ISI continues to support Taliban: NDS Chief

The acting head of the National Directorate of Security, Massoud Andarabi has said that Taliban and other insurgent groups have not achieved their goals, despite the support of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.

"ISI widely continues its support for Taliban and will continue supporting them with attacks this summer and spring in Afghanistan" Andarabi said.

His statements came during a Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) session on Monday after MPs summoned the acting Interior Minister, acting Defense Minister, acting NDS chief and the Army Chief of Staff to the house to answer questions regarding the security situation in the country.

Rejecting allegations that some districts have been handed to the Taliban, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Qadam Sha Shahim said "These are just claims that there is an agreement that a number of districts were handed to Taliban. But we have strong commitment to suppress them."

Meanwhile, during the session, insurgents targeted the new parliament building by firing off four rockets. Two hit the building and the other two fell in the grounds. However, this did not deter MPs, who continued their session.

"Four missiles were launched and two of them hit the national council building and two others close to the building," said Abdul GhafarGhorzang, the acting head of the National Council Security Directorate.