Amu: A senior UNAMA official told Amu TV that the United Nations has so far verified that at least 269 civilians were killed and more than 122 injured in the March 16 airstrike that hit the Omid Rehabilitation Center in the east of Kabul. Taliban have said that about 400 people were killed in the attack, a figure significantly higher than the UN’s confirmed toll. Pakistan has claimed that the strike targeted Taliban military facilities but has not publicly addressed reports of civilian casualties. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Land Seizure and Extortion: Wilayat Khan Pushes Balkh Residents to Breaking Point
8am: Following continued complaints from citizens of Afghanistan about extortion and the seizure of people’s property by Taliban officials, several residents of Balkh have raised allegations against the Taliban’s head of land affairs in the group’s Department of Agriculture and Livestock. They accuse this local Taliban official of confiscating private property and taking control of public grazing lands. They emphasize that he leases both private and state-owned land to individuals of his choosing without observing the group’s laws or court rulings, and that if bribes are not paid, people’s ownership documents and rights are disregarded. Sources say that “Wilayat Khan,” also known as “Haji Mir Agha,” the Taliban’s head of land affairs in Balkh Province, has been extorting landowners and farmers in the province for more than four years. According to the sources, all landowners have grown frustrated with Wilayat Khan and have no avenue available to file complaints. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – April 21, 2026
Karzai rebukes Pakistani president over claims on Gandhara heritage
Hamid Karzai
Amu: Former President Hamid Karzai has pushed back against recent remarks by Pakistan’s President, Asif Ali Zardari, disputing claims over the cultural and historical legacy of the Gandhara region and elements of shared heritage. Karzai said that the civilizations of present-day northern India and Pakistan are continuations of what he described as the civilization of modern Afghanistan, and that Kandahar and its historical identity are rooted in what he called “ancient Ariana,” a region that once stretched from Bamiyan to the Indus basin. His comments, posted on the social platform X, came in response to a message issued by Zardari marking World Heritage Day on April 18, in which the Pakistani leader described his country as a crossroads of ancient civilizations. In that statement, Zardari highlighted cultural traditions spanning from the Indus Valley civilization to the Mughal era, and cited Gandhara as part of the historical legacy that shapes Pakistan’s national identity. Click here to read more (external link).
Former Minister Atmar Rejects Durand Line Recognition, Cites Public Opposition
Mohammad Hanif Atmar
Afghanistan International: Former Afghan foreign minister Haneef Atmar says recent remarks on the Durand Line do not reflect Afghanistan’s historical realities and go against public sentiment. Without naming Mohammad Mohaqiq, Atmar said on X on Monday that such positions represent a departure from the demands and feelings of the Afghan people. He described the Durand Line as an “imposed imaginary line” that ignored national will. Click here to read more (external link).
Mohaqiq says he recognizes Durand Line
Mohaqiq
Amu: Mohammad Mohaqiq, a senior political figure and opponent of the Taliban, said in an interview with Amu TV that he recognizes the Durand Line as the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a position that remains deeply contentious in Afghanistan’s politics. The comments prompted swift criticism from some former officials. Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of Afghanistan’s intelligence service, described the remarks as a “questionable political shift,” suggesting they could be interpreted as transactional. Shah Hussain Murtazawi, a former presidential spokesman, said positions on territorial integrity should be based on careful judgment and broad national consensus, not emotion. Others voiced support. Mujib Rahman Rahimi, a former government spokesman, praised Mohaqiq for taking a clear position and urged other political leaders to do the same. Click here tor read more (external link).
Rashid Khan says he declined India, Australia citizenship offers
Rashid Khan
Khaama: Rashid Khan said he rejected offers of citizenship from India and Australia, reaffirming his commitment to represent Afghanistan. The leg-spinner made the claim in his book Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom, in which he describes his rise from Nangarhar to international cricket. According to his account, both countries approached him with offers to change nationality and represent them at the international level. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – April 20, 2026
Hekmatyar calls Afghanistan’s situation ‘unacceptable,’ urges elections
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar
Amu: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hezb-e-Islami, said the current situation in Afghanistan is “unacceptable” to “all Afghans” and called for immediate political change, including the holding of elections. In a statement published on Saturday, Hekmatyar said the country’s conditions fall short of public expectations and require urgent reform. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghan athlete Sofia Sarwari wins grappling title in Germany
Sofia Sarwari
Amu: Sofia Sarwari, an Afghan grappling athlete, has won a championship title at a World League Jiu-Jitsu competition held in Frankfurt, Germany. Sarwari secured the gold medal in the “no-gi” division — a format of the sport practiced without a traditional uniform — after winning four matches without defeat. She also placed first in the absolute category, competing against eight athletes from countries including the United States, Egypt and Germany, and was awarded a championship belt. Click here to read more (external link).
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