Civilians Harmed In Pakistan Strikes On Kunar, Says UN

Speaking at a press briefing, the European Commission spokesperson said contacts with the Taliban at a technical level have continued since October last year. According to him, these contacts are aimed at facilitating the return of Afghans considered a security threat.

Referring to a joint letter from officials of 20 EU member states, he said it had called on the European Commission and relevant bodies to pursue technical talks with the Taliban to coordinate the return of individuals who do not have the right to remain in the European Union.

Lammert also pointed to a letter by Ursula von der Leyen last year, which stressed the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to returning individuals to Afghanistan.

He added: “Any decision on returns is an individual decision taken by the authorities of member states. It must be made on a case-by-case basis and after a full assessment of files, particularly asylum applications.”

Earlier reports had suggested that the European Union planned to invite a Taliban delegation to Brussels to discuss the deportation of Afghan migrants. The reports drew widespread reactions, and some women activists called on the EU in a letter to cancel the visit.

Sources told Zawia News the statement was edited by a Pakistani delegation, with discussions over specific wording. The main disagreement reportedly centred on whether to use the term “protest letter” or “demarche”, with the latter ultimately included.

A source within the Taliban foreign ministry said a “protest note” in diplomatic practice signals strong dissatisfaction with another country’s actions, while a “demarche” is typically used to express a difference of opinion. As a result, issues such as the bombardment of Kunar and the university incident were framed as matters of disagreement rather than formal protest.

Pakistan has shelled Kunar province for the past two days, with civilian casualties reported. Sources say at least 70 people were injured at Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University alone.

Following the attacks, the Taliban summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in coordination with the embassy, according to sources.

They added that the Pakistani embassy had requested that no photos or videos of the meeting be released. Official Taliban foreign ministry social media accounts show no images from the meeting.

However, shortly afterwards, images were published of a meeting between Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban’s foreign minister, and Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan.

The Taliban has not yet responded militarily to the Pakistani strikes. On Tuesday, the group’s higher education minister said the lack of response should not be seen as weakness, adding that action would be taken according to circumstances.

Relations between the Taliban and Pakistan remain strained. The Taliban had earlier expressed optimism about the Urumqi talks, describing them as “positive”, but cross-border attacks have continued since.

China hosted talks between Pakistani and Taliban delegations in the city of Urumqi from April 1- 7.

The UK Defence Minister, Pollard, stressed that these individuals will receive no assistance from the UK to leave Afghanistan.

He added that eligible Afghans “need to make their own way to a third country when they are able to do so”, where they will receive housing and visa support until 2028.

Pollard said some eligible individuals had already travelled independently this year to third countries such as Pakistan. He explained that, after reviewing evidence of successful self-relocations and reassessing risks and other factors, including cost savings for taxpayers, the government had decided to end in-country support for departures.

The National Audit Office said in March that, without faster relocations, it could take nearly three more years to move all Afghans promised refuge in the UK.

Resettlement schemes for Afghans were closed to new applicants in July last year. Shortly afterwards, it emerged that the Ministry of Defence was responsible for a major data breach involving applicants’ personal details, an incident the department said put thousands of lives at risk.

These families qualified for relocation due to their previous work with British forces in Afghanistan or because their details were exposed.

Ministers had previously pledged to relocate all eligible Afghans by March 2029 under the new Afghan resettlement programme. However, Pollard said on Tuesday that the final deadline has been set for December 2028, after which all support and transfers will end.

The Ministry of Defence has also ended the use of short-term accommodation in defence facilities for Afghan families. Pollard told MPs: “we cannot sustain ARP support indefinitely.”

He said six hotels are currently being used to house Afghan families, two of which will close within days.

Last week, The Independent reported that two Afghans approved for relocation had filed a case at the High Court, accusing the Ministry of Defence of failing to help them leave Afghanistan.

Sara de Jong, who supports former Afghan military interpreters, said the decision to end in-country support would come as a “complete shock” to those offered relocation.

“The fact that some have been able to escape doesn’t mean that that option is open to everyone,” she said.

She added that those unable to leave hiding places to obtain documents or afford the high cost of visas have effectively been abandoned. She also warned that ongoing security tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan make independent relocation even more difficult.

The Taliban official stressed that the group seeks an end to tensions and friendly relations with Pakistan.

In a statement, the Taliban Prime Minister office condemned recent Pakistani attacks on homes and the Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University in Asadabad, Kunar province, calling the targeting of “civilians, women and children” unjustifiable.

The office urged the UK envoy and “friendly countries and institutions” to “understand the facts and hold the responsible side accountable”.

According to the statement, Lindsay praised the Taliban administration’s “peaceful stance”. London has also conveyed to Islamabad the need to build trust, urging both sides to take positive steps to create a more constructive atmosphere.

Pakistani Shelling in Kunar

Pakistani forces on Monday fired rockets at areas in Kunar province, including the university and Sarkani district.

Sources at a provincial hospital told Afghanistan International that at least seven people were killed and 75 others injured.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education said at least 30 students and staff were wounded in the attack on the university.

However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied the reports, calling them “baseless” and accusing Kabul of attempting to gain sympathy while concealing alleged support for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

In a statement, the Taliban’s interior ministry, without providing details, said the two sides emphasised strengthening cooperation between Russia and the Taliban. They reportedly also discussed bilateral security, economic and political issues.

Since the Taliban returned to power, Russia has increased oil and gas exports to Afghanistan, while imports of Russian grain to the country have also multiplied. However, Moscow’s concerns over counterterrorism remain, and it has repeatedly pointed to the presence of militant and terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

Although the Taliban interior minister stressed positive engagement with countries and regional stability during the meeting with the Russian envoy, the group has not expelled Central Asian militants and Uyghur fighters from Afghanistan to address Russia’s and neighbouring countries’ concerns.

Regional countries have cautiously and informally expanded their ties with the Taliban, but most remain reluctant to elevate relations to formal recognition or high-level engagement.

Kabulov, who is visiting Kabul, also met Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, on Tuesday.

Russia is the only country to have recognised the Taliban, though some Russian analysts say Moscow’s expectations of the group have yet to be met.