental, also in Kabul, which left more than 20 people dead, including four US citizens.

Although the BBC counted 399 districts in Afghanistan, the NATO-led force counted 407 districts. The reason for the discrepancy was not immediately clear.

The BBC study said the Afghan government controlled 122 districts or about 30 percent of the country. Still, it noted that did not mean that they were free from Taliban attacks.

&quot;Kabul and other major cities, for example, suffered major attacks - launched from adjacent areas, or by sleeper cells - during the research period, as well as before and after,&quot; the report said.

Asked about the BBC&#39;s study, the Pentagon did not comment directly but pointed to the latest figures by the NATO-led coalition asserting that about 56 percent of Afghanistan&#39;s territory was under Afghan government control or influence.

The study by Britain&#39;s public broadcaster quoted a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani playing down the findings.

The BBC study also said ISIS had a presence in 30 districts, but noted it did not fully control any of them.

The BBC study said the Afghan government controlled 122 districts, or about 30 percent of the country. Still, it noted that did not mean that they were free from Taliban attacks.

The Taliban are openly active in 70 per cent of Afghanistan's districts, fully controlling 4 percent of the country and demonstrating an open physical presence in another 66 per cent, according to a BBC study published on Tuesday. The BBC estimate, which it said was based on conversations with more than 1,200 individual local sources in all districts of the South Asian country, was significantly higher than the most recent assessment by the NATO-led coalition of the Taliban's presence. The coalition said on Tuesday that the Taliban contested or controlled only 44 percent of Afghan districts as of October 2017. Afghanistan has been reeling over the past nine days from a renewed spate of violence that is adding scrutiny to the latest, more aggressive US backed strategy to bolster Afghan forces battling the Taliban in a 16-year-old war. A bomb hidden in an ambulance struck the city centre and killed more than 100 people, just over a week after an attack on the Hotel Intercontinental, also in Kabul, which left more than 20 people dead, including four US citizens. Although the BBC counted 399 districts in Afghanistan, the NATO-led force counted 407 districts. The reason for the discrepancy was not immediately clear. The BBC study said the Afghan government controlled 122 districts or about 30 percent of the country. Still, it noted that did not mean that they were free from Taliban attacks. "Kabul and other major cities, for example, suffered major attacks - launched from adjacent areas, or by sleeper cells - during the research period, as well as before and after," the report said. Asked about the BBC's study, the Pentagon did not comment directly but pointed to the latest figures by the NATO-led coalition asserting that about 56 percent of Afghanistan's territory was under Afghan government control or influence. The study by Britain's public broadcaster quoted a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani playing down the findings. The BBC study also said ISIS had a presence in 30 districts, but noted it did not fully control any of them.

Taliban active in 70 per cent of Afghanistan, BBC study finds

The United States is confident that the Haqqani network was behind the Taliban&#39;s Saturday ambulance bomb in Kabul that killed more than 100 people, officials say, a conclusion that could add friction to ties between Washington and Islamabad.

The United States has long blamed militant safe havens in Pakistan for prolonging the war in Afghanistan, giving insurgents from the Haqqani network a place to plot attacks and rebuild their forces.

&quot;We are very confident the Taliban Haqqani network was behind the killing of more than 103 people this past Saturday,&quot; said Captain Tom Gresback, a US military spokesman for the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, without elaborating further on US intelligence or offering any link to Pakistan.

Another US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said the United States believed the attack was the work of the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network, which Washington and Kabul have long accused of being behind some of the Afghanistan&#39;s most deadly attacks.

Afghanistan&#39;s envoy to the United Nations, Mahmoud Saikal, on Monday suggested the plot was too complex for the Taliban to have developed on their own.

&quot;Given the degree of sophistication ... can you expect an illiterate Taliban to come up with this kind of genius plot, using ambulances?&quot; Saikal said in an interview, adding Kabul was still gathering information.

&quot;It&#39;s not a simple thing to do.&quot;

Saturday&#39;s blast, claimed by the Taliban, was the deadliest since 150 people were killed in a huge truck bomb explosion last May near the German embassy, which US officials also blamed on the Haqqani network.

It followed another Taliban-claimed attack a week earlier that killed more than 20 people in a siege of the city&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel.

On Monday, militants raided a military academy in Kabul, the Afghan capital, killing 11 soldiers. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack near the Marshal Fahim military academy on the city&#39;s western outskirts.

The attacks have put pressure on President Ashraf Ghani and his US allies, who have expressed growing confidence that a new, more aggressive military strategy has succeeded in driving Taliban insurgents back from major provincial centres.

Pakistan role

Ties between the United States and Pakistan are already brittle after Washington announced plans earlier in January to suspend up to roughly $2 billion in US security assistance. US President Donald Trump tweeted that Pakistan had rewarded past US aid with &quot;nothing but lies &amp; deceit.&quot;

Pakistan, which denies the accusations it allows safe havens for militants, condemned Saturday&#39;s attack and accused Washington of betrayal.

As tensions rise, the United States has been quietly examining ways to mitigate any retaliation by Pakistan, a crucial gateway for US military supplies destined for troops fighting the 16-year-old war in landlocked Afghanistan.

It also has not ruled out additional steps, including unilateral strikes in Pakistan against Haqqani targets.

Saikal renewed the longstanding Afghan concern that the plots for these attacks were coming from Pakistan and cheered Trump&#39;s rejection on Monday of the possibility of peace talks with the Taliban.

&quot;We hope the fight also includes focus on where the terrorist attacks are plotted and organised,&quot; he said in an interview.

'Given the degree of sophistication ... can you expect an illiterate Taliban to come up with this kind of genius plot, using ambulances' said

The United States is confident that the Haqqani network was behind the Taliban's Saturday ambulance bomb in Kabul that killed more than 100 people, officials say, a conclusion that could add friction to ties between Washington and Islamabad. The United States has long blamed militant safe havens in Pakistan for prolonging the war in Afghanistan, giving insurgents from the Haqqani network a place to plot attacks and rebuild their forces. "We are very confident the Taliban Haqqani network was behind the killing of more than 103 people this past Saturday," said Captain Tom Gresback, a US military spokesman for the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, without elaborating further on US intelligence or offering any link to Pakistan. Another US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said the United States believed the attack was the work of the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network, which Washington and Kabul have long accused of being behind some of the Afghanistan's most deadly attacks. Afghanistan's envoy to the United Nations, Mahmoud Saikal, on Monday suggested the plot was too complex for the Taliban to have developed on their own. "Given the degree of sophistication ... can you expect an illiterate Taliban to come up with this kind of genius plot, using ambulances?" Saikal said in an interview, adding Kabul was still gathering information. "It's not a simple thing to do." Saturday's blast, claimed by the Taliban, was the deadliest since 150 people were killed in a huge truck bomb explosion last May near the German embassy, which US officials also blamed on the Haqqani network. It followed another Taliban-claimed attack a week earlier that killed more than 20 people in a siege of the city's Intercontinental Hotel. On Monday, militants raided a military academy in Kabul, the Afghan capital, killing 11 soldiers. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack near the Marshal Fahim military academy on the city's western outskirts. The attacks have put pressure on President Ashraf Ghani and his US allies, who have expressed growing confidence that a new, more aggressive military strategy has succeeded in driving Taliban insurgents back from major provincial centres. Pakistan role Ties between the United States and Pakistan are already brittle after Washington announced plans earlier in January to suspend up to roughly $2 billion in US security assistance. US President Donald Trump tweeted that Pakistan had rewarded past US aid with "nothing but lies & deceit." Pakistan, which denies the accusations it allows safe havens for militants, condemned Saturday's attack and accused Washington of betrayal. As tensions rise, the United States has been quietly examining ways to mitigate any retaliation by Pakistan, a crucial gateway for US military supplies destined for troops fighting the 16-year-old war in landlocked Afghanistan. It also has not ruled out additional steps, including unilateral strikes in Pakistan against Haqqani targets. Saikal renewed the longstanding Afghan concern that the plots for these attacks were coming from Pakistan and cheered Trump's rejection on Monday of the possibility of peace talks with the Taliban. "We hope the fight also includes focus on where the terrorist attacks are plotted and organised," he said in an interview.

US sees Haqqani network behind ambulance bombing in Kabul

US President Donald Trump on Monday rejected the idea of talks with the Taliban after a series of deadly attacks in Afghanistan, in an apparent contradiction of his own strategy to end America&#39;s longest foreign war.

Trump condemned the militant group for the carnage in Kabul and pledged to &quot;finish what we have to finish.&quot;

Trump&#39;s comments suggest he sees a military victory over the Taliban, an outcome that military and diplomatic officials say cannot be achieved with the resources and manpower he has authorised.

When he announced an increase in US troops to Afghanistan in August, US officials said the goal was to force the Taliban to negotiate a political settlement.

&quot;I don&#39;t see any talking taking place,&quot; Trump told reporters as he began meeting at the White House with members of the United Nations Security Council.

&quot;I don&#39;t think we&#39;re prepared to talk right now. It&#39;s a whole different fight over there. They&#39;re killing people left and right. Innocent people are being killed left and right.&quot;

Trump last year ordered an increase in US troops to Afghanistan, air strikes and other assistance to Afghan forces. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said earlier this month the strategy was working and pushing the insurgents closer to peace talks.

That was before a suicide bomber penetrated the highly guarded centre of Kabul on Saturday and detonated an explosives-laden ambulance, killing more than 100 people and wounding at least 235. That attack followed a brazen Taliban assault on the city&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel and other acts of violence.

Four US citizens were killed and two wounded in the January 20 attack on the Intercontinental Hotel, the US State Department said last week. At least 20 people were killed in the hotel assault.

No evidence of military victory

&quot;When you see what they&#39;re doing and the atrocities that they&#39;re committing, and killing their own people, and those people are women and children ... it is horrible,&quot; Trump said.

&quot;We don&#39;t want to talk to the Taliban. We&#39;re going to finish what we have to finish, what nobody else has been able to finish, we&#39;re going to be able to do it,&quot; Trump said.

Current and former US officials said that despite the carnage, the United States had no choice but to promote peace talks.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed surprise at Trump&rsquo;s comments and said there was an understanding that defeating the Taliban was not purely a military problem.

&ldquo;You can never really take talks off the table,&rdquo; the official said.

Laurel Miller, who served as acting US special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan until June, said the stated goal of Trump&#39;s Afghanistan strategy was &quot;to increase military pressure on the Taliban in order to motivate them to engage in a political settlement.&quot;

There is no evidence, she said, &quot;that suggests that the US and Afghan forces can defeat the Taliban on the battlefield.&quot;

Afghanistan&#39;s UN ambassador, Mahmoud Saikal, told Reuters on Monday that fighting needed to continue against certain elements of the Taliban.

&quot;There are two categories of Taliban: One is the reconcilable elements who are in touch with us, who are talking to us, and one is the irreconcilable,&quot; Saikal said.

&ldquo;The irreconcilables and those who have chosen to fight, we need to fight. We need to fight against them, we need to have the capability to withstand against them and to defend our people,&quot; he said.

'We don't want to talk to the Taliban. We're going to finish what we have to finish, what nobody else has been able to finish, we're going to be able to do it,'Trump said

US President Donald Trump on Monday rejected the idea of talks with the Taliban after a series of deadly attacks in Afghanistan, in an apparent contradiction of his own strategy to end America's longest foreign war. Trump condemned the militant group for the carnage in Kabul and pledged to "finish what we have to finish." Trump's comments suggest he sees a military victory over the Taliban, an outcome that military and diplomatic officials say cannot be achieved with the resources and manpower he has authorised. When he announced an increase in US troops to Afghanistan in August, US officials said the goal was to force the Taliban to negotiate a political settlement. "I don't see any talking taking place," Trump told reporters as he began meeting at the White House with members of the United Nations Security Council. "I don't think we're prepared to talk right now. It's a whole different fight over there. They're killing people left and right. Innocent people are being killed left and right." Trump last year ordered an increase in US troops to Afghanistan, air strikes and other assistance to Afghan forces. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said earlier this month the strategy was working and pushing the insurgents closer to peace talks. That was before a suicide bomber penetrated the highly guarded centre of Kabul on Saturday and detonated an explosives-laden ambulance, killing more than 100 people and wounding at least 235. That attack followed a brazen Taliban assault on the city's Intercontinental Hotel and other acts of violence. Four US citizens were killed and two wounded in the January 20 attack on the Intercontinental Hotel, the US State Department said last week. At least 20 people were killed in the hotel assault. No evidence of military victory "When you see what they're doing and the atrocities that they're committing, and killing their own people, and those people are women and children ... it is horrible," Trump said. "We don't want to talk to the Taliban. We're going to finish what we have to finish, what nobody else has been able to finish, we're going to be able to do it," Trump said. Current and former US officials said that despite the carnage, the United States had no choice but to promote peace talks. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed surprise at Trump’s comments and said there was an understanding that defeating the Taliban was not purely a military problem. “You can never really take talks off the table,” the official said. Laurel Miller, who served as acting US special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan until June, said the stated goal of Trump's Afghanistan strategy was "to increase military pressure on the Taliban in order to motivate them to engage in a political settlement." There is no evidence, she said, "that suggests that the US and Afghan forces can defeat the Taliban on the battlefield." Afghanistan's UN ambassador, Mahmoud Saikal, told Reuters on Monday that fighting needed to continue against certain elements of the Taliban. "There are two categories of Taliban: One is the reconcilable elements who are in touch with us, who are talking to us, and one is the irreconcilable," Saikal said. “The irreconcilables and those who have chosen to fight, we need to fight. We need to fight against them, we need to have the capability to withstand against them and to defend our people," he said.

Trump rejects peace talks with Taliban in departure from Afghan strategy

Barely 15 days after the seize of Intercontinental hotel in Kabul, another deadly blast shook the city where an explosives-laden ambulance blew itself up in a busy street of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan which was considered a heavenly city a few decades back.

&nbsp;

Both the attacks were a handiwork of Taliban, a strong militia group considered extremely close to the leadership of Pakistan. The shadows of Mr Trump&rsquo;s decision on withholding the US Aid to Pakistan cannot be ruled out in these attacks.

&nbsp;

But there is another deadly group opening up slowly in Afghanistan. The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL of ISIS) in Khorasan. ISIS is not behind Taliban in brutality. On Wednesday, 24th January 2018, they executed a deadly attack on Jalalabad at Nangarhar on the office of a British Aid Agency &ldquo;Save the Children&rdquo;, killing 4 people and injured several dozens.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the war-torn country, both the groups are fighting to get more and more territory as well as supporters. Both are major terrorist groups but there are serious differences among them. &nbsp;

While Taliban is a group of terrorists comprising of Madarsa students and their teachers which were trained and armed by Pakistan ISI, the ISIS is a full-fledged army which can fight even small conventional wars.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In Afghanistan, Taliban is a mix of various ethnic and tribal groups and, currently, going through a bad phase of disarray, infighting and leadership crisis. They have been badly hammered by the Coalition forces, as well as Afghan Army, and have lost about 10000 of their fighters in the last two decades or so. But ironically, they have been able to sustain well despite of these aspects. They have killed an equal number of Coalition and Afghan Soldiers and are able to control more than 45% of the Afghanistan Territory. This is more than the area under Taliban control when America started Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As far as religious alienation is concerned, Taliban strictly follows the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam while the ISIS is a strong Salafi group. There are major ideological differences too. Contrary to the ISIS, Taliban primarily rules as per tribal customs and traditions made by the people. Whereas ISIS has only one aim, the imposition of Shariyat in totality.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The primary aim of Taliban is to establish their rule over Afghan territory irrespective of religious issues. The ISIS, however, has only one aim: to establish the Islamic rule under the Caliphate, encompassing the entire Muslim community or Ummah in the territory. They are much more organised, brutal and fearless.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Since its arrival in Afghanistan in 2015, the group has killed over 700 people and injured more than 1600. That&rsquo;s an alarming figure. They calculated their move and started active operations only after the US backed forces decided to withdraw after declaring an end to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. Exactly the way they did in Iraq.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

ISIS has another major advantage and that is related to their defeat in Iraq and Syria. A sizeable population of ISIS fighters is now returning because of the group losing grounds in Iraq and Syria. A large number of them are from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uighurs from China and there cannot be a better territory for them to operate than Afghanistan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On top of this, many Taliban commanders are defecting and joining the ISIS. The Khorasan Region ISIS, which was initially started by a group of just the 70 people who moved from Iraq to create the force in Afghanistan in 2014, now boasts of several thousand within just 3 years. Surprisingly, the major stronghold of the ISIS in Afghanistan is Nangarhar province which connects the country with Pakistan through the Khyber Pass.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

So, what is the future of the country now? A nation, which is witnessing the worst form of terrorism sponsored by its neighbours, will it ever be able to come out of the dark shadows? Will the citizen of this country ever live a normal life? They have been suffering badly in the past because of inter group fighting.&nbsp; Initially, it was the US backed coalition to fight Soviet forces, then it was fighting with AL- Qaeda and then with Taliban and now it seems to be ISIS. But one factor is common to all and that is active support from the Pakistan Government and its ISI.

&nbsp;

I would feel that there are only two ways- firstly to isolate the country from any kind of ISI or Pakistani influence and, secondly, to come down heavily on the terrorist groups existing within the territory of the country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Most importantly, Afghan leaders must understand as to who can help them really in the world. Who are the friends and who are the foes? It will of mutual benefit if India and Afghanistan decide to help each other out to end the scourge of terrorism from the region.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

ISIS is more organised, brutal and fearless than Taliban

Barely 15 days after the seize of Intercontinental hotel in Kabul, another deadly blast shook the city where an explosives-laden ambulance blew itself up in a busy street of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan which was considered a heavenly city a few decades back. Both the attacks were a handiwork of Taliban, a strong militia group considered extremely close to the leadership of Pakistan. The shadows of Mr Trump’s decision on withholding the US Aid to Pakistan cannot be ruled out in these attacks. But there is another deadly group opening up slowly in Afghanistan. The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL of ISIS) in Khorasan. ISIS is not behind Taliban in brutality. On Wednesday, 24th January 2018, they executed a deadly attack on Jalalabad at Nangarhar on the office of a British Aid Agency “Save the Children”, killing 4 people and injured several dozens. In the war-torn country, both the groups are fighting to get more and more territory as well as supporters. Both are major terrorist groups but there are serious differences among them. While Taliban is a group of terrorists comprising of Madarsa students and their teachers which were trained and armed by Pakistan ISI, the ISIS is a full-fledged army which can fight even small conventional wars. In Afghanistan, Taliban is a mix of various ethnic and tribal groups and, currently, going through a bad phase of disarray, infighting and leadership crisis. They have been badly hammered by the Coalition forces, as well as Afghan Army, and have lost about 10000 of their fighters in the last two decades or so. But ironically, they have been able to sustain well despite of these aspects. They have killed an equal number of Coalition and Afghan Soldiers and are able to control more than 45% of the Afghanistan Territory. This is more than the area under Taliban control when America started Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. As far as religious alienation is concerned, Taliban strictly follows the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam while the ISIS is a strong Salafi group. There are major ideological differences too. Contrary to the ISIS, Taliban primarily rules as per tribal customs and traditions made by the people. Whereas ISIS has only one aim, the imposition of Shariyat in totality. The primary aim of Taliban is to establish their rule over Afghan territory irrespective of religious issues. The ISIS, however, has only one aim: to establish the Islamic rule under the Caliphate, encompassing the entire Muslim community or Ummah in the territory. They are much more organised, brutal and fearless. Since its arrival in Afghanistan in 2015, the group has killed over 700 people and injured more than 1600. That’s an alarming figure. They calculated their move and started active operations only after the US backed forces decided to withdraw after declaring an end to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. Exactly the way they did in Iraq. ISIS has another major advantage and that is related to their defeat in Iraq and Syria. A sizeable population of ISIS fighters is now returning because of the group losing grounds in Iraq and Syria. A large number of them are from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uighurs from China and there cannot be a better territory for them to operate than Afghanistan. On top of this, many Taliban commanders are defecting and joining the ISIS. The Khorasan Region ISIS, which was initially started by a group of just the 70 people who moved from Iraq to create the force in Afghanistan in 2014, now boasts of several thousand within just 3 years. Surprisingly, the major stronghold of the ISIS in Afghanistan is Nangarhar province which connects the country with Pakistan through the Khyber Pass. So, what is the future of the country now? A nation, which is witnessing the worst form of terrorism sponsored by its neighbours, will it ever be able to come out of the dark shadows? Will the citizen of this country ever live a normal life? They have been suffering badly in the past because of inter group fighting. Initially, it was the US backed coalition to fight Soviet forces, then it was fighting with AL- Qaeda and then with Taliban and now it seems to be ISIS. But one factor is common to all and that is active support from the Pakistan Government and its ISI. I would feel that there are only two ways- firstly to isolate the country from any kind of ISI or Pakistani influence and, secondly, to come down heavily on the terrorist groups existing within the territory of the country. Most importantly, Afghan leaders must understand as to who can help them really in the world. Who are the friends and who are the foes? It will of mutual benefit if India and Afghanistan decide to help each other out to end the scourge of terrorism from the region. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: India should consider ISIS to be more deadly than Taliban

Over 21 militants were killed in the latest airstrike carried out in western Farah province of Afghanistan which also included some Pakistani nationals.&nbsp;

The airstrike was conducted in the Khak-e-Safid area which destroyed at least three vehicles, seven vehicles. Among those killed were three Pakistani nationals.&nbsp;

Farah is among the relatively restive provinces in West of Afghanistan where the anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in some of its districts.

Although, Taliban have not made any comment on the incident as yet.&nbsp;

On Monday, at least three terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group were killed in the airstrikes carried out in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan.

A senior Taliban leader who was heading the Red Unit command of the group for western parts of Farah province was also killed last year in a counter-terrorism operation.

The airstrike was conducted in the Khak-e-Safid area which destroyed at least three vehicles, seven vehicles. Among those killed were three Pakistani nationals

Over 21 militants were killed in the latest airstrike carried out in western Farah province of Afghanistan which also included some Pakistani nationals. The airstrike was conducted in the Khak-e-Safid area which destroyed at least three vehicles, seven vehicles. Among those killed were three Pakistani nationals. Farah is among the relatively restive provinces in West of Afghanistan where the anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban insurgents are actively operating in some of its districts. Although, Taliban have not made any comment on the incident as yet. On Monday, at least three terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group were killed in the airstrikes carried out in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan. A senior Taliban leader who was heading the Red Unit command of the group for western parts of Farah province was also killed last year in a counter-terrorism operation.

Pakistan nationals among 21 killed in Afghanistan air strike

The US is keeping &quot;all options&quot; on the table to deal with Pakistan if it does not take decisive action against the Taliban and the Haqqani network and dismantle their safe havens, the White House warned today.

The warning came after the US suspended about USD 2 billion in security aid to Pakistan for failing to clamp down on terror groups.

The freezing of all security assistance to Pakistan comes after President Donald Trump in a New Year&#39;s Day tweet accused the country of giving nothing to the US but &quot;lies and deceit&quot; and providing

&quot;safe haven&quot; to terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years.

&quot;The US does have a range of tools that we&#39;re looking at beyond just the security assistance issue to deal with Pakistan and to try to convince it to crack down on the Taliban and Haqqani network,&quot; a senior Trump administration official told reporters.

&quot;Certainly no one should doubt the US resolve to address this threat and all options I would say will be on the table,&quot; said the official on condition of anonymity.

While some policymakers have been asking the White House to revoke the non-NATO ally status of Pakistan and put pressure on the country through multilateral institutions like the International

Monetary Fund and the United Nations, Pentagon generals have indicated unilateral actions.

However, the official refrained from divulging any of the options that the administration is considering against Pakistan.

&quot;I&#39;m not able to comment on specific steps at this time. But nobody should doubt our resolve in trying to address these threats. We&#39;re looking at all options. We hope that we can cooperate with Pakistan.

But we do have options that we&#39;re considering,&quot; the official said.

The US wants action against the existing safe havens of the Taliban and the Haqqani network and demolish its ability to carry out strikes across the border in Afghanistan, the Official said and expressed hope that Pakistan would take actions that the US was seeking.

&quot;....That will allow the relationship to return to a more positive trajectory,&quot; the official said.

In August, while unveiling his new South Asia strategy, Trump had accused Pakistan of giving &quot;safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror,&quot; and said the time had come &quot;for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace&quot;.

Trump&#39;s new policy, the official said, is driven by his desire to have a successful strategy in Afghanistan.

&quot;We firmly believes that for the future of the region, Pakistan needs to crack down on these terrorist elements. Unless they take a comprehensive approach to the terrorism problem it is going to threaten

US interests and everybody&#39;s interests including Pakistan&#39;s,&quot; the official said.

He said the announcement of the suspension of the security assistance to Pakistan clearly reflected the US&#39; frustration over Pakistan&#39;s failure to crack down on all terrorists who find shelter on its territory.

&quot;There has been ample time for Pakistan to show it is taking our request seriously. Unfortunately, we have not seen the kind of meaningful action that we were seeking,&quot; the White House official rued.

Responding to a question, the official said the US has &quot;a number of tools in its toolkit&quot; and can &quot;take unilateral&quot; steps.

But at this time, the US prefers to cooperate with Pakistan and is hopeful about it, the official said.

&quot;And we want to indicate Pakistan our seriousness about the issue of dealing with safe havens,&quot; the official said.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the US would restore the suspended security assistance to Pakistan if it takes action against terrorist groups.

&quot;We would restore the aid if we see decisive movements against the terrorists, who are as much of a threat against Pakistan as they are against us,&quot; Mattis told reporters.

The US is still working with Pakistan, he said but refrained from going into details.

&quot;The specific individual things we&#39;re doing our best handled in private, to ensure that we can be most productive. And that&#39;s what we&#39;re working now,&quot; he said.

Mattis had travelled to Pakistan last month for talks with the top Pakistani leadership.

&quot;There&#39;s a campaign plan now that starts regionally. So we started thinking about India and Pakistan and Afghanistan. We reinforced some of our forces there, because we found some forces didn&#39;t have the American advisers they needed, and the ones with advisers seemed to always win. The ones without them did not fare so well,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

The warning came after the US suspended about USD 2 billion in security aid to Pakistan for failing to clamp down on terror groups

The US is keeping "all options" on the table to deal with Pakistan if it does not take decisive action against the Taliban and the Haqqani network and dismantle their safe havens, the White House warned today. The warning came after the US suspended about USD 2 billion in security aid to Pakistan for failing to clamp down on terror groups. The freezing of all security assistance to Pakistan comes after President Donald Trump in a New Year's Day tweet accused the country of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years. "The US does have a range of tools that we're looking at beyond just the security assistance issue to deal with Pakistan and to try to convince it to crack down on the Taliban and Haqqani network," a senior Trump administration official told reporters. "Certainly no one should doubt the US resolve to address this threat and all options I would say will be on the table," said the official on condition of anonymity. While some policymakers have been asking the White House to revoke the non-NATO ally status of Pakistan and put pressure on the country through multilateral institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations, Pentagon generals have indicated unilateral actions. However, the official refrained from divulging any of the options that the administration is considering against Pakistan. "I'm not able to comment on specific steps at this time. But nobody should doubt our resolve in trying to address these threats. We're looking at all options. We hope that we can cooperate with Pakistan. But we do have options that we're considering," the official said. The US wants action against the existing safe havens of the Taliban and the Haqqani network and demolish its ability to carry out strikes across the border in Afghanistan, the Official said and expressed hope that Pakistan would take actions that the US was seeking. "....That will allow the relationship to return to a more positive trajectory," the official said. In August, while unveiling his new South Asia strategy, Trump had accused Pakistan of giving "safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," and said the time had come "for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace". Trump's new policy, the official said, is driven by his desire to have a successful strategy in Afghanistan. "We firmly believes that for the future of the region, Pakistan needs to crack down on these terrorist elements. Unless they take a comprehensive approach to the terrorism problem it is going to threaten US interests and everybody's interests including Pakistan's," the official said. He said the announcement of the suspension of the security assistance to Pakistan clearly reflected the US' frustration over Pakistan's failure to crack down on all terrorists who find shelter on its territory. "There has been ample time for Pakistan to show it is taking our request seriously. Unfortunately, we have not seen the kind of meaningful action that we were seeking," the White House official rued. Responding to a question, the official said the US has "a number of tools in its toolkit" and can "take unilateral" steps. But at this time, the US prefers to cooperate with Pakistan and is hopeful about it, the official said. "And we want to indicate Pakistan our seriousness about the issue of dealing with safe havens," the official said. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the US would restore the suspended security assistance to Pakistan if it takes action against terrorist groups. "We would restore the aid if we see decisive movements against the terrorists, who are as much of a threat against Pakistan as they are against us," Mattis told reporters. The US is still working with Pakistan, he said but refrained from going into details. "The specific individual things we're doing our best handled in private, to ensure that we can be most productive. And that's what we're working now," he said. Mattis had travelled to Pakistan last month for talks with the top Pakistani leadership. "There's a campaign plan now that starts regionally. So we started thinking about India and Pakistan and Afghanistan. We reinforced some of our forces there, because we found some forces didn't have the American advisers they needed, and the ones with advisers seemed to always win. The ones without them did not fare so well," he said.

All options on the table to deal with Pakistan: White House

&nbsp;Soon after the start of the cold war, the US was looking for someone who can help him in Central Asia and, especially, in the mountainous country of Afghanistan which had become a playground for the mighty Soviet forces. India being the trusted ally of USSR was ruled out and, hence, the natural selection of an adversary of India was imminent. Pakistan became an ally and launch pad for US actions towards the USSR.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan to create a properly trained group of Mujahidin in Afghanistan started Operation Cyclone in 1978. Running under the Reagan Doctrine, this program recruited almost 100,000 highly trained Afghan guerrillas to fight Soviet forces in Afghanistan between 1978 and 1992. As per unofficial inputs, Pakistan was paid aid, military equipment and cash worth almost 20 billion Dollars at that time.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Soon after the US started its intervention in Iraq, the Mujahidin aligned against it under the leadership of Osama bin Laden and declared war which resulted in 9/11. It was the money, training and military equipment, given by the US to these forces, which came to be used against America. Overnight, Osama Bin Laden and Jalaluddin Haqqani who were the trusted ally of CIA became enemies.

&nbsp;

Once again, America needed an ally for war against so-called terror in Afghanistan, and there was none except Pakistan. In subsequent years till 2017, almost 33 billion US Dollars were given to Pakistan in direct or indirect aid. Since Pakistan, because of its hatred for India, is totally aligned in creating a frontier against India, most of this assistance was used in procurement of weapons and military equipment for its Army. Pakistani leaders, especially, General Parvez Musharraf encashed the relationship with the US and siphoned off billions of Dollars in terms of reimbursements to services which were never provided.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan&#39;s ISI turned into a source for training and equipping Mujahidin, and a group of its officers became extremely close to the fighter leaders. In the name of so-called Islamic brotherhood, they started supporting them. With it the main problem started.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While America&rsquo;s &#39;No One&#39; enemy Osama bin Laden was absconding and the US forces were searching for him across the globe, he was enjoying the hospitality of ISI officials in a safe cantonment in Pakistan. Reports say that the house in which Osama bin Laden stayed for so many years was built as a safe house by the ISI only and later given to the Al-Qaeda supremo for his stay.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistani authorities thought they will be able to fool the United States the same way they had been doing for the last so many decades.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;Over 6 decades of corrupt politicians and with low GDP, the country was on the verge of bankruptcy and immediate funding was required to address some critical military concerns. So, while the aid continued to flow, the terrorists also kept enjoying the hospitality, training and funding of ISI discreetly. The creation of the Taliban, as well as the training and support to various Kashmiri terrorist groups, was no longer a secret. The United States cautioned Pakistan on several occasions but since the aid continued, Pakistan considered this as a mere verbal threat.

&nbsp;

America had no alternative to Pakistan and, hence, the funding continued but with a gradual reduction in aid over the last three years. War against the terror can be considered one of the main reason but the factors which led to a sudden change in US behaviour are different.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan&rsquo;s proximity to China played a vital role in straining its relationship with the US. It was under the influence of China that Pakistan started neglecting some of the key concerns of America. Not only this, the anti-US sentiments in Pakistan came out in open in the forms of rallies and protests which were supported by the government officials. Not only this, the senior leaders of the country, including Pak Army started criticising Drone attacks openly, and extremist leaders declared war against the US. Certainly, it has become a catch 22 situation for the US to handle an ally like Pakistan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The stopping of support funds for Pakistan is not something unexpected. Pakistan knew it and had been preparing for it for long. It created a close relationship with China who in turn is trying to influence the West by its OBOR initiative, the CPEC and the String of Pearls.

&nbsp;

China&rsquo;s actions are exactly similar to the way USSR started building its influence in Central Asia and the Middle East in the early 80s. Whether it is Pakistan, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Latin America or the South China Sea, China is seemingly expanding everywhere. Chanakya once said that the right way to counter a potent enemy is to first cut down its weaker allies. The US is doing the same.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

President Donald Trump is getting a much more potential ally in India which can help him to counter both Pakistan and China. India itself had been the worst victims of terrorism and, hence, going to play a very vital role in South Asia in the coming decades.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Currently, Pakistan is going through political turmoil and there is no leadership left. The possibility of a military coup cannot be ruled out either. Hence, America must be extremely cautious in selecting Pakistan as its partner.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India and the US have many things in common. Indians residing in America contributes significantly to the US economy and the key people in the team of Mr Trump are India supporters. Mr Trump being a businessman understands well about profits and losses of any relationship and, understandably, can foresee a clear profit in a long term relationship in the potent leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

&nbsp;

In a nutshell, it is evident that there are multiple reasons for this topsy-turvy relationship between the US and Pakistan. Terrorism is one of the smaller concerns only but the bigger reason lies in the further east of Pakistan- China and its expanding influence in Asia.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

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	<li>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Terrorism is one of the smaller concerns only but the bigger reason lies in the further east of Pakistan- China and its expanding influence in Asia.

Soon after the start of the cold war, the US was looking for someone who can help him in Central Asia and, especially, in the mountainous country of Afghanistan which had become a playground for the mighty Soviet forces. India being the trusted ally of USSR was ruled out and, hence, the natural selection of an adversary of India was imminent. Pakistan became an ally and launch pad for US actions towards the USSR. Pakistan to create a properly trained group of Mujahidin in Afghanistan started Operation Cyclone in 1978. Running under the Reagan Doctrine, this program recruited almost 100,000 highly trained Afghan guerrillas to fight Soviet forces in Afghanistan between 1978 and 1992. As per unofficial inputs, Pakistan was paid aid, military equipment and cash worth almost 20 billion Dollars at that time. Soon after the US started its intervention in Iraq, the Mujahidin aligned against it under the leadership of Osama bin Laden and declared war which resulted in 9/11. It was the money, training and military equipment, given by the US to these forces, which came to be used against America. Overnight, Osama Bin Laden and Jalaluddin Haqqani who were the trusted ally of CIA became enemies. Once again, America needed an ally for war against so-called terror in Afghanistan, and there was none except Pakistan. In subsequent years till 2017, almost 33 billion US Dollars were given to Pakistan in direct or indirect aid. Since Pakistan, because of its hatred for India, is totally aligned in creating a frontier against India, most of this assistance was used in procurement of weapons and military equipment for its Army. Pakistani leaders, especially, General Parvez Musharraf encashed the relationship with the US and siphoned off billions of Dollars in terms of reimbursements to services which were never provided. Pakistan's ISI turned into a source for training and equipping Mujahidin, and a group of its officers became extremely close to the fighter leaders. In the name of so-called Islamic brotherhood, they started supporting them. With it the main problem started. While America’s 'No One' enemy Osama bin Laden was absconding and the US forces were searching for him across the globe, he was enjoying the hospitality of ISI officials in a safe cantonment in Pakistan. Reports say that the house in which Osama bin Laden stayed for so many years was built as a safe house by the ISI only and later given to the Al-Qaeda supremo for his stay. Pakistani authorities thought they will be able to fool the United States the same way they had been doing for the last so many decades. Over 6 decades of corrupt politicians and with low GDP, the country was on the verge of bankruptcy and immediate funding was required to address some critical military concerns. So, while the aid continued to flow, the terrorists also kept enjoying the hospitality, training and funding of ISI discreetly. The creation of the Taliban, as well as the training and support to various Kashmiri terrorist groups, was no longer a secret. The United States cautioned Pakistan on several occasions but since the aid continued, Pakistan considered this as a mere verbal threat. America had no alternative to Pakistan and, hence, the funding continued but with a gradual reduction in aid over the last three years. War against the terror can be considered one of the main reason but the factors which led to a sudden change in US behaviour are different. Pakistan’s proximity to China played a vital role in straining its relationship with the US. It was under the influence of China that Pakistan started neglecting some of the key concerns of America. Not only this, the anti-US sentiments in Pakistan came out in open in the forms of rallies and protests which were supported by the government officials. Not only this, the senior leaders of the country, including Pak Army started criticising Drone attacks openly, and extremist leaders declared war against the US. Certainly, it has become a catch 22 situation for the US to handle an ally like Pakistan. The stopping of support funds for Pakistan is not something unexpected. Pakistan knew it and had been preparing for it for long. It created a close relationship with China who in turn is trying to influence the West by its OBOR initiative, the CPEC and the String of Pearls. China’s actions are exactly similar to the way USSR started building its influence in Central Asia and the Middle East in the early 80s. Whether it is Pakistan, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Latin America or the South China Sea, China is seemingly expanding everywhere. Chanakya once said that the right way to counter a potent enemy is to first cut down its weaker allies. The US is doing the same. President Donald Trump is getting a much more potential ally in India which can help him to counter both Pakistan and China. India itself had been the worst victims of terrorism and, hence, going to play a very vital role in South Asia in the coming decades. Currently, Pakistan is going through political turmoil and there is no leadership left. The possibility of a military coup cannot be ruled out either. Hence, America must be extremely cautious in selecting Pakistan as its partner. India and the US have many things in common. Indians residing in America contributes significantly to the US economy and the key people in the team of Mr Trump are India supporters. Mr Trump being a businessman understands well about profits and losses of any relationship and, understandably, can foresee a clear profit in a long term relationship in the potent leadership of Prime Minister Modi. In a nutshell, it is evident that there are multiple reasons for this topsy-turvy relationship between the US and Pakistan. Terrorism is one of the smaller concerns only but the bigger reason lies in the further east of Pakistan- China and its expanding influence in Asia. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: China, not terrorism, is why US stopped aiding Pakistan

A suspected US&nbsp;drone attack along the Pakistani-Afghan border killed an Islamist militant commander and one of his associates on Tuesday, a Pakistani official in the remote area said.

It was not immediately clear whether the missile struck on the Afghan or Pakistani side or the border.

There have been multiple unverified US&nbsp;drone strikes in the mountainous border region separating Pakistan&#39;s Kurram Agency from Afghanistan since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump took office in January.

Trump has taken a hardline stance on Pakistan, which he says provides safe haven to terrorists including the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network carrying out attacks in Afghanistan.

Tuesday&#39;s suspected drone attack targeted the vehicle of a militant commander named Jamiuddin, said a Pakistani official in the area, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Another witness reported seeing the strike near the Mata Sanghar area of Kurram agency, across from the Afghan province of Paktia.

&quot;I saw two missiles hit the vehicle and the people inside were killed,&quot; said witness Rehmanullah.

The local official said it was unclear which side of the border the attack took place, but authorities were investigating.

More aggressive drone strikes that hit inside Pakistani territory are one of the steps that US&nbsp;officials have said could be taken if Islamabad does not end safe havens for militants.

Pakistan has sought to downplay several recent drone strikes inside the border, with officials saying they were on the Afghan side even though local residents said they were in Pakistan.

In October, three suspected strikes in two days killed 31 people who officials said belonged to the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network, allied to the Taliban.

Those attacks came days after a Canadian-American couple held hostage by the Taliban were freed from the area in Pakistan&#39;s northwest, striking a rare positive note in the country&#39;s often-fraught relations with the United States.

There have been multiple unverified US?drone strikes in the mountainous border region separating Pakistan's Kurram Agency from Afghanistan since US?President Donald Trump took office in January

A suspected US drone attack along the Pakistani-Afghan border killed an Islamist militant commander and one of his associates on Tuesday, a Pakistani official in the remote area said. It was not immediately clear whether the missile struck on the Afghan or Pakistani side or the border. There have been multiple unverified US drone strikes in the mountainous border region separating Pakistan's Kurram Agency from Afghanistan since US President Donald Trump took office in January. Trump has taken a hardline stance on Pakistan, which he says provides safe haven to terrorists including the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. Tuesday's suspected drone attack targeted the vehicle of a militant commander named Jamiuddin, said a Pakistani official in the area, speaking on condition of anonymity. Another witness reported seeing the strike near the Mata Sanghar area of Kurram agency, across from the Afghan province of Paktia. "I saw two missiles hit the vehicle and the people inside were killed," said witness Rehmanullah. The local official said it was unclear which side of the border the attack took place, but authorities were investigating. More aggressive drone strikes that hit inside Pakistani territory are one of the steps that US officials have said could be taken if Islamabad does not end safe havens for militants. Pakistan has sought to downplay several recent drone strikes inside the border, with officials saying they were on the Afghan side even though local residents said they were in Pakistan. In October, three suspected strikes in two days killed 31 people who officials said belonged to the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network, allied to the Taliban. Those attacks came days after a Canadian-American couple held hostage by the Taliban were freed from the area in Pakistan's northwest, striking a rare positive note in the country's often-fraught relations with the United States.

Suspected US drone kills militants on Pakistan-Afghan border

A roadside bomb claimed the lives of at least seven civilians and left three others wounded in Afghanistan&#39;s southern Helmand province, media reports said on Sunday.

Reports further say that&nbsp;women and children were among the victims.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, a mortar attacked a market in the east Logar area, killing three civilians and injured seven others during a battle between Afghan officials and the Taliban.&nbsp;

Taliban is known to have a prominent presence in the area which is slowly increasing.&nbsp;

Officials have said that a thorough investigation is being carried out to find&nbsp;the ones responsible&nbsp;for the attack.&nbsp;

Officials have said that a thorough investigation is being carried out to find out the ones responsible?for the attack

A roadside bomb claimed the lives of at least seven civilians and left three others wounded in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, media reports said on Sunday. Reports further say that women and children were among the victims. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Elsewhere in Afghanistan, a mortar attacked a market in the east Logar area, killing three civilians and injured seven others during a battle between Afghan officials and the Taliban. Taliban is known to have a prominent presence in the area which is slowly increasing. Officials have said that a thorough investigation is being carried out to find the ones responsible for the attack.

Afghanistan: At least 7 dead, 3 injured in roadside bomb blast

Pakistan&#39;s Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ghafoor told the Dawn newspaper that constant US threats against Pakistan can &quot;negatively affect&quot; the existing cooperation.

Ghafoor&#39;s statement comes after US vice president Mike Pence on a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Friday said President Trump had put Pakistan on notice for providing &quot;safe haven&quot; to the Taliban and other terror organisations in its soil.

&quot;For too long Pakistan has provided safe haven to the Taliban and many terrorist organisations, but those days are over,&quot; Pence told American troops at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan.

However, Ghaffor had a different take on the subject, speaking to Dawn, he said: &quot;Allies and partners do not give notices to each other, neither do they indulge in a blame-game.&quot;

On the reported &quot;reimbursement&quot; by US for Pakistan&#39;s support on the war on terrorism, the ISPR chief said payments were made under the Coalition Support Fund which was &quot;reimbursement&quot; on the amount Pakistan had already spent on fighting terrorism &quot;under US coordination&quot;, adding that Pakistan has been cooperating with the US significantly.

&quot;If they demand us to fight for them because they paid us, Pakistan is not fighting for money,&quot; he said, elaborating that,&quot;We are not looking for any money, we are not for sale, a trust-based relationship is the only way forward,&quot; the Dawn quoted Ghafoor.

The ISPR chief said Pakistan has been cooperating with the US in Afghanistan although it wasn&#39;t easy to win in the region, stating that the war had entered its final phase and the US and its allies including the Afghan forces would have to fight together and win.

Pakistan has been under intense pressure by the US ever since President Trump unveiled his Afghanistan strategy and declared Pakistan was a &quot;safe haven&quot; for terrorists in the region, a &nbsp;statement which did not go down well with the Pakistan establishment.

Ghafoor told the Dawn newspaper that peace in Afghanistan can be achieved in two ways - Afghan refugees returning to Pakistan and cracking down on narco-trade in the region.

Ghafoor's statement comes after US vice president Mike Pence on a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Friday said President Trump had put Pakistan on notice for providing "safe haven" to the Taliban and other terror organisations in its soil.

Pakistan's Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ghafoor told the Dawn newspaper that constant US threats against Pakistan can "negatively affect" the existing cooperation. Ghafoor's statement comes after US vice president Mike Pence on a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Friday said President Trump had put Pakistan on notice for providing "safe haven" to the Taliban and other terror organisations in its soil. "For too long Pakistan has provided safe haven to the Taliban and many terrorist organisations, but those days are over," Pence told American troops at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan. However, Ghaffor had a different take on the subject, speaking to Dawn, he said: "Allies and partners do not give notices to each other, neither do they indulge in a blame-game." On the reported "reimbursement" by US for Pakistan's support on the war on terrorism, the ISPR chief said payments were made under the Coalition Support Fund which was "reimbursement" on the amount Pakistan had already spent on fighting terrorism "under US coordination", adding that Pakistan has been cooperating with the US significantly. "If they demand us to fight for them because they paid us, Pakistan is not fighting for money," he said, elaborating that,"We are not looking for any money, we are not for sale, a trust-based relationship is the only way forward," the Dawn quoted Ghafoor. The ISPR chief said Pakistan has been cooperating with the US in Afghanistan although it wasn't easy to win in the region, stating that the war had entered its final phase and the US and its allies including the Afghan forces would have to fight together and win. Pakistan has been under intense pressure by the US ever since President Trump unveiled his Afghanistan strategy and declared Pakistan was a "safe haven" for terrorists in the region, a statement which did not go down well with the Pakistan establishment. Ghafoor told the Dawn newspaper that peace in Afghanistan can be achieved in two ways - Afghan refugees returning to Pakistan and cracking down on narco-trade in the region.

US threats against Pakistan can 'negatively' affect relations: ISPR chief Major General Ghafoor

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