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UN Appoints French Diplomat As Deputy Head Of UNAMA

Apr 28, 2026, 10:00 GMT+1

UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has appointed Bruno Georges Lemarquis as the new Deputy Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, where he will also serve as the UN Humanitarian Coordinator.

He succeeds Indrika Ratwatte, who previously held the roles of Deputy Head of UNAMA and UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan.

Lemarquis had served since 2022 as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he also worked as Humanitarian Coordinator.

He also served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the United Nations office in Haiti from 2020 to 2021.

Lemarquis has experience with the United Nations Development Programme, where he held various roles in crisis management, reconstruction, development and peacebuilding.

He has undertaken multiple field missions in Somalia, Haiti, the Palestinian territories and Cambodia.

Bruno Georges Lemarquis holds a degree in tropical agricultural engineering from France and is fluent in both French and English.

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Islamabad Rejects Claims Of Strike On Kunar University

Apr 28, 2026, 08:56 GMT+1
Islamabad Rejects Claims Of Strike On Kunar University
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Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and broadcasting on Monday denied reports it had attacked Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University and residential areas in Kunar. The ministry called the claims blatant lies and an attempt to win sympathy and conceal Taliban support for the TTP.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education said that at least 30 students and lecturers were injured in an attack on Sayed Jamaluddin University.

In a post on X on Monday, April 27, Pakistan’s information ministry stated that no attack had been carried out on the university and described the reports as baseless.

The ministry added that if Pakistan were to target militant infrastructure inside Afghanistan, it would, as in the past, announce it officially and provide concrete evidence.

Earlier, local sources in Kunar told Afghanistan International that the Pakistani army had carried out artillery strikes on various areas in Asadabad, the provincial capital, including Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University.

The casualty toll from these attacks has been reported as seven killed and 75 wounded.

Death Toll from Pakistani Attacks Rises to 7, with 75 Injured

Apr 27, 2026, 16:44 GMT+1
Death Toll from Pakistani Attacks Rises to 7, with 75 Injured
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Sources at the Kunar hospital say Pakistani attacks on the Asadabad city and Sarkani District have killed 7 people and injured 75, including women and children.

A list obtained by Afghanistan International from the Asadabad public hospital contains the names and details of the victims.

Earlier, local sources in Kunar Province reported that Pakistani forces carried out rocket attacks on parts of the provincial capital, including Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University, as well as Sarkani district.

Sources said civilian homes were also hit in the attacks, causing casualties.

Images received by Afghanistan International show thick black smoke rising from several targeted areas.

One of the sites hit was Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University in Asadabad. Footage shows explosions on the campus shortly after mortar shells struck, causing damage.

According to sources, several mortar rounds hit the university. Images show panic and confusion among students following the impact.

Videos also show thick smoke around university buildings and visible damage to parts of its facilities.

Meanwhile, officials at the government hospital in Asadabad confirmed that a number of wounded had been transferred there, and ambulances had been sent to move casualties to other areas.

Taliban: 30 Wounded in Pakistani Attack on Kunar University

The Taliban Ministry of Higher Education said at least 30 students and lecturers were injured in Pakistani attacks on Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University. The group described the attack as cowardly, brutal and against humanitarian and Islamic principles.

In a statement, the ministry said the attacks caused damage to parts of the university and condemned the action as a violation of humanitarian principles and international law.

The ministry also called on international organisations and human rights groups to address the issue and take steps to prevent similar attacks.

Some local residents said that, in addition to rocket fire, drone strikes and even the use of fighter jets had been reported.

According to local sources, as the attacks continued, some civilians were forced to flee their homes.

The attacks come a day after tribal elders in Sarkano district said they had begun talks with elders in Bajaur District across the Durand Line. The talks, held with Taliban approval, were aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and halting the attacks.

However, the continued violence suggests mediation efforts and tribal negotiations have yet to produce tangible results.

Clashes between Taliban fighters and Pakistani forces have also been reported in border areas of Spin Boldak and South Waziristan.

Taliban, Pakistani Forces Clash Along Kandahar Border, Say Sources

Apr 27, 2026, 15:14 GMT+1
Taliban, Pakistani Forces Clash Along Kandahar Border, Say Sources
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Local sources told Afghanistan International that Pakistani forces fired mortars at several villages in Spin Boldak District on Sunday night. Sources say Taliban forces returned fire at Pakistani posts.

Residents said on Monday afternoon that gunfire could still be heard in the area.

There is no confirmed information yet on possible casualties from the clashes.

Sources added that the previous night, Taliban forces carried out a retaliatory attack on Pakistani troops in border areas of Spin Boldak district.

The clashes reportedly followed the killing of a local child labourer by Pakistani forces near the Friendship Gate a day earlier.

According to sources, the Taliban attacked Pakistani forces in the Kandak Abdullah area in response to the incident.

One source claimed that six Pakistani forces were killed in the attack, but this has not been confirmed by Pakistan.

Iranian Governor Thanks Taliban For Water Release During Nimruz Visit

Apr 27, 2026, 13:29 GMT+1
Iranian Governor Thanks Taliban For Water Release During Nimruz Visit
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Mansour Bijar, the Iranian governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province visited Nimruz Province in Afghanistan and met Taliban officials, thanking them for releasing water to the Sistan region. He also met the Taliban governor of Nimruz.

Iranian media have reported on the visit of the Sistan governor to Nimruz.

During the meeting, both sides discussed water issues, border trade and economic cooperation. According to Iranian media, the Taliban governor in Nimruz said water releases would continue if sufficient supply is available.

The governor of Sistan and Baluchestan also said Iran seeks to expand its trade and border relations with Afghanistan.

The meeting emphasised the implementation of a 23-point memorandum of understanding between Sistan and Nimruz, with plans to establish joint committees to advance cooperation.

Bijar proposed holding joint meetings every three months to further strengthen collaboration.

Taliban Interior Minister, Chinese Envoy Discuss Bilateral Relations

Apr 27, 2026, 12:04 GMT+1
Taliban Interior Minister, Chinese Envoy Discuss Bilateral Relations
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Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban interior minister met Zhao Xing, Chinese ambassador in Kabul to discuss bilateral relations, the Taliban’s interior ministry said.

According to a statement issued on Monday, the two sides also highlighted the importance of China’s efforts to address regional challenges.

Haqqani told the Chinese envoy that the Taliban administration is seeking overall stability in Afghanistan.
No further details about the meeting were immediately released.

China, like most countries, has not formally recognised the Taliban government, with the exception of Russia. However, Beijing maintains extensive economic and diplomatic ties with the Taliban authorities.