Taliban Detains Activists For Urging Girls’ School Reopening

Videos released by Taliban outlets show individuals holding both old and modern weapons, with some participants saying they were awaiting Taliban orders to join a possible fight against Pakistan.

The march reportedly took place in the border districts of Zazi Maidan and Alisher.

Participants condemned Pakistan’s recent attacks on Afghan territory and warned they were ready to wage jihad if instructed.

Some told Taliban media they had already registered for a potential conflict, stressing that defending Afghanistan’s soil is a responsibility shared by all citizens.

Mukhtaruddin Jalalzai, a tribal elder in Khost, said locals had signed up for possible fighting and were waiting for Taliban orders to join front-line combat against Pakistani forces.

Previously, in several provinces, the Taliban have been accused of pressuring people to take part in anti-Pakistan demonstrations. Residents told Afghanistan International they had been threatened into joining such protests.

Over the past four years, the Taliban have repeatedly suppressed public protests, including those led by women demanding rights and freedoms, often using force and detaining participants.

Observers say the Taliban are attempting to mobilise public support against Pakistan.

Tensions between the two sides continue to escalate, with Pakistan vowing to continue operations inside Afghanistan and the Taliban saying they will respond to further attacks.

According to Uzbek media, the council includes 32 members, among them representatives from the board of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce.

At its first meeting on Thursday, participants discussed measures to strengthen economic and trade ties, facilitate direct business interactions and implement new joint projects.

Both sides agreed to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion in the short term.

Davron Vakhabov, head of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the council would promote direct dialogue between entrepreneurs, encourage new partnerships and boost investment activity.

Zamir Kabulov told RIA Novosti that Moscow wants both sides to avoid conflict and instead work jointly to address the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil.

He said the issue of multiple terrorist organisations in Afghanistan genuinely exists, emphasising that terrorism cannot be defeated by a single side.

In recent weeks, Pakistan has carried out a wave of airstrikes against Taliban-linked military sites in Afghanistan. According to available information, the strikes have included dozens of operations, mainly targeting military bases, weapons depots and training centers.

He described the killing of civilians in the attack as a clear disregard for international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of Islam.

Reacting on Friday to a Human Rights Watch report, Atmar said it is time for Taliban leaders and political opponents to take immediate joint national action.

He proposed convening an emergency loya jirga to resolve internal disputes and achieve national reconciliation, stressing the need for collective efforts to defend the country and its people.

Human Rights Watch said Pakistan’s 16 March 2026 airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul was unlawful and a likely war crime, calling for an impartial investigation.

The United Nations said 143 people were killed in the attack.

Atmar reiterated that such operations show clear disregard for international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of Islam, particularly those related to the protection of civilians.

He also accused the international community and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation of a shameful silence over Pakistan’s actions, urging them to play a more effective role in ensuring accountability and reviving peace efforts.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry released a video of the visit, claiming the area in Terwa district remains under full Taliban control and dismissing reports of Pakistani forces capturing parts of the district as baseless.

Previously, Enayatullah Toofan, a member of the Taliban’s High Council for Armed Forces Coordination, told Afghanistan International that Pakistan had seized parts of Paktika and issued Pakistani ID cards to local residents.

Faridun Samim, spokesman for the Taliban governor in Nuristan, also confirmed on Wednesday that Pakistani forces were attacking vehicles attempting to enter Kamdesh and Barg-e Matal districts, leading to road closures.

The Taliban Defence Ministry said its forces are committed to defending Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and assured the public that not even an inch of land would be surrendered.