The Taliban said on Monday they had destroyed an Islamic State cell in the Afghan capital, hours after a suspected IS attack on a mosque killed five people.

The Taliban's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters carried out the operation in the north of Kabul on Sunday evening.

"As a result of the operation, which was very decisive and successful, the IS centre was completely destroyed and all the IS members in it were killed," Mujahid said on Twitter.

Witnesses and AFP journalists heard blasts and gunfire in the capital at the time of the raid, and images posted to social media showed a large explosion and a fire at the scene.&nbsp;

Kabul resident and government employee Abdul Rahaman told AFP that a "large number" of Taliban special forces attacked at least three houses in his neighbourhood.&nbsp;

"The fighting continued for several hours," he said, adding the sound of weapons kept him awake all night.&nbsp;

"They said they were after Daesh (IS) fighters in the area," Rahman said.&nbsp;

"I don't know how many were killed or arrested but the fighting was intense."

The operation took place within hours of a deadly attack targeting a prayer ceremony at the Eid Gah mosque in memory of Taliban spokesman Mujahid's mother, who died last week.

A government cultural commission official, who asked not to be named, told AFP that five people died and 11 were wounded, adding the casualties included both civilians and Taliban members.

"We have also arrested three people in connection with the blast," he said.

According to the official, the device was placed at the entrance to the mosque and detonated as mourners were leaving after offering condolences to Mujahid and his family.

On Monday, Mujahid told AFP that an investigation was still ongoing but "initial information suggests that Daesh-linked groups may have carried out the attack".

The Taliban and the Afghanistan branch of IS -- known as the Islamic State-Khorasan Province, or IS-K - are both hardline Sunni Islamist militant groups.

But they differ on the issues of religion and strategy, which has led to bloody fighting between the two.

The Taliban said on Monday they had destroyed an Islamic State cell in the Afghan capital, hours after a suspected IS attack on a mosque killed five people. The Taliban's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters carried out the operation in the north of Kabul on Sunday evening.

The Taliban said on Monday they had destroyed an Islamic State cell in the Afghan capital, hours after a suspected IS attack on a mosque killed five people. The Taliban's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said fighters carried out the operation in the north of Kabul on Sunday evening. "As a result of the operation, which was very decisive and successful, the IS centre was completely destroyed and all the IS members in it were killed," Mujahid said on Twitter. Witnesses and AFP journalists heard blasts and gunfire in the capital at the time of the raid, and images posted to social media showed a large explosion and a fire at the scene. Kabul resident and government employee Abdul Rahaman told AFP that a "large number" of Taliban special forces attacked at least three houses in his neighbourhood. "The fighting continued for several hours," he said, adding the sound of weapons kept him awake all night. "They said they were after Daesh (IS) fighters in the area," Rahman said. "I don't know how many were killed or arrested but the fighting was intense." The operation took place within hours of a deadly attack targeting a prayer ceremony at the Eid Gah mosque in memory of Taliban spokesman Mujahid's mother, who died last week. A government cultural commission official, who asked not to be named, told AFP that five people died and 11 were wounded, adding the casualties included both civilians and Taliban members. "We have also arrested three people in connection with the blast," he said. According to the official, the device was placed at the entrance to the mosque and detonated as mourners were leaving after offering condolences to Mujahid and his family. On Monday, Mujahid told AFP that an investigation was still ongoing but "initial information suggests that Daesh-linked groups may have carried out the attack". The Taliban and the Afghanistan branch of IS -- known as the Islamic State-Khorasan Province, or IS-K - are both hardline Sunni Islamist militant groups. But they differ on the issues of religion and strategy, which has led to bloody fighting between the two.

Taliban say Islamic State cell destroyed after mosque attack

In what can be called an attack on Taliban's leaders, ‘a number of civilians’ have been reportedly killed in an explosion outside Eidgah mosque in Chaman area of Kabul on Sunday. The Taliban spokesman confirmed the incident. Some civilians had gathered at the mosque in Afghan capital to offer their condolences over the death of Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid’s mother Fateha during a memorial service.

Afghanistan: Several civilians killed in explosion outside Eidgah mosque in Kabul's Chaman

Pak PM Imran Khan is advocating for global recognition for Taliban govt. Speaking to a Turkish news channel, he said that the US is in a state of 'shock and confusion' after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan and said that sooner or later they will have to recognise the Taliban.

Pak PM Imran Khan advocates for global recognition for Taliban

At least five people were killed in a blast in Kabul on Sunday.The blast struck near the entrance of the Eid Gah Mosque in Kabul where a memorial service was being held for the mother of Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

At least five people killed in blast in Afghanistan's Kabul

Women teachers, who were teaching in all-boys-school in Kabul, are facing an uncertain future after a ban was imposed on them from going to work by the Taliban-led Ministry of Education.

Aziza, who is a chemistry teacher in Ghulam Haidar Khan high school in Kabul and is teaching for the last 33 years said, "I have taught chemistry for 33 years and now I am home with an uncertain fate. It has been over a month that I have been worried about my future."

Asadullah Kohistani, who is the Principal of Ghulam Haydar Khan high school said that the Taliban-led government has decided to ban female teachers from work and now the schools are struggling with a shortage of teachers.

"Women teachers do not come to schools, and we are facing a shortage of teachers," Kohistani said.

Students also voiced their concerns by saying that the ban on female teachers from going to work is creating a lot of problems, in education.

"We are facing a serious problem. Male teachers are unable to teach all the classes."

Meanwhile, Noor Mohammad Mutawakil, who is a member of the Taliban cultural commission under the Taliban-led Ministry of Information and Culture said, "The government is discussing these issues to find out how female teachers can continue their work and girl students can continue their education.

"On Friday, a group of women in Kabul protested against the closing of schools and colleges for female students, saying that this is a violation of their fundamental rights in Afghan society.

As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan once again after 20 years, experts also believe that Afghan women are most likely to face an uncertain future under the terrorist group regime.

Women teachers, who were teaching in all-boys-school in Kabul, are facing an uncertain future after a ban was imposed on them from going to work by the Taliban-led Ministry of Education.

Women teachers, who were teaching in all-boys-school in Kabul, are facing an uncertain future after a ban was imposed on them from going to work by the Taliban-led Ministry of Education. Aziza, who is a chemistry teacher in Ghulam Haidar Khan high school in Kabul and is teaching for the last 33 years said, "I have taught chemistry for 33 years and now I am home with an uncertain fate. It has been over a month that I have been worried about my future." Asadullah Kohistani, who is the Principal of Ghulam Haydar Khan high school said that the Taliban-led government has decided to ban female teachers from work and now the schools are struggling with a shortage of teachers. "Women teachers do not come to schools, and we are facing a shortage of teachers," Kohistani said. Students also voiced their concerns by saying that the ban on female teachers from going to work is creating a lot of problems, in education. "We are facing a serious problem. Male teachers are unable to teach all the classes." Meanwhile, Noor Mohammad Mutawakil, who is a member of the Taliban cultural commission under the Taliban-led Ministry of Information and Culture said, "The government is discussing these issues to find out how female teachers can continue their work and girl students can continue their education. "On Friday, a group of women in Kabul protested against the closing of schools and colleges for female students, saying that this is a violation of their fundamental rights in Afghan society. As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan once again after 20 years, experts also believe that Afghan women are most likely to face an uncertain future under the terrorist group regime.

Women teachers face uncertain future after Taliban bans them from schools

Desperation and chaos seem to grow among Afghan families as they try to flee the country. Chaos can be seen at Kabul bus terminals as residents are trying to find their way out of war-torn Afghanistan.

What's next for Afghans fleeing the Taliban?

In late August, evacuees from Afghanistan began arriving by the busload to the Fort McCoy Army base in the Midwest, carrying little more than cellphones and harrowing tales of their narrow escapes from a country they may never see again. They were greeted by soldiers, assigned rooms in white barracks and advised not to stray into the surrounding forest, lest they get lost.

More than a month later, the remote base, about 170 miles from Milwaukee, is home to 12,600 Afghan evacuees, almost half of them children, now bigger than any city in western Wisconsin’s Monroe County.

The story is much the same on seven other military installations from Texas to New Jersey. Roughly 53,000 Afghans have been living at these bases since the chaotic evacuation from Kabul, the capital, this summer that marked the end of 20 years of war. Although many Americans have turned their attention away from the largest evacuation of war refugees since Vietnam, the operation is very much a work in progress here, overseen by a host of federal agencies and thousands of US&nbsp;troops.

Although an initial group of about 2,600 people — largely former military translators and others who helped allied forces during the war — moved quickly into American communities, the vast majority remain stranded on these sprawling military way stations, uncertain of when they will be able to start the new American lives they were expecting. An additional 14,000 people are still on bases abroad, waiting for transfer to the United States.

“We built a city to house almost 13,000 guests,” said Col. Jen McDonough, deputy commander for sustainment at Fort McCoy, where about 1,600 service members are tasked with ensuring the massive operation runs smoothly.

On a recent warm fall day here, refugees played a pickup game of soccer with soldiers, young children made arts and crafts with volunteers while their mothers studied English in an adjacent classroom, and families at a warehouse rummaged through boxes of donated underwear, shirts and jackets.

Afghan evacuees said they were grateful for the warm reception they have received at the fort, but for many, the long wait has been grueling. None have left the base since arriving, unless they were green card holders or US&nbsp;citizens.

“I have asked many times about the date of departure,’’ said Farwardin Khorasani, 36, who was an interpreter at the US embassy in Kabul. He fled Afghanistan with his wife and two young daughters and hopes to relocate to Sacramento, California. “We are jobless here and have nothing to do.”

US officials say the delays are a result of a measles outbreak, medical checks and a vaccination campaign, as well as the need to complete immigration processing, which involves interviews, biometric exams and applications for work permits. Most bases in the United States are at or near capacity, and Afghan evacuees waiting on bases in the Middle East, Spain and Germany can be flown in only once space opens up.

A shortage of housing also is creating delays. Many families wish to settle where they already have friends or relatives, in places with existing Afghan communities such as California and the Washington, D.C., area. But officials have said that a dearth of affordable apartments could postpone their resettlement. On Thursday, Congress passed a short-term spending bill that included $6.3 billion to relocate and settle Afghan refugees.

Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of the US Northern Command, which oversees the operation at Fort McCoy, said the military was prepared to accommodate arrivals on bases through the spring, giving authorities time to work through the housing shortage.

“We’ve built housing capacity and we are providing our Afghan guests the environment they need,” he said.

One of the first priorities has been to inoculate evacuees against a variety of diseases.

There have been 24 cases of measles, prompting a vaccination campaign against that illness, along with mumps, rubella and polio, an effort that is just winding down. People must wait at least 21 days after those vaccinations before receiving medical clearance to leave the bases.

Almost 85 per cent of all evacuees on bases have received the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine against the coronavirus, and the rate of infection among the population is less than 1 per cent, VanHerck said.

The bases also have seen crime, not unlike densely packed cities.

Two Afghan evacuees are in federal custody; one has been charged with engaging in a sexual act with a minor and another was charged with assaulting his spouse, both at Fort McCoy.

The FBI is investigating an assault on a female service member by Afghan men at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. And in Quantico, Virginia, a military police officer on guard duty reported that he had observed a 24-year-old Afghan sexually assaulting a 3-year-old Afghan girl, according to a criminal complaint.

VanHerck said the military would “continue taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety” of both those working on the base and the Afghan evacuees. He said many reports to law enforcement were made by Afghans.

The residents seen on a tightly controlled media tour of the base represented a cross-section of Afghan society.

Among them was a group of 148 young women who hoped to finish their university education in the United States, and the principal of an international school. There was an Afghan air force pilot who had learned to fly UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in Alabama and Texas.

There were men and women from remote provinces, including a cook who had prepared food for soldiers in a far-flung outpost. Some people wore traditional Afghan attire. Others donned jeans and T-shirts. About half knew some English, but others would need to begin learning to read and write once they resettled in the United States, officials said.

Farzana Mohammadi, a member of the Afghan women’s Paralympic basketball team who has been unable to walk since she had polio as a child, said she hoped to keep playing sports and to study psychology in Seattle.

Though optimistic about her own future, “I am only thinking all the time about my parents and younger sister,” said Mohammadi, 24, whose family was still in Kabul.

About 50 to 60 people live in each two-story barracks, where single beds sit side by side. For privacy, families have improvised partitions using sheets.

There are robust security details outside the living quarters, which are clustered into “communities,” each with a center where evacuees can get personal hygiene items or learn about activities, such as town halls with military leadership.

“Grab and go” cafes offering tea, coffee and light snacks are bustling. But the eight self-service laundromats have been underutilized: Most Afghans have preferred to wash their clothing by hand and hang it out to dry on lines, which the military quickly erected.

An imam certifies that meals served at four cafeterias are halal, but the lines to buy pizza at the base exchange often stretch outside.

After weeks of being bottled up together with no timeline for leaving, there have been tensions among the residents. Fights often break out in the line to enter the cafeteria, and there are occasional arguments between people from different tribes.

Several young, single women said they were verbally harassed by Afghan men because they were on the base alone.

“We were told, ‘How are you here without your male family member? We won’t tolerate this,’” said Nilab Ibrahimy, 23, who made it to the Kabul airport in a convoy of seven buses carrying the 148 students from the Asian University for Women, based in Bangladesh, where they had all been studying before the coronavirus outbreak stranded them in Kabul.

Ibrahimy took the issue to the US military leadership, and the entire group of students was moved to another barracks housing mainly single women. There have been no problems since, she and others said.

Passing the time has been another challenge. “When we arrived here, we were sitting in our rooms doing nothing,” said Sepehra Azami, 25, who was studying economics before she fled.

Azami, Ibrahimy and another friend, Batool Bahnam, asked some mothers whether they were interested in having their children learn basic conversational English: What is your name? How are you? Thank you.

They were. Soon, adults began approaching the young women about lessons, too, and classes were added for women and men. “The demand is really high,” Azami said. “Families are struggling with language barriers.”

Mounds of clothing have been donated to the refugees, but it took until last week for every evacuee to receive items.

On Thursday, it was finally the turn of a 12-year-old boy named Nayatola. Dressed in a brown kurta pajama, he searched for clothes in his size. He ended up with an oversize white pullover. On his feet were the adult-size plastic slippers his father had brought from Afghanistan — Nayatola had no other shoes.

As the day wore on, children could be seen outside doodling with chalk. When the visitors passed by, they called out. “Hello, how are you?” a few of them shouted, trying out their new English phrases.

Abdulhadi Pageman, the former Afghan air force pilot, looked toward the warehouse where families were getting clothes. “These children are the future of the United States,” he said, talking about the children on the base. “They will be scientists, engineers. You just have to be patient.”

In late August, evacuees from Afghanistan began arriving by the busload to the Fort McCoy Army base in the Midwest, carrying little more than cellphones and harrowing tales of their narrow escapes from a country they may never see again.

In late August, evacuees from Afghanistan began arriving by the busload to the Fort McCoy Army base in the Midwest, carrying little more than cellphones and harrowing tales of their narrow escapes from a country they may never see again. They were greeted by soldiers, assigned rooms in white barracks and advised not to stray into the surrounding forest, lest they get lost. More than a month later, the remote base, about 170 miles from Milwaukee, is home to 12,600 Afghan evacuees, almost half of them children, now bigger than any city in western Wisconsin’s Monroe County. The story is much the same on seven other military installations from Texas to New Jersey. Roughly 53,000 Afghans have been living at these bases since the chaotic evacuation from Kabul, the capital, this summer that marked the end of 20 years of war. Although many Americans have turned their attention away from the largest evacuation of war refugees since Vietnam, the operation is very much a work in progress here, overseen by a host of federal agencies and thousands of US troops. Although an initial group of about 2,600 people — largely former military translators and others who helped allied forces during the war — moved quickly into American communities, the vast majority remain stranded on these sprawling military way stations, uncertain of when they will be able to start the new American lives they were expecting. An additional 14,000 people are still on bases abroad, waiting for transfer to the United States. “We built a city to house almost 13,000 guests,” said Col. Jen McDonough, deputy commander for sustainment at Fort McCoy, where about 1,600 service members are tasked with ensuring the massive operation runs smoothly. On a recent warm fall day here, refugees played a pickup game of soccer with soldiers, young children made arts and crafts with volunteers while their mothers studied English in an adjacent classroom, and families at a warehouse rummaged through boxes of donated underwear, shirts and jackets. Afghan evacuees said they were grateful for the warm reception they have received at the fort, but for many, the long wait has been grueling. None have left the base since arriving, unless they were green card holders or US citizens. “I have asked many times about the date of departure,’’ said Farwardin Khorasani, 36, who was an interpreter at the US embassy in Kabul. He fled Afghanistan with his wife and two young daughters and hopes to relocate to Sacramento, California. “We are jobless here and have nothing to do.” US officials say the delays are a result of a measles outbreak, medical checks and a vaccination campaign, as well as the need to complete immigration processing, which involves interviews, biometric exams and applications for work permits. Most bases in the United States are at or near capacity, and Afghan evacuees waiting on bases in the Middle East, Spain and Germany can be flown in only once space opens up. A shortage of housing also is creating delays. Many families wish to settle where they already have friends or relatives, in places with existing Afghan communities such as California and the Washington, D.C., area. But officials have said that a dearth of affordable apartments could postpone their resettlement. On Thursday, Congress passed a short-term spending bill that included $6.3 billion to relocate and settle Afghan refugees. Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of the US Northern Command, which oversees the operation at Fort McCoy, said the military was prepared to accommodate arrivals on bases through the spring, giving authorities time to work through the housing shortage. “We’ve built housing capacity and we are providing our Afghan guests the environment they need,” he said. One of the first priorities has been to inoculate evacuees against a variety of diseases. There have been 24 cases of measles, prompting a vaccination campaign against that illness, along with mumps, rubella and polio, an effort that is just winding down. People must wait at least 21 days after those vaccinations before receiving medical clearance to leave the bases. Almost 85 per cent of all evacuees on bases have received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine against the coronavirus, and the rate of infection among the population is less than 1 per cent, VanHerck said. The bases also have seen crime, not unlike densely packed cities. Two Afghan evacuees are in federal custody; one has been charged with engaging in a sexual act with a minor and another was charged with assaulting his spouse, both at Fort McCoy. The FBI is investigating an assault on a female service member by Afghan men at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. And in Quantico, Virginia, a military police officer on guard duty reported that he had observed a 24-year-old Afghan sexually assaulting a 3-year-old Afghan girl, according to a criminal complaint. VanHerck said the military would “continue taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety” of both those working on the base and the Afghan evacuees. He said many reports to law enforcement were made by Afghans. The residents seen on a tightly controlled media tour of the base represented a cross-section of Afghan society. Among them was a group of 148 young women who hoped to finish their university education in the United States, and the principal of an international school. There was an Afghan air force pilot who had learned to fly UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in Alabama and Texas. There were men and women from remote provinces, including a cook who had prepared food for soldiers in a far-flung outpost. Some people wore traditional Afghan attire. Others donned jeans and T-shirts. About half knew some English, but others would need to begin learning to read and write once they resettled in the United States, officials said. Farzana Mohammadi, a member of the Afghan women’s Paralympic basketball team who has been unable to walk since she had polio as a child, said she hoped to keep playing sports and to study psychology in Seattle. Though optimistic about her own future, “I am only thinking all the time about my parents and younger sister,” said Mohammadi, 24, whose family was still in Kabul. About 50 to 60 people live in each two-story barracks, where single beds sit side by side. For privacy, families have improvised partitions using sheets. There are robust security details outside the living quarters, which are clustered into “communities,” each with a center where evacuees can get personal hygiene items or learn about activities, such as town halls with military leadership. “Grab and go” cafes offering tea, coffee and light snacks are bustling. But the eight self-service laundromats have been underutilized: Most Afghans have preferred to wash their clothing by hand and hang it out to dry on lines, which the military quickly erected. An imam certifies that meals served at four cafeterias are halal, but the lines to buy pizza at the base exchange often stretch outside. After weeks of being bottled up together with no timeline for leaving, there have been tensions among the residents. Fights often break out in the line to enter the cafeteria, and there are occasional arguments between people from different tribes. Several young, single women said they were verbally harassed by Afghan men because they were on the base alone. “We were told, ‘How are you here without your male family member? We won’t tolerate this,’” said Nilab Ibrahimy, 23, who made it to the Kabul airport in a convoy of seven buses carrying the 148 students from the Asian University for Women, based in Bangladesh, where they had all been studying before the coronavirus outbreak stranded them in Kabul. Ibrahimy took the issue to the US military leadership, and the entire group of students was moved to another barracks housing mainly single women. There have been no problems since, she and others said. Passing the time has been another challenge. “When we arrived here, we were sitting in our rooms doing nothing,” said Sepehra Azami, 25, who was studying economics before she fled. Azami, Ibrahimy and another friend, Batool Bahnam, asked some mothers whether they were interested in having their children learn basic conversational English: What is your name? How are you? Thank you. They were. Soon, adults began approaching the young women about lessons, too, and classes were added for women and men. “The demand is really high,” Azami said. “Families are struggling with language barriers.” Mounds of clothing have been donated to the refugees, but it took until last week for every evacuee to receive items. On Thursday, it was finally the turn of a 12-year-old boy named Nayatola. Dressed in a brown kurta pajama, he searched for clothes in his size. He ended up with an oversize white pullover. On his feet were the adult-size plastic slippers his father had brought from Afghanistan — Nayatola had no other shoes. As the day wore on, children could be seen outside doodling with chalk. When the visitors passed by, they called out. “Hello, how are you?” a few of them shouted, trying out their new English phrases. Abdulhadi Pageman, the former Afghan air force pilot, looked toward the warehouse where families were getting clothes. “These children are the future of the United States,” he said, talking about the children on the base. “They will be scientists, engineers. You just have to be patient.”

Military bases turn into small cities as Afghans wait months for homes in US

In a first, more than 1,000 Taliban militants rallied in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul for a show of strength.<o:p></o:p>

Taliban officials and commanders led a huge rally of men and young boys who have pledged their lives to Taliban and their principles. Nearly 1,000 militants attended the rally at the Kohdaman township in the outskirts of the capital city.<o:p></o:p>

This was the first time such a rally had been organised by the terrorist group since the group took control of Afghanistan on August 16, 2021.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-army-vs-pakistan-army-how-two-military-forces-stack-up-against-each-other-417849">India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other</a></o:p>

Militants were seen dressed in combat gear, majority of which was left by the US army. These fighters were seen carrying rifles and other weapons and waved black and white Taliban flags.

The rally was a show of strength and unity by the terrorist group which some believe might be a way of showing that all is well within the terrorist group.

Taliban began this rally by carrying out a procession in which militants marched with Taliban flags and weapons such as assault rifles, rocket launchers and more.

<o:p><img alt="Taliban rally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d94d7583-47cb-4799-8139-89a253c49744" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Taliban%20rally.jpg" /></o:p><o:p></o:p>

To add on the armed demonstration, songs about the victories of the terrorist group echoed around the venue on loudspeakers.<o:p></o:p>

"America is defeated, impossible, impossible -- but possible!" one song said.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

People in plain clothes also chanted pro-Taliban slogans and sounds of "Allahu Akbar" were heard from militants and Taliban supporters.<o:p></o:p>

This has come at a time when Afghanistan locals have been fighting for their rights on a daily basis, especially women. In almost all of recent announcements, Taliban has kept women away from schools, jobs and women have been protesting against these restrictions that are hindering with their rights.<o:p></o:p>

While Taliban claim they are adopting a more humane and advanced approach, last week Taliban militants opened fired and violently pushed women protestors who were marching in the capital city for their right to study and participate in high school.<o:p></o:p>

In a first, more than 1,000 Taliban militants rallied in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul for a show of strength. Taliban officials and commanders led a huge rally of men and young boys who have pledged their lives to Taliban and their principles.

In a first, more than 1,000 Taliban militants rallied in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul for a show of strength. Taliban officials and commanders led a huge rally of men and young boys who have pledged their lives to Taliban and their principles. Nearly 1,000 militants attended the rally at the Kohdaman township in the outskirts of the capital city. This was the first time such a rally had been organised by the terrorist group since the group took control of Afghanistan on August 16, 2021. Also read | India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other Militants were seen dressed in combat gear, majority of which was left by the US army. These fighters were seen carrying rifles and other weapons and waved black and white Taliban flags. The rally was a show of strength and unity by the terrorist group which some believe might be a way of showing that all is well within the terrorist group. Taliban began this rally by carrying out a procession in which militants marched with Taliban flags and weapons such as assault rifles, rocket launchers and more. To add on the armed demonstration, songs about the victories of the terrorist group echoed around the venue on loudspeakers. "America is defeated, impossible, impossible -- but possible!" one song said. People in plain clothes also chanted pro-Taliban slogans and sounds of "Allahu Akbar" were heard from militants and Taliban supporters. This has come at a time when Afghanistan locals have been fighting for their rights on a daily basis, especially women. In almost all of recent announcements, Taliban has kept women away from schools, jobs and women have been protesting against these restrictions that are hindering with their rights. While Taliban claim they are adopting a more humane and advanced approach, last week Taliban militants opened fired and violently pushed women protestors who were marching in the capital city for their right to study and participate in high school.

Nearly 1,000 Taliban militants rally in Kabul to show power and unity

Amid tensions between Tajikistan and the Taliban, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan held telephonic conversation with President Emomali Rahmon on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-will-have-to-recognise-taliban-regime-sooner-or-later-says-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-417746">Also Read:&nbsp;US will have to recognise Taliban regime sooner or later, says Pak PM Imran Khan</a>

The Pakistan prime minister asserted that there was an "urgent" need to address the humanitarian needs of Afghans.

PM Imran Khan told President Rahmon that there was a need to engage with Afghanistan on the economic front in order to prevent a meltdown.

The Pakistan prime minister's move comes after he said that the US will have to recognise the&nbsp;Taliban "sooner or later".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shura-mujahideen-tehreek-e-taliban-pakistan-declare-20-day-truce-in-pakistans-north-south-waziristan-417642">Also Read:&nbsp;Shura Mujahideen, TTP declare 20-day truce in Pakistan’s north</a>

Tensions between Tajikistan and the Taliban government has been mounting for the past several months. Tajikistan recently conducted military parades along the Afghan border as reports claimed Afghan special forces have been deployed in the Takhar province along the Tajik border.&nbsp;

Russia which has a military base in Tajikistan urged both countries to resolve their dispute. President Rakhmon had refused to recognise the Taliban's new cabinet and had slammed alleged human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban in the&nbsp;Panjshir province.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-issues-new-publishing-and-broadcasting-directives-417567">Also Read:&nbsp;Taliban issues new publishing and broadcasting directives</a>

During its surge across Afghanistan before taking Kabul, the Taliban had seized border crossing along&nbsp;Tajikistan which had alerted Rahmon's forces.

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, Russian President Putin had said the country needs to work with the Taliban government in Afghanistan as China, Russia, Pakistan called on the US to engage with the Taliban to ensure aid to Afghanistan.

SCO also called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan&nbsp;as Putin said since numerous countries have a border with Afghanistan it "directly affects the interests of the safety of SCO countries".

(With inputs from Agencies)

Amid tensions between Tajikistan and the Taliban, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan held telephonic conversation with President Emomali Rahmon on Sunday. Also Read: US will have to recognise Taliban regime sooner or later, says Pak PM Imran Khan The Pakistan prime minister asserted that there was an "urgent" need to address the humanitarian needs of Afghans.

Amid tensions between Tajikistan and the Taliban, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan held telephonic conversation with President Emomali Rahmon on Sunday. Also Read: US will have to recognise Taliban regime sooner or later, says Pak PM Imran Khan The Pakistan prime minister asserted that there was an "urgent" need to address the humanitarian needs of Afghans. PM Imran Khan told President Rahmon that there was a need to engage with Afghanistan on the economic front in order to prevent a meltdown. The Pakistan prime minister's move comes after he said that the US will have to recognise the Taliban "sooner or later". Also Read: Shura Mujahideen, TTP declare 20-day truce in Pakistan’s north Tensions between Tajikistan and the Taliban government has been mounting for the past several months. Tajikistan recently conducted military parades along the Afghan border as reports claimed Afghan special forces have been deployed in the Takhar province along the Tajik border. Russia which has a military base in Tajikistan urged both countries to resolve their dispute. President Rakhmon had refused to recognise the Taliban's new cabinet and had slammed alleged human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban in the Panjshir province. Also Read: Taliban issues new publishing and broadcasting directives During its surge across Afghanistan before taking Kabul, the Taliban had seized border crossing along Tajikistan which had alerted Rahmon's forces. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, Russian President Putin had said the country needs to work with the Taliban government in Afghanistan as China, Russia, Pakistan called on the US to engage with the Taliban to ensure aid to Afghanistan. SCO also called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan as Putin said since numerous countries have a border with Afghanistan it "directly affects the interests of the safety of SCO countries". (With inputs from Agencies)

Pak PM Imran calls President Rahmon amid tensions between Tajikistan & Taliban

The Taliban promised that media would be "free and independent," after taking control of Kabul. However, now the group has laid out the limits of that freedom.

Taliban's Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi, while meeting several Afghan media outlets in September, announced a publishing/broadcasting guide containing 11 directives. Few rules were similar to laws and editorial policies under Afghanistan's elected government.&nbsp;

There were rules that gave the Taliban wide control over the content. These include directives saying that media should coordinate with the GMIC when preparing content and report "carefully" on events not confirmed by an official.

As per watchdogs and locals journalists, these directives are a sign that the Taliban plan to censor content inside the country. 
Sadaqat Ghorzang, a TOLOnews reporter for the eastern provinces, was quoted by VOA as saying, "The new rules plainly mean censorship."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-uses-social-media-as-a-key-tool-in-their-new-form-of-governance-here-is-all-you-need-to-know-412192">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban uses social media as a key tool in their new form of governance, here is all you need to know</a>

"It does not only create problems for journalists to do their job, which is providing information to the people, but also violates freedom of expression."

A copy of the guide, which was circulated online and discussed by media watchdogs, contained 11 rules. As per rules 1-3, media and journalists are forbidden from publishing or broadcasting anything against Islam, insulting national figures, or violating privacy. Rules 4-6 instruct journalists to follow the principles of journalism and balanced news reports and to not distort content. Rules 7-8 say that matters that have not been confirmed by officials or could have a negative impact on the public's attitude should be treated with care.

As per rule 9, media outlets have to be impartial and truthful in their coverage.

Rule 10 and 11 advise journalists to coordinate with the GMIC when working on "detailed report(s) on an issue."

RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire described the guidelines as "spine chilling." They can be used coercively and "bode ill for the future of journalistic independence and pluralism in Afghanistan," he said in a statement.

The Taliban promised that media would be "free and independent," after taking control of Kabul. However, now the group has laid out the limits of that freedom. Taliban's Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi, while meeting several Afghan media outlets in September, announced a publishing/broadcasting guide containing 11 directives.

The Taliban promised that media would be "free and independent," after taking control of Kabul. However, now the group has laid out the limits of that freedom. Taliban's Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi, while meeting several Afghan media outlets in September, announced a publishing/broadcasting guide containing 11 directives. Few rules were similar to laws and editorial policies under Afghanistan's elected government. There were rules that gave the Taliban wide control over the content. These include directives saying that media should coordinate with the GMIC when preparing content and report "carefully" on events not confirmed by an official. As per watchdogs and locals journalists, these directives are a sign that the Taliban plan to censor content inside the country. Sadaqat Ghorzang, a TOLOnews reporter for the eastern provinces, was quoted by VOA as saying, "The new rules plainly mean censorship." Also read | Taliban uses social media as a key tool in their new form of governance, here is all you need to know "It does not only create problems for journalists to do their job, which is providing information to the people, but also violates freedom of expression." A copy of the guide, which was circulated online and discussed by media watchdogs, contained 11 rules. As per rules 1-3, media and journalists are forbidden from publishing or broadcasting anything against Islam, insulting national figures, or violating privacy. Rules 4-6 instruct journalists to follow the principles of journalism and balanced news reports and to not distort content. Rules 7-8 say that matters that have not been confirmed by officials or could have a negative impact on the public's attitude should be treated with care. As per rule 9, media outlets have to be impartial and truthful in their coverage. Rule 10 and 11 advise journalists to coordinate with the GMIC when working on "detailed report(s) on an issue." RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire described the guidelines as "spine chilling." They can be used coercively and "bode ill for the future of journalistic independence and pluralism in Afghanistan," he said in a statement.

Taliban issues new publishing and broadcasting directives

Afghan interpreters who worked for the Netherlands have been summoned to appear in court by the Taliban who have threatened their families, Dutch public television NOS reported on Friday.

The interpreters are in hiding but their family members will be held responsible if they fail to show up in court "and severely punished to teach other traitors a lesson," said a letter from the Taliban, which was aired by the broadcaster.

NOS said the recipient, who worked for the EU's policing agency Europol in Afghanistan, was accused of taking "dishonourable and forbidden money" from foreigners.

"We will take revenge. If we are not able to get hold of you, we will settle scores with your near ones," said another letter to an interpreter whom the Taliban accused of being responsible for the deaths of some of their fighters.

All indications show that the letters, which bear official seals, were despatched by the Taliban, NOS said.

It said it had contacted about 10 interpreters or people who had worked for the Dutch and who all said their situation was becoming increasing difficult.

The Taliban in June urged interpreters who had worked for foreign forces to repent but urged them to stay on in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign forces and assured them they would not be harmed.

Just after taking power, the Taliban declared a general amnesty for Afghan government and military officials.

But despite their pledges not to avenge themselves, a confidential United Nations report said the Taliban were tracking down people who worked with foreign forces. 
&nbsp;

Afghan interpreters who worked for the Netherlands have been summoned to appear in court by the Taliban who have threatened their families, Dutch public television NOS reported on Friday.

Afghan interpreters who worked for the Netherlands have been summoned to appear in court by the Taliban who have threatened their families, Dutch public television NOS reported on Friday. The interpreters are in hiding but their family members will be held responsible if they fail to show up in court "and severely punished to teach other traitors a lesson," said a letter from the Taliban, which was aired by the broadcaster. NOS said the recipient, who worked for the EU's policing agency Europol in Afghanistan, was accused of taking "dishonourable and forbidden money" from foreigners. "We will take revenge. If we are not able to get hold of you, we will settle scores with your near ones," said another letter to an interpreter whom the Taliban accused of being responsible for the deaths of some of their fighters. All indications show that the letters, which bear official seals, were despatched by the Taliban, NOS said. It said it had contacted about 10 interpreters or people who had worked for the Dutch and who all said their situation was becoming increasing difficult. The Taliban in June urged interpreters who had worked for foreign forces to repent but urged them to stay on in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign forces and assured them they would not be harmed. Just after taking power, the Taliban declared a general amnesty for Afghan government and military officials. But despite their pledges not to avenge themselves, a confidential United Nations report said the Taliban were tracking down people who worked with foreign forces.

Afghan interpreters who worked for the Dutch summoned by Taliban: TV

The Afghan government under Taliban has sent letters to various countries asking them to resume flight operations in Afghanistan, the problem of Kabul International airport has now been resumed.

Future of Kabul airport at stake, Taliban urges countries to resume flight operations

The Taliban foreign minister hosted a group of political ambassadors in Kabul. Envoys from China, Pakistan Russia attended this meet, the country who's envoy was missing was from Qatar.

Afghanistan Crisis: Growing fiction between Qatar and Taliban?

It has been nearly two months since the Taliban takeover of Kabul but the United States and Taliban seem not ready for the negotiations, here's why!

United States & Taliban not ready for negotiations, how relevant is the Doha agreement?

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has revealed that his government is in talks with banned terror group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for "reconciliation" with the help of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Watch this report for more details.

TTP group want to talk, says Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan

Despite promises of free and fair media from the Taliban in Afghanistan, Afghan journalists face physical abuse, torture. Watch this report for more details.

Afghanistan journalists face physical abuse, torture

It is an open secret that Pakistan supports Taliban, however, recent developments show that these decade-long relationship might get affected, here's why!

Taliban's victory a problem for Pakistan?

The future of Kabul airport is at stake after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. Pakistan is yet to resume commercial flights to Kabul whereas India is yet to resume commercial flights.

Future of Kabul airport at stake after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan

The health care system in Afghanistan is on the brink of collapse, international aid groups warned this week, threatening to deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis just as temperatures begin dropping.

Thousands of health care facilities have run out of essential medicines. Afghan doctors have not been paid in two months, with no paychecks in sight. And in recent weeks, there has been a surge of cases of measles and diarrhea, according to the World Health Organization.

For two decades, aid from the World Bank and other international donors propped up the country’s health care system, but after the Taliban seized power, they froze $600 million in health care aid.

Now, just over a month into Taliban rule, the toll is becoming clear.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-fire-shots-at-kabul-women-protesting-for-right-to-study-417115">Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study</a>

“We are deeply concerned that Afghanistan faces imminent collapse of health services and worsening hunger if aid and money do not flow into the country within weeks,” Alexander Matheou, Asia Pacific director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said at a news conference Thursday. “Afghanistan’s looming harsh winter threatens greater misery and hardships.”

The unfolding health care crisis has underscored how quickly basic services have unraveled as international donors struggle with how to dispense badly needed aid to the country under Taliban rule.

Foreign aid once made up nearly 75 per cent&nbsp;of the country’s public expenditures, according to the World Bank, but after the militants seized control on August 15, the US froze over $9 billion in the Afghan Central Bank’s American accounts, and major international funders like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund paused disbursements.

They fear that the Taliban will reimpose the brutal repression of their first reign, from 1996 to 2001. Aid groups and foreign governments have talked of finding a way to funnel money and supplies into Afghanistan without placing them in Taliban hands, but until then, ordinary Afghans are paying a heavy price.

“There needs to be some solution to the financial flows into Afghanistan to ensure that at least salaries can be paid, and that essential supplies — power and water being two of them — can be procured,” Matheou said Thursday.

Last week, the United States cleared the way for some aid to flow to Afghanistan, issuing two general licenses to allow US&nbsp;government and certain international organisations like the United Nations to engage with the Taliban to provide humanitarian assistance.

That should ease the flow of agricultural goods, medicines and other critical resources while maintaining economic sanctions against the Taliban.

“Treasury is committed to facilitating the flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and other activities that support their basic human needs,” Andrea Gacki, director of the US&nbsp;Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement.

But with winter rapidly approaching, humanitarian organisations have begun making urgent appeals to international donors.

“Over the past 20 years, significant health gains have been made in Afghanistan in reducing maternal and child mortality, to end polio and more.” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said last week. “Those gains are now at severe risk.”

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is looking for $38 million to fund health care and other emergency services across Afghanistan. And on Wednesday, the U.N. spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, appealed to donors to help the organisation hit its goal of $606 million to pay for humanitarian programs through the end of the year. So far, that appeal is only 22 per cent&nbsp;funded.

Still, the international community remains deeply divided over the issue of providing aid to the Taliban-run government.

Some countries and aid organisations have demanded that the new government meet certain conditions — like guaranteeing women’s rights — in return for aid. Others have warned that making aid conditional risks plunging the country into a humanitarian disaster.

More than half a million Afghans were driven from their homes during the Taliban’s four-month military campaign this summer, and many of them are still living in makeshift camps. A drought that has enveloped much of the country has caused a dire food shortage, according to the World Food Program. And the country faces a major economic crisis with the Taliban cut off from both international banking systems and the foreign aid that propped up the previous government.

Around 18 million Afghans, almost half the population, are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization warned that two-thirds of the roughly 2,300 health care facilities it supports have run out of essential medicines. Only about 400 are now functioning.

Those facilities, the backbone of the country’s health care system, are part of a $600 million project administered by the World Bank and funded by the US Agency for International Development, the European Union and others.

An additional 2,500 health facilities are also no longer working, Matheou said. More than 20,000 health workers are out of work, either because the facilities closed or their salaries were frozen.

That has stoked fears about a surge in deaths from basic medical ailments, and of a crippling brain drain as doctors look for work elsewhere or leave the country.

“Our doctors have not received their salaries for three months now,” said Dr. Mohammad Farid Rasouli, who works in the anesthesia ward at Aliabad Hospital in Kabul. For now, the hospital’s medical staff has been reporting to work each day, he said, but “if we don’t receive our salaries, there is a possibility we will leave our duties.”

Afghans across the country are feeling the pressure.

“I have a head injury and kidney problems, but don’t have money to go see the doctor,” said Noor Muhammad, 55. “If I don’t pay, no one is going to help me.”

The health care system in Afghanistan is on the brink of collapse, international aid groups warned this week, threatening to deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis just as temperatures begin dropping.

The health care system in Afghanistan is on the brink of collapse, international aid groups warned this week, threatening to deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis just as temperatures begin dropping. Thousands of health care facilities have run out of essential medicines. Afghan doctors have not been paid in two months, with no paychecks in sight. And in recent weeks, there has been a surge of cases of measles and diarrhea, according to the World Health Organization. For two decades, aid from the World Bank and other international donors propped up the country’s health care system, but after the Taliban seized power, they froze $600 million in health care aid. Now, just over a month into Taliban rule, the toll is becoming clear. Also read | Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study “We are deeply concerned that Afghanistan faces imminent collapse of health services and worsening hunger if aid and money do not flow into the country within weeks,” Alexander Matheou, Asia Pacific director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said at a news conference Thursday. “Afghanistan’s looming harsh winter threatens greater misery and hardships.” The unfolding health care crisis has underscored how quickly basic services have unraveled as international donors struggle with how to dispense badly needed aid to the country under Taliban rule. Foreign aid once made up nearly 75 per cent of the country’s public expenditures, according to the World Bank, but after the militants seized control on August 15, the US froze over $9 billion in the Afghan Central Bank’s American accounts, and major international funders like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund paused disbursements. They fear that the Taliban will reimpose the brutal repression of their first reign, from 1996 to 2001. Aid groups and foreign governments have talked of finding a way to funnel money and supplies into Afghanistan without placing them in Taliban hands, but until then, ordinary Afghans are paying a heavy price. “There needs to be some solution to the financial flows into Afghanistan to ensure that at least salaries can be paid, and that essential supplies — power and water being two of them — can be procured,” Matheou said Thursday. Last week, the United States cleared the way for some aid to flow to Afghanistan, issuing two general licenses to allow US government and certain international organisations like the United Nations to engage with the Taliban to provide humanitarian assistance. That should ease the flow of agricultural goods, medicines and other critical resources while maintaining economic sanctions against the Taliban. “Treasury is committed to facilitating the flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and other activities that support their basic human needs,” Andrea Gacki, director of the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement. But with winter rapidly approaching, humanitarian organisations have begun making urgent appeals to international donors. “Over the past 20 years, significant health gains have been made in Afghanistan in reducing maternal and child mortality, to end polio and more.” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said last week. “Those gains are now at severe risk.” The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is looking for $38 million to fund health care and other emergency services across Afghanistan. And on Wednesday, the U.N. spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, appealed to donors to help the organisation hit its goal of $606 million to pay for humanitarian programs through the end of the year. So far, that appeal is only 22 per cent funded. Still, the international community remains deeply divided over the issue of providing aid to the Taliban-run government. Some countries and aid organisations have demanded that the new government meet certain conditions — like guaranteeing women’s rights — in return for aid. Others have warned that making aid conditional risks plunging the country into a humanitarian disaster. More than half a million Afghans were driven from their homes during the Taliban’s four-month military campaign this summer, and many of them are still living in makeshift camps. A drought that has enveloped much of the country has caused a dire food shortage, according to the World Food Program. And the country faces a major economic crisis with the Taliban cut off from both international banking systems and the foreign aid that propped up the previous government. Around 18 million Afghans, almost half the population, are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization warned that two-thirds of the roughly 2,300 health care facilities it supports have run out of essential medicines. Only about 400 are now functioning. Those facilities, the backbone of the country’s health care system, are part of a $600 million project administered by the World Bank and funded by the US Agency for International Development, the European Union and others. An additional 2,500 health facilities are also no longer working, Matheou said. More than 20,000 health workers are out of work, either because the facilities closed or their salaries were frozen. That has stoked fears about a surge in deaths from basic medical ailments, and of a crippling brain drain as doctors look for work elsewhere or leave the country. “Our doctors have not received their salaries for three months now,” said Dr. Mohammad Farid Rasouli, who works in the anesthesia ward at Aliabad Hospital in Kabul. For now, the hospital’s medical staff has been reporting to work each day, he said, but “if we don’t receive our salaries, there is a possibility we will leave our duties.” Afghans across the country are feeling the pressure. “I have a head injury and kidney problems, but don’t have money to go see the doctor,” said Noor Muhammad, 55. “If I don’t pay, no one is going to help me.”

As need in Afghanistan grows dire, aid groups plead for help

FM of Taliban caretaker govt, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi hosted a group of political ambassadors in Kabul on Thursday. Envoys from China, Pakistan, Russia attended the meeting. The meeting aimed at projecting Afghanistan as a sovereign nation under the Taliban.

Taliban holds meeting with foreign envoys

Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi hosts group of political ambassadors in Kabul

In a hearing Wednesday on the Afghanistan withdrawal, Gen. Frank McKenzie, the Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), said the military knew civilians had been hit within four or five hours of the strike -- and they knew they had hit the wrong target within days.

US drone strike killed 10 Afghan civilians

Leaving her homeland Afghanistan was painful, says 15-year-old Sarah but says "I Am Free". Now safely in Portugal, she hopes to pursue her dream of playing soccer professionally - and be like her idol, star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

Afghan girls soccer squad finds new home in Portugal

The Taliban want India to resume flights. In a letter to DGCA India, they have requested 'smooth passenger movement' & given their 'highest assurance'. Palki Sharma asks: Do the Taliban's assurances work anymore?

Gravitas: The Taliban wants India to resume flights

Thousands of Afghans trying to escape the misery at home have flocked to their country's southern border with Pakistan, but their attempts to get across have been stopped by the Taliban.

Zakariullah, sitting on a dirt road in the trading town of Spin Boldak only a few hundred metres from Pakistan, says he has been turned back more than half a dozen times, sometimes violently.

"They say only people from the area with papers," Zakariullah, a 25-year-old farmer and father of three, told AFP on the weekend.

"We want to cross the border to work there because there are no jobs here."

The new Taliban rulers insist Afghans need to stay and rebuild their conflict-ravaged country.

"They tell people 'It's your country. You should not leave," said 25-year-old Rahmadin Wardak, who was also trying to flee.

On the other side, their Pakistani counterparts in Chaman were also stopping those attempting to cross.

"Every day, 8,000 to 9,000 people try to cross the border without having the necessary papers, and are turned back," one Taliban border guard, Mullah Maulvi Haqyar, told AFP.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-fire-shots-at-kabul-women-protesting-for-right-to-study-417115">Also read |&nbsp;Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study</a>

Maulvi Noor Mohammad Saeed, a Taliban official in Kandahar province, confirmed the authorities were asking "people and families to not leave the country".

"Doing that, you lose respect for your Afghan culture," he told AFP.

Sticks and pipes

At the border, only day labourers and traders -- all young men wearing traditional flat pakol hats and sweating under the weight of their goods -- were allowed to cram into a narrow corridor topped with barbed wire that led to the next checkpoint.

A second corridor for other travellers lay mostly empty, with a few exceptions including elderly men and women loaded onto wheelbarrows seeking urgent healthcare in Pakistan.

But scores of Afghans are eager to leave a country on the verge of economic collapse since the Islamists seized power in mid-August and foreign aid money dried up.

Jobs have vanished while farmers are struggling with the impact of a drought.

The United Nations has warned a third of the population is facing the threat of famine.

Zakariullah, whose farmland was 600 kilometres in Kabul province, said he now hoped to find work in Pakistan. He would then send for his wife and children to join him.

But, like many others at the border crossing, the journey to Spin Boldak has stripped away his meagre savings.

Mohammed Arif said he left his home in Nangarhar in the east because he had "no money, no food to feed my eight children".

Commotion erupted outside the border office as hundreds pleaded with the Taliban to let them through, during a visit by AFP on the weekend.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-exclusive-life-under-taliban-women-run-studio-forced-to-shut-down-in-kabul-417039">Also read |&nbsp;WION exclusive- Life under Taliban: Women-run studio forced to shut down in Kabul</a>

Guards wielding sticks and pipes tried to control the frenzied scene as a crush of people pushed to get across to sell their possessions -- and keep hunger at bay for a few more hours.

None of them made it.

Critical situation

Before the Covid pandemic and recent upheavals, the border was mostly open, with few restrictions for the tens of thousands who crossed daily.

But when the Taliban seized Spin Boldak early on in their dizzying offensive, Pakistan shut the gates and left huge crowds of stranded travellers to amass on both sides.

The crossing reopened when the hardline group ousted the US-backed government and assumed power in mid-August.

More Afghans arrived, fearing the Taliban would return to their brutal rule in the 1990s.

"At first, lots of people could cross," said Sami Ul Haq, who monitors the crossing point for the UN refugee agency UNHCR. "Before we had up to 24,000 people coming a day."

There were few restrictions at the crossing during the last two weeks of August, but then the Taliban and Pakistanis clamped down.

And on Thursday, the Taliban said they were shuttering the gates completely in protest against Pakistan -- which has repeatedly said it would not accept Afghan refugees -- accusing officials of creating hurdles for Afghans with the right papers.

The UNHCR has meanwhile not reported huge movements of people towards the borders.

With the war over, some Afghan refugees living in Pakistan have even returned.

But the agency last month said it was preparing contingency plans for up to 500,000 rushing into neighbouring countries by the end of the year.

"We need to prepare in case any change inside the country could trigger a massive displacement," Bertrand Blanc, a UNHCR senior emergency officer, told AFP in Islamabad.

"For the moment, we are in a wait and see the situation."

Thousands of Afghans trying to escape the misery at home have flocked to their country's southern border with Pakistan, but their attempts to get across have been stopped by the Taliban.

Thousands of Afghans trying to escape the misery at home have flocked to their country's southern border with Pakistan, but their attempts to get across have been stopped by the Taliban. Zakariullah, sitting on a dirt road in the trading town of Spin Boldak only a few hundred metres from Pakistan, says he has been turned back more than half a dozen times, sometimes violently. "They say only people from the area with papers," Zakariullah, a 25-year-old farmer and father of three, told AFP on the weekend. "We want to cross the border to work there because there are no jobs here." The new Taliban rulers insist Afghans need to stay and rebuild their conflict-ravaged country. "They tell people 'It's your country. You should not leave," said 25-year-old Rahmadin Wardak, who was also trying to flee. On the other side, their Pakistani counterparts in Chaman were also stopping those attempting to cross. "Every day, 8,000 to 9,000 people try to cross the border without having the necessary papers, and are turned back," one Taliban border guard, Mullah Maulvi Haqyar, told AFP. Also read | Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study Maulvi Noor Mohammad Saeed, a Taliban official in Kandahar province, confirmed the authorities were asking "people and families to not leave the country". "Doing that, you lose respect for your Afghan culture," he told AFP. Sticks and pipes At the border, only day labourers and traders -- all young men wearing traditional flat pakol hats and sweating under the weight of their goods -- were allowed to cram into a narrow corridor topped with barbed wire that led to the next checkpoint. A second corridor for other travellers lay mostly empty, with a few exceptions including elderly men and women loaded onto wheelbarrows seeking urgent healthcare in Pakistan. But scores of Afghans are eager to leave a country on the verge of economic collapse since the Islamists seized power in mid-August and foreign aid money dried up. Jobs have vanished while farmers are struggling with the impact of a drought. The United Nations has warned a third of the population is facing the threat of famine. Zakariullah, whose farmland was 600 kilometres in Kabul province, said he now hoped to find work in Pakistan. He would then send for his wife and children to join him. But, like many others at the border crossing, the journey to Spin Boldak has stripped away his meagre savings. Mohammed Arif said he left his home in Nangarhar in the east because he had "no money, no food to feed my eight children". Commotion erupted outside the border office as hundreds pleaded with the Taliban to let them through, during a visit by AFP on the weekend. Also read | WION exclusive- Life under Taliban: Women-run studio forced to shut down in Kabul Guards wielding sticks and pipes tried to control the frenzied scene as a crush of people pushed to get across to sell their possessions -- and keep hunger at bay for a few more hours. None of them made it. Critical situation Before the Covid pandemic and recent upheavals, the border was mostly open, with few restrictions for the tens of thousands who crossed daily. But when the Taliban seized Spin Boldak early on in their dizzying offensive, Pakistan shut the gates and left huge crowds of stranded travellers to amass on both sides. The crossing reopened when the hardline group ousted the US-backed government and assumed power in mid-August. More Afghans arrived, fearing the Taliban would return to their brutal rule in the 1990s. "At first, lots of people could cross," said Sami Ul Haq, who monitors the crossing point for the UN refugee agency UNHCR. "Before we had up to 24,000 people coming a day." There were few restrictions at the crossing during the last two weeks of August, but then the Taliban and Pakistanis clamped down. And on Thursday, the Taliban said they were shuttering the gates completely in protest against Pakistan -- which has repeatedly said it would not accept Afghan refugees -- accusing officials of creating hurdles for Afghans with the right papers. The UNHCR has meanwhile not reported huge movements of people towards the borders. With the war over, some Afghan refugees living in Pakistan have even returned. But the agency last month said it was preparing contingency plans for up to 500,000 rushing into neighbouring countries by the end of the year. "We need to prepare in case any change inside the country could trigger a massive displacement," Bertrand Blanc, a UNHCR senior emergency officer, told AFP in Islamabad. "For the moment, we are in a wait and see the situation."

No escape from Taliban: Thousands of Afghans' hopes crushed as exit routes shut

For years, innocents have been paying the price for America's war on terror. This time in Kabul, failures in US intel have left to the killing of an aid worker and members of his family. WION was first to cast doubt on Pentagon claims over killings.

Afghanistan: Mistaken identity devastates family, civilians killed due to faulty US intelligence?

For the first after forming its government in Afghanistan, the Taliban on Wednesday reached out to India, asking New Delhi to resume commercial flights to the war-ravaged country. Watch this report for more details.

Afghanistan: Taliban government wants India to resume flights

Top US defence officials have said that the Taliban takeover can be traced back to the deal struck between Taliban and Trump administration. Lloyd Austin said that the Doha agreement helped Taliban get stronger.

US defence officials say Doha agreement helped Taliban get stronger

Taliban is taking women off air in Afghanistan as Kabul's women-run Baano Radio and TV shuts down in Kabul. WION's Anas Mallick meets with the studio's co-founder Zahra Nabi on what this means for the future of women in Kabul. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Women-run studio forced to shut down in Kabul

Contrary to what the terrorist group claims, Taliban have been violently attacking women who are standing up for their basic rights.

A group of six women had gathered outside a high school in the eastern Kabul to fight for women's right to study. However, these women were pushed back, manhandled and even fired shots at them.

These women had gathered to protest against Taliban’s decision to not allow girls to return to secondary school. While boys were allowed to resume their classes, girls were excluded from the announcement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-drone-strike-us-military-knew-about-civilian-casualties-but-didnt-admit-initially-417046">Kabul drone strike: US military knew about civilian casualties but didn't admit initially</a>

With banners reading, 'Don't break our pens, don't burn our books, don't close our schools', the group of women took to streets to demand that Taliban allow girls to return to school too. However, their protests were met with extreme violence from the terrorist organisation.

Banners were snatched from these women as Taliban militants started physically pushing back women. Taliban claimed the demonstrations "did not coordinate with security authorities regarding their protest".

A journalist was also hit on head by a rifle and was strictly blocked from recording any footage or covering the story.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/decades-of-progress-undone-in-kabul-afghan-women-barred-from-higher-study-417090">WATCH |</a>

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However, the terrorist group still tried to save their face by claiming that locals are allowed to practice their right to protest but a permission has to be taken from security officials. "They have the right to protest in our country like every other country. But they must inform the security institutes before," said Taliban guard Mawlawi Nasratullah who called himself the head of special forces in Kabul.

This is not the first time women have come out to call for equal rights for women in Afghanistan. Since Taliban took over the country on August 16, women in Afghanistan and all over the world have been urging global leaders and organisations to help women claim back their basic human rights and safety of women.

Several protests have taken place all over the country and Taliban has tried to shut down by hook or by crook. Taliban, however, still claim that they are following a changed and more open thought process now in which the women will be provided better opportunities.

The daily stories from women of Afghanistan, however, narrate a stark difference.

Contrary to what the terrorist group claims, Taliban have been violently attacking women who are standing up for their basic rights. A group of six women had gathered outside a high school in the eastern Kabul to fight for women's right to study.

Contrary to what the terrorist group claims, Taliban have been violently attacking women who are standing up for their basic rights. A group of six women had gathered outside a high school in the eastern Kabul to fight for women's right to study. However, these women were pushed back, manhandled and even fired shots at them. These women had gathered to protest against Taliban’s decision to not allow girls to return to secondary school. While boys were allowed to resume their classes, girls were excluded from the announcement. Also read | Kabul drone strike: US military knew about civilian casualties but didn't admit initially With banners reading, 'Don't break our pens, don't burn our books, don't close our schools', the group of women took to streets to demand that Taliban allow girls to return to school too. However, their protests were met with extreme violence from the terrorist organisation. Banners were snatched from these women as Taliban militants started physically pushing back women. Taliban claimed the demonstrations "did not coordinate with security authorities regarding their protest". A journalist was also hit on head by a rifle and was strictly blocked from recording any footage or covering the story. WATCH | However, the terrorist group still tried to save their face by claiming that locals are allowed to practice their right to protest but a permission has to be taken from security officials. "They have the right to protest in our country like every other country. But they must inform the security institutes before," said Taliban guard Mawlawi Nasratullah who called himself the head of special forces in Kabul. This is not the first time women have come out to call for equal rights for women in Afghanistan. Since Taliban took over the country on August 16, women in Afghanistan and all over the world have been urging global leaders and organisations to help women claim back their basic human rights and safety of women. Several protests have taken place all over the country and Taliban has tried to shut down by hook or by crook. Taliban, however, still claim that they are following a changed and more open thought process now in which the women will be provided better opportunities. The daily stories from women of Afghanistan, however, narrate a stark difference.

Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study

It has been a month since the Taliban took control over Afghanistan, all the promises made over women rights have faded with time. Women have been told to stay at homes, have been barred from higher studies as well, have a look at this report.

Decades of progress undone in Kabul, Afghan women barred from higher study

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