Page 10 - Afghanistan

Faced pain, exhaustion after Afghanistan tour: Vegas bomber told ex-partner

The highly decorated Special Forces soldier who died by suicide in a Cybertruck explosion on New Year's Day confided to a former girlfriend who had served as an Army nurse that he faced significant pain and exhaustion that she says were key symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was a five-time recipient of the Bronze Star, including one with a V device for valour under fire. He had an exemplary military record that spanned the globe and a new baby born last year. But he struggled with the mental and physical toll of his service, which required him to kill and caused him to witness the deaths of fellow soldiers. Livelsberger mostly bore that burden in private but recently sought treatment for depression from the Army, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details that have not been made public. He also found a confidant in the former nurse, who he began dating in 2018. Alicia Arritt, 39, and Livelsberger met ...

Stop employing women or face closure: Taliban's diktat to all Afghan NGOs

The Taliban says it will close all national and foreign nongovernmental groups in Afghanistan employing women. It comes two years after they told NGOs to suspend the employment of Afghan women, allegedly because they didn't wear the Islamic headscarf correctly. In a letter published on X Sunday night, the Economy Ministry warned that failure to comply with the latest order would lead to NGOs losing their license to operate in Afghanistan. The ministry said it was responsible for the registration, coordination, leadership and supervision of all activities carried out by national and foreign organisations. The government was once again ordering the stoppage of all female work in institutions not controlled by the Taliban, according to the letter. In case of lack of cooperation, all activities of that institution will be cancelled and the activity license of that institution, granted by the ministry, will also be cancelled. The Taliban have already barred women from many jobs and mos

Pakistan solider killed, 11 wounded in firing by Afghan Taliban forces

A Pakistan paramilitary soldier has been killed and 11 others injured in firing by the Afghan Taliban forces at the border posts of Pakistan troops, days after strikes by Pakistan targeted the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) militants. According to defence sources, the Afghan troops resorted to unprovoked fire on multiple Pakistani border posts in the Upper Kurram district on Saturday morning. They fired at posts in Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha and Tari Mengal areas using both light and heavy weaponry, sources said. Pakistani forces retaliated, inflicting significant losses on the other side as seven to eight personnel of the Afghan forces were killed in the exchange of fire, sources added. However, in the fire exchange, a Frontier Constabulary (FC) soldier was killed and 11 others were injured. The incident of firing occurred days after Pakistan targeted terrorist positions in Paktika province of Afghanistan to punish the banned TTP militants, allegedly using Afghan soil to

Days after Pak airstrike, Afghan Taliban targets several points in Pakistan

The statement, which was released by Taliban did not directly specify that Pakistan was hit, but said the attacks were conducted "beyond the "hypothetical line"

World leaders mourn 'Great Champion' Manmohan Singh's passing

Leaders from around the world including the US, Canada, Afghanistan, Russia, and more share their condolences on the passing of former Prime MInister Manmohan Singh

Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan missed TTP targets? Find out here

TTP-linked social media accounts claim all their commanders, including the media cell head, are alive and unharmed, refuting Pakistani security officials' assertions

Afghanistan summons Pakistani envoy over airstrikes in Paktika province

Pakistani side has been clearly informed that protecting Afghanistan's national sovereignty is a red line for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Pak airstrikes kill 46 in Afghanistan; mostly women, children: Taliban

Pakistan's airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan killed 46 people, mostly women and children, a Taliban government official said Wednesday. Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, said that six people were also wounded in the Paktika province bordering Pakistan. This comes a day after Pakistani security officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with regulations, told The Associated Press that Tuesday's operation was to dismantle a training facility and kill insurgents in the province of Paktika in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, in a statement, Mohammad Khurasani, the spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed that 50 people, including 27 women and children, have died in the strikes. Residents in the area told an AP reporter over the phone that at least 13 people were left dead, adding that the death toll could be higher. They also said the wounded were transported to a local hospital. Pakistan has not commented on the .

Pakistan airstrikes 7 Afghan villages, killing 15: Here’s why

On December 24, Pakistan carried out rare air strikes inside Afghanistan, hitting 7 villages and killing atleast 15 people. Watch the video to know the reason behind Pakistan's move.

Pakistan airstrikes seven villages in Afghanistan, kills 15 - Here's why

These airstrikes have reportedly destroyed one of the training camps of Pakistani Taliban and have caused hundreds of casualties including women and children

Explosion in Afghan capital kills Taliban refugee minister, 2 others

Haqqani was the most high-profile casualty of a bombing in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power and the first Cabinet member to be killed since the takeover

UN urges Taliban to embrace human rights obligations for future generations

The UN mission in Afghanistan urged the country's Taliban rulers on Tuesday to embrace global human rights obligations for the protection and prosperity of future generations. The mission's call follows increasing alarm over a reported suspension of medical education and training for women and girls. Authorities have neither confirmed the suspension nor responded to the reports, which said that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered educational institutions to stop providing medical courses for females. The UN mission said that the theme for this year's International Human Rights Day emphasised how rights empowered people to build a better future. Regrettably, we continue to see the opposite unfold in Afghanistan, said Roza Otunbayeva, who is the head of the mission. There is an ongoing, dangerous erosion of human rights protections, with women and girls bearing the brunt. The human rights record of authorities was especially marked by their systemic discrimination again

Russian lawmakers advance Bill removing terrorist designation for Taliban

The lower house of the Russian parliament gave initial approval Tuesday to a long-discussed bill that would set the stage for Moscow to remove the designation of the Taliban in Afghanistan as a terrorist group. Under the bill passed by the State Duma in the first of three required readings, the official terrorist designation of an organisation could be suspended temporarily by a court. The legislation also needs to be approved by the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law. The Taliban were put on Russia's list of terrorist organisations in 2003, and any contact with such groups is punishable under Russian law. At the same time, Taliban delegations attended various forums hosted by Moscow. Russian officials have shrugged off questions about the seeming contradiction by emphasising the need to engage the Taliban to help stabilise Afghanistan. The Soviet Union fought a 10-year war in Afghanistan that ended with Moscow withdrawing its troops in 1989. Since the

Afghan economy shows modest signs of growth; recovery fragile: World Bank

Afghanistan's economy is showing modest signs of growth after two years of severe contraction, the World Bank said. In its latest development update issued late Wednesday, the financial institution said modest GDP growth of 2.7 per cent was driven by private consumption. The partial recovery, coupled with falling food prices, helped to gradually improve household welfare. Before the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghanistan's economy relied heavily on foreign aid and corruption was rife. Their takeover three years ago sent the economy into a tailspin, as billions in international funds were frozen, and tens of thousands of highly skilled Afghans fled the country and took their money with them. Afghan's exports remained stable in 2023-24 but imports surged, creating a widening trade deficit, according to the World Bank. This deficit, exacerbated by dependence on imports for essential goods like fuel, food and machinery, could pose a risk to the country's economic ...

Taliban's anti-begging laws: Afghan women detail rape, torture in prison

Afghan women detained under the Taliban's anti-begging laws describe horrific abuse, including rape and forced labor, after being arrested for begging to feed their children

Taliban detained journos over 250 times in Afghanistan since takeover: UN

In a reply accompanying the report, the Taliban-led foreign ministry denied having arrested that number of journalists and added that those arrested had committed a crime

Russia vows stronger ties with Afghanistan, says US should help rebuild

Taliban leaders asked Shoigu to help them ease the pressure imposed by US sanctions against the Kabul government

More aid workers have been killed in 2024 than in any other year, says UN

Bloodshed in the Middle East has been the single-biggest cause of the 281 deaths among humanitarians globally this year

700 kg drugs seized mid-sea: Gujarat ATS, NCB, Navy conduct joint op

The Gujarat coast continues to struggle with its reputation as a key entry point for drug smuggling into India, driven by its proximity to Pakistan, a transit hub for narcotics from Afghanistan

India takes tentative steps toward improving ties with Taliban-led govt

India closed its embassy in Kabul in August 2021 and has since then limited its engagement with the country to providing occasional humanitarian aid