Taliban militants (file photo)
The Daily Mail (UK): British Muslim clerics who embarked on a so-called ‘fact-finding’ mission to Afghanistan have praised the ‘beautiful’ Taliban leaders for instilling freedom in the country following their rise to power amid the US pullout in August 2021. But Zalmai Nishat, founder of the anti-extremist Etidal Peace and Democracy Foundation told The Times: ‘This is a perfect exercise of whitewashing and glorification of the Taliban… this security they talk about is at the expense of freedom and marginalisation of ethnic communities in Afghanistan.’ Click here to read more (external link).
8am: Local sources in Takhar province report that a Taliban commander of Uzbek descent has been disarmed in the region. Sources informed the Hasht-e Subh Daily on Thursday, April 11, that Taliban border guards and Pashtun militants disarmed Mawlawi Qadir in the Qorogh area of Khwaja Ghar district, Takhar province, after he resisted surrendering his weapons during Eid prayers. According to sources, he faced disarmament after resisting the surrender of his arms during Eid prayers. Sources recount that Taliban border guards, predominantly Pashtun, publicly humiliated Mawlawi Qadir and assaulted his son and nephew. Internal conflicts within the Taliban are not unprecedented; prior clashes occurred between Pashtun commanders and members of this group from other ethnic backgrounds in Takhar, resulting in casualties in some instances. 
Ariana: A friendly match between the national futsal teams of Afghanistan and China ended in 2-2 draw on Friday. The match was held in Thailand, with Hussain Mohammadi hitting Afghanistan’s two goals. 
Tolo News: Michael McCaul, the chairman of the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee, once again criticized the Biden adminstration withdrawal for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and said aid is supporting the Islamic Emirate. McCaul stated in a hearing that humanitarian aid is currently not reaching needy women and children in Afghanistan. 
Khaama: The Bakhtar News Agency, citing officials from the Taliban’s media office in Kunar province, reported that the operation was launched on Thursday night in the Diwgal Valley of Chawkay district. According to the report, two rifles were also discovered and confiscated during the skirmish. 