Afghanistan Flood Death Toll Rises To 61, Says Taliban
Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said at least 61 people have been killed and 116 injured in recent deadly floods across Afghanistan.
Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said at least 61 people have been killed and 116 injured in recent deadly floods across Afghanistan.
He said the floods have also caused widespread damage, with hundreds of homes completely or partially destroyed.
Thousands of acres of agricultural land have been lost, putting the livelihoods of many residents in affected areas at serious risk.
According to Taliban figures, four people remain missing and more than 2,400 homes have been damaged. Flooding has also blocked roads in several provinces.
Over the past week, Afghanistan has experienced unusually heavy rainfall and snowfall. In some provinces, intense rain has fallen, while in others, including Zabul, snowfall has reached up to 50 centimetres.
Flooding is one of the deadliest natural disasters in Afghanistan, claiming hundreds of lives each year.
Experts say a combination of climate change, prolonged drought and unregulated construction has increased the impact and casualties of such disasters in recent years.
Taliban minister Noorullah Noori has praised what he called public support during clashes with Pakistan, saying people across Afghanistan are our army.
Noori, the Taliban’s minister for borders and tribal affairs, made the remarks during a visit to Nangarhar province, where he addressed local residents and thanked them for what he described as unity and support in the face of Pakistani attacks.
He is considered one of the more outspoken critics of Pakistan within the Taliban and had previously warned that if pressure from Islamabad increased, the group might expand its response to areas such as Attock and Punjab.
During the visit, Noori again thanked the public for what he called their support and unity against Pakistan’s attacks.
He said: “All the people of Afghanistan are mujahideen. They have always broken the enemy through jihad and struggle and have achieved their independence through faith and Afghan pride.”
He added: “The people of eastern and western Afghanistan are our army and have jointly participated in jihad alongside the Taliban fighters, and through this support have defeated great empires.”
In recent weeks, reports have emerged that the Taliban forced citizens to take part in rallies in support of the group.
Taliban officials have repeatedly claimed in recent weeks that they enjoy broad public support during clashes with Pakistan.
The International Crisis Group said in its latest report that the Taliban have sought to use the conflict with Pakistan to mobilise domestic support.
However, some observers believe that for the first time in Afghanistan’s recent history, public opinion appears divided over tensions with Pakistan. According to them, some citizens support the Taliban’s hardline stance, while others back Pakistan’s strikes on Taliban positions.
Political groups opposed to the Taliban also argue that by supporting foreign militants, the group has enabled violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China said on Friday that talks between the Taliban and Pakistan are progressing steadily, calling the willingness of both sides to return to negotiations under Beijing’s mediation a positive development.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press briefing that both Pakistan and Afghanistan value China’s mediation and are willing to return to the negotiating table. She said this is a positive development.
She added that China is in close contact with both sides and is providing the conditions and platform for dialogue, noting that the three countries will release more information at an appropriate time.
The remarks come as border clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban, which began last October, have left dozens dead, with Afghans bearing the brunt of the violence.
Islamabad accuses the Taliban of supporting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an allegation the group denies, describing militant attacks as Pakistan’s internal issue.
China, which borders both countries, has in recent months intensified efforts to mediate between the former allies and now rivals.
In addition to phone calls with the foreign ministers of both sides, Beijing sent its special envoy to Kabul and Islamabad in March.
The ongoing talks in Urumqi are focused on securing a lasting ceasefire and reopening borders for trade and movement.
As a key economic partner to both the Taliban and Pakistan, China is concerned about the impact of tensions on its regional projects, including the Belt and Road Initiative.
Talks between the two sides began on Thursday, though no details of the discussions have been released.
China has said it will continue its mediation efforts between the parties.
Beijing aims to reduce tensions, reopen trade routes and border crossings, and establish a ceasefire.
At the same time, the Taliban claimed on Thursday that Pakistani artillery attacks had continued in three eastern provinces.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has stressed that progress in the peace process requires clear, verifiable and written guarantees, saying verbal commitments are not sufficient.
In previous rounds of talks in Doha, Istanbul and Riyadh, Islamabad also demanded written assurances, but the Taliban refused to provide them, contributing to the failure of earlier negotiations.
Taher Andrabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, accused the Taliban of failing to honor the Doha agreement with the United States, saying the group had adhered neither to its text nor its spirit.
Observers say Pakistan is taking part in the Urumqi talks under pressure from China.
Former Pakistani envoy Asif Durrani also said Islamabad joined the talks at China’s request.
In contrast, the Taliban Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that its delegation is participating in the talks with a balanced and principled approach, aiming for comprehensive discussions on good neighbourly relations, trade expansion and effective management of security issues.
Observers believe China, due to its significant economic interests in the region, including infrastructure projects and major investments, is seeking to maintain stability between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Concerns over security threats from Afghan territory, including militant infiltration and potential instability in border areas, are also driving Beijing’s active role in the talks.
The Afghanistan Human Rights Centre (AHRC) said the Taliban are systematically violating human rights, particularly those of women, documenting widespread abuse, torture and discrimination.
The report details cases of torture and mistreatment of detainees, stating that journalists and human rights activists especially women have been subjected to abuse, including sexual violence, in Taliban detention centres.
Severe Discrimination Against Women
The AHRC said some of the harshest restrictions on women and girls were enforced over the past year, with the Taliban’s Promotion of Virtue law increasing pressure on women.
It said women in Afghanistan live in constant fear of arrest, harassment and mistreatment. Some women’s rights activists have reportedly been tortured in detention, with cases of sexual abuse recorded.
The report warned that if the ban on girls’ education beyond primary school continues until 2030, around four million girls could be deprived of secondary and higher education.
It added that women have been among the primary victims since the Taliban’s return to power.
Detention And Torture
According to the report, detainees, particularly former security personnel, civil society activists, women’s rights defenders, journalists and those accused of links to armed opposition groups, have faced widespread mistreatment and torture over the past year.
It said Taliban intelligence facilities, especially Directorate 40, have become key sites of abuse, with some detainees reportedly dying in custody.
The report also highlighted the detention of journalists, noting that 17 media workers were arrested last year. Since the Taliban takeover, at least 165 journalists have been detained, some of whom were subjected to torture.
Judicial System Concerns
The report said changes introduced by the Taliban have undermined access to justice, with the current system lacking independence and issuing rulings based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Women have been entirely excluded from judicial and legal institutions.
It added that the Promotion of Virtue law grants Taliban enforcers broad powers to detain, threaten and punish individuals, including holding them for up to three days without due process.
The report criticised the Taliban’s penal code, saying it weakens the rule of law, institutionalises discrimination and expands the use of harsh punishments.
Punishments And Executions
The report said the Taliban carried out hundreds of floggings last year, with 1,087 people punished across various provinces.
Most punishments were carried out in public, with the majority of those flogged being men. Women were mainly punished on charges of extramarital relations and “running away from home”.
Five people were executed on murder charges during the same period.
Musa Mahmoudi said the Taliban had carried out widespread and systematic human rights violations, with torture becoming a common method used against detainees.
Civilian Casualties
The report said 310 people were killed and 974 injured over the past year.
It added that more than 90 per cent of civilian casualties were linked to border clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces, as well as Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.
The report stressed that civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.
Children Under Taliban Rule
The report said children face serious challenges, including poverty, hunger, lack of access to education and healthcare, sexual abuse, forced and underage marriage, trafficking and recruitment into armed groups.
It noted that worsening conditions have left 8.7 million people facing emergency levels of food insecurity. About 45 per cent of child deaths are linked to malnutrition, with acute malnutrition exceeding emergency thresholds in most provinces.
The report added that authorities have not introduced or enforced measures to prevent the recruitment of children into armed groups.
Economic Crisis Deepens
The AHRC said economic, social and cultural rights have deteriorated since the Taliban takeover, with many gains from the previous government lost.
An estimated 9.5 million people face food insecurity, while around 4.6 million mothers and children suffer from malnutrition.
A 2025 World Bank report found that one in four young people is unemployed.
The report said rising unemployment is driven by governance changes, lack of private sector growth, capital flight, reduced foreign investment and the return of millions of Afghan migrants.
It added that although inflation is relatively lower than in some neighbouring countries, declining incomes have weakened purchasing power.
Citing international sources, the report said more than half of Afghanistan’s population, about 24.4 million people, require humanitarian assistance.
Education And Cultural Restrictions
The report said both access to and the quality of education have declined sharply due to reduced international aid, lack of investment and Taliban policies.
Schools face poor infrastructure and a shortage of qualified teachers.
It also noted restrictions on cultural life, with celebrations such as Nowruz observed quietly due to Taliban measures. Cultural and religious sites, including shrines in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif, were closed, and traditional celebrations were curtailed.
Under the Promotion of Virtue law, cultural events such as Nowruz and Yalda night are considered contrary to Islamic law and are banned.
Sources say talks between Taliban and Pakistani delegations continued for a second day on Friday in Urumqi, China, as Beijing pledged to keep mediating, though no details of the discussions have been released.
China is seeking to reduce tensions, reopen trade routes and border crossings, and establish a ceasefire between the two sides.
At the same time, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the Taliban and Pakistan, as China’s neighbours, should resolve their disputes through dialogue.
Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed on Thursday that Pakistani artillery attacks had continued in three eastern provinces.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry stressed that progress in the peace process requires clear, verifiable and written guarantees, saying verbal commitments are not sufficient.
In previous rounds of talks in Doha, Istanbul and Riyadh, Islamabad also demanded written assurances, but the Taliban refused to provide any, contributing to the failure of earlier negotiations.
Taher Andrabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, accused the Taliban of failing to honor the Doha agreement with the United States, saying the group had adhered neither to its text nor its spirit.
Observers say Pakistan is taking part in the Urumqi talks under pressure from China.
Former Pakistani envoy Asif Durrani also said Islamabad joined the talks at China’s request.
In contrast, the Taliban Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that its delegation is participating in the Urumqi talks with a balanced and principled approach, aiming for comprehensive discussions on good neighbourly relations, trade expansion and effective management of security issues.
Observers believe China, due to its significant economic interests in the region, including infrastructure projects and major investments, is keen to maintain stability between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Concerns over security threats from Afghan territory, including militant activity and potential instability along border areas, are also driving Beijing’s active role in these negotiations.
Clashes have broken out between Taliban border forces and Pakistani troops in Khost province as talks between the two sides continue in Urumqi, China, local sources say.
Subhanullah Azzam, the Taliban’s head of information and culture in Khost, said the fighting took place in the Ghulam Khan area of Gurbuz district.
No details have yet been released about possible casualties or damage. However, local sources reported that gunfire was also heard in border areas of Alisher, Tirazayi and Zazi Maidan districts.
The clashes come as China seeks to bring Pakistan and the Taliban to the negotiating table. Sources say Beijing aims to reduce tensions, reopen trade routes and potentially secure a ceasefire.
Uzbekistan also called on Pakistan on Thursday to continue negotiations with the Taliban.