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US urges Afghan government, Taliban to begin prisoner releases

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The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad said Wednesday that the United States would like to see prisoner releases begin as soon as possible in line with the U.S.-Taliban agreement. 

Khalilzad said in a tweet that so far no prisoners have been released to date despite the commitment to do so expressed by both sides.

“Coronavirus makes prisoner releases urgent; time is of the essence. We are committed to do our part and after consultation with all relevant sides, the United States understands,” he noted.

Khalilzad said that the technical teams from both sides can work together and focus on technical steps to begin prisoner releases as soon as possible. 

“I will participate in the initial meetings,” he added.

“While preferable to meet face-to-face, Coronavirus and the resulting travel restrictions likely requires virtual engagement for now,” said Khalilzad, calling on all sides to avoid provocative media statements.

The US official further said, “The time has come to move forward on prisoner releases.”

“The Taliban commit that released prisoners will abide by the commitments made in the peace agreement and not return to the battlefield. A violation will undermine the peace process­,” Khalilzad tweeted.

On February 29, the US and Taliban delegations signed a deal in Doha, the capital of Qatar in which the release of 5000 Taliban prisoners by 10th of March was highlighted. In exchange, the group would also release 1000 Afghan soldiers who are in the Taliban’s captivity.

President Ashraf Ghani signed a decree on March 11 to release 1500 Taliban prisoners, a move to pave the way for the start of the intr-Afghan dialogue, which was scheduled for March 10 that has not held so far.

According to the decree, the remaining 3500 prisoners would be released after a tangible reduction in

violence by the Taliban and all released prisoners will have to give “a written guarantee to not return to the battlefield.”

The Taliban reject Ghani’s release plan saying that the group had never agreed to the conditional release of the 5,000 prisoners from Afghan jails.

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Escalating violence in Pashtun regions during Ramadan raises concerns

He described these incidents as grave violations of international law and acts that have deepened fears among affected communities.

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Amid the holy month of Ramadan, violence has continued in several Pashtun areas, raising serious concerns among local communities.

In a post in X, Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, the founder and head of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, noted that in Tirah, four Pashtun civilians were reportedly killed and six others injured during operations carried out by the Pakistani army. Protests that followed in Orakzai were also met with force, leaving four more individuals seeking peace and justice injured.

In Afghanistan’s Behsud district, 17 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed in airstrikes attributed to Pakistani forces, he stated.

He described these incidents as grave violations of international law and acts that have deepened fears among affected communities.

In recent days, additional casualties have been reported in Rozmak, Shawal (North Waziristan), Mubarak Shahi village (Mir Ali), Speen Wam, Abakhel village, Dosali, Takhte Khel (Lakki Marwat), Azam Warsak (South Waziristan), Bajaur, and Bannu, where clashes between security forces and armed groups have resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians, Pashteen said.

He stated that the ongoing violence reflects longstanding grievances in Pashtun regions. The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has stated that it will continue to oppose what it describes as injustices against Pashtun communities and will stand in solidarity with those affected.

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UNAMA reports civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

UNAMA urged all parties to end hostilities, protect civilians, and uphold international law principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution to prevent further civilian harm.

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The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed credible reports of civilian casualties following overnight Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan on 21–22 February.

Airstrikes in Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province, carried out between approximately 23:45 on 21 February and 00:15 on 22 February, have reportedly killed at least 13 civilians and injured seven others, including women and children.

Pakistani forces also struck Barmal and Urgun districts in Paktika province.

In Barmal’s Marghai area, an airstrike on 21 February around 23:15 hit a madrassa and partially damaged a nearby mosque.

In Urgun’s Dahna area, an airstrike at approximately 23:30 partially destroyed a vacant private residence. No civilian casualties have been reported from these strikes.

UNAMA urged all parties to end hostilities, protect civilians, and uphold international law principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution to prevent further civilian harm.

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Eight schoolchildren among those killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

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At least eight schoolchildren — five boys and three girls — were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Behsud district of Nangarhar province early Sunday, Afghan officials confirmed on Monday.

The Ministry of Education reported the tragic losses, highlighting the impact of strikes on civilians and students in the region.

Education Ministry spokesman Mansoor Ahmad Hamza also said that a student at a religious seminary was injured in Barmal district of Paktika province, another area affected by the Pakistani military attacks over the weekend.

Dozens of civilians have reportedly been killed or injured in the airstrikes, which Afghan authorities say targeted residential homes and community areas in both Nangarhar and Paktika provinces.

Local sources describe scenes of devastation, with families searching through rubble and emergency personnel rushing to rescue trapped individuals.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense condemned the strikes, saying they constitute a violation of Afghan sovereignty and have caused significant civilian harm.

Officials reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used for attacks against other countries and called for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.

The strikes come amid ongoing tensions along the disputed Durand Line between  Afghanistan and Pakistan, where security concerns and accusations of militancy have frequently strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad. Analysts note that repeated civilian casualties risk further inflaming regional tensions and complicating diplomatic efforts to reduce violence along the frontier.

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