Page 86 - Afghanistan
Pakistan to restore Afghanistan's exports via Wagah border from Wednesday
Pakistan closed the Wagah border with India in mid-March in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic
 "Pakistan to restore Afghanistan's exports via Wagah border from Wednesday")
US finalising plan to pull 4,000 troops from Afghanistan, says report
The US is close to finalising a decision to withdraw more than 4,000 troops from Afghanistan according to the Washington-Taliban deal, a media report said on Saturday
25 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrike in Afghanistan's Balkh province
According to local sources, the airforce had targeted a farmer's house and during the strike four civilians, including a child and a woman, were killed
Afghan official: Kabul mosque bombed, 2 dead, 2 wounded
Tariq Arian, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, said the bomb targeted the Wazir Akber Khan Mosque at around 7:25 pm, when worshipers had gathered for evening prayers.
 "Afghan official: Kabul mosque bombed, 2 dead, 2 wounded")
Pak SC to hear appeal against acquittal of accused in Daniel Pearl's murder
Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan investigating Al-Qaeda-ISI link in 2002
 "Pak SC to hear appeal against acquittal of accused in Daniel Pearl's murder")
Taliban protests as Afghanistan government releases another 100 insurgents
The administration of President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday released 100 low-risk Taliban prisoners who had vowed never to return to the battlefield
 "Taliban protests as Afghanistan government releases another 100 insurgents")
Afghanistan's chaos and India's critique
The deal with the Taliban is full of contradictions, but it is the best the US could come up with. Rather than criticise it, India should think about what its own options are in securing its flanks
Asylum rights of Sikhs, Hindus fleeing Afghan attacks must be respected: UN
The Islamic State terrorist organisation has stated that it carried out the attack on gurdwara in Kabul on Wednesday killing at least 25 people and injuring several people
 "Asylum rights of Sikhs, Hindus fleeing Afghan attacks must be respected: UN")
UN chief Antonio Guterres condemns gurudwara suicide attack in Afghanistan
The Islamic State (IS) terror group, which has targeted Sikhs before in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the attack
 "UN chief Antonio Guterres condemns gurudwara suicide attack in Afghanistan")
Attack on gurdwara amid Covid-19 reflects diabolical mindset, says India
The External Affairs Ministry said India conveyed its sincerest condolences to the immediate family members of the deceased and wished speedy recovery to the injured
Afghan govt delays plan to free Taliban prisoners, puts peace deal at risk
According to the decree, only 1,500 Taliban prisoners would be initially released as a gesture of goodwill
Afghanistan Prez Ashraf Ghani signs decree to release Taliban prisoners
Making the announcement about the decree, Ghani's spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi on Tuesday said that details will be shared today
US rejects parallel govt formation in Afghan; Ghani, Abdullah take oath
Both Ghani and Abdullah held parallel swearing-in ceremonies in Kabul on Monday throwing the country into a major political crisis amid the ongoing peace process, Efe news reported.
 "US rejects parallel govt formation in Afghan; Ghani, Abdullah take oath")
Two blasts in Afghan capital during parallel presidential inaugurations
Hundreds of people had assembled at two venues inside the presidential palace complex to watch the swearing-in ceremonies for President Ashraf Ghani and challenger Abdullah Abdullah
 "Two blasts in Afghan capital during parallel presidential inaugurations")
Pak, India, others to chalk out strategy to curb locust invasion
The agriculture ministers of Pakistan, India, Iran and Afghanistan will connect via video-conferencing on March 11 to chalk out a strategy to deal with invasion
 "Pak, India, others to chalk out strategy to curb locust invasion")
Donald Trump confirms having 'good conversation' with Taliban leader
This comes three days after the United States and Taliban signed a historic agreement with an aim to bring peace to Afghanistan by the withdrawal of US forces
 "Donald Trump confirms having 'good conversation' with Taliban leader")
US has done a 'great job' in Afghanistan, asserts Trump: Key developments
Meanwhile, in an interaction with Pentagon reporters, Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the peace deal signed with the Taliban in Doha over the weekend was a conditions-based agreement
 "US has done a 'great job' in Afghanistan, asserts Trump: Key developments")
Deadly blast rocks Afghanistan as Taliban tells fighters to resume attacks
The Taliban's military commission circulated an order telling fighters to resume operations, according to a document provided to AFP by an insurgent source
 "Deadly blast rocks Afghanistan as Taliban tells fighters to resume attacks")
Will be meeting Taliban leaders soon; time to bring our troops back: Trump
The US currently has some 13,000 troops in Afghanistan
 "Will be meeting Taliban leaders soon; time to bring our troops back: Trump")
Taliban says it has brought down US military plane in Afghanistan
Pictures and a video on social media purportedly from the crash site showed what could be the remains of a Bombardier E-11A aircraft.
 "Taliban says it has brought down US military plane in Afghanistan")
