Afghan Commandos break into another jail of Taliban in Helmand province

The Afghan Commandos have stormed another compound of the Taliban group in Helmand province which was used a detention facility by the group in this province.

The provincial government media office in a statement the Special Forces conducted an operation in Musa Qala district late on Tuesday night and released at least ten people from the prison run by the Taliban.

The statement further added that the operation was conducted by the Commandos of the 7th Kandak and as a result six civilians and four policemen were rescued.

This is not the first time the Afghan forces are conducting special operations against the hideouts of the Taliban militants which are used as prison cells.

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Taliban shadow chief justice signals green light for peace talks

The Taliban Shadow Chief Justice Mawlawi Abdul Hakim in a signed letter has called for peace in Afghanistan. The letter was also indicating rifts and dissensions within the Taliban.

The letter purportedly has been released by the people affiliated to Taliban Shadow Chief Justice in Herat province, in which Mawlawi Abdul Hakim addressed the Taliban leader Habtullah Akhundzada to respond to the Afghan people’s “legitimate demands” for peace.

The letter indicates a green light for peace talks with the Taliban and rift and dissensions within the militant group’s leadership.

In the letter, Mawlawi Hakim has welcomed the latest 3-day ceasefire between the Taliban and the government in which the fighters of the group were able to enter the cities and celebrate Eid days with people.

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Ghani says government working on ceasefire with Taliban in Eid Al-Adha

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani says the government is working on ceasefire with the Taliban group during Eid Al-Adha.

Speaking during a meeting with the representatives of the registered political parties, President Ghani pointed towards the successful experience of the ceasefire with the Taliban during Eid Al-Fitr and said the government is working on a similar ceasefire during the upcoming Eid Al-Adha, according to the Office of the President, ARG Palace.

This comes as a Presidential spokesperson, Haroon Chakhansuri had earlier said that there are chances of another ceasefire announcement with the Taliban group during Eid Al-Adha.

Speaking to reporters in Kabul nearly two weeks ago, Chakhansuri further added that signs of interests are seen on all sides, the government and Taliban, to declare another ceasefire during the upcoming.

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Taliban’s Red Unit commander and his 5 guards killed in drone strikes

A commander of the Red Unit of the Taliban group and his five security guards were killed during the drone strikes conducted in northeastern Kapisa province of Afghanistan.

The 201st Silab Corps of the Afghan Military in the East said the airstrikes were carried out in the vicinity of Nejrab district on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by Silab Corps, the US forces conducted airstrikes using unmanned aerial vehicles in Pechghan Valley of the district, leaving at least six militants dead, including a commander of the Red Unit of the group.

The statement further added that the airstrikes were carried out as the Taliban Red Unit commander and his security guards were travelling in a vehicle.

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U.S., Taliban to discuss ‘Withdrawal of American Forces’ in next meeting

A senior former member of the Taliban says the U.S. delegation and Taliban representatives are expected to discuss withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in their next meeting.

On Sunday, Reuters reported that a meeting has taken place between a senior U.S. diplomat and Taliban representatives in Doha, capital of Qatar which ended with very positive signals.

According to the report, the meeting has happened between a U.S. delegation led by Alice Wells, deputy assistant secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, and Taliban representatives in a hotel in Doha, last week.

The report noted that the talks had been held without the presence of Afghan government officials.

Citing a Taliban official, Reuters also said that the talks took place with the approval of the leadership council. The two sides had discussed proposals to allow the Taliban free movement in two provinces where they would not be attacked, an idea that President Ashraf Ghani has already rejected. They also discussed Taliban participation in the Afghan government.”

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Top US envoy met with Taliban officials in Qatar to explore ways for peace talks

A delegation of US officials led by Ambassador Alice Wells, the State Department’s deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, met with the Taliban officials in Qatar to explore ways for the revival of Afghan-led peace talks, it has been reported.

Sources privy of the development have told The Wall Street Journal that the top U.S. envoy for South Asia met with Taliban officials this week to discuss ways to lay the groundwork for peace talks.

The sources have further added that the aim of the discussion was to build on momentum created by a recent three-day cease-fire that offered Afghans a tantalizing taste of peace after decades of war, these people said.

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Taliban rejects the group has ordered a halt to suicide attacks in the cities

The Taliban group has rejected reports suggesting that the leadership of the group has ordered a halt to suicide attacks in the cities.

A spokesman for the Taliban group Zabiullah Mujahid issued a statement rejecting the statement attributed to him in a report in which he was quoted as saying that the group will not carry out suicide attacks in the cities anymore.

Mujahid further added that no such statement has been made during the interview in response to a question that why no suicide attack has been carried out in Kabul or other main cities.

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58 released from Taliban prison in Helmand

At least 58 people, including security personnel and civilians, were released from a Taliban prison in Helmand province, local officials said on Tuesday.

Maiwand 205 Corps in a press release said the prisoners were freed after a commando unit raided the prison late Monday night in Musa Qala district.

“Four soldiers, 15 Police officers, two doctors and 33 civilians were the prisoners who freed by security forces and four Taliban who were warden were arrested,” the press release added.

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U.S. ready for direct talks with Taliban, Nicholson says

The United States is ready to join direct negotiations with the Taliban in an effort to end the 17 year-long war in Afghanistan, the top U.S. commander General John Nicholson, said on Monday.

The comment follows increased diplomatic efforts to seek talks following unprecedented scenes of unarmed Taliban fighters mingling with Afghan security forces on the streets of Kabul and other cities during last month’s surprise ceasefire.

Nicholson, who leads the NATO-led Resolute Support mission said the United States recognised it had a key role to play.

“Our Secretary of State, Mr (Mike) Pompeo, has said that we, the United States, are ready to talk to the Taliban and discuss the role of international forces,” he said.

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Taliban reacts in panic as religious scholars end 2-day conference on Afghanistan

The Taliban militants group reacted in panic as the religious scholars from various Islamic countries ended their two-day conference on Afghanistan, denouncing the Taliban-led insurgency and suicide attacks.

The group issued a statement claiming that efforts were made during the conference to turn Afghanistan into a second Palestine, hide the atrocities of the occupiers and cuff the hands of the fighters.

However, the group says such moves will not harm the ongoing efforts of the Taliban and warned the Saudi government that such gatherings could harm the status of the Kingdom.

This comes as the religious scholars on Wednesday issued a joint declaration, stating that “Based on the texts of the Quran and the Tradition that Islam is a religion of peace and mercy, that the believers should all be merciful towards one another, and that their blood, property and honour are inalienable and should be protected against aggression.”

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