Targeted Taliban Base In Laghman With Rocket Attack, Says Anti-Taliban Group
The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) has released a video claiming responsibility for a rocket attack on Taliban positions in Laghman province.
The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) has released a video claiming responsibility for a rocket attack on Taliban positions in Laghman province.
According to the group, its fighters attacked a Taliban base in the village of Qolak, in the Alingar district, at around 1:30 pm local time on Wednesday, June 24.
In a statement, the AFF said the assault began with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire and lasted for about 15 minutes.
The group claimed the attack inflicted casualties on Taliban forces but did not provide specific figures for those killed or wounded.
The AFF also said none of its fighters were harmed during the operation.
Taliban local officials have not publicly commented on the reported attack or the claimed casualties. Afghanistan International has been unable to independently verify the incident or the figures provided.
The Afghanistan Freedom Front is one of several armed groups opposing the Taliban and has claimed responsibility for dozens of guerrilla attacks against Taliban personnel and officials since the group returned to power.
A day after Taliban forces raided Tamadon TV’s headquarters in Kabul and halted its broadcasts, the channel said “unknown individuals” were removing equipment, assets and other property from its premises. The broadcaster did not identify those involved.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Tamadon TV said any seizure, transfer, removal or interference with the network’s assets lacked a legal basis and could constitute unlawful appropriation of property.
The statement noted that the building also contains private residential units and stressed that the belongings of residents must be respected.
The broadcaster warned that any damage, destruction, loss, unauthorised transfer or harm to the station’s property or personal belongings within the building would be the legal responsibility of the Taliban Interior Ministry and other relevant authorities.
On Tuesday, Tamadon TV announced that Taliban forces had halted its broadcasts after raiding the network’s headquarters in Kabul.
A senior official at the station told the Afghanistan Journalists Center that security personnel linked to the Taliban Justice Ministry entered the premises at around midday, shut down transmissions and treated staff with what was described as insulting and degrading behaviour.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center condemned the raid and closure of the broadcaster, saying the Taliban’s actions reflected the group’s continuing efforts to suppress independent media, silence minority voices and undermine freedom of expression.
Tamadon TV was founded in 2006 in Kabul by Mohammad Asif Mohseni, the late leader of Afghanistan’s Islamic Movement Party. In addition to news programming, the channel broadcast religious content as well as films and television series with Islamic themes.
The Taliban Justice Ministry had previously suspended the station’s operations in May 2024, citing its affiliation with the Islamic Movement Party and its alleged use of state land that had been illegally seized. The ministry argued that media outlets linked to political parties are not permitted to operate.
The Taliban have also stated that Khatam al-Nabieen Seminary and Khatam al-Nabieen University, both affiliated with the now-dissolved Islamic Movement Party of Afghanistan, are not authorised to continue operating. According to the group, the institutions were built on state land that had been unlawfully appropriated and are therefore subject to closure.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, downplayed reports about the Taliban’s planned 8,000-strong special border force, saying the matter is an internal Taliban decision. He said: “This is up to them.”
However, Andrabi stressed that the Taliban must respect the recognised border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry official made the remarks on Wednesday during the ministry’s weekly press briefing.
Responding to a question about relations between Kabul and Islamabad, Andrabi said Pakistan had exhausted all diplomatic options with the Taliban, adding that a threshold had been crossed in October 2025 after which normal diplomacy was no longer possible.
He said the Taliban would need to provide verifiable commitments before diplomatic engagement between the two sides could fully resume.
According to information obtained by Afghanistan International, the Taliban is currently forming an 8,000-member special unit known as the “Hibati Force”, with Russia reportedly providing funding, training and military equipment.
Sources say existing Taliban border posts will remain in place, but final authority over border-related decisions will rest with the new force.
The unit is being established following months of deadly clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces along the border.
Asked about the deployment of the force near Pakistan, Andrabi reiterated that such decisions fall within Afghanistan’s authority.
“Afghan side needs to respect that border – whether they do so with additional 8000 troops or with their existing strength, this is up to them. They need to respect the sanctity of our common international border, and this is more important for us.” he said.
Pakistan’s Position on the Taliban Delegation’s Visit to Brussels
Andrabi was also asked about a Taliban delegation’s recent visit to Brussels, Belgium.
Responding to questions on the matter, he said: “they can go anywhere, I mean, this is not something that concerns us much.”
A Taliban delegation travelled to Brussels on Tuesday and met with European officials.
The delegation had been invited by the European Union and held discussions on consular services and the deportation of Afghan migrants.
As the Taliban intensifies restrictions on Shia communities during Muharram, the group’s Security and Vetting Commission, chaired by Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, has held a meeting.
According to the Taliban, participants stressed the need to ensure security and provide “special attention to Shia Muslims during Muharram”.
The meeting of the Taliban’s Central Security and Vetting Commission was held on Wednesday, June 24. Taliban officials said the country’s security situation was discussed and described Afghanistan’s overall security conditions as “reassuring”.
In a statement, the commission said the meeting emphasised the need for stronger security measures and special attention to the observance of Ashura ceremonies.
The Taliban’s assurances come as the group has imposed restrictions on Muharram commemorations in Kabul and several other areas, while also detaining several people for raising Muharram flags.
Earlier this week, Taliban authorities arrested between 25 and 40 people on the orders of Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Sharaei. Some of the detainees were held in a private detention facility inside the Ministry of Justice building. They were later released following instructions from the Taliban prime minister and interior minister.
In recent days, Taliban forces have also raided several mosques in Kabul, while sources in Mazar-e-Sharif reported increased restrictions and the detention of Muharram mourners.
Previously, Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, during a leadership meeting at the Interior Ministry, called for the necessary measures to ensure public security throughout the month of Muharram.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), marking International Day of Women in Diplomacy, stressed the need for the meaningful participation of Afghan women in public life and political decision-making.
The mission said women’s presence and voices are vital to achieving lasting peace, inclusive development and a brighter future for Afghanistan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, UNAMA said ensuring the meaningful participation of women in public life and decision-making processes in Afghanistan remains a fundamental necessity.
The UN mission once again underlined the importance of providing equal opportunities for Afghan women and girls, saying they must be able to study, lead and play an effective role across all sectors of society, including diplomacy and public service.
International Day of Women in Diplomacy is observed annually on June 24 and aims to highlight the role of women in diplomacy, peacebuilding and international decision-making, while promoting their equal participation in global affairs.
UNAMA said women diplomats are not merely participants in international relations but also serve as leaders, peace mediators and advocates for equality, helping to strengthen international cooperation, advance peace and shape inclusive decision-making.
The mission added that women contribute to building a fairer, more stable and sustainable world through their knowledge, experience and perspectives, making their presence in diplomatic and public spheres especially important.
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on the private and public lives of Afghan women, resulting in their gradual exclusion from public life.
Before the Taliban’s return to power, women played an active role in Afghanistan’s political decision-making. Under the previous government, women served in the cabinet and held senior positions, including governors, ambassadors, district governors and members of parliament.
Human rights activists say the Taliban have entrenched “gender apartheid” by systematically excluding women from society.
Sources told Afghanistan International that Abdul Hakim Sharaei, the Taliban’s justice minister, released a number of detained Shia Muslims from his personal detention facility after receiving orders from the Taliban prime minister and interior minister.
According to the sources, Sharaei also ordered the release of several other Shia detainees who are currently being held at the Kabul provincial detention centre.
The Taliban had arrested between 25 and 40 people on the justice minister’s orders. Some were held in Sharaei’s personal detention facility inside the Ministry of Justice building, while others were transferred to the Kabul provincial detention centre. The detainees spent three days in the minister’s private jail.
Sources said that Zia, deputy head of the security commission overseeing mosques, was among those detained in the minister’s personal prison and has now been released.
Earlier this week, Taliban forces detained Shia Muslims from mosques and Hussainiyas in western Kabul for raising Muharram flags.
Sources familiar with the matter told Afghanistan International that Sharaee released the Muharram mourners following instructions from Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.
On Wednesday, a delegation of Shia community representatives, including Sayed Sufi Gardizi, Nematullah Ghafari, Sheikh Mubashir and university lecturer Yaser Mohseni, visited the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Shia Ulema Council, the Office of Hazara Community Elders and the mosque and Hussainiya security commission.
According to the sources, following the meeting with Shia representatives, the Taliban justice minister released those held in his personal detention facility and also ordered the release of Shia detainees being held at the Kabul provincial detention centre.
In recent days, Taliban forces raided several Shia places of worship in Kabul, including Imam Hussain Mojtaba Mosque in the Telegraph Station area, Mohammadi Mosque in Qala-e Shahada, Nabi Akram Mosque in Omid Sabz Township, Gulzar-e Shohada Hussainiya in Sarkariz, Hasnain Mosque in Karte Seh, Resalat Seminary and the Afshari Mosque near the Ministry of Justice.
On Tuesday, the Taliban justice minister reportedly summoned several Shia elders to his office and detained them for several hours. Sources said they were released after providing assurances that Muharram flags would be taken down.