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Taliban

The Taliban is a Deobandi Islamic fundamentalist, militant Islamist, and jihadist political movement that presently controls all of Afghanistan. It emerged in September 1994 as one of the prominent factions in the Afghan Civil War and largely consisted of students (talib) who had been educated in traditional Islamic schools. The movement spread nationwide, and ruled around three-quarters of the country from 1996–2001, before being overthrown by a United States-led invasion in the aftermath of the September, 2001 terrorist attacks. In 2021, with the departure of the US military from the country, the Taliban claimed control of the entire country, to which it has applied a hardline interpretation of Islam.

Taliban

5 killed in latest clash at Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing

Each side has accused the other of launching ‘unprovoked’ attacks at the crossing between Chaman and Spin Boldak, in southern Afghanistan.

Afghan boy, 13, executes family’s killer in echoes of worst days of Taliban rule

Pakistan rejects UN warning over legal immunity for military chief

3 Chinese citizens killed in Tajik-Afghan border clash

Tajik officials claim the workers were killed in a drone and gun attack from Afghanistan, raising tensions in Tajikistan’s volatile border region.

Can mediators prevent war between Afghanistan, Pakistan as tensions spike?

Prolonged proxy warfare could create space for terrorist groups such as Isis-K to regenerate and plot overseas attacks, analysts warn.

India, Afghanistan close ranks against Pakistan, marking South Asia power shift

Direct air cargo links reflect New Delhi’s efforts to reassert influence and could help Kabul reduce dependence on Islamabad, analysts say.

3 Pakistani security officers killed in suicide bombing near Afghan border

One attacker detonated his explosives at the main gate of the paramilitary headquarters while a second was shot and killed in its compound.

Islamabad court blast kills 12 as Pakistan Taliban faction claims attack

Threat of more attacks follows, as Pakistan struggles with a resurgent Taliban.

Taliban says Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire will hold, despite failed talks

Afghanistan blamed ‘irresponsible and uncooperative’ Pakistan for the failure while Islamabad said Kabul was not clamping down on terrorism.

International condolences pour in after deadly Afghanistan earthquake

A powerful 6.3 earthquake hit northern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least 20 and injuring hundreds.

Powerful earthquake kills at least 20 in Afghanistan, hundreds injured

Tremor near Mazar-e Sharif comes just weeks after a devastating earthquake killed hundreds in the country’s east.

Afghan, Pakistani negotiators to strengthen truce in Istanbul

Islamabad has repeatedly accused its Afghan neighbour of ‘harbouring’ groups it views as ‘terrorist’, primarily the Pakistani Taliban, which Kabul denies.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to ceasefire after deadly fighting

Mediated by Qatar and Turkey, the truce came into effect immediately and is intended to pause hostilities that killed dozens and injured hundreds.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire after Doha peace talks

The two sides are seeking a way forward after border clashes killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Pakistan, Afghanistan hold peace talks in Qatar after latest clashes

Kabul accused Islamabad of violating a recent ceasefire following cross-border clashes that killed dozens of troops and civilians.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to ceasefire amid escalating tensions

Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of harbouring armed groups, resulting in violence that has killed dozens along the border.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | China calls for restraint in Pakistan-Taliban conflict

An expert says the renewed attacks could jeopardise Chinese personnel and projects in the region.

‘Stalemate’: is prolonged Pakistan-Taliban hostility new border reality?

Though an all-out war between Islamabad and Kabul is unlikely, a diplomatic solution also remains elusive, analysts say.

Dozens killed in firefights between Pakistani, Afghan forces along border

Taliban troops attacked border posts in retaliation for a Pakistani air strike in Kabul this week.

7 Pakistani officers killed in 6-hour battle as militants attack police station

An Afghan Taliban ally, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, initially claimed responsibility for the assault but later denied involvement.

Mobile and internet restored in Afghanistan after Taliban-ordered cut

The 48-hour outage caused chaos, disrupting finance, trade and online learning.

Digital blackout in Afghanistan as Taliban cuts internet access to stop ‘vice’

Mobile phone and internet signals are less than 1 per cent of ordinary levels, in line with an ‘intentional disconnection’, watchdog says.

US citizen released by Afghanistan’s Taliban after visit by envoy

The foreign ministry identified the prisoner as Amir Amiri and said he had been handed over to Adam Boehler, US special envoy on hostages.

23 killed in suspected Pakistan air raid near Afghan border

Sources report that women and children were among the dead, with an opposition MP claiming the strike was a failed counterterrorism operation.

Trump demands Bagram airbase, ‘not possible’ Taliban says

Trump threatened punishment against Afghanistan if the base was not returned, four years after it was abandoned by US troops in a deal he brokered.

Trump says ‘bad things’ will happen if Afghanistan does not return Bagram base

The US president has often lamented the loss of access to the facility, noting its proximity to China.

Taliban free UK couple held for months in Afghanistan on undisclosed charges

There has been no explanation for the detention of Peter and Barbie Reynolds, aged 80 and 75, who remained after the Taliban seized power.

WHO urges Taliban to lift restrictions on women aid workers

Restrictions are hampering the humanitarian response for women following last week’s deadly earthquake, WHO says.

Video | China calls for restraint in Pakistan-Taliban conflict