Kabul: A total of 63 militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) outfit have laid down arms and surrendered to security authorities in eastern Afghanistan, said an official statement released Tuesday.Pardoning the surrendered insurgents for their activities in the past, a senior security official, Mohamad Bashir, said that the former militants will be severely punished if they violate the law or disrupt security in the area, as per Xinhua.More than 600 alleged militants affiliated with the hardliner IS group have surrendered to security authorities in the eastern Nangarhar province over the past six months, the statement said.Afghanistan is at the top of the list of countries affected by terrorism in 2021, local media reported citing the Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). In 2021, Afghanistan was the least peaceful country in the world as it was most affected by terrorism.The country witnessed as many as 1,426 deaths from terrorism in 2021, which account for 20 per cent of the world's total death due to terrorism, according to the IEP report, which added that at least 2,199 people were injured in terror incidents in Afghanistan while 91 cases of hostages were registered.Over half of these victims were civilians, said the report, which included the 2021 attack that occurred in Kabul when Daesh detonated two suicide bombs near Kabul International Airport, killing 170 people and injuring over 200, reported the media outlet.Notably, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan reported the most terrorist attacks in 2021. Meanwhile, the Taliban's swift ascension to power in Afghanistan in mid-August has triggered economic disarray and a dire humanitarian crisis in the country. According to the United Nations, more than 24 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance—ANI

 A total of 63 militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) outfit have laid down arms and surrendered to security authorities in eastern Afghanistan, said an official statement released Tuesday.

63 IS terrorists surrender in Afghanistan

Kabul: Nearly 20 million people in Afghanistan - almost half the population - are facing acute hunger, humanitarians warned in an UN-backed report, published on Monday.The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis for the country also revealed a pocket of "catastrophic" levels of food insecurity in the northeast, affecting thousands, UN News reported.The analysis was conducted in January and February by partners who include the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), sister agency the World Food Programme (WFP), and many non-governmental organizations. Although humanitarian assistance helped avert a food security catastrophe over the harsh winter in Afghanistan, hunger still persists at unprecedented levels, according to the report.Richard Trenchard, FAO Representative in the country, described the food security situation as dire. "Humanitarian assistance remains desperately important, as do the needs to rebuild shattered agricultural livelihoods and re-connect farmers and rural communities to struggling rural and urban markets across the country. Unless these happen, there will be no way out of this crisis," he said.The IPC was developed in 2004 to determine the severity and magnitude of food insecurity and acute malnutrition situations in a country. The report predicts there will be a slight improvement in food security in Afghanistan from June through November, with the number of people facing acute food insecurity dropping to 18.9 million.This is partly due to the coming wheat harvest, which runs from May to August, as well as the scale-up in food assistance this year and increased support to agriculture."Food assistance and emergency livelihood support are the lifeline for the people of Afghanistan. We mounted the world's largest humanitarian food operation in a matter of months, reaching more than 16 million people since August 2021," said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP's Country Director and Representative in Afghanistan.However, the report warned that any gains will be limited, as lingering drought and the economic crisis continue to threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions across the country.The partners were particularly concerned that a small pocket of "catastrophic" levels of food insecurity - IPC 5, the highest phase on the scale - has been detected, marking a first since the scale was introduced in Afghanistan in 2011.The report said that although the upcoming harvest will bring some relief for millions, that relief will only be short-term for many.Fallout from the war in Ukraine continues to put pressure on Afghanistan's wheat supply, food commodities, agricultural inputs, and fuel prices.Furthermore, access to seeds, fertilizer and water for irrigation is limited, labour opportunities are scarce, and people have incurred enormous debts to buy food over the past few months.&nbsp;—ANI

 Nearly 20 million people in Afghanistan - almost half the population - are facing acute hunger, humanitarians warned in an UN-backed report, published on Monday.

Nearly 20 Million Facing Acute Hunger In Afghanistan: UN

Kabul (Afghanistan): The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday said that record levels of hunger persist in Afghanistan.As per the WFP report, almost half of Afghanistan's population is facing acute hunger and prolonged drought and a deep economic crisis that will threaten the livelihoods of millions of people across Afghanistan, reported Tolo News."19.7 million people, almost half of Afghanistan's population, are facing acute hunger according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis conducted in January and February 2022 by Food Security and Agriculture Cluster partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and many NGOs," the report read.The report further added that humanitarian assistance averted a catastrophe in the harsh winter months - but hunger continues across the country at unprecedented levels, reported Tolo News.The report predicted that the outlook for June-November 2022 sees a slight improvement in the food security situation, with a reduction in the number of people facing acute food insecurity to 18.9 million people. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy says that is considering a strategic and a food insecurity plan to solve the challenges that children face in the country, reported Tolo News."In the permanent economic strategy of the Ministry of Economy, the rebuilding of Afghanistan's infrastructure is included," Aman Nazari, deputy of the Ministry of Economy.&nbsp;—ANI

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday said that record levels of hunger persist in Afghanistan.

Half Of Afghanistan's Population Facing Acute Hunger: WFP

Washington: In the wake of a recent Taliban decree ordering compulsory all-covering burqa for women in Afghanistan's public places, the US has called for an "end to these restrictive measures".US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price in a press conference on Monday said "when we're acting with partners around the world, we have sources of leverage to wield with the Taliban."According to Price, the US has taken into account that the Taliban has continued "to adopt policies oppressing women and girls", reported TOLO News. Price further added that such oppressions are a substitute for the Taliban to address "the acute economic crisis and the need for inclusive government."The spokesperson also stated that the US has urged the Taliban to put an end to these restrictions in Afghanistan.Further, Price emphasized that the US has always been one of the largest providers of humanitarian aid to the Afghanistan people, reported the TOLO News. "We have provided hundreds of millions of dollars worth of humanitarian support, including an additional installment of humanitarian support recently," said Price. "We've spoken, of course, of the reserves, half of which will be available to the people of Afghanistan."The US Department of State spokesperson has also condemned the Taliban's policies toward the Afghan women calling it "an affront" to human rights. In addition, Price mentioned that such policies of the Taliban will result in hampering their relations with the international community.Earlier this month Taliban made it mandatory for Afghan women to wear the all-covering burqa in public places, adding that if the decree was violated a male member of the family will be imprisoned for three days.The Taliban has also closed all secondary schools for girls in Afghanistan for which it received worldwide condemnation. Several activists and political parties have urged the Taliban to reconsider the ban on secondary schools for girls. —ANI

 In the wake of a recent Taliban decree ordering compulsory all-covering burqa for women in Afghanistan's public places, the US has called for an "end to these restrictive measures".

Burqa Impostion In Afghanistan: US Says It Has 'Leverage To Wield With Taliban'

Kabul: As the Taliban's recent decision to impose additional restrictions on women, including the mandate that they cover their faces in public places, the United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting to discuss the issue on May 12 at the request of Norway mission. The discussion will be focused on the human rights situation, as well as the release of girls and women and Taliban's imposition of new restrictions on them, Khaama Press reported.According to Norway's UN mission, Deborah Lyons, the UN's special envoy for Afghanistan, will brief the 15-member council on the intensification of restrictions and the newly devised decree for Afghan women. Afghanistan's supreme leader has ordered the country's women to cover their faces in public - one of the harshest restrictions imposed on them since the Taliban seized power last year."They should wear a chadori (head-to-toe burqa) as it is traditional and respectful," said a decree issued by Taliban chief Haibatullah Akhunzada that was released by authorities at a function in Kabul on Saturday. The group promised to respect women's rights after assuming power in August. However, reversing their declaration that girls' high schools would open, claiming they would remain closed until a plan was developed to reopen exposed the Taliban's plans out in the open.During their previous rule, from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban denied women the right to work and education, and the group's stance over the past nine months, which has dominated Afghanistan, suggests that the group is once again pressing for stricter controls—ANI

 As the Taliban's recent decision to impose additional restrictions on women, including the mandate that they cover their faces in public places, the United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting to discuss the issue on May 12 at the request of Norway mission. 

UNSC to hold discussion on Taliban's new burqa order

Kabul: Resistance to the Taliban is flaring up in northeastern Afghanistan, and as reports of deadly fighting increase, so are claims of war crimes against civilians.The fighting is centred in Panjshir province, a traditional hotbed of ethnic Tajik resistance to the Pashtun-dominated Taliban and the last province to fall to the extremist group after it seized control of the rest of the country in August 2021, RFE/RL reported.Residents of the southern Dara district’s Abdullah Khel Valley said that an influx of Taliban fighters to counter growing unrest had led to extrajudicial killings, torture and beatings.The violence has been attributed by some to defiance of the Taliban’s declaration that Eid al-Fitr be celebrated on May 1.Locals marked the Islamic holiday on May 2 after a prominent imam criticized the Taliban’s decision as politicized, and issued a fatwa calling for it to be celebrated in keeping with the date set by Mecca, the RFE/RL report said.They also report high casualties among Taliban fighters deployed from other provinces to quell fighting led by the resurgent anti-Taliban National Resistance Front (NRF) and to round up local religious figures and other potential insurrection leaders.“As they (the Taliban) searched for the resistance, they encountered difficulties but took a number of young men hostage,” said one resident of Abdullah Khel Valley.“There are dead bodies in every corner,” said Mullah Mahad, 41, another resident. “But they (locals) don’t have the right to bury their dead.”Another resident, Gul Aqa, said that clashes with the NRF resulted in heavy losses for the Taliban. “The Taliban sent more troops and military weapons to suppress the gunmen, but this time the National Resistance Front forces based in the Abdullah Khel Valley attacked the Taliban convoy,” he said.The reported fighting has led to a war of words between the NRF and the Taliban, with the resistance group claiming in recent days that it had killed scores of Taliban fighters and taken control of large parts of the Abshar and Dara districts, including the Abdullah Khel Valley, RFE/RL reported.The reports of renewed fighting have been accompanied by multiple videos on social media of apparent war crimes being carried out by Taliban fighters.The videos, which RFE/RL was not able to independently verify, purportedly show Taliban fighters beating civilians and firing at civilian homes.Other videos show alleged Taliban fighters shooting men one by one in a trench and allegedly executing a resistance fighter.The reports of the mistreatment and killings of civilians led the European Union’s envoy to Afghanistan, Andreas von Brandt, to express his concerns about the situation in Panjshir.“We mourn the innocent loss of life,” von Brandt wrote on Twitter on May 10.“Once more, the situation underlines the need for overdue inclusive solutions in governing Afghanistan.—IANS

Resistance to the Taliban is flaring up in northeastern Afghanistan, and as reports of deadly fighting increase, so are claims of war crimes against civilians.

Fighting In Panjshir Triggers Fresh Claims Of Taliban War Crimes

Kabul: The UN Mission in Afghanistan met with Afghanistan Reform and Consultative Council on Sunday and discussed proposals to promote tolerance and secure meaningful peace in the country.“UNAMA’s acting Political Head Scott Smith grateful to members of the Afghanistan Reform and Consultative Council for meeting today. No shortage of thoughtful proposals nor goodwill to promote tolerance and secure a meaningful peace,” said United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a tweet.This meeting comes in the backdrop of a range of issues affecting Afghanistan. In the past few weeks, dozens of countries have expressed deep disappointment about escalating restrictions on the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.Last week, the G7 Foreign Ministers had deplored the Taliban’s recent decree enforcing hijab on Afghan women and new punishments for family members to enforce compliance with these restrictions. They had condemned the imposition of increasingly restrictive measures that severely limit half the population’s ability to fully, equally, and meaningfully participate in society, including the recent announcement on women’s appearance in public along with new punishments for family members to enforce compliance with these restrictions.“We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union express our strongest opposition and deplore the increasing restrictions imposed on the rights and freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban,” the G7 Foreign Ministers’ said on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. They also reiterated strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.—ANI

The UN Mission in Afghanistan met with Afghanistan Reform and Consultative Council on Sunday and discussed proposals to promote tolerance and secure meaningful peace in the country.

UN Mission discusses meaningful peace with Afghan reform council

Kabul: The Taliban have ordered female Afghan TV presenters and other women on screen to cover their faces while on air, BBC reported. Media outlets were told of the decree on Wednesday, a religious police spokesman told BBC Pashto.The ruling comes two weeks after all women were ordered to wear a face veil in public, or risk punishment.Restrictions are being tightened on women -- they are banned from travelling without a male guardian and secondary schools are shut for girls, BBC reported. One female Afghan journalist working for a local TV station in Kabul, who did not want to be named, said she'd been shocked to hear the latest news. "They are putting indirect pressure on us to stop us presenting on TV," she told the BBC. "Based on information received by Tolo news, the order has been issued to all media outlets in Afghanistan," the news channel reported.The decision is being widely criticised on Twitter, with many calling it another step by the Taliban to promote extremism. "The world deploys masks to protect people from Covid. The Taliban deploys masks to protect people from seeing the faces of women journalists. For the Taliban, women are a disease," one activist tweeted, BBC reported. The private Shamshad news channel posted a photo of its news presenter wearing a mask, and other similar images are being shared on social media.—IANS

The Taliban have ordered female Afghan TV presenters and other women on screen to cover their faces while on air, BBC reported.

Taliban order female TV presenters to cover their faces

Bamiyan: Two children lost their lives in a landslide that allegedly hit a village in Waras district of central Bamiyan province of Afghanistan, provincial administration spokesman Sabour Sighani said. The landslide occurred on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the official on Saturday, the natural disaster hit Kaftar Khan village in Waras district on Friday afternoon, killing two sisters on the spot.It is the second incident of its kind over the past week in the war-torn country. Earlier on Monday, four people were killed and two others injured in a landslide that hit Sholar-e-Payan district of northern Badakhshan province.—IANS

Two children lost their lives in a landslide that allegedly hit a village in Waras district of central Bamiyan province of Afghanistan, provincial administration spokesman Sabour Sighani said.

Landslide kills 2 children in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan

Kabul: Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul on Wednesday has been appointed as the new bowling coach of Afghanistan. Gul will begin his new role during the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe in June, when Afghanistan will play three ODIs followed by a further trio of T20Is in Harare. The 39-year-old made 237 international appearances for Pakistan across formats, making a particularly notable impact in the white-ball game, taking 179 wickets in 130 ODI matches and bagging 85 in 60 T20Is with a miserly career economy of 7.19. This will be Gul's first coaching assignment in international cricket after serving as the bowling coach of Quetta Gladiators in the 2021 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).Gul will have to guide Afghanistan's bowlers through a three-match ICC Cricket World Cup Super League series against Zimbabwe as that will help team Afghanisthan qualify for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. Umar Gull was the highest wicket-taker in both the 2007 and 2009, T20 Cricket World Cup. He bagged 13 wickets in seven matches in both years and impressed everyone with his skills.Afghanistan is preparing well for the upcoming T20 World Cup as they are one of eight teams already confirmed in the Super 12. ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhail (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Mujib ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar Reserves: Noor Ahmad, Nijat Masoud T20I squad: Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran (vc), Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ihsanullah Janat, Karim Janat, Nijat Masoud, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Usman Ghani. Reserves: Zahir Khan, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad.—ANI

Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul on Wednesday has been appointed as the new bowling coach of Afghanistan. Gul will begin his new role during the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe in June, when Afghanistan will play three ODIs followed by a further trio of T20Is in Harare.

Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul appointed Afghanistan bowling coach

Recently there has been intense fighting between the Taliban forces and NRF guerillas in and around Panjshir and Andarab valley in North Afghanistan. NRF claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Taliban. 

Resistance Have Presence in Most Parts of Afghanistan: NRF

Kabul: A total of 13,492 families received cash assistance in Afghanistan's eastern province of Logar, the country's Office of the State Minister for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs said on Sunday.Each family received 7,500 afghanis ($85) in the provincial capital Pul-e-Alam, and suburban districts of Mohammad Agha and Baraki Barak, Xinhua news agency quoted the Office as saying.The assistance was the second batch being distributed to the same families, according to sources. Besides, provincial disaster management officials distributed food assistance to 100 flood-affected families in the western Herat province, the Office said. The families were identified by surveys jointly conducted by the provincial officials and members of local aid agencies. The Office added that more humanitarian assistance would be provided to needy families in far-flung provinces in the coming days or weeks.—IANS

A total of 13,492 families received cash assistance in Afghanistan's eastern province of Logar, the country's Office of the State Minister for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs said on Sunday.

13,492 families receive cash assistance in Afghan province

New Delhi: A team led by the Ministry of External Affairs’ Joint Secretary (PAI) is currently on a visit to Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, an official statement said on Thursday. In a statement, the Ministry said: “During the visit, the team will meet representatives of the international organisations involved in distribution of the humanitarian assistance. In addition, the team is expected to visit various places where Indian programmes/projects are being implemented.”Under India’s humanitarian assistance to the war-torn, “we have already dispatched several shipments of humanitarian assistance consisting of 20,000 MTs of wheat, 13 tonnes of medicines, 500,000 doses of Covid vaccine and winter clothing”, the statement says. “These consignments were handed over to the India Gandhi Children Hospital, Kabul and UN specialised agencies including WHO and WFP. Furthermore, India is in the process of shipping more medical assistance and foodgrains to Afghanistan.”The Ministry went on to say in the statement that in continuation with developmental partnership with Afghanistan, India has given one million doses of India-made COVAXIN to Iran to administer to Afghan refugees in Iran. “We have also assisted Unicef by supplying almost 60 million doses of polio vaccine and two tonnes of essential medicines. India’s development and humanitarian assistance has received a wide spread appreciation across the entire spectrum of Afghan society,” the statement added. According to the Ministry, the Indian team will also meet senior members of the Taliban, and hold discussions on New Delhi’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.—IANS

A team led by the Ministry of External Affairs’ Joint Secretary (PAI) is currently on a visit to Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, an official statement said on Thursday.

Indian Team In Kabul To Oversee Humanitarian Assistance To Afghanistan

Kabul: The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has condemned the remarks made by two former spokespersons of India’s ruling BJP against Prophet Muhammed. In a tweet, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns the use of derogatory words against the Prophet of Islam by an official of the ruling party in India”, Pajhwok News reported. “We urge the Indian government not to allow such fanatics to insult the holy religion of Islam and provoke the feelings of Muslims,” he added.Afghanistan became the latest Muslim country to denounce the remarks made by now-suspended BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal after Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran made similar condemnations. India’s ambassadors to Kuwait and Qatar were summoned on Sunday to receive official notes of protest over the comments. Doha has also demanded the Indian government issue a public apology. On Sunday, the BJP suspended Sharma and Jindal for their comments on Prophet Muhammad and said that party’s view is to respect all religions.—IANS

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has condemned the remarks made by two former spokespersons of India’s ruling BJP against Prophet Muhammed. In a tweet, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns the use of derogatory words against the Prophet of Islam by an official of the ruling party in India”, Pajhwok News reported.

Afghanistan Condemns Ex-BJP Leaders’ Anti-Prophet Comments

Kabul: The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) will provide monkeypox test kits to the the war-torn nation as the virus has been confirmed in 27 countries with nearly 800 cases.According to officials from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the Afghan health sector currently lacks kits to test for monkeypox, reports TOLO News. "PCR machines were handed over to the MoPH during the outbreak of Covid-19 in Afghanistan. These machines cannot be used to test for monkeypox," said Javid Hazhir, a Ministry spokesman. So far, Afghanistan has not reported any monkeypox cases. In its latest report on Sunday, the WHO said the 780 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox from 27 countries represented an increase of 523 cases (+203 per cent) since May 29, when a total of 257 cases were reported.However, there have been no deaths associated with the current monkeypox outbreak. Monkeypox is a sylvatic zoonosis that may cause infections in humans and the disease usually occurs in forested parts of Central and West Africa. It is caused by the monkeypox virus which belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, according to the WHO.—IANS

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) will provide monkeypox test kits to the the war-torn nation as the virus has been confirmed in 27 countries with nearly 800 cases.

Afghanistan to receive monkeypox test kits from WHO

New Delhi: In an interesting development in the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow has accused Washington of violating contractual obligations by supplying Mi-17 helicopters to Kyiv which it said were transferred to the United States exclusively for operation in Afghanistan.As reported by IndiaNarrative.com on Thursday, the latest shipments of US military aid for Ukraine announced on June 1 includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), five counter-artillery radar systems; two air-surveillance radars; 1,000 Javelins and 50 command launch units; 6,000 anti-armour weapons; 15,000 155-mm artillery rounds; four Mi-17 helicopters; 15 tactical vehicles; and additional spare parts and equipment.Insisting that the move would only delay the prospect of an early peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has labelled the delivery of Russian-built military helicopters to Ukraine as “another flagrant violation” by the American side of its international obligations.“This understanding was legally enshrined in the relevant contract and end user certificate, which states in black and white that the said helicopters should be delivered to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for its armed forces. Only this way, and nothing else. However, these legal restrictions, as we see, are not an obstacle for Washington in its unbridled desire to pump weapons to Kyiv,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.The spokesperson detailed that the Russian embassy in Washington had made an official presentation to the US Department of State, “demanding detailed explanations” as to why Mi-17s are being transferred to Ukraine without the knowledge and consent of the exporter, i.e. Russia, and contrary to established diplomatic practice but has received no “clear answer”.“The behaviour of the United States is a blatant example of the policy of “double standards”, when Washington fulfills only the agreements that are convenient for it at a particular moment. Not to mention that this obvious violation of international law ultimately contributes to prolonging the conflict in Ukraine,” said Zakharova.According to the US Defence Department, the security assistance committed to Ukraine as of April 21, 2022 includes as many as 16 Mi-17s.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had specifically made a request for Soviet-era military equipment which could be operated easily by the country’s military in the ongoing conflict against the Russian defence forces.“These had been earmarked for Afghanistan… They are coming out of our stocks, our inventory, we have them, we didn’t obviously transfer them to Afghanistan. So, we’re now transferring them to Ukraine, I would remind that, as you probably remember, we had already provided Ukraine five Mi-17s not long ago. So, this is not the first time that we’ve given them Mi-17s,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in press briefing in April.Russia also said on Friday that it believes that the American side is “irresponsibly supplying” long-range missile and artillery systems to Ukraine and justifying this by “allegedly receiving guarantees from Kyiv” that the supplied military aid will not go beyond the borders of Ukraine.“In general, on the positions of Ukrainian nationalists, one can observe a whole set of foreign artillery, including long-range ones. There are also French Caesars, Polish Krabs, and American M109s. German PzH-2000s and Slovak Zuzans will appear soon. This is a real holiday for Western military concerns on the bones of civilians in this long-suffering land,” the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson had commented in a media briefing in Moscow on Friday.—IANS

In an interesting development in the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow has accused Washington of violating contractual obligations by supplying Mi-17 helicopters to Kyiv which it said were transferred to the United States exclusively for operation in Afghanistan.

Russia Asks US Why Mi-17 Helicopters Meant For Afghanistan Are Landing In Ukraine

Kabul: Flag carrier and largest airline of Afghanistan, Ariana Afghan Airlines on Thursday said it will resume flights to India, China and Kuwait. The confirmation came from Rahmatullah Agha, head of Ariana Afghan Airlines, reported Tolo News. "We have discussed this in Dubai. God willing, flights will soon start to India, where there are a lot of goods ... and a number of our passengers are there for treatment. Our flights to India, China and Kuwait will soon start," he said. The airline flies twice a week to Doha, Qatar, and it is unclear how much a ticket will cost. India is one of the largest markets for Afghan agricultural and horticultural products.The Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock (ACAL) said that with the start of flights between Kabul and Delhi, the country's exports will increase, reported Tolo News. "India's market is a good opportunity for our ... agriculture sector, now here in Afghanistan it is the season of grapes, pomegranates, apricots, saffron, medicinal plants, we hope that our exports will increase to other countries through air corridors," said Mirwais Hajizada, member of ACAL. Meanwhile, NBC News reported that the United States, in cooperation with the Qatari government, is indirectly paying Ariana Afghan Airlines to evacuate Afghan refugees from Kabul. But the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) said that any passenger with a legal document can travel abroad, reported Tolo News. "Flights happen based on timetables, anyone who has travel documents like a visa, passport and ticket can travel, if they are foreigners or Afghans, they can travel," said Imamuddin Ahmadi, spokesman for the Ministry of Transport.—ANI

Flag carrier and largest airline of Afghanistan, Ariana Afghan Airlines on Thursday said it will resume flights to India, China and Kuwait. The confirmation came from Rahmatullah Agha, head of Ariana Afghan Airlines, reported Tolo News.

Ariana Afghan Airlines to resume flights to India

Kolkata: The inspirational Sunil Chhetri would look to continue from where he left against Cambodia as India face Afghanistan in their second match of the Asian Cup Qualifiers here on Saturday.On an evening of missed opportunities, the 37-year-old veteran struck a goal in each half to give Igor Stimac's side all three points, ensuring the group hosts keep ahead of Hong Kong on goal difference after Jorn Andersen's team won 2-1 over Afghanistan in the first match on Wednesday.Seeking to make a second successive Asian Cup Finals, the Chhetri-led India would look to bring out their best, especially up front with the likes of Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan and Roshan Singh hoping to improving their finishing abilities.All of them got ample opportunities but failed to make an impact as far as scoring was concerned and it was once again left to the veteran to settle the nerves with his brace that took his international tally to 82 goals, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (117) and Lionel Messi (86)."I'm tired of answering this question," Stimac said when asked about life after Chhetri."When he's (Sunil) with us, I don't care if others are not scoring. If he's not here, then others will start scoring. Why look for someone else when he's scoring two goals every day?" he asked.From Afghan's point of view it will be a do-or-die match and the physically stronger team would look to make it count against the Indian backline of Roshan Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali and Akash Mishra, who impressed the most in their outing against Cambodia.In such a scenario, the onus would be on the attacking line-up to "kill the contest" by scoring early goals, something that buried Afghanistan against Hong Kong.The fitness of Roshan has been a concern after their outing against Cambodia and Stimac said they would assess his niggle on the sidelines of their training."Of course this match will be much more difficult. There's a lot of quality movements against Hong Kong. They kept changing positions and made many crosses into the box."We have to be clever and very good at attacking. We have to win more aerial duels. We have to concentrate well, remain composed. I've full confidence of a win," Stimac added.India, who enjoy a 6-1 record on head-to-head from 10 meetings against the 'Lions of Khorasan', however, have not won against them since January 3, 2016 in the SAFF Championships.Since then the Blue Tigers have endured two 1-1 draws in the World Cup Qualifiers, something that was highlighted by Afghanistan coach Anoush Dastgir, who said they are in search of 'revenge' at the Qualifier.On their defeat against Hong Kong, he said: "in the first minutes we killed ourselves, it was very hard to come back."But, going by their outing against Hong Kong, Dastgir's side rarely threatened barring their captain Farshad Noor's 81st minute strike, which reduced their margin.The key to their attacks will rest on Faysal Shayesteh who is just one goal away from becoming Afghanistan's all-time top-scorer.—PTI

The inspirational Sunil Chhetri would look to continue from where he left against Cambodia as India face Afghanistan in their second match of the Asian Cup Qualifiers here on Saturday.

Chhetri in focus again as India face Afghanistan

New Delhi: Following the attack on Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday that resulted in the death of two persons, India has decided to grant e-visas to over 100 Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan on priority.As per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sources, the decision was taken late last night. Meanwhile, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) on Sunday claimed the responsibility for the Karte Parwan Gurdwara attack in Kabul.ISKP released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. According to ISKP, 'Abu Mohammed al Tajiki' carried out the attack which lasted for three hours.The group claimed that besides submachine guns and hand grenades, four IEDs and a car bomb were also used in the attack. It further claimed that about 50 Hindu Sikhs and Taliban members were killed in the attack and the attack was conducted as revenge for the insult of Prophet Mohammed by an Indian politician.However, in the attack, only two people were killed and seven others were wounded.Strong action has already been taken against those who made derogatory remarks. A statement was also issued by concerned quarters emphasizing respect for all religions, denouncing insult to any religious personality or demeaning any religion or sect. Vested interests that are against India-Kuwait relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments.The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma from the party's primary membership and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their alleged inflammatory remarks against minorities.At least two civilians, including a Sikh man and a Muslim security guard, died after an attack by ISKP in Afghanistan's Kabul city on Saturday.Initial inputs suggested that an explosion took place outside the gate of the Gurdwara killing at least two people. Another explosion was later heard from inside the complex and some shops attached to the Gurdwara caught fire. The holy Guru Granth Sahib from Gurudwara in Afghanistan's capital city Kabul was retrieved from the complex, from which plumes of smoke were seen billowing out after the attack early this morning, according to visuals posted on social media.Visuals posted by locals on social media show a barefoot man carrying the Guru Granth Sahib on his head. The visuals show two or three more people, all walking without footwear accompanying him.According to Sikh religious belief, the Saroop, a physical copy of the Guru Granth Sahib is considered a living guru. The transportation of Guru Granth Sahib is governed by a strict code of conduct and as a mark of respect, the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on the head, and the person walks barefoot.According to reports, the Holy Book was taken to the residence of Gurnam Singh, president, of Gurdwara Karte Parwan. Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been targets of violence in Afghanistan.In October, last year 15 to 20 terrorists entered a Gurdwara in the Kart-e-Parwan District of Kabul and tied up the guards. In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul's Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. —ANI

Following the attack on Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday that resulted in the death of two persons, India has decided to grant e-visas to over 100 Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan on priority.

India To Grant E-Visas To Over 100 Sikhs, Hindus In Afghanistan On Priority

United Nations: India has warned of Afghanistan becoming a haven for terrorist organisations that threaten the region and called for unified action against the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba getting entrenched there.India’s Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti told the UN Security Council on Thursday, “We need to see concrete progress in ensuring that such proscribed terrorists, entities or their aliases do not get any support, tacit or direct, either from Afghan soil or from the terror sanctuaries based in the region.”“The linkages between groups listed (as terrorist organisations) by the UNSC (Security Council) such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed, as well as provocative statements made by other terrorist groups operating out of Afghanistan pose a direct threat to the region,” he said.He noted that the Taliban, which now controls Afghanistan, “is yet to dissociate itself with other terrorist groups such as the Al-Qaeda which continue to remain active”. Therefore, he added, unified action was needed to “ensure that Afghanistan does not become a haven” for other terrorist organisations, including the “local Islamic State affiliate known by the acronym ISIS-K, Al-Qaeda, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba”.Tirumurti heads the Council’s panel overseeing the implementation of its sanctions relating to Afghanistan that is known as the 1988 Sanctions Committee after the resolution setting it up.He said that the committee’s report issued in May indicates “that the current authorities need to take much stronger action to fulfil their anti-terrorism commitments”.In particular, he added that “there is a significant increase in the presence of ISIL-K in the country and their capacity to carry out attacks. ISIL-K, with its base reportedly in Afghanistan, continues to issue threats of terrorist attacks on other countries”.ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for the attack on gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul last week and has threatened to strike elsewhere.Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths, who is the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, described the “desperate situation” of starvation and drought in Afghanistan which has been compounded by the earthquake this week.Asking for more aid to that country while pledging to ensure that they are administered properly, he said, “Without intervention, hunger and malnutrition will intensify with devastating consequences. Drought will persist, wreaking havoc on crop yields and availability of safe water.”Tirumurti said that India has sent Afghanistan 30,000 tonne of wheat, 13 ton of medicines, 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines and winter clothing. India has signed an agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP) for the distribution of 50,000 tonne of wheat in Afghanistan.The wheat supply through the WFP was held up by Pakistan but has since been allowed and they are being sent to Afghanistan.India has also sent 1 million doses of the Covaxin vaccine to Iran to innoculate Afghan refugees living there against Covid-19, Tirumurti added. He said that an Indian team had gone to Afghanistan this month to meet representatives of the international organisations involved in distribution of the humanitarian assistance and to visit places where Indian programmes and projects are being implemented like Indira Gandhi Children Hospital, Habibia High School, Chimtala sub-power station and the WFP wheat distribution centre.According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the team headed by Joint Secretary J.P. Singh was also to have met with representatives of the Taliban. Trina Saha, the Acting US Mission’s Minister Counselor for Political Affairs, said that if the Taliban wants to normalise relations with the international community, it should heed the Council’s demand “to reverse the steps it’s taken to exclude women from social, political and economic life — immediately”. “This is a perilous moment for Afghanistan,” she said, adding, “We have been alarmed by the resumption of fighting and reports of abuses against civilians in various parts of Afghanistan, including in Panjshir.” —IANS

India has warned of Afghanistan becoming a haven for terrorist organisations that threaten the region and called for unified action against the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba getting entrenched there.

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