Latest News
NDS arrests Deash^Khurasan leader
The National Directorate of Security, in a statement, says that it has arrested, Abdullah Orakzai aka Aslam Farooqi, the Khurasan leader of Daesh, along with 19 of his men, including Qari Zahid and Saifullah aka Abu Talha Pakistani, in an operation conducted by the special forces of the directorate.
According to NDS, Aslam Farooqi, in his first talk, has spoken of the close ties of the intelligence agencies in the region with the Khurasan fraction of Daesh.
The statement reads, “Abdullah Orakzai aka Aslam Farooqi comes from Akhondzadgan village of Orakzai agency, Pakistan. He has previously worked as the military head of the group in Peshawar, commander of Daesh in Abdulkhil valley of Achin district, Nangarhar, and Daesh chief of operations in Khaiber agency. After Abu Saeed Bajawari was killed, he took over as Daesh shadow governor for Afghanistan.”
“He has had close ties with other terrorist networks such as, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Haqqani – the ties that have now grown deeper into various levels of Daesh’s Khurasan fraction,” the statement adds.
It further reveals that Qari Zahid aka Ma’az as Daesh military chief in Afghanistan and Saifullah aka Abu Talha Pakistani as chief of recruitment had been active in different activities of the group in eastern Nangarhar province.
The NDS promises to share further details of Farooqi’s investigation with the people of Afghanistan in the near future.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, says Afghan defense forces repelled repeated airspace violations over Kabul on Saturday night by the Pakistani military, assuring the public that the security situation in the capital remains stable.
Mujahid confirmed that Afghan air-defense units targeted incoming aircraft, saying: “Air defence attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft. Kabul residents should not be concerned.”
Amid rising military tensions between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan, senior officials in Afghanistan warned that the nation is fully capable of responding to any form of aggression.
Hayatullah Muhajir Farahi, Deputy Minister of Publication at the Ministry of Information and Culture, stated: “The enemies of Afghanistan must understand that Afghans now have the ability to respond decisively to any act of aggression.”
International Sports
FIFA calls for ‘all teams to participate’ in 2026 World Cup amid US–Iran conflict
The developments come just months before Iran is due to travel to the United States for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström says the governing body remains committed to having every qualified nation compete at the 2026 World Cup, despite escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.
The U.S. carried out missile attacks on Iran on Saturday and Sunday, with US President Donald Trump describing the operation as a “major combat mission.” Iran responded with strikes on US air bases in the Gulf, including facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
The developments come just months before Iran is due to travel to the United States for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Iran was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Team Melli is scheduled to play two group-stage matches in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, followed by a third in Seattle on June 26.
Speaking at the International Football Association Board’s annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, Grafström said FIFA is closely monitoring the situation but remains focused on ensuring the tournament proceeds safely and inclusively.
“I read the news this morning the same way you did,” Grafström said. “It is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.
“Our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating. We will continue to communicate with the three host governments as we always do. Everybody will be safe.”
However, questions remain about Iran’s participation due to US travel restrictions. Iran is among 19 countries included in a travel ban announced by the Trump administration in June last year, potentially complicating entry for Iranian citizens.
In December, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj warned that some national team players and staff could face visa denials because of prior military service. Several players have served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the US government designates as a foreign terrorist organization.
The U.S. State Department has not ruled out the possibility that certain Iranian players could be denied visas, adding further uncertainty to Iran’s path to the 2026 tournament.
Latest News
UNSC to convene meeting on Afghanistan in March 9
NAMA said council members will also meet again on March 17 to review the mandate and ongoing activities of the mission in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to convene a meeting on Afghanistan on March 9, according to an announcement by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
In a statement released Sunday, UNAMA said council members will also meet again on March 17 to review the mandate and ongoing activities of the mission in Afghanistan.
The mission did not provide additional details about the agenda or who will brief the council during the upcoming sessions.
Afghanistan says Pakistani airspace violation over Kabul was thwarted
FIFA calls for ‘all teams to participate’ in 2026 World Cup amid US–Iran conflict
UNSC to convene meeting on Afghanistan in March 9
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Iran launches widespread drone and missile strikes on Gulf states amid US-Israeli attacks
IEA releases three Pakistani soldiers to mark Ramadan
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Afghanistan’s Chief of Armed Forces underscores readiness and equipment for national defense
Pakistani military jet downed in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, pilot captured alive
Afghanistan welcomes investment and technology partnerships with India
Tahawol: Joint Israeli-US attacks on Iran discussed
Saar: Afghan retaliatory operations against Pakistan discussed
Tahawol: Carrying out retaliatory operations against Pakistan discussed
Saar: Resumption of retaliatory operations against Pakistan discussed
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