Afghanistan
Rocket attack near Kabul airport kills two
Early reports suggest at least two people have been killed and three injured in the attack, according to Afghan media reports. BBC reported that the recent blast was caused by a rocket that struck a house near the airport. The airport was not hit directly. There have been multiple reports of a loud explosion heard near Kabul airport. Some images posted on social media show black clouds of smoke rising into the air.
Af-Pak region promises to stay terror haven
And since the new rulers are supported by, and beholden to, Pakistan where favourable conditions have ripened further under Prime Minister Imran Khan's government, the eastern neighbour could well be the springboard. Immediately threatened could well be India, particularly its disputed Jammu and Kashmir region. But in a repeat of what the "Afghan war veterans" of the 1990s did.
Blast reported near Kabul airport, said to be rocket attack
The blast could be from a rocket that hit a nearby house and the airport was not targeted, the BBC quoted a local official as saying. There was no information of any casualties. Images posted on social media show black clouds of smoke rising into the air, and freelance journalist Shafi Karmi shared photos of the purported site of the attack. The blast came hours after US President Joe Biden warned that another attack in the airport area was highly likely.
Over 250 Afghan Sikhs, Hindus want safe passage to West, not India
For them India is not the preferred destination as a refugee. The reason: they believe it took years and years to procure the Indian citizenship. Also, there is too much red tapism while procuring government documents like a passport and an Aadhaar card. They are praying to enter a Western nation as a refugee where they are hoping to live a dignified life. They comprise dozens of women and children.
Massoud resistance denies Taliban claim of entering Panjshir
"No fighting occurred, but the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan advanced from various directions without facing any resistance. The Islamic Emirate forces have entered Panjshir from different directions," said Anaamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban's Cultural Commission, Tolo News reported. Samangani, however, said the door is still open for negotiations.
Journalists among Kabul airport explosion victims
"Ali Reza Ahmadi, a reporter for Raha News Agency and Najma Sadeqi, former presenter at Jahan-e-Sihat TV channel were killed in the airport attack," Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) said in a Twitter post. Nearly 200 people, including 13 US soldiers, were killed and hundreds others wounded in the suicide blast that hit an eastern airport gate, when huge crowds were waiting for evacuation flights.
Taliban restricts bank withdrawals to $200 per week
In an official directive, the central bank of Afghanistan, De Afghanistan Bank, has ordered all private and international banks to limit withdrawal to their individual customers to $200 which equals AFS2,000 per week, said the Khaama News report. The directive reads that the decision is made after financial difficulties arose in Afghanistan and will be temporary.
500,000 Afghans may leave in next 4 months: UNHCR
In a statement issued on Saturday, UNHCR said that the political uncertainty following the collapse of the former government to the Taliban in mid-August will force people to start a mass migration, TOLO News reported. "While we have not seen large outflows of Afghans at this point, the situation inside Afghanistan has evolved more rapidly than anyone expected," said Kelly T. Clements, deputy high commissioner.
Terror attack against Kabul airport highly likely in 36 hrs: Joe Biden
"The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high. Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours," Biden said in a statement on Saturday after meeting with his national security team.
Pentagon says US drone strike kills 2 ISIS-K targets
"Two high-profile ISIS targets were killed, one was wounded, and we know of zero civilian casualties," US Army Major General Hank Taylor told reporters in a Pentagon briefing, the Xinhua news agency reported. US Central Command initially assessed on Friday that the drone strike, which occurred in Nangarhar province of eastern Afghanistan, killed one ISIS-K planner.
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