Buzkashi (file photo)
Ariana: Afghanistan national buzkashi team secured a 14–0 victory over Hungary in its opening match of the 2026 International Kokpar Tournament in Kazakhstan. The city of Turkestan in Kazakhstan is hosting the international Kokpar competition. The tournament began on March 15 and will continue until March 21, 2026. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: At least 400 people were killed and 250 others were wounded in Pakistan airstrike on a rehabilitation center in the east of Kabul on Monday night, Taliban deputy spokesman said, adding that casualties may rise. Hamdullah Fitrat said the strike targeted the 2,000-bed rehabilitation center in eastern Kabul at around 9 pm local time. He said many of the victims were patients receiving treatment at the facility and warned the death toll could rise. Click here to read more (external link).
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Khaama: Pakistan launched heavy bombardment targeting Afghanistan’s capital Kabul again, according to Taliban officials and residents reporting multiple explosions across the city. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the strikes, saying a drug rehabilitation hospital was hit and several civilians were killed. Videos shared by residents showed large explosions and fires in several parts of Kabul, with witnesses saying the force of the blasts shook the city. Sources also reported that Pakistani aircraft bombed a Taliban military facility in Ghani Khel district of Nangarhar province late Monday evening. Click here to read more (external link).
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Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada
Amu: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada made no reference to recent Pakistani attacks, the ongoing clashes with Pakistan or the issue of girls’ education in a lengthy message issued for the Eid holiday. Instead, the message focused largely on calls for obedience to him, prayers for his protection and the survival of the Taliban rule, and praise for Taliban morality enforcers. Akhundzada urged the people to be grateful for what he described as security and stability in the country. The message comes as cross-border clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban have entered their 19th day. Pakistani fighter jets on Friday targeted a special unit linked to the Taliban leader in the southern province of Kandahar, according to local sources. Click here to read more (external link).
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Afghanistan International: The UN Security Council’s sanctions committee has updated its list of senior Taliban members and officials subject to sanctions. The list includes Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Taliban’s prime minister, Abdul Ghani Baradar, his economic deputy, and the group’s interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani. According to the updated list, 22 Taliban officials are subject to travel bans, asset freezes and arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council. Click here to read more (external link).
8am: Local sources report that unknown armed men shot and killed Yaqub Ebrahimi, the former traffic commander of Ghor province. Sources stated that Ebrahimi was killed on Monday, March 16, in the Kandiwal area of Firuzkuh city, the center of Ghor. The killing of former military personnel has increased in various provinces after the Taliban’s renewed control, and in many cases, the Taliban have been accused of detaining and killing them. Click here to read more (external link).
Ariana: The Council on American-Islamic Relations – Texas (CAIR-Texas) has called for a full and transparent investigation following the death of Afghan refugee Nazeer Paktiawal, who died on March 14 after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to information shared with family members and community representatives, Paktiawal was detained by ICE officers on March 13 outside his home after dropping his children off at school. Later that evening, he reportedly developed serious health complications while in custody. Authorities informed his family the following day that he had died. Click here to read more (external link).
Buzkashi (file photo)
Ariana: Afghanistan’s national buzkashi team has departed for Kazakhstan to compete in an international buzkashi tournament, marking another appearance for the country in the traditional sport on the global stage. According to the statement, the tournament will take place from March 15 to March 21 in the city of Turkistan, Kazakhstan. Teams from nine countries, including Afghanistan, are expected to participate in the event. Click here to read more (external link).
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