Taliban Seeks Annual Purchase Of 2 Million Tonnes Of Russian Fuel

According to Taliban-run National Television, the victims’ bodies have been handed over to their families.

During the former republic, the Taliban frequently planted mines on roads and farmland without marking them, targeting government and foreign forces.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said that in 2024 at least 564 people, including 434 children, were killed in Afghanistan by landmines and unexploded remnants of war.

The two men, Qadoos Khatibi and Fayaz Ghori, had previously urged the reopening of girls’ schools through posts on Facebook.

According to sources, they were first taken to the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and later transferred to Taliban intelligence custody.

Khatibi, a university lecturer and social activist in Herat, had posted a video on Friday calling on the Taliban to reopen schools and universities to Afghan girls.

Referring to nearly five years of closures, he said the Taliban had repeatedly cited problems that needed to be resolved but had failed to address them. Without education, development is not possible in any country, he said.

He stressed that the Taliban should honour their commitments and provide access to education for girls.

Meanwhile, Fayaz Ghori wrote on Facebook that he hoped for the day when the doors of education would reopen to girls in Afghanistan.

During nearly five years in power, the Taliban have repeatedly detained critics over protests against their policies, with some reports of torture.

Since returning to power, the Taliban have barred girls above primary school from attending classes and have also closed universities to female students.

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.