UN-Supervised Meeting on Afghanistan To Take Place in January, Says Russia's Envoy

They have voiced concerns over Afghanistan becoming a hub for international terrorists, stressing the urgency for regional co-operation to combat this threat.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai; Abdullah Abdullah, ex-Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation; Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front; Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former national security adviser; and Hanif Atmar, former foreign minister, are among those who have publicly reacted to the incident.

In a social media statement, Ahmad Massoud remarked, "Terrorism has long tormented our region and continually harms our people." He noted Afghanistan's status as a refuge for regional and international terrorist groups and urged a collective regional fight against extremist ideologies.

Dadfar Spanta emphasised the need for regional solidarity in the battle against international terrorism, declaring, "Terrorism and its supporters must not be appeased; tolerance cannot eradicate terrorism."

Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of the National Directorate of Security, criticised Iran's interactions with the Taliban in light of the Kerman explosions, calling civilian killings a heinous crime.

Hanif Atmar expressed solidarity with Iran, stating, "Afghanistan stands with Iran in this difficult time with complete solidarity and shared grief."

The Afghanistan Freedom Front also responded, empathising with the victims and urging global and regional stakeholders to take a firm stance against terrorist organisations, including the Taliban.

No group has claimed responsibility for the Kerman explosions. The Iranian government has accused Israel of involvement, an allegation Israel denies. Previously, ISIS has carried out several terrorist attacks in Iran.

He criticised the Taliban's policy of detaining and suppressing opposition, stating, "filling the prisons will not strengthen your system."

While Stanekzai did not mention specific groups, the Taliban have been known to target human rights defenders and women's education advocates in recent years, actions that have drawn international condemnation.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) echoed similar concerns, urging the Taliban to halt the arbitrary arrests of individuals advocating for girls' education. UNAMA highlighted the importance of upholding rights to family, legal representation, care, and a fair trial.

In a social media post, Stanekzai emphasised that a sustainable political system requires justice, national unity, and both national and international legitimacy. He advocated for national reconciliation in Afghanistan, a goal he pursued as a key figure in former President Ashraf Ghani's government. However, the Taliban have historically rejected dialogue with Afghan political figures and groups, undermining reconciliation efforts.

Amidst increasing activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the ministry warns that ISIS is looking to heighten tensions through terrorist acts targeting Shiites and religious minorities.

The ministry highlighted its proactive measures in monitoring cyberspace to dismantle online extremist networks. In 2022 alone, it received 16,522 complaints to block radical, sectarian, anti-state, and terrorist content on social networks.

Additionally, the Ministry linked the surge in organised attacks by TTP to the 2022 peace negotiations between the Pakistani government and extremist militants. Despite the completion of fencing along Pakistan's western border, Taliban and ISIS members continue to damage the barriers to infiltrate Pakistan.

Pakistani officials have noted that the ceasefire between the government and TTP has inadvertently aided terrorist groups. The withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan is also cited as a factor in the increased militant activities in the region.

TTP militants have been orchestrating attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan provinces. A recent attack in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulted in the deaths of at least 23 soldiers and injured over 30.

In a statement, the ministry introduced new restrictions on athletes' attire during training. However, it did not specify whether these restrictions apply to male or female athletes.

This Taliban ministry also declared on Tuesday that "thin clothes" are contrary to Islamic Sharia and Afghan culture. Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, Taliban’s minister of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, urged merchants to abstain from importing such clothing.

Earlier, the Taliban had banned women from sports, recreation, and travel without a male guardian.

Over the past two years, the Taliban’s Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has imposed several regulations that severely restrict citizens' freedom.

The Taliban has mandated that government employees must grow beards and wear hats, and in certain instances, has taken action against those who failed to comply with such directives.

Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed on 3 January 2020, near Baghdad International Airport in an American airstrike.

The blasts occurred on the route to the 'Kerman Martyrs' Cemetery,' where Soleimani is buried. Tasnim News Agency described the explosions as 'massive' and reported the immediate response of security forces. It was noted that two bomb-laden bags were found at the cemetery's entrance and were likely detonated remotely.

Babak Yektafar, the spokesperson for Iran's National Medical Emergency Organisation, noted that some of the injured are in critical condition, raising concerns about an increase in the death toll.

The Deputy for Political and Security Affairs of Kerman Governorate labelled the explosions as 'terrorist' acts. No group has yet claimed responsibility for these incidents, which took place during the anniversary ceremony of Soleimani's killing.