Ayaz Gul VOA News September 7, 2017 ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has vowed to stay engaged with the United States to help fight terrorism in neighboring Afghanistan, but said the war “cannot be won by excluding or confronting” Islamabad. Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif made the remark Thursday at the end of a three-day conference of Pakistani ambassadors
Press TV September 7, 2017 The United States has authorized deployment of 3,500 additional troops to war battered Afghanistan. A US official confirmed to Reuters that Defense Secretary James Mattis has ordered the deployment while the Pentagon said it would not make any announcement until the general speaks out. The Pentagon chief had reportedly sought
Ayaz Gul VOA News September 6, 2017 ISLAMABAD — A suicide bomber blew himself up just outside the U.S.-controlled Bagram military airbase in Afghanistan, causing “a small number of casualties,” Afghan and U.S. officials said. The attack occurred Wednesday evening at an entrance to the airbase, located in Parwan province about 60 kilometers north of Kabul,
Military Times: A recent Taliban propaganda video uploaded to the group’s official media site appears to show Taliban fighters mimicking the style and tactics of American commandos. The video, titled “Caravan of Heroes 13,” was posted to the group’s propaganda outlet called Voice of Jihad on Thursday. The 70-minute-plus video covers various Taliban tactics from assaults
Tolo News: As global pressure mounts against Pakistan, Islamabad has opted to unite Russia, China and Turkey against the new US strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia. The remarks were made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif this week after he suspended his trip to the United Sates. He said he will travel to regional countries
The New York Times: Today there are at least 18 stars on that wall representing the number of C.I.A. personnel killed in Afghanistan — a tally that has not been previously reported, and one that rivals the number of C.I.A. operatives killed in the wars in Vietnam and Laos nearly a half century ago. Click here
Ayaz Gul VOA News September 5, 2017 ISLAMABAD — Pakistan says it seeks to amicably resolve issues with the United States, cautioning “any [coercive] American action” would cause instability in the country. The remarks by Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan came days after U.S. President Donald Trump singled out Pakistan for harboring terrorist organizations, including the
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 5, 2017 Two Afghan staff members from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who had been abducted by armed men in February in the northern Jozjan Province have been released. “We are relieved and grateful that our colleagues are now back with us unharmed,” ICRC head of delegation
The Independent (UK): Afghan soldier Mehrullah Safi’s military career ended in southern Helmand province last year when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded next to him, severing his right leg. Now he sells mobile telephone cards in the street. Click here to read more (external link).
RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal September 4, 2017 Five of the world’s leading emerging economies have issued a statement that includes for the first time Pakistan-based militant groups as a regional security concern and calls for their patrons to be held accountable. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which comprise the BRICS grouping, called for an