Explosions & Aircraft Activity Reported Over Kabul
Local sources reported that explosions and gunfire were heard in Kabul early on Thursday, followed by the sound of fighter jets and drones flying over the Afghan capital.
Afghanistan
Taliban Promised Inquiry Into Abuse Of Cleric, Says Shia Commission
The Afghanistan Shia Commission says it discussed the “insulting treatment” of Shia cleric Ayatollah Hussaindad Sharifiwith Taliban morality officials and urged steps to prevent similar incidents.
Seven Million People Displaced In Afghanistan In 2025
A new global displacement report says around 7 million people in Afghanistan were internally displaced last year by conflict and natural disasters, accounting for nearly half of South Asia’s internal displacement cases.
Taliban Signs $46 Million Customs Laboratory Deal With Indian Company
The Taliban’s economic office said it signed a $46 million contract with Indian company TCRC to build and equip laboratory centers in Kabul and nine Afghan customs facilities.
Taliban to Sell Confiscated Housing Estates Back to Residents
The Taliban has published a new law allowing it to seize land deemed “state-owned”, including existing residential areas, and resell it to residents and property owners.
Taliban & Pakistan Prepared To Work Together For Peace & Security, Says China
Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, said Pakistan and the Taliban view the Urumqi process positively and are ready to cooperate for peace, security and development.
EU Commission Clarifies Talks With Taliban Representatives In Brussels
The European Commission said inviting Taliban officials to Brussels for talks on returning Afghan migrants does not amount to recognising the Taliban government.
Taliban To Put TOLOnews Journalists On Trial
The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture confirmed the detention of two Tolo News journalists, saying their cases are under review and no court ruling has yet been issued.
Attack On Pakistani Police Centre Was Not Planned In Afghanistan, Says Taliban
Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, rejected Pakistani claims that the recent attack on a police center in Bannu was planned in Afghanistan, insisting Afghan soil is not used against any country.
Arrests & Killings Of Former Afghan Forces Continue, Says UN
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said arrests and killings of former Afghan security personnel continued in early 2026, documenting 23 arbitrary detentions, nine torture cases and five killings.
Taliban-Pakistan Border Clashes Killed 372 Civilians in 3 Months, Says UN
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said 372 civilians were killed and 397 injured in border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan between January and March 2026.
EU to Soon Invite Taliban Officials to Brussels for Migration Talks
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the European Commission will soon invite Taliban officials to Brussels for talks on the deportation of Afghan migrants.
Taliban Beat Shia Cleric In Kabul After Marriage Dispute, Say Sources
Local sources told Afghanistan International that Taliban morality police detained and beat prominent Shia cleric Hussaindad Sharifi after he officiated the marriage of an engaged couple before their wedding ceremony.
Taliban Reject Pakistan Army Chief Remarks, Urge Islamabad To Tackle Militants
Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, rejected remarks by Asim Munir, Pakistan army chief, insisting Afghanistan is not being used against any country. He urged Pakistan to address militant activity within its own borders.
Taliban Treatment Of Women May Amount To Crime Against Humanity, Says UN Rapporteur
Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Afghanistan, warned that the systematic repression of women and girls in Afghanistan has become normalised and could amount to a crime against humanity.
Taliban Order Cut To Residential Fibre-Optic Internet In Kabul, Say Sources
Sources with several fibre-optic internet companies in Kabul told Afghanistan International that the Taliban have ordered regulators to cut residential fibre internet services across the capital.
Taliban Leader Adviser Arrested In Kandahar Over Alleged Bribery
Sources linked to the Taliban in Kandahar told Afghanistan International that the group’s intelligence agency has arrested Mullah Jan Mohammad Madani, a senior adviser to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Taliban Urges Turkmenistan To Implement 24-Hour Operations At Torghundi Port
Noor Ahmad Islamjar has urged Turkmenistan to accelerate implementation of a plan to operate the Torghundi Border Crossing on a 24-hour basis. The call comes when Taliban seeks to expand trade routes with Central Asia following disruptions in commerce with Pakistan.
Exiled Media Watchdog Urges UN, EU To Seek Release Of Journalists Held By Taliban
Nai in Exile, an organisation supporting Afghan journalists and media outlets, has called on the United Nations and the European Union to intervene for the immediate release of journalists recently detained by the Taliban.
Pakistani Envoy Urges Taliban to Take Practical Action Against Militants
Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, Pakistan's ambassador to Kabul, urged the Taliban to take practical measures against terrorist threats originating from Afghanistan.
Taliban Besieged TOLOnews Offices After Journalist Detentions, Say Sources
Informed sources told Afghanistan International that Taliban intelligence forces besieged the offices of TOLOnews and its parent company, Moby Group, for more than six hours after the broadcaster reported the detention of two of its journalists on social media.
Taliban Confirm Two Killed In Clashes In Badakhshan’s Argo District
Taliban police in Badakhshan confirmed that at least two residents of Argo district were killed in clashes with Taliban forces during anti-poppy eradication operations.