Latest News
Two suspects arrested for killing female Afghan journalist
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the assassination of journalist Malalai Maiwand who was gunned down in Jalalabad in Nangarhar early Thursday morning.
Interior Ministry’s spokesman Tariq Arian confirmed the arrest and said the two suspects had been taken into custody on Thursday night.
Arian said in a tweet that during preliminary questioning, the suspects confessed to the crime.
“The assassin of Martyr Malalai Maiwand and his associate were arrested this evening and have confessed to their crime. Investigation underway,” Arian stated.
This came after the shooting of Maiwand, and her driver sparked not only a national outcry but also strong condemnation from foreign countries, organizations, and individuals, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Maiwand was killed shortly after 7.30 am in the Nangarhar provincial capital, along with her driver, while on her way to work. She worked for provincial radio and TV station Enikass.
Reacting immediately after the attack, Arian said in a tweet that “unfortunately, in the last decade and a half, the vast majority of journalists have been killed by the Taliban.”
However, no details were given as to whether the suspects were linked to any group but Daesh did claim responsibility for the attack earlier in the day.
Maiwand’s death on Thursday has meanwhile brought the total number of journalists killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 52, according to CPJ data.
Arian also stated earlier Thursday in a separate tweet that the Afghan security forces had arrested a Taliban militant in connection with the assassination of Ilias Daee, a Radio Azadi reporter, who was killed in an IED blast last month in Helmand.
Arian noted that the insurgent had also confessed to his crime.
The official emphasized that police are trying to arrest the remaining culprits.
Daee was killed and two civilians including his brother were wounded in a magnetic IED explosion in PD1 of Lashkargah city on November 12.
The development comes as targeted attacks on journalists and media workers have increased sharply in recent weeks.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met on Tuesday with Qatar’s ambassador to Kabul, Mirdif Al-Qashouti, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and expanding Afghanistan’s engagement with the international community.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting focused on Qatar’s efforts to facilitate the Islamic Emirate’s engagement with the international community.
Muttaqi welcomed the growing engagement between Afghanistan and the international community and praised Qatar’s role in supporting these efforts.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s ambassador reaffirmed Doha’s commitment to continuing its efforts and described the progress made so far as encouraging.
Alireza Bikdeli, Iran’s ambassador to Kabul, met on Tuesday with officials of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines to discuss expanding economic relations, joint investment, and strengthening cooperation in the industrial and mining sectors.
During the meeting, Khan Mohammad Khan, deputy for industry at the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines, highlighted the existing opportunities in Afghanistan’s industrial and mining sectors and called on Iranian investors to make practical investments in these areas.
He said that with suitable opportunities available for industrial growth and the processing of raw minerals in Afghanistan, greater prospects exist for economic cooperation and joint investment with regional countries, particularly Iran.
Meanwhile, Bikdeli said that Iranian investors are showing growing interest in operating in various economic and production sectors in Afghanistan. He also emphasized Iran’s willingness to expand economic relations and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
At the end of the meeting, he invited officials of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines to participate in a mining exhibition scheduled to be held in Iran.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture says BBC radio broadcasts across the country have been suspended due to what it described as “repeated violations.”
Safiullah Raed, head of media monitoring at the ministry, confirmed the suspension, without providing further details.
The BBC has also confirmed that its radio broadcasts have been suspended across Afghanistan. A spokesperson for the broadcaster said it was in contact with officials of the Islamic Emirate to resolve the issue.
Tahawol: Warnings over worsening insecurity in Pakistan discussed
Saar: Concerns over potential return of US military bases to Afghanistan discussed
Afghanistan hold Bangladesh to dramatic draw in Abu Dhabi Test
Muttaqi and Qatar’s envoy discuss Afghanistan’s ties with international community
Afghanistan and Iran stress expanding industrial and mining cooperation
Cricket Bonanza: Afghanistan set for packed international schedule
New warnings reignite debate over AI threat to humanity
UN warns of mounting humanitarian and human rights pressures in Afghanistan
Afghanistan says 28 killed, 32 captured in Nuristan operation
CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue Trump, challenging White House ban
Tahawol: Warnings over worsening insecurity in Pakistan discussed
Saar: Concerns over potential return of US military bases to Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Kabul’s criticism of Islamabad’s policy toward Afghanistan
Saar: Pakistan deploying army in KP
Tahawol: EU appointing new envoy for Afghanistan
-
Regional5 days agoTrump says US will not attack Iran before midterm elections in November
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan issues new directives for Afghan medical students and doctors
-
World5 days agoWitkoff, Kushner to meet Ukrainians for talks on the war, says US source
-
Latest News3 days agoIranian lawmaker praises Afghanistan’s support, accuses Pakistan of ‘hypocrisy’
-
Latest News4 days agoUS senator cites Afghanistan visits in Pentagon ‘cover-up’ allegations over Iran war
-
World4 days agoUS imposes sanctions on ICC amid dispute over international prosecutions
-
Sport4 days agoBangladesh reach 317/8 on Day One against Afghanistan in Test match
-
Business4 days agoIran allocates over 110 hectares in Chabahar for Afghan economic activities